from the event program of Vancouver Cup 2004
Body-Mind-Spirit
by Tats Nakamura
　

Students of Karate attempt to acquire not just karate techniques, but more importantly, a total connection between their body, mind and spirit. "BODY" is your physical parts including your head, limbs, flesh and organs. "MIND" is like a box in your brain that your thoughts come in and out of. "SPIRIT" is your deepest thoughts and feelings. One feels complete happiness and joy when a connection between all three is reached.  Kyokushin Karate is one of the most direct tools to achieving this connection and balancing these three parts.

 

This karate style appears to be very tough, but when one actually experiences the training, he or she realizes the existence of firm spirituality. At an entry level, the intense exercise, technical training and breath control in class, can lead students to a mental state where they are exposed to their own limits and weaknesses. At this point, many students quit because they are unable or choose not to squarely face these facts.  Those who decide to continue will eventually get past this mental block as their bodies adapt to the training It is at this point that they seek out other challenges, which is when the belt system kicks in. It helps students set small goals to achieve and helps to keep them motivated. Repetition of this process will finally instill the positive goal-oriented spirituality in the practitioners. One will be granted Black Belt when he or she reaches this stage, after spending at least six years training. There are no short-cuts in our training. It is a long journey to arrive in your spirit and make a total connection between body, mind and spirit.

 

As a full-time karate instructor, my deepest wish is for more people in this city to discover this Martial Art and to seize the opportunity to think about the three basic elements of a human being. That is exactly why the Vancouver Cup is held annually and is supported by so many people.  Osu.