I’ve been dabbling in karate. This journey started with qigong about a year ago, a slower form of energy and movement work, now it’s progressed to karate.
Qigong, pronounced “chi gong,” was developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being. Qigong has both psychological and physical components and involves the regulation of the mind, breath, and body’s movement and posture. I still do this most days. It keeps me centred, my body and energy free. I’m about to train with Nick Loffree (check him out on YouTube beautifully edited videos)
But then I discovered my local hall held karate classes. This is a whole other form of energy, effort and balance.
Modern day Karate was developed and systematised in Okinawa, Japan. Karate is a highly effective system of self-defence, and also an excellent form of exercise that promotes a number of life skills and values.
The purpose of Karate is to develop well-balanced mind and body, through training in fighting techniques. Karate promotes a number of values to live by, including integrity, respect, courtesy, humility, loyalty and compassion. Karate is based on Bushido.
Bushido has been the samurai code of conduct in Japan for centuries. Based firmly on the teachings of Zen, Bushido was intended to help the samurai master their nature and understand their minds and the universe through direct experience—as well as through fostering strength, self-control and wisdom.
The word karate is a combination of two kanji (Chinese characters): kara, meaning empty, and te, meaning hand; thus, karate means "empty hand." Adding the suffix "-dō" meaning "the way/path," karate-dō, implies karate as a total way of life that goes well beyond the self-defense applications, although it’s movements are predominantly a striking art using punching, kicking, and other knee elbow and hand strikes. I find it energising and challenging; a discipline.
Karate begins with rei and ends with rei. Rei means courtesy or respect, and is represented in karate by bowing. There are several aphorisms and elements of philosophy I’ve seen in relation to karate:
First understand yourself, then understand others
The art of developing the mind is more important than the art of applying technique
The mind needs to be freed
Do not think karate belongs only in the dojo
Karate training requires a lifetime
The Japan Karate Association say anyone can practice. 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, sex, or ethnic background. I’m not sure yet it’s right for me. I like the energy cultivation of qigong and its pace better.
Oh to be a Shaolin…
Over the last couple of years I’ve also become a fan of the Shaolin Temple Europe whose main teacher Shi Heng Yi has some amazing online qigong and other videos and resources. I began by practising Bad Duan Jin Qi Gong. This is a beautifully filmed video of the practise.
Shaolin is deeply rooted in Buddhist ethics and morality. You’ve probably seen Shaolin monks perform great feats of stamina and martial arts. The monks spend many hours a day honing their skills. It takes practice, training, and mental discipline to carry out these incredible feats of strength.Since the ancient times to the date, daily life of the shaolin warrior monk at Shaolin temple have included to study and practice Chan Buddhism, to study and practice kung fu, and doing the temple affairs, like cleaning the temple, working at the farms etc. And, yes, there are women Shaolin.
While I’ve been jumping from China to Japan in these traditions they have similarities in ethics and approach and their roots in Buddhism. There is something for me about a mental and physical discipline that really appeals, and harnessing and aligning mental and physical energy in a skilful way.
I’m only a beginner in these methods, perhaps you have more experience. Do let me know your thoughts. Would you rather be a Samurai or a Shaolin?
Gratitude
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