Our October Purple Belt Month saw GKR students wear special purple belts to class in support of our Stop Domestic and Family Violence Campaign. With special seminars and events taking place in Dojo’s across the country, the GKR Community came together in aid of victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and our charity partners ‘RizeUp’, ‘Shine’ and ‘Refuge’.

RizeUp Australia – $72,040.67 raised!

RizeUp is a community-driven organisation dedicated to supporting those affected by domestic and family violence, working in the space of transformative recovery. They have created various networks and programs to connect victim-survivors to specialist services which includes access to therapeutic counselling, support programs for traumatised children, and logistical assistance for those fleeing a violent household. Their flagship program furnishes homes for victim-survivors and their families and helps them re-build their lives after escaping a violent environment.

Shine New Zealand – $19,490.66 raised!

Shine is a leading specialist family violence service provider in New Zealand dedicated to supporting those affected by domestic and family violence. Each year, they help thousands of adults and children who experience abuse to become safer through frontline services and programmes. Shine works hard to address all aspects of domestic and family violence issues, from safety and recovery to providing meaningful support and assistance to everyone.

Refuge United Kingdom – £6,242.50 raised!

Refuge is a registered charity and the country’s largest single provider of specialist support services for those who have experienced gender-based violence (domestic abuse, sexual violence, forced marriage, ‘honour’-based violence, stalking, trafficking, exploitation, female genital mutilation and modern slavery). Refuge supports thousands of women and their children every day, in our emergency accommodation, our community services, and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which Refuge runs, and which is the gateway to support services across the country.

Thank you for your support in raising valuable funds and awareness with our Stop Domestic and Family Violence – Purple Belt Campaign. The funds we raised with our first round of belt orders will go a long way to helping those in need. We look forward to providing more support with our second Purple Belt Month in February 2025.

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As you may have seen in our previous post, GKR Karate has partnered with RizeUp Australia for the Australian component of our ‘Stop Domestic & Family Violence’ – Purple Belt Campaign.  We are encouraging students and families to support the campaign by purchasing and wearing a Purple Belt for the month of October, with all profits from the sales in Australia donated directly to RizeUp Australia.

RizeUp Australia has a so many fantastic programs, but the cornerstone endeavor is the ‘Homes Program’ where volunteers assemble to furnish and setup homes for families fleeing a violent household. Each home is tailored to meet individual needs, affirming that victim-survivors are not just escaping violence but are embarking on a new beginning.

Last week in Melbourne Kyoshi Shihan Gavin had the opportunity to participate in GKR’s first ‘Homes Program’ along with four other GKR volunteers – Anita Andersen, Ashleigh Pearce, Michelle Pedder and Luke Carruthers. Our team met up at an empty unit that had recently been allocated to someone who’d spent 4 months lodging in a refuge after fleeing a violent household.

As you’ll see from the photos, the unit looked like a home only 3 hours later thanks to our volunteers and the team at RizeUp Australia.

If you’d like to volunteer as part of our GKR team in any future ‘Homes Projects’, please email us at charities@gkrkarate.com.

To learn more about our ‘Stop Domestic & Family Violence’ – Purple Belt Campaigns in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, please click here.

To support our ‘Stop Domestic & Family Violence’ Campaign and purchase a Purple Belt, please click here.

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Dear Students and Families,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying your karate training.

Each year, we aim to cast our attention towards a specific community issue with a view to raising both funds and awareness for the cause. As strong advocates for non-violence and anti-bullying, we have been working on developing a partnership with a major national charity that assists victim-survivors of domestic violence.

I am therefore pleased to announce our new fundraising campaign in aid of Refuge and our accompanying ‘Stop Domestic & Family Violence’ – Purple Belt Campaign.

Refuge is the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK which supports thousands of survivors to overcome the physical, emotional, financial and logistical impacts of abuse and rebuild their lives.

While acknowledging that domestic and family violence is predominately gender-based, affecting women and children disproportionately, GKR Karate, in solidarity with Refuge, unequivocally condemns violence in any form, against anyone.

