The All Encompassing Art of Karate Do, Unifying the Body, Mind and Spirit
The All Encompassing Art of Karate Do, Unifying the Body, Mind and Spirit
By Tracy Warrener
The art of Karate Do, (Empty handed way) has mesmerized people for centuries for many reasons. For some, it was the allure of learning an ancient Asian self defence, some it was the discipline of the mind it brought, while for others it was the spiritual side. In ancient times in Japan when a person practiced it, it was part of their culture and part of their heritage. The lessons it taught were passed on from generation to generation.
When a person is training in Karate they are taught to be body aware. Through repetition of movements, working with different people and learning to push past physical barriers that the training can bring, a student becomes physically aware. They learn about training reaction time, coordination, the importance of breath and how the biomechanics of the body work with movement as well as developing cardio, strength and flexibility. By training in a martial art such as Karate, the student becomes very in touch with their bodies as well as how to work with other body types as well.
The Mind connection part of Karate is taught from the moment a student bows on to the dojo floor. They are taught to leave the day’s events behind and focus on training only. People are overwhelmed with thoughts on a daily basis. Most people forget how to just be present. Martial Arts teaches the importance of disciplining the Mind to just be present. Another benefit of practicing Karate is the discipline and philosophy it teaches. By training our minds to be strong, confident and to push through the barriers, we strengthen the mind. Through old philosophical wisdom passed down a student learns to broaden their mind and their thought processes.
Spirituality has always played a role in Martial Arts. Originally, much of the spirituality taught had foundations in religions such Shinto, Buddhism and Taoism. As the martial arts grew and became popular in other cultures and countries those specific religious influences lessened. However the ideals of spirituality in the martial arts did not. Through meditation practice in training, understanding and developing certain general spirituality practices maintained the spiritual side of the art. The spirit side of one’s training also is the life force energy and passion and fire of one’s soul.
A well rounded Karate Ka,(karate student) is someone who understands the importance of knowing that Karate is much more than just fighting and defending themselves. Each part of the Body, Mind and Spirit are equally important. Gogen Yamaguichi, one of the founders of Goju Ryu Karate once said, “Karate is body, Kata is the mind, Spirit is ‘Yamato-damashii’ or the fighting spirit.” All of these together unify a Martial Artist.
Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program.
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