Author Description

Karate is currently enjoying wide popularity the world over. We encounter it frequently in books, films, and on television. There are few people who have not seen a demonstration of brick or wood breaking or a single bare-handed man defeat a host of armed opponents. But karate is much more than this. It was developed over a thousand years ago, not only as a form of unarmed combat, but as a way to discipline the body in order to improve the spirit. In this way, a unity of body and spirit could be achieved. If this sounds too abstract, perhaps we can use terms that are easier to deal with. Besides conditioning the body and improving speed, strength, and co-ordination, karate increases one's alertness and self-awareness.