Each year, Refuge directly helps thousands of women and their children who experience abuse to become safer through their frontline services and programs. Refuge works hard to address all aspects of domestic and family violence issues, from safety and recovery to providing meaningful support and assistance to victim-survivors.

Please join us and show your support for Refuge and our ‘Stop Domestic & Family Violence’ campaign

Profits from the sale of our Purple Belts in the UK will be donated directly to Refuge to assist with their refuge accommodation, community outreach support, independent advocacy, culturally specific services and support for children.

We are confident that aligning ourselves with such a worthy cause, will help to reinforce GKR Karate’s core values whilst also doing our part to provide aid where it is desperately needed.

To read more about the amazing work Refuge does go to www.refuge.org.uk

Gavin Samin
Assistant Chief Instructor
GKR KARATE

Click Here to View UK Support Services

Click Here to View Our Fundraising Results

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Each year, we aim to cast our attention towards a specific community issue with a view to raising both funds and awareness for the cause. As strong advocates for non-violence and anti-bullying, we have been working on developing a partnership with a major national charity that provides assistance to families and individuals affected by family violence.

I am therefore pleased to announce our new partnership with Shine and our accompanying ‘Stop Domestic & Family Violence’ – Purple Belt Campaign’.

Shine is a leading specialist family violence service provider in New Zealand dedicated to supporting those affected by domestic and family violence, regardless of their gender. While acknowledging that domestic and family violence is predominately gender-based, affecting women and children disproportionately, GKR Karate, in solidarity with Shine, unequivocally condemns violence in any form, against anyone.

Each year, Shine directly helps thousands of adults and children who experience abuse to become safer through frontline services and programmes. Shine works hard to address all aspects of domestic and family violence issues, from safety and recovery to providing meaningful support and assistance to everyone.

Please join us and show your support for Shine and our ‘Stop Domestic & Family Violence’ campaign

Profits from the sale of our Purple Belts in New Zealand will be donated directly to Shine to assist with their valuable Shine Helpline, advocacy, KIDShine, Safe Housing, Whānau Resilience and Non-Violence and Safety programmes. These purple belts can be worn in classes during the month of October to help us draw additional attention to this great cause.

We are confident that aligning ourselves with such a worthy cause, will help to reinforce GKR Karate’s core values whilst also doing our part to provide aid where it is desperately needed.

To read more about the amazing work Shine does go to https://2shine.org.nz  

Gavin Samin
Assistant Chief Instructor
GKR KARATE

Click Here to View NZ Support Services

Click Here to view our fundraising results

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I hope this message finds you well and enjoying your karate training. Each year, we aim to cast our attention towards a specific community issue with a view to raising both funds and awareness for the cause. As strong advocates for non-violence and anti-bullying, we have been working on developing a partnership with a major national charity that assists victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. I am therefore pleased to announce our new partnership with RizeUp Australia and our accompanying ‘Stop Domestic & Family Violence’ – Purple Belt Campaign’.

RizeUp Australia is a community-driven organisation dedicated to supporting those affected by domestic and family violence, regardless of their gender. Their mission is to provide comprehensive assistance and create a safe, supportive environment for every individual impacted by domestic and family violence, ensuring no one is left behind. RizeUp acknowledges that such violence is predominantly gender-based, affecting women and children disproportionately. However, GKR Karate, in solidarity with RizeUp Australia, unequivocally condemns violence in any form, against anyone.

RizeUp have created various networks and programs to connect victim-survivors to specialist services which includes access to therapeutic counselling, support programs for traumatised children, and logistical assistance for those fleeing a violent household. Their flagship program furnishes homes for victim-survivors and their families and helps them re-build their lives after escaping a violent environment.

Please join us and show your support for RizeUp Australia and our ‘Stop Domestic & Family Violence’ campaign

Profits from the sale of our purple belts and Karate Bears in Australia will be donated directly to RizeUp to assist with their valuable ‘Rapid Response’, ‘Youth Enrichment Support’ and ‘Homes’ programs.

