Karate means empty (kara) hand (te). It is a weaponless fighting style with origins 1000 years ago in China, modified in Okinawa and much later introduced into Japan. The term karate itself wasn't adopted until the 1930's and, prior to that, the Okinawan art was called 'Okinawan Hand' or 'Chinese Hand'.

Serious practitioners of karate usually refer to what they practice as karate-Dō. The Dō, pronounced 'Doe', is the Chinese character for 'road,' 'path' or 'way.' In Chinese, it is pronounced Tao or Dao. Dō is attached to many Japanese arts: Ken-dō (way of the sword), Ju-dō, Sho-dō (the way of Calligraphy). The dō in Karate-dō signifies that what we practice is not merely a system of fighting but is also -- if not primarily -- a 'way' to improve the mind, body and spirit.

Traditionally, karate was taught entirely through kata, the dance-like forms that simulate actual battles. Now karate classes also include floor exercises -- practicing techniques and combinations with or without partners -- and kumite, or sparring practice. Kata remains the most important training method in traditional karate-dō. Kata, when performed with skill, are beautiful to watch, exhilarating and exhausting to perform; and mentally, are meditation in motion. I have never heard a serious, skilled karate practitioner claim to have mastered, after decades of practice, a single kata. To learn more about that, please come to class.

Who can do this?

Many people probably discount their own abilities and turn away from karate training when they see advanced karate students performing complicated techniques with dramatic speed and power. These advanced students were all once beginners, and some of the most renowned karate practitioners are self-described klutzes and non-athletes. Karate can be done by people of all ages: children, teens and adults. Determination is more important than physical ability, and the mental and spiritual benefits of karate training are not contingent on body type.

Can Karate save my life?

Absolutely.

Are you likely to ever use your karate training in violent combat?

There are thousands of true testimonials from karate students who have been forced into violent situations and survived, thanks to their training. It happens but, unless you are a police officer or in the military, probably not, hopefully not.

Karate is an extremely effective form of self-defense against one or multiple attackers. The increased sense of awareness, poise and self-confidence that comes with Karate-dō training usually enables karate students to avoid violent situations, so they don't have to test their striking, pressure-point,and throwing skills. However, Karate is an important weapon in the daily battle we all face and are forced to fight.

The hazards Americans --- adults and children -- face to their health and well-being are: diseases caused largely by our overly-affluent lifestyle and trauma such as car accidents. Very few Americans die in hand-to-hand combat but most Americans die of problems -- heart disease, cancer, accidents -- or suffer poor quality of life from problems -- obesity, lack of strength and coordination in adult years, mental decline in the advanced years-- that can be prevented, delayed or improved through karate training. While this sounds like a wild claim, there is scientific data to support it.

Karate practitioners, even in middle age, are far more physically fit than their counterparts(1). Advanced karate students, in controlled experiments, have been shown to have significantly faster reaction times and better visual spatial awareness than karate beginners, not just for fighting situations but also for situations that more closely resemble driving in traffic(2). Recent medical studies show that even modest amounts of exercise can cut an adult's risk of developing diabetes by nearly 1/2 and more rigorous exercise, such as karate training, can dramatically lower the risk of stroke, heart attack and can prevent decline in mental function after age 60 (3). Beyond the physical benefits, karate-do training is 'moving meditation' that develops a persons ability to coordinate mental and physical energy: basic skills most Americans lack.

So, if you are a typical American, karate may save your life on the street; it will certainly keep you safer and healthier everywhere else.

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1 Douris, P, et al. 2004. "Fitness levels of middle aged martial art practitioners." British Journal of Sports Medicine. 38(2):143-7.

2 Mori S., et al. 2002. "Reaction times and anticipatory skills of karate athletes." Human Movement Science. 21(2):213-30.

3 Too numerous to list. Go to the Center for Disease Control's website and search on Exercise.