I realize that everyone starts up in karate for their own particular reasons, the more common ones being: self-defense, exercise, martial arts movies, tournament trophies, cultural appreciation (really!), and one especially common in the secular dojo…”because my parents wanted me to learn some discipline.” For most adults, if they have the patience and drive to hang in with karate-do beyond a year, these early drivers fall off and they’re left with the unbelievable realization that…they just plain enjoy training. This should not be confused with the initial infatuation that many feel for the art, which so often, like in romantic relationships, fades and then karate becomes “something I tried for a little while.” A mature love of the art is a true interest in the bio-physics and dynamics of movement, force projection and speed. It is a real appreciation for the traditions, thought, effort, and sharing attitude of the experts that brought this modern, complex system, with its ancient roots, so freely to each of us who are fortunate enough to study and practice it. For those who survive the first year, therefore, who make it through the natural screening process of repetitive basics (what I like to call “Eternal spring training with no game scheduled”), there is a common bond that drives each karateka…to continuously better oneself.

During the five years that I used to do step aerobics at the local YMCA at lunchtime, I got adept at the various step routines, had my cross-trainers, my water container, my towel, etc. We exercised to music, the choice of which, some of the students would critique, haha. The goal was to workout straight for at least 20 mins, usually 45 mins and ensure that our heart rate reached 80% max. Then, having worked up a sweat and cooling down, we felt we had accomplished something and ended the session. My long term goal was to be able to do this same kind of routine a year, 5 years, 10 years later, and therefore, keep in shape. This was the goal of aerobics. This is not the goal of karate-do. If you are doing the “same routine” a year, 5 years, 10 years later, etc…then, yes, you’re keeping in shape, but I have failed you as your sensei, and you have failed yourself in the practice of the art. My personal belief is that, the goal at the end of each karate session is to be a little better/know a little more than before the class. This is not as hard as it seems, as small improvements can occur at many different levels (speed, power, balance, application, history, timing, rythym, basics, combinations, explaining/sharing with others, and so on and so forth). The thing is, not to get into a rut and mindlessly do the same technique the same way.

For beginners, such improvement is huge and effortless…because they enter training with no knowledge whatsoever. Even children who are dragged to training and just go through the motions, then go home to tv and nintendo, invariably learn so much from karate….for about 6 months. This magic phenomenon is due to the fact that the body and the unconcious mind “practice karate” in the background even though one is unaware of this. What happens at about 6 months is that the techniques get to a level (blue belt level) where merely showing up for class doesn’t guarantee that you’ll continue to improve…and with this lack of improvement in an environment of higher expectations is the major source of frustration and a swell of karate wannabes dropout at around this time. Those who make it past this point, will have gained a great gift…the endless drive to better oneself. Long-time karate-do practioners are among the hardest people to frustrate.

So in my opinion, the basic difference between sports, aerobics and karate-do is that there are no games to win, points to score, people to beat, as there are in sports; there is no satisfaction from hitting your 80% heart rate and doing the same routine 10 years later as in aerobics; satisfaction in karate-do comes from knowing that you have learned at least one little thing in each class. This simple goal becomes a greater and greater challenge, the more one trains and the more one knows. One of the most surprising things I’ve found over the years of sharing karate-do with others is that I always learn something in every class, from the process of sharing with the students. As Pastor Nando often says, “The teacher is twice taught”. I am a testament to that truth and truly owe much to my students who have taught me so much and help keep me accountable to the ministry and the art.