We are confident that aligning ourselves with such a worthy cause will help to reinforce GKR Karate’s core values whilst also doing our part to provide aid where it is desperately needed.

To read more about the amazing work RizeUp does go to www.rizeup.com.au

Gavin Samin
Assistant Chief Instructor
GKR Karate

Click Here to View Aus Support Services

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Karate is the ideal sport for children for building self-confidence, balance, coordination, discipline and social skills. Karate has the ability to make your children stronger, from the inside out.

Self-Confidence and Karate

Apart from getting their young bodies moving, karate encourages children to step outside their comfort zone and try new things as they progress through their karate journey. Children will carry this strength with them through their lives, equipping them with the self-confidence to deal with challenges thrown their way.

Being a non-competitive sport, karate is not as high-pressure as some other activities. Continuing to improve with each session means students only ever find themselves winning which is a great self-esteem boost.

Unless you’re competing in a tournament, karate is generally not a spectator sport. While a few parents choose to watch, many drop their children off, or even choose to participate themselves! This creates an environment where young people can feel completely comfortable to train without worrying what others might think of them.

Karate teaches children that size or gender are not barriers to achieving success. This can be a very powerful realisation, particularly for children who may be shy or bullied.

Confidence is something that will help children in every area of their life, from meeting new friends, trying new activities, finding their first part-time job, speaking up in a group environment or in front of an audience.

Bullying and Karate

Bullying is a serious issue, as the effects can last for years after it stops. In some cases, right through to adulthood. Karate is extremely beneficial to children who are the victims of bullying.

Karate helps children who are experiencing bullying in a number of ways. Most children who are bullied are shy and lack confidence, and so appear as “easy targets” for bullies. As karate nurtures a child’s self-esteem and builds their confidence, the bullying often stops through this process alone.

Instructors also train children in dealing with bullying, and encourage them to speak to their teachers and parents. In some cases, children may feel uncomfortable speaking with their parents if they are being bullied. Because karate deals with self-defence, children who are bullied will often turn to their instructors for advice on dealing with these situations. In this instance, the instructor can notify the parents of the child’s situation.

Karate and Bullies

Some children who have a tendency towards bullying may develop an interest in karate. Parents of these children might fear that the skills their child learns at karate may make their bullying worse. This couldn’t be further from the truth!

To begin with, bullying and low self-esteem go hand in hand, so as karate builds a child’s self-confidence, their interest in bullying others will generally lessen.

Secondly, being regularly reminded that their karate is ONLY to be used for self-defence, and is something that can never be misused without risk of being suspended from training, provides extra motivation for children to behave.

If you’re concerned about your child’s attitude towards other children, please speak with your instructor so he or she can help you further.

Training with GKR Karate

All GKR Karate classes are taught in a supportive, encouraging and inclusive group environment which fosters the values of GKR Karate:

• Pursue the highest standards of personal character
• Cultivate a spirit of effort and perseverance
• Exercise courtesy and respect towards others
• Refrain from reckless or violent behaviour
• Be faithful and sincere in everything you do

Children can start training with GKR karate as young as 5 years of age. Click here for more information on children and GKR Karate.

Further reading

If your child is a victim of bullying, there are many websites that offer great advice and support. Below are the official national websites which all contain helpful information, as well as links to further support.

• Bullying. No Way! Australia
• Bullying Free NZ
• National Bullying Helpline UK

If you’re not already a GKR Karate member and you’d like to learn more, or register for a free trial, please click here to locate your nearest class.

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The Most Essential Ingredient

Of all the qualities required to become a successful martial artist, if one were to be placed above all others, what would this most essential ingredient be?

Would it be size or shape?

Does age come into it?

Is it co-ordination?

Flexibility?

The hours one puts in each week?

Is it the number of goals they set?

Or is it the effort they put into their training?

I do not believe it could be physical capability because too often we see two students, both almost identical in age, ability and training ethic, and yet while one progresses quickly, the other constantly stagnate or worse, drops out completely.  believe the single most important ingredient for your karate success is attitude, because with the right attitude, all other important ingredients are achievable.

