Karate-do highlights

It was a Wednesday and I was in school, probably grade 5. It was winter time and quite cold outside. Me and my friends decided it would be fun to find an ice patch and do some sliding on it during recess. Inevitably, I slipped, fell and landed very poorly on my wrist. The pain was significant. I immediately felt nauseous, and noticed my wrist swell up. I left school, went home and got some rest.

I grew up in an environment which encouraged a "suck it up" attitude. Hospital visits for things like this were unlikely and missing karate class for things like this were equally unlikely. And so, I proceeded to unwisely attend class.

After the basic class, a brown and black belt class was always held. At this period in time there was usually 15-20 students in class, with myself being the youngest and most inexperienced so…

The word "kiai" is synonymous with karate but few truly understand its purpose or meaning.

The literal translation as it pertains to martial arts is written in the title, "unified energy". An advanced practitioner would understand it as a gathering of energy in your center of gravity or your hara. The point in which almost all significant body behavior and reactions are reliant on, your abdomen. Without a strong core you are limited in your most basic motions (walking, running, sitting up, sitting down).

However, for a beginner, much of that may not make a whole lot of sense. So lets break it down. In order to synchronize your energy (kime) you must breathe. In order to kiai, you must breathe. It all starts with your breath. Lets try a test. Hold your breath, and do not exhale. Release a punch all the while, holding your breath. That probably felt…

Si vis pacem para bellum - If you want peace, prepare for war. A phrase that embodied the livelihood of the samurai warrior. While many elements of their life were surrounded by serenity, conflict was always knocking at their door.

In times of war, Injury or death was common. It was imperative that the samurai enlisted the help of a doctor. But not just any doctor, they had to be skilled in combat, they had to also be a samurai. The enemy would be reluctant to allow a healer on the field to help balance the scales of combat, so it was possible the doctor may be attacked and needed to know how to defend themselves.

Hira was a skilled doctor who found himself enlisted in an important battle between two samurai clans. His objective was simple, keep the samurai from his clan healthy and as able to fight as…