Why Martial Arts Are Great pt.1

Martial arts provide a unique platform for people of all walks of life to experience personal growth. This can take many forms and it will meet the student where they are at presently in their life.

Looking for confidence? Martial Arts can provide more. Looking for increased fitness? Martial Arts can give you more. Looking to expand your social network? Martial Arts can introduce you to life long friends.

There is no one thing that Martial Arts does, it is multifaceted in its ability to help people fill the gap in their needs, or just build upon their current foundations of success. In this series we will look at a variety of Martial Arts taught at Can Do Martial Arts.

At Can Do Martial Arts we offer a range of arts that gives our students far more opportunity for growth than many clubs around. We are not only the only full-time dojo, but we now boast 2 venues in Abingdon and offer a unique mix of arts from our own KickStart programme, to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Jeet Kune Do. With classes 7 days a week, our students really do get to bring martial arts into their lifestyle.

I've always thought of Martial Arts in 3 ways, as the art, as the sport and as a form of self-defence. Oftentimes the latter is misconstrued, and taught impractically, but most if not all originated as effective forms of defence. All martial arts possess these elements though some edge more toward the sporting scene and others purely the art side. I like to think we offer a solid mix of all three across the arts we teach at Can Do. Let's dive into the first art I started with back in 1987.

Shotokan Karate

Shotokan is the world's most widely practiced style of Karate, created and popularised by Gichin Funakoshi through his travels to Japan from Okinawa. Considered a powerful style of Karate, Shotokan is known for its deep stances in the modern era, strong hip mechanics and variety of kicking, punching and blocking techniques.

There is a strong sporting scene for Karate both nationally through the EKF and internationally through the WKF, the body by which Karate is recognised by the International Olympic Committee. The majority of students of Karate in my opinion however are not concerned with sport, but with the art.

This is a world of striving to perfect your technique, rigorous training sessions and friendly post session banter. Karate in the dojo looks at 3 elements: Kihon (foundational techniques, stances and movement), Kata (set sequences performed by grade initially, and later as a way of solo study), and Kumite (sparring, attack and defence play etc). These elements must always be present for one to truly study Karate. Everyone has their favourite, mine was always Kumite!

Being a technical and physical activity means the student must focus on the present moment, striving to harmonise their body's movements with their mental focus on the task at hand. A meditative state can be found in such practices, whilst enduring tough physical exercise also promotes positive feelings of efficacy in its participants. This is a strong reason why many turn to Karate as their chosen art. It develops the mind and body.

Being part of the Japan Karate Shoto-Federation or JKS, means that the coaching at Can Do Martial Arts comes from the source, Tokyo Japan. We are lucky enough that we have both our dojo Sensei visiting Japan to learn and grow in their own knowledge and skill, as well as Japanese Sensei visiting us in the UK too to pass on their knowledge. This sets Can Do apart from many local clubs and associations, providing us with a constant source of development as coaches, that inspires and motivates both Sensei and students to become better at their karate.

If you're seeking enlightenment we might not be able to help, but if you want to feel better about being you, feel fitter, more confident and get some headspace, we are right up your street.