What is Attitude?

Attitude is a bit of a buzzword these days. We hear it mentioned everywhere, at school, at work, and in the sport. We hear things like, ‘he’s got a bad-attitude’ or ‘she has a positive attitude’ or ‘that person has a negative attitude’, and so on. Attitude is the way we respond to life. Our attitude determines the way we view those circumstances that come our way and how we handle our feelings.

Regardless of what happens to us, good or bad, we always have a choice of how we react.

Things happen to all of us. We all get sick; we all get injured; we all get distracted by work, school, and family from time to time. We all go through those periods where we are not progressing, or where we are not as motivated about training. It happens to us all, or should I say that life happens to us all, for that is simply life. Despite all this, in the end, it’s not what happens to us that counts; it is what we do about what happens!

Many negative people often accuse positive people as living in a ‘fantasy world’.  Their argument is that being positive doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen to you – and they are absolutely right. However being positive has nothing to do with what will happen, it is purely about how you choose to respond to what happens. The positive thinker understands that the world may throw them some unfavorable circumstances but equally, they know that they will be able to see it through and come out the other side better for it. So, just as it does in life, our attitude in our karate training will determine where we end up. As stated above, our attitude determines our response to situations, be it positive or negative.

The Negative Attitude

A negative attitude brings about negative outcomes due to the way our brain functions when in a negative frame of mind. The chief instigator is the fact that a negative mind tends to focus its attention on the problem/s and focuses little on solution/s. The result of having problem-based focus as opposed to solution-based focus is as follows:

• We make excuses why things are the way they are.
• We close our mind to all the possibilities.
• We put in less effort, which in turn leads to poor results.
• We find a loss in the desire to train.
• Our willpower or the power of persistence weakens and often, our self-esteem is damaged.

All of this finds us stagnating in our current circumstance, and we start to experience frustration, anger and a downward spiral of emotions. Things do not seem to be getting better ‘for us’ and we persist with a pessimistic attitude, or drop out. A quote to remember is, ‘Don’t get bitter, get better’.

The Positive Attitude

A positive attitude does not always bring about positive outcomes but it does raise the odds significantly. Obviously, in contrast, a person who chooses – note the word is ‘chooses’, not ‘has’ – a positive attitude is that they are going to become solution oriented, and symptomatic of this is the following.

• We do not allow ourselves to make excuses. We accept that unfavorable circumstances happen and look for ways to improve ourselves. We understand that by improving ourselves we can improve our circumstances.
• This opens our mind to many possibilities, which in turn, further strengthens our optimistic outlook on the future.
• Our optimistic outlook inspires extra effort, which in turn leads to a gathering of momentum.
• Having new solutions, new goals, and new optimism, we find our desire to train increases as we become eager to turn things around.
• All this culminates into a greater sense of persistence and self-esteem, and eventually, we come out the other side stronger not only better in ability, but stronger in character.

By opting to react positively to unfavorable circumstances (such as injury, prolonged sickness, stagnation, a failed grading, loss at a tournament etc), we feel better about ourselves and are moving closer to our goals.

“With the right attitude we can move mountains, and with the wrong attitude we can be crushed by the smallest grain of sand.”

Our attitude determines the way we train. With a positive attitude, we are continually looking to improve and develop our skills. It determines how much effort we’re willing to put in to achieve our goals. It takes our training to a new level and it pushes us beyond our comfort zone. When obstacles do arise – like injuries, cold nights, flat spots – it keeps us focused on the bigger picture, our karate goals and this keeps us going.

A good attitude in karate also serves a further purpose; it provides for us the quality of humility. It lets us know there is so much more to learn, and that everything we currently know is a work in progress. It also keeps our ego in check.

Choice, Not Habit

So how do you respond to unfavorable circumstances that life throws your way from time to time? And how would you describe your attitude towards training? Perhaps your answer is not as positive as you would like! But that is fine because while our current attitudinal habits may not be constructive, we all live with the power of choice. Our habitual response may be negative, but by being aware of the power of attitude, we can question our response and choose to follow a better one. Over time, this new improved attitude will become a newly improved habit.

