As of writing this article, karate culture is in danger. Whether you love karate because of its history or its effectiveness in real fights, you’ll have to admit it’s in danger. Few are the trainees who use the fighting techniques applicably to real life. So, is it useless, and if so-why?
Karate isn’t useless because the traditional style teaches its trainees many effective fighting techniques. Additionally, it involves sparring exercises, known for their many positive attributes, such as reducing fear of fights, increasing confidence, and growing pain-tolerance.
Once we take a wide look, it all starts to make sense. Today, many McDojos are teaching the new martial arts generation everything wrong. It all became somewhat commercialized rather than insisting on keeping the traditions alive.
But, we can’t blame them.
Our world is filled with people who will do anything they can to stop violence in all its forms, even if it’s for self-defense purposes. As such, most senseis won’t launch a dojo which follows the traditional fighting style. Instead, it’ll soften it to fit today’s world better.
However, when the people of Okinawa first constructed karate, they wanted it to be raw, brutal, and an aggressive martial art. In fact, that’s its initial purpose. So, how is it so different today?
This article will discuss the different arguments and present some common misconceptions about karate. Eventually, I’ll aim my focus toward the traditional style rather than what the many “McDojos” teach, a sport version of karate—less applicable for real fights.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
#1- Karate teaches effective fighting techniques
When discussing the effectiveness of a fighting style, we must first examine its teachings. Only then will we be able to understand whether its teachings are applicable to self-defense. If so, we’ll be at a much better level of understanding.
Karate teaches punching and kicking in various forms, both as offensive and defensive means. Additionally, some of its traditional styles teach takedowns, throws, and even ground grappling, highly effective in street fights.
The punches and kicks it teaches can cause massive damage quickly, regardless of your opponent’s size. Of course, you’ll need to practice the techniques-time and time again, to become familiar with them.
Before discussing any further points, I want you to watch the following video. I ask you to because it’ll help you understand my points better. You can watch some of it if you’d like-but, I really want you to give it a view.
This is Goju-Ryu, a traditional style of karate which focus is on self-defense. If you watch the end-part of this video, you’ll start to comprehend the true power solid karate holds.
Frankly, I don’t know of other martial arts which utilize such strict training methods, such as full-contact sparring.
You can now understand the many benefits karate grants its trainees. Some examples range from increased self-confidence and self-esteem-to better physical shape and lower aggression levels.
Let me end this section with this:
While today’s karate isn’t as effective because of many reasons, the traditional styles are raw, practical, and brutal. Therefore, they’re suitable for self-defense and all fighting situations.
#2- Karate’s purpose is self-defense
Karate started from a certain need. The people of Okinawa required a new system to fill a void. They had a purpose they wanted to achieve-learn self-defense.
As a result, the constructed or shall I say, invented, a new fighting style. It was raw and ferocious. Today, we know it as karate.
If karate’s purpose was something else, such as to instill various values into the trainees’ lives, then this argument wouldn’t have existed. However, as I’m writing this, I completely understand the circumstances it was created under.
It was under a time of war. While it didn’t include using certain weaponry (some karate styles do teach that), it taught people to use their body empty-handed. After all, the raw translation of the word karate from Japanese to English-is empty-handed.
Coincidence? Of course not!
The purpose of most martial arts is self-defense. As a result, they have to teach effective fighting techniques; or else, they wouldn’t have stayed alive in these times. The facts are, they did their job appropriately and taught people to use them for fighting purposes.
Thus, while some McDojos teach the arts in a sporty manner, some will teach it the way it was supposed to be instructed.
#3- Karate grows pain tolerance
The third benefit of karate we’ll discuss is growing your pain-tolerance. While that’s not as vital to our day-to-day lives, it’ll positively affect your lifestyle and more importantly, will prepare you for real life fights.
The previous point sets us back to the previous section, everything karate does or teaches will link to its purpose. If you don’t remember, it is to teach others self-defense.
Its training consists of many exercises that’ll inevitably increase the pain tolerance of its trainees.
Specifically, sparring is the most influential one, as trainees will experience the most pain in them. As a result, with time, you’ll be less afraid of feeling pain and more eager to work on yourself.
I encourage you to watch the start of this video to see for yourself how these trainees do feel pain. In fact, they’re not moved by it at all. I guarantee other people would’ve been inclined to stop fighting after the first exchange.
