Everyone can benefit from Karate. But karate is not for everyone.

If you are easily offended, you may want to click back now. If you are seeking to understand my point first before perhaps being offended, read on – there's hope that this statement does not entirely apply to you. J

It is coming to that time of year again – the rush of youth going back to school and enrolling in all kinds of programs to fill their after-school hours. It will also come with the inflow of parents signing up their children for classes. The standard line that comes is “they really want to do karate.”

To me, this inevitably reads as “they want to kick and punch things.” Our society has reduced karate to merely these two actions. I blame the entertainment world for that. And that is where I will stop that rant. So, they enrol their children in karate and they buy the uniforms and whatever else is needed for them to “do” karate; however, what occurs after a period of time is that they recognize that this is far greater a road than they had planned to travel.

You have to listen. You have to follow instructions. You have to learn.” Oh boy, this sounds like school all over again. And where’s my belt? Why am I not promoted to orange belt like my friend who has been training at the school at the mall. All he had to do is break boards. And why do we not break boards?” They tune out. They turn off. They stop coming.  Sometimes you will get a note from the parent, other times not so much. Sometimes their experience will put them off martial arts for life. Other times, they may regret not following through.

Adults are perhaps just as bad. They want to get into karate, but they need to get into shape first. Or they are too old to learn. Or they are too busy to come because xyz.

Ummm, hello?

You can make any excuse you want. Truth be told, you are likely in the same place as the kids who “always wanted to do” karate. You’re not ready for this martial jelly.

Karate is a martial art. It is a discipline. But it takes work. It takes commitment. It takes dedication. You will need to do more than “show up.” The benefits of karate are not magically imbued on you once you come on to the floor or put on a keikogi. And the level of knowledge, training and intensity needed to obtain a black belt should be considered to equal to or greater than what it takes for hockey players to make it at junior hockey level. Plus add in all the ritual and process that goes with karate. It's meant to be difficult. But it is that challenge that will help forge your into a stronger person.

Instead, what we’re likely to find at the senior belt level is placated students whose performance and level of involvement in their learning and martial development is mediocre at best. Rank does not always equate to knowledge, skill or ability.

This is not to say that you are neither worthy nor welcome on my or any other dojo floor. Quite the contrary. What I am telling you is this:

-              Level of expectation should be equal to level of involvement. If your level of intensity during class and your attitude towards self-development and self-improvement is not visible, temper your view on what your perceived rewards should be.

-               Drop the excuses for not training. In or out of class. If you’re not into what is being taught now and are unwilling or unable to work at it on your own time, don’t expect me to give you more information or “feed” you the deeper level of knowledge.

-              Don’t “do” karate. Live it. Breathe it. Feel it. Make it part of your life. As much as you train the physical side of the art, seek the esoteric non-physical/ non-violent lessons in your training and apply them to your world.

-        Discipline is not a four letter word. There is code of conduct and aspects of etiquette in training that are not arbitrary or open to interpretation. If you have problems with authority, rules or direction, the problem is yours to solve, not the instructor’s.

I do wholeheartedly believe that karate, when taught properly and received with an open mind, can benefit everyone. Where the problem lies with many who end up on the floor, however,  is that some distorted notion of what karate is – or some misunderstood view of the aims and principles of this esteemed art – ultimately leads to confusion, frustration and disappointment.

You are not to be simply partaking in an art as passive participant. Nor should you consider that you are “paying for lessons.” As I see it, student dues are essentially renting space on the dojo floor. How long they choose to rent and what they choose to do with within that space is entirely up to them. The instructor is only going to be able to motivate so far. Ultimately, whether you choose to use that space optimally to your benefit is up to you.

If you choose to vacate the space, the next person will hopefully appreciate the treasures to be uncovered. Don’t take it personally – maybe karate just wasn’t for you.