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Karate and Recovery
Karate is one of the weapons a person can use to change
their lifestyle. We need to remember that a change in lifestyle is
imperative when a person is trying to overcome addiction. Changing friends
is one of the greatest obstacles that the addict faces and filling the void
of what to do with spare time is another. Karate has be known to take care
of both of these voids. Over the years many people have used karate to help
with their recovery and as a source of support and self discipline. When the
addict is in the grips of his or hers addiction the have a feeling of
worthlessness, guilt and shame. These feelings can be extremely overwhelming
and the person needs to feel that they can overcome any challenge that they
are facing. The practice of Karate will help a person to feel empowered over
their body and in control of their actions.
What is Karate ?
Karate is a martial Art form originally known as “Te”
or Okinawa-Te which means Okinawa Hand. The term Karate also meant “Chinese
Hand” because the original system was greatly influenced by Chinese
martial arts.
Karate was not a peasant’s art. It was the fighting
art of Okinawa nobility and was popular with the royal family. A number of
notable karate masters came from well-to-do families who were able to visit
China to further their studies, as well as training at home with Chinese
military men, diplomats and traders.
Japanese forces invaded Okinawa during the 1600s and
banned the use of weapons and martial arts training. During this time karate
practice spread amongst the people so they could learn how to defend
themselves. But since martial arts were banned, training had to be done in
secret and often at night. The meaning of techniques were often disguised to
prevent prying eyes from discovering the true nature of the art. There were
three main centers of karate on Okinawa they were at Shuri, Tomari and Naha.
The systems were known as shuri-Te, naha-Te and tomari-Te. These eventually
emerged into two systems known as shorin ryu and shorei ryu.
The many forms of karate studied today can all be
traced back to these schools. During late 1800s-early 1900s karate was
introduced into the Okinawa school system as a way of maintaining discipline
and a method of physical education for the pupils. The Japanese military
officers recruiting conscripts into the army noticed how physically fit the
Okinawans were.
Karate was demonstrated on the mainland in the 1920s at
a martial arts festival and was later introduced into schools and
universities. After the second world war US servicemen were taught karate
and they took it back to America with them. Japanese instructors were also dispatched
to the US, Europe, Britain and elsewhere to promote karate.
Since the 1960s and 1970s karate has become the one of
the most popular martial art forms in the world and practiced by millions of
students. Their reasons for training vary, but they generally include self
defense, fitness, health and competition. There are many different karate
systems developed by Okinawans, Japanese and more recently Western
instructors. The “big four” styles are Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Goju Ryu and
Shito Ryu.
Benefits of Karate
There is no end to the benefits of karate but here are
just a few examples: Flexibility, Health and Fitness, Self-Defense, Sport Professional,
personal development, Children’s character building and the development of
Socia Skills, Confidence, discipline and learning how to meet challenges. It
also helps to broaden your horizons.
Through karate you will meet new people and learn about
different Cultures.
Oh yeah! It’s not bad fun either! (You get to dress
up in funny clothes and roll around on the floor....)
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