Your pain-threshold can increase (from personal experience). In fact, you’ll notice how your capability to take hits without moving an inch will better the more you allow yourself to experience pain.
Of course, I’m not suggesting you must hit yourself to get used to feeling pain, not at all. However, it’s important that you won’t be afraid of sparring, as it’s one of the best exercises you can involve yourself in to grow your pain-tolerance.
#4- Karate ingrains discipline and consistency
The 4th reason why karate isn’t useless is: it instills discipline and consistency. Briefly, these two traits are the most crucial ones to have to ensure self-development in your life.
If you can stick with what you’re doing and thus have long-term progress, you’ll be much better off in everything in life.
Moreover, if you are disciplined enough to have yourself go through various daunting tasks, such as facing your fears in life, you’ll be an entirely different person.
Karate ingrains consistency and discipline by being a platform its trainees utilize which pushes their mental and physical boundaries. As a result, those who stick with training are also those who have a high level of consistency and discipline.
They’re brave enough to ensure they go through difficult times. They’re not scared of any obstacles. Rather, they have goals set in their minds, and they will pursue them.
Eventually, by training in karate, you’re guaranteeing self-development in these values. I won’t lie, all martial arts are challenging to learn. Therefore, those who begin and keep up with training are those who aren’t scared to challenge themselves more and more.
#5- Karate improves confidence and self-esteem
The last result of consistent karate training we’ll discuss is confidence and self-esteem.
After all, do we need anything else other than loving ourselves? Those with better self-esteem are also those who’ll be more willing to take greater risks and invest more in themselves. As a result, it’s not uncommon to see confident people succeed more in life.
Karate betters the confidence and self-esteem of its trainees by allowing them to overcome many obstacles. Hence, the trainees will feel success after success and will inevitably feel more confident.
A popular study examined the effect karate has on the self-esteem of 5 young men. In front of you are the results:
Visual inspection showed that four participants improved their global self-esteem. Self-efficacy was improved in three participants.
Source
While there were 5-participants, some of them had already had high self-esteem. Therefore, there weren’t any significant impact in such a short training period.
Nonetheless, we can see the positive impact karate had on all other 4-trainees, which managed to improve their self-esteem.
Such an improvement is unheard of, and thus we should appreciate the influence all martial arts can have on the mental health of its trainees.
Is Karate Effective In a Real Fight?
Karate is effective in a real fight because it teaches practical fighting techniques, primarily punching and kicking. Such movements are applicable to real life because they can cause massive damage while keeping you relatively safe. Therefore, karate is widely known as a martial art suitable for self-defense.
Useless Martial Arts
Contrary to traditional karate, some martial arts are less effective. As a result, applying what you’ll learn in them to real fights-is a lost cause. Therefore, if your goal is to learn self-defense, it’ll be best to stick with other martial arts.
If you want to know what these effective martial arts are, I encourage you to follow the link to an article of mine.
Next, we’ll discuss some useless martial arts and what makes them that. Additionally, we’ll compare them against karate to see their different and similar traits.
Sumo
The first fighting style is Sumo. Although it’s extremely popular and will most likely keep its status, it’s simply ineffective.
It doesn’t teach any practical and applicable techniques, such as punching or kicking. Instead, it’s the art of shoving your opponent to the sidelines, which doesn’t benefit in real life.
No Contact
The second fighting style is one I hate to mention. However, I feel obliged to, as more and more people start to believe such nonsense.
No Contact is a new form of martial arts, created by people who desire a large following. Basically, the primary principle they follow is to beat opponents without touching them. Feel the nonsense yet?
Watch the following video to watch the master of no contact get beaten by a proper karate sensei. Trust me, it’s a great watch!
Final Words
To end this article, I want to emphasize my appreciation for karate. Throughout the years, it has positively impacted the lives of many. For instance, many trainees report feeling confidence and ready to take on the world with a better mindset.
I encourage you to start your martial arts journey by learning karate. It’ll drastically improve your well-being, since it’s extremely applicable and suitable for real-life.
Moreover, traditional karate teaches us to fight fiercely. Learning martial arts will teach you how to fight, regardless of what others say about modern styles, which are more focused on the sport aspect and less on the fighting.
If you enjoyed reading this article, I have no doubts you’ll also enjoy reading about Karate’s belt order. If you desire to study it, such information is vital to understand before you dive into deep water.