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Top 10 Reasons To Take Karate

By Tom Ramsey

December 18, 2014

There are many reasons why a person should take karate.  For me personally, I started in the martial arts when I was 16 years old.  At that time I was being picked on, pushed around and bullied a lot for being small in stature plus I wore eye glasses and braces on my teeth.  My problem was that I didn’t have the confidence to stand up for myself when I got bullied and even if I did, I could not back it up as I was a 110 pound weakling.  I could not fight my way out of a paper bag.

I thought that if I could just learn how to fight maybe these bullies would leave me alone and stop picking on me.  So, I talked my parents into letting me take karate.  Lucky for me I found a great teacher (sensei) who taught me many things.  Not only did I learn about the martial arts but I also learned about myself and much more.  Little did I know that fighting was the last thing I was to learn and the very last thing I would ever use.

Here is a list of my Top 10 reasons to take karate:

1.)    FUN & FITNESS – It is so very important for a child or a person to find something fun that he or she can do by themselves.  This will help them to build self esteem.   Having this one characteristic is paramount in personal development.  At the same time the person is exercising and also becoming physically fit.  The perfect combination! 

2.)    FOCUS – As a child, I know for me it was hard for me to focus or pay attentions.  I learned in karate how to be still.  This helped me to listen and pay better attention.  This was one of the hardest, but most rewarding lessons.

3.)    RESPECT – The “Golden Rule” in life.  The word Respect means, treating others the way you wanted to be treated.  This life skill is not only a great way to live by, but will help a person to be less self centered.  This skill will also help a person succeed in many areas of their life.

4.)    CONFIDENCE & SELF RESPECT – When a person learns something and can do it with some proficiency, they learn the true meaning of confidence.  This in turns builds self respect in a person.  These are two very important life skills a person needs to excel in life.

5.)    SELF CONTROL - Many people do not have patience today.  They may be quick tempered and even become violent at times.  Karate can teach a person to gain control of their emotions and help them to find an inner peace and balance from within.

6.)    BODY & MIND COORDINATION – A martial artist is taught to see, feel and listen, both internally and externally.  A student will learn eye and hand and eye and foot drills to help them to become physically coordinated.  This will also help them to build self esteem in a more positive way than becoming over stimulated by technology (phones, computers, etc.)

7.)    SELF DISCIPLINE – Being disciplined is a must for anyone. This life skill will teach a person to always do their very best at everything they do.  It not only teaches one about consequences but also helps a person to make good choices in life.  Self discipline holds a person accountable for their own actions.

8.)    GOAL SETTING – Having and setting goals helps to motivate a person and can provide the feeling of joy when the goals are achieved.  It can also teach a person about disappointment when their goals are not reached.  Having goals will help a person to do their very best at everything they do.

9.)    CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS – This is where I learned how to be more assertive and not aggressive.  I learned how to use my body language and my voice as my weapons instead of my physical strength.  These are very effective tool to use if a potentially dangerous situation was to occur.

10.)  SELF DEFENSE – This is one of the most important parts of learning karate.  Learning how to recognize the warning signs of danger is crucial.  This could be the difference between being the victim or the victor.  Self defense may not only save your life but could also save other people’s lives as well.


Wado-Ki Karate is a sponsor of  NRV Macaroni Kid and they offer classes in Christiansburg, Salem, Roanoke and Troutville. You can learn more or schedule a FREE trial class here.