Karate - My life style

Hi guys, have a huge greeting! Today I have decided to share with you another type of art (not drawings) that I practice from a very young age, specifically from 9 years of age. An art that has influenced a lot in my life and has shaped me partly as a person and influenced my way of being or life. I'm talking about Karate - Do Traditional Shotokan style. I must clarify that I am a simple apprentice of this martial art, so if there is something I am wrong about or something that they would like to contribute, I will be more than welcome and grateful.

Karate is one of the oldest martial arts, whose origin goes back to the island of Okinawa. The word karate derives etymologically in Japanese from kara ("empty"), te ("hand") - "empty hand" - and Do ("way", "philosophy of life"), literally meaning "The empty hand path" ", Since its practitioners do not use weapons for the fight, only their own hands and feet.

His techniques are based on the great philosophical and spiritual tradition of Bushido, which seeks spiritual and physical harmony, through a very rigorous training. However, it also includes principles of Zen Buddhism and Shintoism. In fact, it is a very complete training, since it demands a lot of discipline, coordination, concentration, agility and mental ability.

In addition, contrary to what most people think, karate is not a competitive training or much less aggressive, because in reality what they seek is personal and spiritual improvement, encourages the person to go beyond their own limitations and achieve your goals. Of course, it is also a method of self-defense, developing the reflexes, flexibility and physical abilities of its practitioners.

"Sensei" is a term that is usually translated as a teacher but its meaning is much deeper. In Japanese, their kanjis mean: "before" 先 and "life" 生. That is, "born before". It is not necessary for the sensei to be older than the disciple, but to have been "born earlier in the discipline" that he teaches.

To these three great people, I consider them as my teachers or sensei and I thank them with all my heart for guiding me and instructing me in this art.

The place where Karate-Do is practiced is called in Japanese "DOJO." In Japanese, Dojo 道場 literally means "place of the way." This expression refers to the pursuit of physical, moral, mental and spiritual perfection, whether for martial arts or some religious practices, such as Buddhism and the practice of zazen, a state of contemplation in which the practitioner acquires a state of detachment from the material world and from vain and selfish ideas that impede a direct vision of the reality.

I belong to the Dojo "Shiro Obi" currently directed by sensei "Camilo Gómez". In this place, I share and train with people who, more than fellow practitioners, are like my brothers. We are all part of a family, the family of the "Shiro Obi Dojo".

I could continue writing about the virtues of karate, but not to make this post longer and tedious, I will leave it for today until here. There are diverse and great teachings that this martial art can offer us. However, today I will not deal so deeply with it. Alone I have to say that, karate is my lifestyle, at least I try, being a better person, and without abandoning it. It is not easy to continue training, especially when your circumstances change, but I think the training is personal, not to convenience, but sincere. Learning thousands of kata does not make us better karatekas, but perseverance and patience to perfect one.