WHY KARATE

Karate is a Healthy Choice.

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When people think of karate they may visualize dazzling high kicks and dropping into the splits like Jean Claude Van Damm. Not everyone will be physically able to perform these feats seen in the movies. Our purpose is to make sure that you work at a level that is comfortable, yet challenging to yourself. Our workouts consist of a good mixture of cardiovascular endurance, strength training and flexibility exercises that are designed to benefit the whole body. Our instructors continue to research the best training methods known to the fitness world. A healthy lifestyle promotes overall well being. With a healthy body, you have a healthy mind. When your body and mind are in tune, everything from waking up in the morning to thinking clearly at school or work, helps make this fast paced society we live in easier, and more enjoyable.

Awareness and Self Defense.

The key to self defense is not kicking and punching. As a matter of fact, karate training discourages physical action in any confrontation unless it is an absolute last resort. Learning to be aware of your surroundings and avoiding dangerous situations is the focus of awareness. Simple things that people probably already know are used as constant reminders so that awareness becomes a natural way of thinking. With awareness training, bad situations can be avoided.

Concentration and Focus.

Concentration is something that can be improved with training. Many doctors are now recommending people with A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder) and A.D.H.D. (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) train in karate because of the concentration skills that are developed. The focus and concentration necessary to learn and perfecting the kata, (series of prearranged movements), are transferred into your everyday life.

Balance.

Balance is a physical and mental attribute that is developed as a result of karate training. Balance in the physical sense is acquired by performing drills that make you aware of what your body is doing while in motion. Balance as a mental characteristic is developed as you use karate to challenge and stimulate your mind. At first, most people will not find karate training to be as natural as walking, so you will have to rationalize your movements as you earn them. With the presence of a good physical and mental balance you will enhance and develop your skills.

Control.

Control is a result of focus, concentration, and confidence. Through the efforts of repetitive karate training people learn their limitations. The more aggressive person may want to push those limitations, which is not a bad thing. Emotions such as anger and fear may never leave a person completely but with practice, like anything else, you can learn to control them.

Respect, Discipline, and Humility.

Most educated people associate karate with discipline. This is because of the format in which the classes are taught. In karate there is a ranking system which lets people know where they stand. Karate doesn't have to be militaristic to the point it was originally intended (after all it is a martial art developed to defend ones life) but these values are instilled. Generally a person who enters a karate class will see that people will bow to each other, call the instructor Sensei (teacher) and conform to the rules and guidelines set forth by the school. This makes a person feel rather awkward themselves if they don't conform to their surroundings. Most difficult people can be taught humility simply by being in an environment where it is prominent.

Goal Orientation.

People need direction. Most people enter a karate dojo with visions of wearing a black belt. The realization of reaching that goal can be overwhelming without proper direction. As instructors we help individuals set reasonable goals so that a person can make these ambitions attainable. Instead of thinking about a black belt that may be four or more years down the road, we focus on our ranking system which breaks it down to a few months at a time. At each level the student knows in advance what is expected of them to reach the next level. People that learn the importance of mile marking goals can more readily accept some of life's challenges and learn to make realistic goals for themselves.

Self Confidence.

You have to feel good about yourself and you have to trust in your abilities to be confident. Karate teaches you how to handle pressure by applying a little bit at a time. Every individual has a certain limit, and once you find it you tend to feel comfortable. Once you are comfortable you can start to expand or push those limits and feel good about trying something you never imagined you could do before. Karate is an endless learning experience that provides constant challenges, which keeps you alert and lets your confidence grow.

Role Models.

Like a school teacher, we as karate instructors have a responsibility to our students to instill positive values. Children benefit by the mental stimulation of learning the choreographed moves of the kata and the discipline of conforming to the rules of the school. An adult doesn't have to feel self conscious about getting the physical benefits of the exercise provided. Karate instills the confidence to walk away from confrontation, not to contest it head on. To teach these values at an early age will benefit a child for the rest of their life. In an adult perspective, it can shed a bit of light through the stresses of our daily routines.

Karate is Fun!

Not only do you benefit from learning the techniques and routines that karate provides, you do it with other people that share a common interest. Any extra curricular activity you involve yourself with should be a release from the stress or anxiety that is built up in your daily routines. People involved in karate often times establish friendships that last a life time.