No disclaimers necessary. I have been practing 20 years + and feel like a kid sometimes, despite turning 40 this year. The amount of knowledge I have gained still leaves me far behind others and I often feel my ignorance. So you grope around to find more information, just like everyone else.

The best part of practicing is still finding out new things in Karate, the MA in general, and the rewards of self-discovery.

That's ultimately, when the forums work their best, that I enjoy the most. That and pleasantly meeting people walking the same path.

-B

defining karate................thats a tough one.

I can only define the art as i see and live it so here goes.........


My definition changes with time, partially through inexpierience (me and instructors), partly through ignorance and partly through me growing up.

Karate was a martial sport at first, ie I trained to compete - be the best.

then I questioned the art, it wasnt 'effective' in real life and some of the 'characters' in the art were not as they seemed, so I left it alone.............

some cross training and growing up on my part and karate now means to me............

a journey of self discovery, a method of life preservation I can research and practise till the day I die.

The awnsers are all in the art if we look hard enough and maintain the begineers mind.

and yes I am rather inspired by a recent weeks training with someone who got karate from the source (okinawa) and didnt change it.

Hi Bryan,

I agree with you, heritage must be included with kata and time.

All arts change over time. Those that find their path with karate are sharing older traditions and the funny thing is the more somebody jumps up and down look at what I've discovered (pick any art) the more it was already there, just not emphasized as frequently, because there are a million answers to how things can work.

The fascinating thing is within the confines of karate, principles may be 100% opposite each other in different systems/styles/instructors and still be terribly effective in their own right.

Part of the Ying and the Yang how things work after all.

Gichin Funakoshi (Japanese, 1868-1957) is the father of the karate do, he was a student of Yasutsune Azato (Okinawa).

My reply - Yes but he is the father of the Art he taught to the Japanese which carried his pen name (Shoto) which were his ex-enemies and he taught them the training program that he and Azato (WAS JUST ONE OF HIS INSTRUCTORS) taught the school yard kids of Okinawa. The Japanese were taught watered down karate not Tode-Jujist(warrior art) the transceldental meditation is a Bududa influence.

The Okinawans were rugged people that had to survive with their skills and wit, noticed that most of the Chinese instructors had to kick their butt to prove that what he was doing was worth learning.

As with the Shaolin Monks after all that mediatation you can only be a pacifist for so long, but when life and honor is at stake, the Monks were known to kick much butt!!!

"despite turning 40 this year"

Haa, Butterfly, you old fart!

Just kidding, I'm turning 40 this year too.

Nenipp,

YO! Like I told JKogas...Year of the Snake, Dude!

-B