– Sensei Jason Knight

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Have you ever heard someone else say, “I can’t wait to get my black belt”? Perhaps you have said it yourself. Personally, I believe the correct way to say it would be, “I can’t wait to become a black belt”.

A black belt is a very powerful symbol. Before even having to do anything, the simple process of putting on your belt instantly derives admiration among fellow students. I could not count how often I have heard said, “Wow, you’re a black belt!”

Each time, while trying to remain humble, a smile escapes my face. There is nothing wrong with a feeling of pride over your achievement, and to be a black belt is just that, an achievement, not a title.

Allow me to make my point. Whatever your perception of a black belt, try to forget about the title or the idea of ‘getting‘ a black belt. Instead, focus on ‘becoming’ one. Although it is only a tiny difference in vocabulary, there is a fundamental difference in their mindsets.

‘Getting’ a Black Belt Focus 

The focus of “getting” leads to a number of incorrect karate-do attitudes. These are: » By focusing on the belt, you are surrendering control. When our next belt is the primary focus, we think about the number of classes we must do. And we think purely about the aesthetic appearance of our Kata.

In karate, attitude is on an equal par to ability. Most would agree that there is no sadder sight than a black belt with a bad attitude. Generally speaking, in GKR, a student with a bad attitude would not be sent to grade. However, on rare occasions, a black belt’s attitude becomes riddled with disease, and while they wear a black belt, it could be argued that they are no longer truly a black belt.

‘Becoming’ a Black Belt Focus 

This implies that you are bringing the focus back onto yourself, therefore remaining in control. This focus is vital, as a belt, in essence, is nothing more than a by-product. A by-product of who you have become, the effort you have put in and the ability you are now able to demonstrate. Self-focus works like a paradox; if you want the best, forget about the belt. Just train to be the best you can be and the belt will come to you.

As previously discussed, karate is as much about virtue and character as it is about learning how to punch, kick and perform sound Kata. Let me explain the virtues that I personally look to develop in potential black belts training with me.

1.  A desire to be excellent.

It may sound obvious, but I have seen a lot of people (usually found whinging or complaining) who are preoccupied with getting a belt rather than working to be a great karate-ka, thus deserving one. They argue they have done the adequate number of classes or served their time. This path will only lead to frustration and negativity. Focus on improving your ability. Take responsibility for each part of your training. If your back leg is bent in forwarding stance, lose the excuses and fix it. Also, focus on your effort and your character.

Genuine desire to become a great karate-ka is the most crucial determinant of whether you will achieve your black belt. For most karate-ka, all too often it is overlooked. A burning desire is what underlies your training ethic and clarifies your goal of who you want to be. Without a goal (an idea of the karate-ka you want to become), how will you train to achieve it? What will push and drive you in your training if you don’t have a goal in mind? Bruce Lee said, “Achievement of anything begins in the mind”.

To develop desire, firstly think about what you want to achieve, what you want to be able to do and the kind of person you want to become. Get more specific and if you can try to make these goals measurable, like, “I will kick above my head”, “I will hold my own against student X in kumite” etc. Secondly, think about these goals constantly (especially while training). Put pictures that represent your goals up on your wall. Repeat affirmations to yourself while training, “I have flawless kata” or “I have a six-pack!”

Lastly, now that you’ve decided what you are going to achieve and are focused on your goals, resolve to pay the price to achieve them, whether that’s doing an extra class, training at home, or eating better. Preferably write down your goals along with your plans of how you are going to achieve them.

2. Train with determination. 

A black belt must have drive and spirit. Training hard when you feel up to it is not a spirit. Great karate-ka develop discipline, which is the ability to carry on with a resolution long after the mood in which it was made has passed.

