Two Years of Karate (2022-2024)

Paul Mitchell, 6th Dan, Shotokan Karate

Today it is two years since I rolled up to the dojo at Wells Blue School, and asked the Sensei, Paul Mitchell (6th Dan), whether I could observe. He brusquely pointed to the left hand end of the line, where the lowest grades and newbies stood, and said, "Join in there."

I graded as orange belt (9th kyu) on Tuesday November 22nd 2022. Three months later, on February 14th 2023 I was promoted to red belt, (8th kyu) and I gained yellow belt (7th kyu) on May 20th.

But through most of my training I had developed pins and needles in my left foot, with pain in my buttock which made sitting difficult. That's nerve damage: sciatica. I concluded that shotokan karate training, with its high kicks and aggressive turns, was just wreaking havoc with my 72 year old body. On Tuesday June 13th 2023 I had the difficult conversation with Paul, telling him I had to withdraw from further classes.

That was not the end.

I had a private lesson with Paul a few months later, when I was beginning to feel a little better. "Is it possible to do karate in a manner similar to T'ai Chi, where you focus on balance, stretching, memory and poise rather than speed and power?"

Paul, who is a teacher of T'ai Chi as well as karate, emphasised that indeed it was, while straightening me out on Heian Sandan.

I no longer attend classes, but my regular weekly gym sessions include kihon, sanbon kumite and the first four Heian katas, done in the way Sensei Mitchell proposed. It's good for me (I also do T'ai Chi and the sword form in these sessions) and keeps up the tradition.

I find shotokan karate endlessly fascinating: its relationship to real street-fighting skills ("How many of these black belts have ever been in a real fight," one of the blue belts once said to me scornfully, "apart from Paul Mitchell?"), as well as its purpose and philosophy in the early twenty-first century in the developed world.

Bard summarises my karate plans

 Can You Still Do Karate With Health Issues?

Karate is a great martial art that can provide many benefits for people of all ages and fitness levels. However, if you have health issues like sciatica or joint pain, you may be wondering if you can still continue practicing karate.

The good news is that you can still do karate even if you have health issues. In fact, karate can actually be beneficial for your health.

One way to continue practicing karate with health issues is to focus on kata. Kata are choreographed sequences of movements that are used to develop muscle memory and technique.

Kata can be practiced slowly and fluidly, which is gentle on the joints and muscles. This makes kata a great option for people with health issues.

In addition to being gentle on the body, kata has many other benefits for people with health issues. Kata can help to improve balance, coordination, and flexibility. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety.

If you have health issues and you're interested in continuing to practice karate, I encourage you to talk to your Sensei about focusing on kata. Kata is a great way to stay active and healthy, even if you have health limitations.

Here is a more detailed look at the benefits of practicing karate kata for health reasons:

• Improved balance and coordination: Kata requires you to move your body in a variety of ways, which can help to improve your balance and coordination. This is important for people of all ages, but it can be especially beneficial for older adults who are at risk of falls.

• Increased flexibility: Kata can help to increase your flexibility by stretching your muscles and joints. This can help to improve your range of motion and reduce your risk of injuries.

• Reduced stress and anxiety: Kata can be a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. The repetitive movements and focus on breathing can help to calm the mind and body.

• Improved mental focus and concentration: Kata requires you to focus on your movements and breathing, which can help to improve your mental focus and concentration. This can be beneficial for people who have difficulty concentrating or who are easily stressed.

• Increased self-confidence and self-esteem: Kata can help to improve your self-confidence and self-esteem. As you master the kata, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. This can lead to a more positive outlook on life.

If you are interested in learning more about how karate kata can benefit your health, I encourage you to talk to your Sensei or a qualified karate instructor. They can help you develop a safe and effective kata practice routine that is tailored to your individual needs and fitness level.

Here are some tips for practicing karate kata for health reasons:

• Start slowly and gradually increase the speed and intensity of your kata practice as you get stronger.
• Focus on proper form and technique. This will help to prevent injuries.
• Listen to your body and take breaks when you need them.
• Make sure to warm up and cool down before and after your kata practice.
• Practice in a safe environment.
• If you have any health concerns, talk to your doctor before starting a kata practice routine.

With a little planning and effort, you can enjoy the many benefits of karate kata for health reasons, even if you have health issues.

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.