Six karate myths exposed

Do you think that karate is based on beating someone with a roundhouse kick- ala Chuck Norris or that a Black Belt makes you a karate master? Well think again!

Potchefstroom Herald spoke to local expert Stephan Steyn, of the World Shotokan Karate-do Federation (WSKF) in Potchefstroom and his student Brandon Shepherd to get some insight on debunking six karate myths:

Stephan Steyn:

1) Myth: Karate is based on religious beliefs.

Reply: Anything in life can be linked with a type of religion; however, religion can also influence anything in your life.  Karate is based on the LIFESTYLE of Japanese (who coincidentally are in general Buddhist).  People are especially skeptic about karateka who start and end a class with a bow to the instructor – this has nothing to do with religion or bowing to someone, but rather showing respect to the position of the instructor.  And secondly, Japanese do not shake hands as Western society generally does when meeting someone.  Japanese rather bow to each other in order to avoid contact and the possibility of infection etc.

2) Myth: I am to old to start karate.

Reply: Karate is for anyone of any size, shape or age.  “In my experience, older people who start karate develop faster than younger ones and usually perform as good, if not better, than younger beginners,” said Steyn.  It is maybe because they better understand physics, biology and anatomy required to perform a punch or kick.

3: Myth: People who do karate are excellent at self-defense and not afraid of anyone.

Reply: No! Does going to class everyday imply that you will receive your degree?  Only of you work hard and do your part.  The same applies to karate – if you do not work hard in and out of class (homework) you will maybe be able to know all the different types of punches, but maybe not able to perform each one efficiently.  On the other hand, we are all human (even karateka, even a black belt) and have our own personal fears and personalities – so just as in life, some people will not be afraid of a certain situation, while the other will.  I do, however, think that karate teaches you to stay more calm in stressful situations.

Brandon Shepherd

4) Myth: Everyone thinks you can beat up people likes Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee does.

Reply: Karate and martial arts takes much more discipline and dedication and is not a quick fix. Not anyone who can do karate should be purposefully going out to hurt someone with their “skills.”

5) Myth: Everyone who does karate can break boards at will

Reply: This is not true as we do not practice this all the time. Sometimes we will get a demonstration from experience black belt instructors on this. But it is not the main purpose of karate.

6) Myth: When you get a black belt you have achieved everything in karate

Reply: “It took me years to get my black belt and karate only really starts when you get your first black belt,” said Sheppard.  It is a never ending challenge and experience and something that you will continue to learn and master for as long as you live.