To be a black belt you must learn to love a good hard class, not just because you like the pain, but because you have strong goals to get fitter and stronger mentally and physically. When you have a goal, it’s not ‘work’, it’s enjoying the satisfaction of achieving. Shihan Anthony Ryan often says that “Character, like the Samurai Sword, is forged between the hammer and the anvil, not between flowers and pillows”.  The best thing about discipline in the dojo is that it teaches you the value of pushing yourself and stretching yourself out of your comfort zones so that you can grow.

A good black belt should have a determination about them when they train because they have learnt the value of pushing themselves so that they can grow. If Black Belt Certificates were found in cornflakes packets, would you put one on your wall? Would it mean anything? A black belt is made special by the sweat and tears that went into its achievement.

3. Think about your karate.

Training hard is not enough; a karate-ka must also be a thinker. You cannot always rely on your instructor for advice on how to improve your karate. You need to think about what you are doing to develop self-awareness so you can minimise your mistakes and create good technical habits. Think also about ways in which you can improve in your karate.

Thinking is nothing more than asking yourself questions and then answering them. The trick is to ask the right questions. Don’t ask negative questions like, “Why can I never get this right?”, “Why can’t I do that?” Ask questions that are looking for a positive solution, like, “How can I make this better?” “What can I do to get this to be even sharper?” Some great questions to ask yourself while practising Kata are, “How can I use my hips and centre of gravity more?” “What can I do to get this move faster?” “What is the most important thing I could do to look sharper in this sequence?” By the way, don’t just ask yourself, ask your instructor as well!

Kumite is another great area that demands thinking. Thinking both about how you can train to improve your Kumite, and thing on your feet while practising. A black belt must have the ability to change and be adaptable in Kumite. That is they must be able to see if a strategy in Kumite is working, and where it is not, to change it. If you only have one strategy and limited combinations and defences, Id start by developing more.

4. Focus on you!

There is a saying that goes “If you take a walk through the woods and someone passes you, does it change the scenery?”

Achieving your black belt is a personal journey, one in which you should be focused on what you want from it. One of the biggest traps of poor thinking a student can fall into, is looking sideways at everybody else. Forget everybody else and focus on your karate and your training. If you suffer set backs focus exclusively on what you can do to improve.

Michael Jordan learnt a life changing philosophy from legendary basketballer Doctor Jay, it was, “Hold yourself to a standard higher than anyone else could expect of you, that’s how you become great”. In order to achieve a black belt you cannot aspire to, or even accept being adequate. A black belt should always be striving to be the best they can be.

I once had a discussion with a student who said their legs in sanchin-datchi were actually bent, but their gi trousers hid the bend. I questioned how bent they were if their gi trousers could hide it? In becoming a black belt you must commit yourself to mastery. So if your karate is adequate or good or even great, it should still be in your mind set that it’s not good enough.

5. Humility and character.

To be a black belt you should be an example of humility. This is not saying you are not proud of your abilities or your accomplishments, it simply means you don’t boast about them or become arrogant.

Once at the end of a black belt grading I overheard someone who had just failed (they were a bit emotional and they were proclaiming to their peers), “It doesn’t matter, I know I’m a black belt”.  As soon as they said that I thought, “No, you’re not”. I thought this not because they had just failed the grading, but because a true black belt should never be so arrogant as to proclaim to be something they haven’t yet become. There is also a very egotistical implication there that they were not at fault, their assessors made a mistake.

The correct attitude would be to walk away from the attempted grading thinking to themselves, “What can I do to improve and get better so I pass next time?” Incidentally the person who said they knew they were a black belt in spite of failing didn’t change and didn’t improve (because they thought they didn’t need to) and consequently were not even sent to the next black belt grading.

Kancho has in the past talked about how he meets students from around the world. Of his meetings he has said “I am always delighted to see such strong technical standard wherever I go. But it is in talking with these students and instructors afterwards where a true feeling of pride overwhelms me, for it is here that I am able to witness their technique is backed up by sound character.”

