Paying for Karate Lessons.

When most people think of paying for karate lessons, they instinctively compare such actions with payment
for other sports or activities. Most likely soccer, basketball, and those who have had the occasion to try gymnastics or dance, compare them accordingly with the latter, rather than the former.

Truly karate training can not be placed in the same pricing level with these activities. Soccer, basketball, tennis, etc., are sports designed to develop the body and the mostly coordination of ONE SIDE of the body. Hence their limited development overall. As such all such athletes are lop-sided at best, and try other "sports" or "conditioning," to become better at their chosen "sport."

The failure of the western sports is that it addresses the physicality of the person, and not the person as a whole.

Whereas there are values to team sports, such as camaraderie, team-work and fellowship, there also exists a very large void, for individual development, individual responsibility, and leadership. In team sports, the inner individual as well as the outer individual is sacrificed for the benefit of the team. We win together, and we fail together.

The other issue is the elimination of those who don't fit the mold. The so-called "weak" are cast aside, the "strong" are chosen and celebrated. One very famous private school in my area, was considering a martial arts program, for those who can't make the cut for the team sports. If you are not IN the team, you are an outcast, in most circles.

The team members, learn to develop skills, which are mostly physical. Mentally they learn to develop only one thing - Ego. This is the nature of the beast, and along with it comes the empty shell, that is the individual. The reason for this, is not that humans are like this, it is the mechanism behind western sports. Coaches don't address the individual. To do so, requires a gift, and not a skill you can acquire in a semester or two of coaching, or attending seminars.

Coaches are at times concerned with their own job-security, and wrath of parents. Parents then, conditioned by society, want their child to win, to feel good, to fit in, and be part of the team, etc. Because if the child fails, they reason, then they as parents, have failed. And nobody wants to be a failure.

Eastern philosophy is about the individual. The individual finding themselves, and then their place of contribution in the team. It is not about the loss or the win. It is not about an end, it is about the process, or if you will, the journey. Whereas the western society chooses the team members, in the eastern philosophy the individual chooses the team. Thus bringing with them, their WHOLE self, and not just their physical ability. Whereas in the western culture, we are taught to reach out and TAKE, the eastern philosophy seeks to reach inward, seek, develop, and master and then GIVE!

The goal of western activities are another medal, trophy, championship or accolade. The goal of eastern activities is to find a way to contribute correctly. True Karate is an eastern activity. Thus, the payment is not for the lesson itself, rather for the effects of the lesson on the individual, internally. Their esteem, character, confidence and leadership. Physically, practitioners of karate become some of the strongest, fastest and fit individuals of their society, with the added benefit of having the ability to at least put up a fight, if attacked.

Though monetarily there is a remuneration for the teacher's time, the lessons of karate are priceless. The work of True Karate teacher is summarized in the Japanese word "Sensei," (pronounced sen-say) which is mistakingly translated to mean teacher.  The deeper meaning for the purpose of this discussion would be "Guide." Whereas a coach helps you hone your skills and physical abilities, the guide, helps you find your way.

Therefore, paying for sports is cheap, because they have so little to offer, if any. In contrast, the investment in karate is expensive in comparison, because of the internal and external value. Think about it! which is worth more to you, a whole complete egg, or a shell resembling an egg.

If you have read his far, you may be under the impression that I prefer Martial Arts over western sports. Nothing could be further from the truth. My sincerest wish is to help you understand the value of a True Karate training, and its necessity in combination with your western sports.

Seek a Sensei, Find Your Way.

Bruce Hojati