Typically karate is an art
that is practiced with bare feet. Saturday morning at the Kid's Club
fundraiser, Sensei Daniel Dugan, the head of the Yoshukai Alliance,
said that his adult students had the ability to overcome the
scorching heat of the church's asphalt parking lot on their bare
feet. However, he didn't want to put his younger students through
that kind of stress, so the group performed on the front lawn of the
church.
In the martial arts,
concentration on the opponent is critical to success. Being
distracted by one's surroundings will certainly lead to defeat.
Pictures by Nila Smith |
This black-belt student demonstrates the use
of the Katana, also known as the Samurai Sword. His focus is not on
the sword, as he looks straight forward, envisioning perhaps a
prospective opponent. |
Part
of this exercise includes drawing and wielding the sword, then
replacing it to its sheath without actually looking at the sword.
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Even in the youngest of students, the force
that they are capable of delivering in a kick would knock the first
two people holding the block off balance. