Shotokan Karate is a powerful style
of martial art, which involves a good
physical workout and is also an ex-

 

by DENIS BYRNE
and TODD BOLES

 

cellént method of self-defense.

Karate is practiced world wide by
_people of various ages, in almost
“every country in the world. This style
involves coordinated defense/attack
techniques which enable a person to
nullify an attack by the potential
assailant.

-The most important aspect of Kar-
ate is the ‘‘Karate Spirit’’ which is the
union of mind and body. The audible
essence of this spirit is the KI (pro-
nounced key-i) and is the loud control-
led scream which accompanies an ex-
treme energy release at the instant of
impact (focus).

A typical training session begins
with extensive stretching of all the
body muscle groups; this is a very
important aspect, as any rapid body
movements must be performed by

~ supple muscles and also to prevent
bodily injury.

_ After this, basic techniques are per-.

formed as a class with the Sensi (or
master) leading. Some of the basic
techniques in Karate are the front
snap kick, side snap kick, side thrust
kick, roundhouse kick, reverse punch,
lunge punch and blocking techniques.

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Dojo

The Other Press

After the basics are completed
there are two further items which are
performed—these are Kata and Ku-
mite (coo-mite-tay). A Kata is a
sequence of techniques which rep-
resent a choreographed fight between
several opponents—it is individually
performed and improves concentra-
tion—Kata is performed with great
spirit and hones basic techniques.

Another aspect of karate is Kumite,

which means ‘‘sparring’’ in Japanese
—individuals are paired off and spar
for a sufficient amount of time before
continuing this with a new-opponent.
Kumite improves reflexes and co-
ordination.
The Douglas College Dojo (a Dojo is a
floor area where martial .arts are
practiced) had modest beginnings
with 8 members under the instruction
of Sensi Paul Mosely, who had
instruction from Sensi Okazaki, an
eighth don black belt. A while later’
instruction at the Dojo was given by
Lany Cairns (a first degree black belt)
who also had instruction from Oka-
zaki.

The Douglas College club was
initiated by Cairns and Mosely in
January of 1984, and has seen some
excellent Karatekas, such as Michael
Knowles who earned his blue belt just
two. days before his departure; to his
homeland of Bahamas at the end of
the fall semester. Other club mem-
bers recently graded were Todd Boles
(blue), Warren Nyack (green) and
Denis Byrne (yellow).

The club is definitely not male

anna Learn Karate

 

The Karate club anticipates getting
belted by their instructor Larry Cairns

oriented, having seen several women
karatekas associated with it, in partic-
ular, Nancy Nyack and Pinky Hunjan.

The club had a recent demonstra-
tion in the concourse to encourage
new membership, as some members
have left to attend other institutions
and enrollment has been down. The
club is encouraging new _ students,
male and female alike, to join. The

training days for the club are Tues-
days and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00
p.m. with an optional class on Fridays
at the same time.

If you are interested in keeping fit
and want to learn some self-defense
techniques at the same time contact
Larry Cairns at the above times in the
Combative’s Rooms on level 1, next to
the gym.

 

 

Kawin AAacNanald Dhata