By Michael Kinney
With frightening ease the karate expert destroys his enemies with flying kicks, punches and piercing screams– and the thrilled movie audience leaves the theater with another distorted image of martial arts training.
To the dismay of most professional karate instructors, films and television have failed to differentiate between functional and theatrical karate. This distinction is extremely important to the student planning to undertake the commitment of serious training in any martial art.
Actual yelling isn’t all the yelling, flying and jumping you see in the movies. Maybe someday, but first the student must not only learn many skills but also command control over mind and body. One important advantage is that the student learns a practical skill, while getting in shape fast. Students concentrate so hard on the fine points of technique that they do not notice the difficulty of enduring the exercise.
The Japanese word “karate” is translated to mean “the art of kicking and punching.” Many countries have developed this art and use different words. In Korea, the homegrown version is “Tae Kwon Do”; in Burma, “Bando”; and in China, “K4ng-fu.” Don’t be satisfied with the claims of superiority of one style over another.
The choice of a qualified instructor is the most important factor in successful training. The skill of teaching is an art unto itself and requires a rare and special type of Black Belt.
The Americanization of karate has produced scores of unqualified “experts.” The most successful instructors have a very low student turnover, in contrast to a school that is always advertising for new students. Large classes with a variety of belt levels participating is also a good sign. The best instructors prefer large classes to provide interaction between men and women of all ages and body types.
Once the student begins training, immediate improvement in body control and balance is evident. Increased flexibility, improved stamina and endurance are the result of fast sprint-like drills. With proper instruction, confidence is boosted and self esteem is reinforced. The student begins to lose common fears, and self control becomes the main theme of training. Most advanced instructors agree that the self-defense part of the training becomes the least important aspect of learning a martial art. As the student practices and develops skills, the desire for immediate results is replaced by the process of realization.
There is no end to instruction in karate – there is just the beginning, and then the further growth.
