(Approx 2 minute 50 second read)

I often wonder why people visit my Page, and feel the need to comment – when it seems they have no interest in the practical side of karate.
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One particular comment stood out from a person that said he’s been training in Shotokan for nearly 30 years and is completely indifferent to self-defense. His reason? He sees karate as a more dynamic form of meditation.
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He doesn’t train in a dojo or with others – because he doesn’t care for the emphasis on violence.
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Let’s pause there.
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Karate is, at its root, about violence. You don’t step into a dojo and begin by learning how to breathe in harmony with the universe. You learn to punch, to kick, to strike, to defend. That’s preparation for violence. Let’s not pretend it’s something else.
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He continued, saying there’s some part of him that feels more prepared for a self-defense situation (what?), but he doubts he’ll ever use karate that way. He said self-defense couldn’t possibly motivate him to train every day for decades, especially when that situation may never arise.
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This kind of thinking worries me. While verbal de-escalation is a crucial part of self-defense, the idea that you can always talk your way out of a violent encounter is wrong. Come on. Where I live, relying solely on that could lead to being ‘eaten alive’ – with some ‘fava beans and a nice chianti’. It’s about understanding that sometimes, words aren’t enough, and meditation alone certainly isn’t – preparation for physical confrontation is essential.
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He wrapped it all up by saying that while self-defense might be your reason for training, it’s not universally valid, and everyone has their own motivations. He finds it strange that someone would train daily just in case something bad happens.
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Fair enough – but preparation isn’t about likelihood, it’s about consequence. That’s why we lock doors, wear helmets, and buy insurance.
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But it’s a mistake to assume karate must be one thing or the other.
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Practicality may be the foundation of what I teach – but like many others, I’ve come to appreciate everything else karate offers.
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I’m not saying everyone needs to train like they’re about to go to war – but let’s not forget what karate is. At its core, it’s about preparation – for confrontation, for violence, for the unknown.
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Yes, there are side effects – self-discipline, mindfulness, confidence, health, competition. But those are not the purpose. The purpose is to give you the ability to protect yourself or others if needed.
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It may not be the absolute truth, but almost every dojo advertises that they teach self-defense.
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You don’t have to agree with me. That’s the beauty of having your own dojo – or your own living room, in his case. But if you’re going to comment here, at least try to understand what this Page is about – and what karate actually is.
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It’s not interpretive dance in a keiko-gi. It’s not moving meditation where violence is just a regrettable side effect. Even if you are a competitor, you know there is some violence attached, even if it’s it rule bound and restricted.
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So by all means, train for whatever reason gets you out of bed. But don’t act surprised – or offended – when someone like me says that karate without the context of violence is just choreography with delusions of purpose.
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If that bothers you, maybe the problem isn’t with karate. Maybe it’s with the story you’ve told yourself about what you’re doing all these years.
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Anyway, I’ll get back to partner drills that actually prepare you for something – you keep polishing your aura.
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We all have our path, and I make no excuses for mine.
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Just maybe don’t leave long comments on a Page about practical karate while sipping herbal tea in your pajamas. Oh crikey, what have I said?
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Written by Adam Carter