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“If it is to be, it is up to me”

Accepting responsibility for our lives is one of the highest forms of human maturity – and one of the hardest. Many people, who are not as happy or successful as they could be, find reasons outside themselves as to why things are the way they are. They blame the government, their parents, their boss, their partner, anything or anyone else. By shifting the blame, they feel like they are not in control of their life and thus powerless to do anything about it. This summed up my way of thinking many years back. Once I learned and accepted this lesson, things began rapidly changing – because I began changing. Every time something did not work out for me, instead of casting blame, I asked myself “how can I ensure this does not happen again?” And, “what can I do better to ensure the next time I am a success”.

“Focus on what you want”

I was taught this lesson early on in my time with GKR and once I embraced it, my life changed forever. I have learned in life we never get what we want. Instead, we get what we focus on. Everybody wants, but not everybody gets….because not everybody focuses on what they want. Why is it that of all the car accidents on open roads, 9 out of 10 hit the pole, when the pole is only 30 centimeters thick and there are 30 meters of empty space until the next pole? Because they say to themselves “Don’t hit the pole” They don’t want to hit the pole but their focus is on the pole and as a result, they experience the pole. I now understand that life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I look for the good in myself, and others because I know people always get what they are looking for.

“Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out”

This is another key lesson that has shaped my life as it helped me come to terms with the fact that I cannot control ‘everything’ that happens in my life. However, I can control how I respond to what happens. If life throws me lemons, I can make lemonade. I know now that my attitude is my greatest asset. I know that whatever life dishes out I can handle it. Developing a positive mental attitude is the secret to happiness and it is something I work on developing every single day.

“The biggest rewards you will receive in life are when you displayed great courage”

When I think about what I am most proud of in my life, or my greatest achievements, invariably they are the times that required the greatest amount of courage. I don’t mean the type of courage that involved slaying a dragon to save a princess. I mean the type of courage needed to follow your dreams, to believe in yourself, to make a tough decision, to persist in the face of adversity, to face your fears, to attempt what you never thought possible. The moments in my life where I was tested the most, are the ones I will never forget and the ones that have given me the most growth. Understanding this lesson has helped me to look at challenges in a completely different way. It’s not that I no longer fear them, as it is said that ‘courage is not the absence of fear, but taking action in spite of the fear’, but I now see them as opportunities to grow.

“Do what you love to do and you will never work another day in your life”

As children, we all wanted to do something special with our lives. For me, it was to play for Australia in a sport. This lesson is one I heard in high school, and therefore, through my life, I was constantly looking for something that would capture my heart. It was perhaps this lesson that helped me find the courage to move from my small country town of Wagga to Australia’s biggest city, Sydney. However, in Sydney, it did not happen immediately for me and I worked some jobs I far from love. When the opportunity to start GKR full-time arose, although it seemed completely different from anything I had ever done, again, it was this lesson that gave me the courage to pursue it. As it turned out, starting with GKR full-time was the best decision I ever made. Not only do I love what I do every day, but the full-time training helped me make the finals for kata and kumite in a GKR Karate World Cup….. So in some way, I did get my dream to represent Australia in sports.

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Karate: A Modern Philosophy

In writing or reading any literature about karate, what becomes immediately apparent is that karate is different things to different people. How a person views karate is based primarily on their karate goals and on the level of commitment that they have decided to devote to the art.

At its simplest, karate is an uncomplicated yet effective method of defending oneself from the physical attack of another person or persons.

At its deepest, karate is an art that creates a harmonious union between mind and body; that helps develops the mentality of a “peaceful warrior”; and when practised in its purest sense, can be a method of lethal and dynamic meditation that can train the mind to experience the sense of timelessness and clarity that is only obtainable in the present moment. Wow, sounds pretty deep, doesn’t it???

In this day and age, the “Western” philosophy of karate falls somewhere in between these 2 extremes and is often criticised for “de-spiritualizing” the art. The formation and evolution of karate, however, took place in vastly different religious, social and economic times to those that you and I experience today and as such, I feel there is room for its values and beliefs to be left open to each person’s interpretation. Your attitude towards training, therefore, can be as deep or as simple as you like – neither way is wrong – it is just your way!

