What Karate Means To Me

In a simple response, it is part of my way of life, which has progressed from the first time I stepped into a Dojo at the age of 15. I am now 58 years old, a far cry from the teenager that first joined karate.

There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then, especially since this is the first time I’m attempting my Shodan. 43 years is a long time when I reminisce back and think, why didn’t I get a black belt in my 20’s doing Shotokan, or in my 30’s when doing Wado Ryu ? I even attempted Aikido for 12 months. I was not ready and even today I feel unworthy in the honour of being invited into the black belt family. One thing I can say, is that only in the years since I became a student of Goju Ryu and joined the Shushin Kai family, have I had the support and instruction to get me to the stage I am today.

My journey back into Karate started while on a family holiday when we visited Tokyo in 2016. I’ve always had an interest in martial arts and suggested to my wife Shradha that we should visit the Tokyo Budokan (not to be confused with the Nippon Budokan), one of the main martial arts venues in Japan. We had already seen a lot of temples and other tourist sites. It was a feeling of awe watching a traditional Kendo class and a master instructing a student in Kyudo (Japanese archery). The etiquette and respect, which I used to experience on entering a dojo, came flooding back. My emotion and my comment to my wife, “why did I stop karate ?”, resulted in me joining Shushin Kai with my daughter Tara.

Shradha had contacted Shihan, based on a recommendation from one of her close friends, and also scrutinising Shushin Kai’s Facebook page and website. She was impressed both with the presentation and the chat she had with Shihan. It was a total surprise when she told me what she had done. Her only comment to me was that, she knew I enjoyed martial arts and it was time to get back into it for my sanity (and hers). What can I say but wives are always right ! ☺

My first class with Shihan was on Monday 17th October 2016. It was a life changing event for me. I joined our Dojo with Tara as a father and daughter team, but to me it was more than that. It’s been almost 5 years now and in that time Karate has made me change many behaviours that have been detrimental to my health and mental state. I have lost almost 20kgs. My sugar and blood pressure levels have come under control, not to mention my physical fitness and flexibility. I know I need to do more on this side, but I am confident my karate journey will help me in achieving my goals.

The physical is not the only part of me that has benefited from karate. The mental and spiritual side has also evolved. Karate brings me peace, both when I train in the dojo or by myself. Life is hectic at the best of times. Karate has helped me to manage my stress. As part of my morning routine, to walk my adorable border collie Cassie, I’ve incorporated practising my katas with a range of meditative music playlists. I’ve found it so peaceful doing my katas with the background of the early morning sun breaking with the rising mist in the park. It is such a great start to the day that it really is life’s high-pressure release valve. Karate has helped me to clear my mind and relax. There is always Shihan’s echo in the background, “.. relax Anthony, you’re too tense”.

So “What does Karate mean to me ?“. Again - It is part of my life and my sanity. Thankyou Shihan and Sensei and our Shushin Kai family for being part of my (our) journey.

Anthony Balia began training at Shushin Kai karatedo on 1st November 2016, at age 54 years. He was graded to Shodan on 16th December 2021, at age 59 years.