A fun, easy way to get into shape and learn self-defense would be to pursue karate, said William Bowling, owner of Bowling's Karate Kountry.
"It's important to protect yourself in this day and age." Bowling said. "You never know when you need to defend yourself, and without the proper skills you can't do that."
When learning the techniques of the martial art, students have to make their way through the ranking system, he said. The system comes in the form of belts, and there are 20 belts in all.
Karate is something that can come in handy whether people are getting jumped in the parking lot or just practicing in class, said Andrew Hosey, president of the Ball State Martial Arts Club.
"People should know how to defend themselves," he said.
Hosey and Chad Menning, faculty adviser for the club, teach a martial arts class in Irving 108 on Mondays and Wednesdays, Hosey said. At the class, Japanese Karate is the main focus, but Hosey and Menning try to touch on a little of everything.
At Bowling's Karate Kountry, though, Bowling teaches Goju-Ryu karate at his dojo (school) Monday through Saturday, he said. There are different class levels for people of different ages.
Goju-Ryu karate is also a good workout to get the body into shape, Bowling said. It is an aerobic exercise, and an individual can get into shape in about four to six weeks.
Hosey said the martial arts classes at Ball State University also provide a good workout for the participants. His class works muscles that have never been worked before and uses participant's brains in ways they have never been used before, he said.
When fighting an opponent, Hosey said, the individual has to look at the big picture. The individual has to think deeply because there is a strategy to fighting.
"Fighting is like a chess game," he said.
In order to learn karate, the individual has to have determination, a desire, confidence, self-discipline and "not to be lazy," Bowling said.
Once practitioners have those abilities, he said, karate can help them to form the mental awareness that encourages the gain of physical strength and confidence. That kind of mental awareness comes from knowing they can defend themselves.
Hosey said when people learn to defend themselves, they develop the character and personality that will help them become better fighters. They learn how to control their emotions to have the right mind-set when fighting an opponent.
The main reason for learning karate, though, is for self-defense, Bowling said. If people get robbed, assaulted or raped, they need to know how to defend themselves, he said.
Police officers can only do so much for a victim, he said, because they usually do not arrive until after the incident is over.
During class in Irving Gym at Ball State , Hosey and Menning try to keep the karate moves they teach simple and effective, Hosey said. Hosey wants his students to be comfortable enough with the techniques they learn to use them when the time calls for it.
Types of martial artsGround Fighting/Grappling: focuses on the wrestling aspects of martial arts (Brazillian jiu-jitsu)Low-impact or Meditative: utilizes breathing, posture and slower movements (Tai Chi)Stand-up: focuses on punching, kicking and blocking (Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu)Throwing: opponent's momentum against self and use of ground allow for high impact (Judo)Weapon-based: centers on the use of one or more weapons (Kendo)
Dojo etiquette
- Remove shoes before entering the dojo. This custom is still common in oriental nations and prevents dirt from entering the building. It is a sign of respect to the people who use the facilities.
- Bow into the dojo. When entering and leaving the dojo, it is customary to bow toward the kamisa (mat/deck).
- Greet others within the dojo. After entering the dojo, the individual should scan it for a Blackbelt. If a Blackbelt is present, the individual should face the Blackbelt and bow.
- If you arrive late, you should kneel politely in seiza and wait to be corrected by the Sensei or a senior student
Class etiquette1. Arrive early. Most students arrive 10-15 minutes early, which gives them enough time to stretch and warm up.
2. Limit conversation. The conversation should be in low tones or a whisper to not disturb others. Also, the conversation should be related to the dojo and karate training, and greetings are permitted but limited.
3. Warm up. Use the time before class constructively. Stretch, warm up and seek advice from the highest ranking student in the dojo at the time.
4. Line up. Right before class, students should line up in the order of rank. The highest ranks are first, and within the ranks the students should line up in the order of time of membership, oldest members first.
5. Bow in. At the instructor's direction, bow into the class area.
6. Beginning ceremony. Classes begin with a traditional ceremony.
- The instructor will line up the class.
- The instructor will call the class to attention
- At the formal bowing-in ceremony, the instructor and students will assume a formal kneeling position.
Martial ArtsFree at Irving Gym Room 108MondayBeginners: 7-8:30 p.m.Advanced: 8:30-10 p.m.WednesdayBeginners: 5-6:30 p.m.Advanced: 6:30-8 p.m.
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