I-KARATE GLOBAL
Non profit organisation
©2021 I-karate Global.Terms & Conditions
A practical example : OGL - Bethanië - Hasselt
Personality development and karate
General and psycho-pedagogical value of practicing a martial art and of practicing karate
About I Karate
The Inclusive Karate Federation team is an enthusiastic team of specialists in their specific area. It offers a total workout for youth and adults in which the development of coordination, agility, endurance, strength and speed play a major role. As such a person's general health is improved, not only physical, but also the mental and spiritual health. Club participation offers the opportunity for social renewal and renewed confidence. In addition, students develop a spiritual balance in everything they do (yin - yang theory).
The I stands for Inclusive karate. The intention is, to the extent possible, to involve people in the regular training and activities of local karateclubs. The word karate comes from Japanese and it means empty hand, it is a self defense method without weapons. A karateka, as the practitioner is called, uses their limbs as natural defense and attack tools which requires speed, concentration, strength, agility and coordination. A karateka uses the fist, the cutting edge of the hand and foot, as well as the elbow, knee and heel. "The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants" Gichin Funakoshi, 9th Dan Grand Master ( 1868-1957 ) who introduced karate in schools in Japan .
"Every child should practice from early on defense sport if only to grow up " Baden - Powell ( 22 Feb. 1857 - 8. Jan.1941 )
In addition to the general public, we focus more specifically on persons with a mental or physical disorder.Our mission is to teach a martial art such as I-Karate with the ultimate goal to change thinking patterns of children and adults with disabilities. We achieve this through personal guidance and continuous assessment. Parents and family members are closely involved in the integration process.
A practical example : OGL - Bethanië - Hasselt (Belgium).
Bethanië Care Centre provide a demand-oriented and quality care for children with behavioral and/or emotional problems and their families, embedded and entrenched in society. Bethanië Care Centre integrates karate training in their assistance plan. The children of Bethanië Care Centre train once a week in a nearby location. They are also invited to all activities of Go No Sen Karate Academy. The KIDS institute (Hasselt) focuses on (families of) children, youth and adults with hearing impairment, severe spoken language disorders and autism spectrum disorders. By means of orthopedagogical assistance and adapted education, KIDS offers to children, youth and adults with disabilities, assistance in their integration into the social and working environment. KIDS also works closely with Go No Sen. Every year in May the children give a demonstration at the institute and show what they have learned. A great initiative!
In the karate tradition, body culture (karate as a martial art), self-defense and sports are united, so that everyone can practise it. Karate emphasis lies with the correct execution and control of techniques. As a result, the chance of injury is minimal. Mastery of techniques, body and spirit are important aspects to which we give a lot of attention. Through frequent and concentrated training, the whole body is 'transformed' and qualities as perseverance, self-confidence and self-control are developed. Most karateka pick the fruits of this in daily life. In karate we train the complete body by and for the karate techniques. Speed, flexibility, strength and coordination are main fields of training. It is notable that every technique is practised both left and right, so that the whole body is trained and formed in balance. That's why karate appears to be one of the few "total" sports and therefore it is recommended by most experts as a possible springboard to any other sport. Our association has emphasized on 'life -time karate': anyone at any age can start with karate.
The explicit follow-up of persons with disabilities in view of achieving social integration to the fullest is what makes our organization unique. We do this at precisely timed periods per year, per month or per week : a full team meeting at least once a month; an evaluation sheet for each activity ; a follow-up interview with the parents and / or family of I-Karate .
Personality development and karate
- for the karateka
- a new challenge, a goal
- social acceptance by participation at training camps, demonstrations, contests and sports days
- noticeable improvement in physical strength, motor skills, responsiveness, attitude and flexibility
- noticeable mental improvement, positive attitude
- breathing techniques kiai (energy cry)
- sharpen responsiveness
- structural insight and environment clarification
- control command for extrovert
- expression for introverts among others through an upright posture
- acting in a concentrated manner
- For the teacher
- structure formation
- teaching assertiveness , self-esteem , coping with pressure and stress
- individual and group problem solving
- learn to assess risks versus show courage
- learning aggression evasion and defensive action
- transfer of the general philosophy of karate
- show respect for themselves and others
- integration : Involvement of enabled karateka, activities to pursue integration
- involving parents and friends during activities
- give experienced karateka responsibility
General and psycho-pedagogical value of practicing a martial art and of practicing karate
Because we believe in the power of a combat sport - a better term is probably martial art - we dare to ask the question: "Does it actually make aggressive or is an underlying psycho-pedagogical value evident?" We refer to all martial arts, of both Eastern and Western origin. There are over 100 different types practised, each with their own rules and techniques. The most popular types are: karate-do, taekwondo, judo, kickboxing, aikido, boxing and wrestling. There is a big difference between traditional oriental martial arts and the modern Western ones. Within the Western martial arts the element of competition is central: the highest level in the sport is a Olympic medal. Within the traditional martial arts personal Development is central: it is not about beating an external opponent, but to defeat the internal enemy. Generally, any fighting sport has a more or less educational basis. In the use of the sport as a tool this educational foundation is the starting point. Two basic elements make the difference from the onset on: the competition and the opponent. Karate seeks no competition and is not directed against an opponent, unless yourself.
Does martial art also reduce aggression?
Scientists have extensively studied the relationship between martial arts and aggression. Martial arts and aggression are easily and strongly negatively associated by outsiders. But, is that correct? Many martial artists will confirm the calming and regulating effect martial arts have on aggression. They experience this firsthand, an outsider cannot. Practicing karate is finding yourself through the experience of your body, breathing, movements and postures.
The values honesty, courtesy, courage, respect and self-control are very important to us and we consider them fundamental educational values inherent to Western society, although currently neglected. Although mainly based on self-reports of young
martial artists, their parents and coaches, the results of the research provide sufficient support for the determination of a positive overall result. The researchers conclude on accordance of the quantitative results and different groups studied (trainers , social workers and young people themselves) and the support of qualitative findings, resulting in a positive relationship to be existing between martial arts and aggression regulation and education.
Educational value and higher development potential
From the foregoing, the psycho-educational value of karate can hardly be overestimated. Many trainers praise the higher personal development potential offered by karate, through its balance between energy (generating and attracting) and thinking. The passivity of the Western educational system, where children and students are forced to sit down quietly to hear and process the subject matter, conflicts with their youthful energy, by nature barely able to channel itself, affecting thinking processes and often their inability to control. While it is an amalgamation that may be congruent when thinking and movement are combined: karate with a full and 'normal' transfer of energy from the mind to the movement itself, and a way of thinking in addition to the
movement. Thought and movemement combined, resulting in a higher level of sensitivity. When this happens, this is due to the higher levels of thinking and acting, decreasing body reflexes. Actually a centuries-long aspiration in Western philosophy where thought and action should be full partners, are at the ethical significance of human life.