Dear Editor,
I am a karateka of the Wales branch of the Guyana International Kyokushin-kai Martial Arts Academy (GIKMAA). My colleagues and I are guided by Shihan Abdool Nazim Yassim (Seventh Dan black belt in Kyokushin Kai Karate). Our organisation also has a branch that operates out of the Enmore Community Centre Ground.
However, with that being said, my letter is not for promotion. My letter is to allow readers to understand what karate really is, and what benefits it could offer.
Recently, I have overheard many rumours and speculations by parents and senior members of many communities, who refuse to send their children to karate classes because they are afraid of the consequences, fearing that their children would become more delinquent in the process. However, my organisation’s aim is to change that view; and personally, I advise on the benefits karate has to offer. I will begin by saying that when you hear the term karate, please do not think it is one form of fighting. Karate is a martial art, and as such, it has various styles. Similarly, dancing is an art, and it has styles like the waltz, tango, the merengue and the ever so popular “passa passa”.
Karate has many styles which are practised in Guyana. There is the Shotokan style, the Kyokushin style, the Wado-Ryu style, The Tang-soo-do style (Korean) and the Hapkido style (Korean). All of these are internationally recognised styles of karate, and are taught by qualified professionals.
While the Kyokushin style and the Shotokan style are currently the lead runners in Guyana, I would like to adumbrate some of the benefits karate has to offer.
Firstly, due to the goal setting, positive encouragement, and respect for values that are part of all martial arts programmes, the greatest benefit usually reported by karate students is greater self-confidence. You become more comfortable in all situations, whether you’re in danger or simply doing a task that takes you beyond your comfort zone; and you’ll discover you can accomplish anything you set your mind to do.
Secondly, karate is a high-aerobic workout that uses every muscle group in the body. Your stamina, muscle tone, flexibility, balance and strength would all improve through martial arts.
Thirdly, as Bruce Lee pointed out, behind the punches, kicks and knees, a true martial artist learns to sit with himself and see where his weaknesses are. As a karate student, you will learn what it is to be still, challenged, and focused.
Fourthly, karate wisdom has it that after consistent practise, one becomes less impulsive and aggressive towards others. Patience, insight, and calmness are considered prerequisites of good karate. This reminds students of the right attitude, frame of mind, and virtues to strive for inside and outside the dojo.
Fifth and lastly, it gives us as Guyanese the opportunity to explore an art that was brought to us from various other countries. And as such, we should take pride in learning something that is worth our time and will benefit us in the future.
If you would have noted, out of the five benefits I have listed, not one of them highlighted fighting and violence as being an advantage. This is because fighting is the end product that is produced after pursuing the martial way of karate.
I hope my article would have served to encourage many parents, and even you, as adults, to become part of the karate arena in Guyana. Two hours a day for a far less fee than the gym charges for much more benefits than the gym delivers is something to consider. Don’t you agree?
Yours respectfully,
Ganesh Persaud
Karateka
