Ocala Karate and Fitness

Posts Tagged ‘Reflexes’

Hello everyone,

     First off I’d like to say thanks for all the continued support at Ocala Karate and Fitness.  Every one’s dedication to their own training and goal accomplishments have really made the studio soar over the last few months.  I could not be happier with the awesome group of members that are now training on our floor almost every night of the week.  Whether it’s in Okinawan Karate, Kobudo, or Cardio Fitness, the Ocala Shinbukan is quickly becoming “The place to Train.” 

     Many of our members and students ask me questions on a day to day basis.  One of the most asked questions however is this.  “What does Karate really mean?”  Now that’s a tricky question because the translation of the Kanji Characters that make up the word literally mean “Empty Hand.”  But just to say that is what Karate means is really just scrapping the surface.  Let me explain.

     Having trained for the last two decades, I have seen what Karate does and how it changes us individually.  I can remember starting out and feeling like a fish out of water.  Everything is new and exciting.  There is literally so much information to learn and we all just can’t wait to learn it.  We spend hours and hours training on the floor trying to get the techniques down.  Trying to remember how to say them and when to use them.  Then after several months of stretching and sweating, we get a whole new set of things to work on.  Only now, the things we were working on a few months ago that at the time seemed really difficult and confusing suddenly start to make a little sense.  Our balance and physical strength and endurance, both physically and mentally is getting better.  Everything is starting to evolve and take on a new feel.  Our eye hand coordination is getting better.  Our reflexes are getting faster.  We are beginning to move quicker and have greater control over our selves.  And this process continues month after month, year after year.  Every year you will look back and think, man did I used to do it like that, or I can remember when I had the hardest time with this particular thing.  These are the building blocks or basics that we as Karateka are always building upon.  Because this is what Karate means to me.  “Journey”  It’s a road that you follow and travel that really has no end.  You just get on it and go. It twists and turns and takes you in directions that you never could possibly imagine, or for the most part, even know was there. 

     So to me the word “Karate” means Journey.  Because that is exactly what it is.  A life long journey that goes places unless you are on the road you never would have or will ever get to.  It’s a road of tremendous rewards and accomplishments.  And the truly amazing part of it is . . . unlike all other roads, this one has no end.  No finish line.  So always remember it’s not a race.  If you try and travel it too fast, you might miss a few things along the way by taking a short cut.  So just sit back, buckle your seat belt, and enjoy the ride.  It’s the best trip I ever started. 

                                                                            Gambatte

                                                                               Robby Bray