Karate enhances both physical and mental well-being
“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” – PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY
Achieving enhanced physical and mental well-being is just one of the benefits that practitioners of the martial arts enjoy. With today’s emphasis on physical fitness combined with the stresses of the modern world, karate is an activity that brings both together in what can be described as the ultimate fitness challenge. Heather Nelson, one of the four black belt instructors at Midwest Karate Association (Regina) Inc., says the martial art is one of the best ways to combine all aspects of fitness. “We focus on the mind and body; physical health and mental health.” Karate is said to have begun in China and was brought to the island of Okinawa in the 1300s where it mixed with Indigenous Okinawan fighting arts. The most well-known karate master to bring karate to the public was Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), who brought karate to Japan in 1922 and formalized the art as karate-do (the way of the empty hand). The style became known as “Shotokan” as “Shoto” was a pen name used by Master Funakoski and “kan” means hall. Master Funakoshi and his senior students, founded the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1955. The style carries on here in Regina, where Midwest Karate teaches traditional Shotokan Karate. Midwest Karate opened its dojo (training hall) doors in 1978, and has been at its current location at 1100 Broad St. for more than 30 years. It is a member of the Saskatchewan Karate Association and the Canadian Traditional Karate Federation (CTKF). As a member of the CTKF, it is affiliated with the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF). Midwest’s technical director is Rick Jorgensen, seventh degree black belt and president of the CTKF and chairman of the ITKF. While he currently lives in Ontario, he visits Regina frequently and is in constant contact with the instructors to ensure quality and consistency in Midwest’s classes. There are currently four instructors, including Garrett Lillie, and Cal Straub who each have 30 years’ experience at the school, as well as Nelson and Mike Tchozewski, who, along with students, have won medals in international competition. Nelson says the school’s high quality instruction continues to result in high-ranking athletes. “We have high quality instruction locally and we bring in high quality instructors from abroad. Our instructors [train and compete] internationally so they keep up to date on their skills and, and that’s why we continue to have high-level athletes,” she says. The Midwest Karate dojo has 3,000 square feet of training space, equipped with hardwood flooring, and two comfortable changing rooms with showers. Members can take advantage of numerous training aids, ranging from traditional makiwara posts to any one of a number of modern impact bags. The club also has a full set of competition mats for practicing kumite with safety. One wall of the training hall is lined with mirrors to help members self evaluate their form. There is also a large lounge area for parents and friends to watch class in comfort. The classes are taught at all levels and for all ages. No one sits on the bench, says Nelson. “Everyone at all levels can be active all the time,” she says. “Midwest Karate provides an opportunity for people to participate at whatever level they want to, so, if they would like to participate recreationally, we’re more than happy to provide that, but if they would like to compete at a higher level, we have the skills and abilities to coach them to that level,” Nelson says. Regardless of the level of interest, everyone is welcome to watch or even take a class for free to find out about the physical and mental benefits of traditional karate. To register for classes, call Midwest Karate or register online at midwestkarateregina.com.