I have always loved watching movies or films with an element of martial arts in them. Martial art in my opinion is one of the most beautiful forms of keeping physically active and strong...a kind of physical poetry in motion, and also it never hurt that it looks so cool.  

Most people associate martial arts with fighting, and that’s largely in part owed to the martial arts movies of the 1960s and 1970s that not only increased the popularity of martial arts around the world but also gave birth to the culture of using the word karate in the English language to describe all striking-based oriental martial arts.[1] 

I have been a student of ‘shotokan’ karate now for the past nine months, and everyday I come to appreciate that there’s more to karate then looking cool and ‘fighting’. I am reminded of being taught by my parents to draw inspiration and to learn from different avenues..with that said this is what i have come to learn thanks to karate:

1.      Seek perfection of character

As human beings we are constantly evolving and improving ourselves. Karate teaches us to focus, to hone our thinking, to improve it, to trust it. It builds our spirit and challenges our will power, teaches us that once you master your thinking, you have control over who you are and what you can do. You understand that you alone are your own limit!

2.       Be faithful

Always stay true to your goals... and know that you can only get better.

3.       Endeavor

The karate man/woman may fall down, but s/he gets back up and starts again. There is no failure here, only a lesson on how to move forward, grow and be better.

4.       Respect others

Karate teaches one the art of humility and understanding that you are no better or worse than the person next to you. In fact respect isn’t earned it is given unconditionally irrespective of race, sex, age, nationality or background, because we are essentially all one and separateness doesn’t truly exist. Yes you may encounter someone who is less than respectful but this isn’t about them, it’s about you and your character.  

5.       Refrain from violent behavior

Karate can be described as a ‘martial art involving a variety of techniques, including blocks, strikes, evasions, throws, and joint manipulations.’[2] And in so much as one is taught all these movements in karate, one learns how to defend oneself in karate...period! You don’t use the skills to start or look for a fight its pure self defence...and only evoked when you are placed in danger. Karate is an art form, a way of life which teaches one to not only be strong and confident but to be happy and peaceful as well.  It is the union of physical and mental strength.

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[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karate

[2] http://www.gwu.edu/~ska/whatis.htm