One thing’s for sure though, the more you put in to your training the more you will get out of it! There is indeed much to gain from being a karate practitioner but you will not find what you aren’t looking for!!

My advice is to embrace and appreciate karate-do for all that it is! In doing so you will feel the full force of its strengths both mental and physical and before long you will begin to notice some significant changes in your life both in and out of the dojo! It has multiple benefits unlike any other sport or discipline and for the many people that I have seen achieve the grade of black belt, the level of “personal growth” can be life-changing.

So if I’m encouraging you all here to see karate for “everything that it is” then what is there to see?:

Fitness – Karate training provides you with a unique combination of both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. It trains the muscles for both endurance and explosiveness. Its strong emphasis on tension and breathing can create the “abs of steel” that many people pursue as well as result in a general all over body muscle-toning. I have also trained and spoken with dozens of students over the years who have seen ailments such as asthma, back pain and arthritis symptoms ease off dramatically as a result of regular karate training and stretching. Better still, for as many people there are claiming these particular benefits, there are probably 3 times as many who have a great karate weight- loss story to tell! Karate for fitness, you bet!!

Character Development – In my opinion the greatest area of benefit! When assessing this category, it is best to separate adults from children when observing the impact that karate can have:

Children

It is probably fair to say that children potentially have the most to gain out of training in karate. Having trained with and taught hundreds of children (and being a parent myself), I sometimes get the feeling that it’s not all that easy being a kid at school these days (was it ever??). Whether we’re talking about 1st or 2nd graders here or early to late teens, growing up and interacting with peers can be intimidating and distressing and I believe that karate can help equip a child or teen with an inner strength to help confront these challenges. Statistically, the 4 most common hurdles that a child has to try and deal with at school are:

• Peer group pressure
• Bullying
• Fear of Failure (especially public failure)
• Low self-esteem in general

When practiced in the right environment and with the right attitude, karate’s training and principles can provide a child/teen with:

A sense of morality, independence and self-control to resist peer pressure.

Feelings of self-confidence and inner security that in most cases takes them off the bully’s “radar”! Bullies tend to look for vulnerable, easy targets but with time and training, even a young karate-ka will naturally tend to exude a sense of strength and confidence that will subconsciously repel a bully’s attention.

The opportunity to face fears and confronting situations in a positive and encouraging environment. Whether it be putting your mitts and pads on for the first time, going for a grading, entering a tournament or just learning a new technique, the prospect of failure is always near. Children training in karate get to learn that the only true failure is in not trying or in quitting, and an attitude like that will get them much further in school and in life than those to whom fear is a stop sign. A child’s timidity can diminish with each class.

A healthy self-esteem for all the reasons just mentioned!

Adults

Self-esteem Clearly, children and teens do not have a monopoly on low self-esteem and self-image, nor are they the only ones who sometimes get pushed around in life by others. Adults too are victims of attack both physical and psychological and – like children – struggle to combat the stress it causes. Of course, training in karate by itself will not make the ‘bully’ in your life change, but it provides you with a physical and mental arsenal to help solve or outlast them – an achievement which in itself creates greater self-confidence.

Humility – A healthy self-esteem allows for a humble attitude to emerge. This, in turn, helps to kick down the doors of stubbornness and ego that prevent many people – both young and old – from learning anything new about themselves. People with big ego’s rarely allowed constructive criticism to reach their ears and they subsequently stay ignorant and close-minded! The dojo environment with its basic etiquette and traditions demands a humble and edifying attitude and it is this facet of the training that allows a student to “be taught” and progress up through the ranks.

• Respect and Courtesy
• Discipline
• Mental and Physical Co-ordination

The list goes on….! As you can see karate is a lot more than just punches, blocks and kicks. Its benefits are practical and far-reaching and the achievement of a black belt is possibly one of the most respected achievements that an individual can attain.

People will sometimes ask us why we continue training in karate if we’re probably never going to use it. What they don’t understand is that we are using it every day in some way!!

by Shihan Gavin Samin

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