Karate in Bahrain
Effortless action through perfect unity of mind and body, Bushido, Zen and the Dojo JKA Instructor and black belt Ehab Eshehawi tells the truth about karate.
Karate is not a game of points, weight classes or showy demonstrations. It is a martial art and a way of life that trains a practitioner to be peaceful; but if conflict is unavoidable, true karate dictates taking down an opponent with a single blow.
Such an action requires strength, speed, focus and control but these physical aspects are only part of the practice; they are just the vehicle, not the journey itself. Japanese karate is based on Bushido. In true karate, the body, mind and spirit - in other words the whole person - must be developed simultaneously. We can perform the techniques without thinking about them and remain focused without having to concentrate on any one thing. In essence, the body remembers how to move and the mind remembers how to be still.
The result of true karate is natural, effortless action and confidence, humility, openness and peace is only possible through perfect unity of mind and body. This is the core teaching of Zen, the basis of Bushido, and of the Japan Karate Association’s (JKA) karate philosophy.
Getting in
With members in over 100 countries, JKA is the world’s largest and most prestigious karate organisation and the only legal karate entity officially recognised by the Japanese government as an association of members for the promotion of karate. More importantly though, we are The Keeper of Karate’s Highest Tradition, the preserver of the soul and spirit of the art of karate in line with the tradition of Bushido (the way of the Samurai).
Anyone can join JKA, the only real requirement is a disciplined commitment to work hard and train patiently. As long as that commitment is there, karate is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnic background. There is also no need to be in excellent physical shape to start since karate will gradually improve your fitness as you progress. Your starting point is less important than the effort you put into it along the way.
Inside the Dojo
A typical karate practice session usually begins with a comprehensive warm-up followed by various training exercises. The exercises are divided into three main categories: kihon (basic techniques), in which you learn the basic blocks, punches, kicks and stances of karate; kata (forms), in which you practice and physically remember the various kihon learned; and kumite (sparring), where your kihon and kata techniques are matched against a real opponent. As your skill level increases, so will the difficulty and degree of the exercises. Of course, there will also be times when you are taught theory, dojo etiquette and the more philosophical aspects of karate.
No final destination
Some people ask how long it takes to learn Karate. It’s really up to you. The more you practice, the more you will improve. There is no limit to mastering karate, no final destination” at which you can arrive. There are benchmarks along the way however. In the JKA, you progress through a series of belt levels (9th to 1st Kyu). After that, you receive a black belt and progress through another nine degrees of black belt (1st to 10th Dan). A student with no prior training joins the JKA as 9th Kyu and is eligible to take ranking examinations every three to four months of training. Since there are nine examinations you must pass to attain a black belt, the 1st Dan requires a minimum of three years of diligent training. It takes several years to attain each subsequent Dan. At these higher levels, you will see that karate is not just something to be learned but something to be lived - and that takes a lifetime.
To become a member of JKA or for further details contact us on Tel: +973 3944 9628 or +973 3667 2204.