If you ask a hand full of people what comes to mind when you say ‘karate’ some of their responses include, strength, discipline, black belt, Bruce Lee, tournament fighting, courage, speed, weapons and self defense. If you had asked me the same question seven years ago, my response would’ve been something similar. Words like self defense and discipline come to mind, fighting, skill and strength. There is no right or wrong answer, the meaning of karate is very much an individual concept. Although karate is all of these things, the past seven years at Tai Shi Kai have taught me it is so much more, and the above only constitutes a very small part of what is a way of life.

To explain how Tai Shi Kai Wado-Ryu karate has changed my life it is important to explain the reasons why I decided to begin karate in the first place. In early 2002 my sister and fellow karate-ka (student or practitioner of karate) Kylie, received a brochure in the mail for a local Wado-Ryu Karate club – Tai Shi Kai. We decided to try it out for some extra exercise and if nothing else, we would perhaps learn a self defense technique that could come in handy if ever the need arose. Little did I know that Monday night would be the beginning of a new and exciting journey that would challenge me physically, mentally and emotionally and ultimately change my way of life.

Like many inexperienced karate-ka I was naive in my belief that self defense would consist a few punches and kicks and that progression would be swift. However, karate does not provide short term gratification it is a long term journey that teaches you tolerance, discipline, commitment and hard work. Like many others I believed karate was purely physical where strength, speed and discipline were the key. Although these attributes cannot be overlooked it is the mental attributes such as humbleness, confidence, tolerance and patience that are just as important, to a karate-ka’s learning.

When I first started at Tai Shi Kai I had low self confidence, I like to succeed in life and would get easily frustrated and embarrassed if I was unable to grasp something quickly. It is much easier to give up rather than face your flaws, accept them, and strive to improve. Wado-Ryu karate has taught me patience and perseverance, you strive to master the techniques of karate, which very few ever do, but you pursue perfection through dedication, practice and hard work. It also teaches you humbleness, and as you improve your techniques and progress through your Kyu grading's, your self confidence grows. Self confidence to do things you didn’t think you could do, and for me has stemmed primarily from performing kata. Initially I feared performing kata in front of class, and that people were judging me, as I compared myself to those of a higher grade, I felt inadequate and embarrassed. Although I still get nervous there is no longer fear, my attitude has changed, and although the movements of the kata will be the same, your kata will differ from that of your fellow karate-ka. You are performing your interpretation and what the kata means to you. Self confidence is also an attribute applicable to everyday life. A particular example for me is confidence in public speaking. It’s one of the hardest things to do, but the confidence I’ve gained from my karate has helped me immensely. I have learnt to put the negative thoughts aside, focus on the positive and believe in my own abilities.

One of the biggest misconceptions I had when beginning at Tai Shi Kai was that self defense required strength and agility and being small in stature, I was easily intimidated. I have learnt self defense can be simple and effective, that brute strength is often your enemy and the most powerful weapon is that of surprise. By catching your attacker off guard you can quickly ‘get in and get out’ before your attacker realizes what’s happened. It is always best to avoid situations that put you at risk (first rule of self defense – don’t be there), but if ever the need arose I feel confident that I could defend myself to the best of my ability. Karate has also taught me that the best (although sometimes the most difficult) defense is to just walk away, and by doing this you’ve already won.

Karate has also taught me budo (martial ways), and budo spirit which encompasses attributes previously mentioned such as patience, discipline and control but also courage, virtue, courtesy, respect for each other and for life and most importantly to never give in. It teaches you to never give up, to push just that little bit further, just when you think you can’t do anymore you find something within yourself that drives you that little bit further. There is a very strong spiritual element to karate at Tai Shi Kai, with emphasis on calmness, peace and harmony. I have recently learnt to appreciate the importance of mokuso (meditation). The ability to clear one’s mind, to hold no fear, no pain, to be at peace in mind and body. Mokuso is important at both the beginning and end of class not only to forget our daily worries prior to training, but also to reflect on and remember the lessons learnt during class. Karate teaches you to overcome yourself doubt, not only in class but all life situations. To empty your mind, especially when things get difficult, don’t let your mind tell you it’s too hard. It is easy to focus on only the combative elements of karate but it is essential as a good karate-ka to embrace all aspects.

In addition to the mental attributes, I have found karate to be very physically beneficial. I have never been known as athletic, but over the past seven years I have gained a level of flexibility, fitness, and stamina that I’ve never had before. I used to get tired after class complaining of sore legs, seconds in Shiko Dachi (wide leg stance with toes at 45°) felt like hours and I have learnt it is as much a mental state of mind as it is physically. I have also improved my eating habits, cutting out foods high in fat and sugar that provide only short bursts of energy, focusing on foods that provide long lasting energy for stamina, thus helping to execute karate quicker and more efficiently. Not only do you feel better within yourself, you have more energy for day to day activities, ultimately leading to a healthier way of life.

The attributes I have discussed are those I have found most influential during my seven years at Tai Shi Kai. No less important however are the friendships made with fellow karate-ka who provide an endless amount of support and encouragement. Fellow karate-ka help to push you further, sometimes further than you push yourself. One can never underestimate the importance of these friendships. Being a student of Wado-Ryu karate has changed my life in many ways, both in the dojo and in life. As I continue my journey at Tai Shi Kai I hope to build upon the solid foundations instilled in me over the past seven years and help others to reap the same rewards as I have by encompassing Wado-Ryu into my life.

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