“Karate ni sente nashi (There is no first attack in karate). This phrase, inscribed on a monument to Gichin Funakoshi in the Zen monastery in Kamakura City, embodies the essence of Okinawan karate. Karate is a martial art, yet it was developed by the Okinawa’s as a weaponless method of self-defense. The peculiar culture of the Okinawa’s, a peace-loving people desirous of living without weapons, made them raise the instinct of self-preservation to its highest form- the art of karate” (Nagamine, Shoshin. The Essence of Karate-Do, 1998. 13).

My journey into the world of Okinawan karate began two-and-a half years ago, when a friend with whom I used to work brought me to a dojo in Gilbert (East Valley Martial Arts Kenshin Kan). I was two weeks away from turning forty at the time, feeling out of shape, and I was pretty stressed about what the next part of my life had to offer. I was lamenting this to my friend, when he suggested I go with him to work out. I had some training in the martial arts years earlier, so I readily agreed. I arrived at the dojo with my friend, trying not to look too nervous or too excited.       

I walked in and was greeted with a warm smile from the head instructors, who were husband and wife. They told me of the history of the art of karate, their journey through the martial arts, and their dojo. All of the students in the dojo greeted me warmly with a bow and a left-handed handshake. I learned that karate students shake with the left hand, because the right hand is considered dominant and aggressive: both signs of impending attack, and considered disrespectful to a karate student or instructor. 

After we warmed up, we went through some basic defenses against a punch, some take-down techniques, and talked about how karate can change your life. At the end of the hour, I was both impressed with the instructors, the dojo and was completely hooked on a life of martial arts. I knew that my dedication and perseverance throughout my training in karate, it would have an impact my life, my education, my job, and the way I related and interacted with others.

I started out as most new students do: sore in places I never knew could be sore. I could feel my body and my mind going through a transformation with every class I attended. I advanced through the ranks, becoming more adept at karate and learning more about the history of martial arts. In the nearly 30 months that have passed, I have gone from feeling awkward to being  as graceful as a ballet dancer, from nervous and unsure of myself, to confident, and from not knowing where life was taking me, to completely re-arranging my life for a life in, and for, karate. I have learned over ten Kata, a term used to define the forms which help the karate student learn basic movements. I have studied over five weapons, (which are referred to as Kobudo), including: the Bo; a staff used to carry pails of water, the Nunchaku; which were used as a rice flail, The Sai; which were used to prepare the ground for seedlings, the Kama; which were used to harvest grain and The Katana; an advanced weapon of the Samurai class not originally used by Okinawa’s, but is taught as a way to honor the past.

I have become enough of a proficient student, that at brown belt, or second Kyu, I am able to help with the children and the adult junior belts in class. I have learned the Dojo Kuns (rules of the dojo and everyday life), which are: Strive for a good moral character, keep an honest and sincere way, cultivate perseverance or a will for striving, develop a respectful attitude and restrain my physical abilities through spiritual attainment. These are the essence of what we learn and teach at the dojo, especially to the children who join to study karate.

We have a motto at the dojo: “Character development through life protection.” We also tell prospective students that: “We teach the dojo Kuns, and karate is just a by-product.” It is these qualities that bring parents into the dojo with their children, which brings adults to the dojo to become part of something bigger than themselves, and why we as karate students strive to be active in our communities.

We desire to bring new students into the dojo not only for the character development, or life protection skills, but we also know what impact training in karate can have on everyday life. We see that people who have the discipline to study martial arts are more focused in school and are more productive at work. They are able to interact better with loved ones, family members, and co-workers. They also feel more fit and have more energy than they thought possible. How do I know these things? Because they have happened, and continue to happen daily to me.

In my journey through the martial arts, I discovered that one day, when I have achieved the proper rank, I would like to open my own dojo. I have gone back to school to attain my B.A. in business to put myself in the best position possible to achieve this goal. More importantly, I learned that I can accomplish great things in the community through my commitment and dedication to karate. When people hear me talk of my experience, they can feel it too. Imagine a place where everyone is completely dedicated to your success, where everyone is there to see you accomplish your goals, where everyone is encouraging and helpful.

No, it's not school or a church, this is karate.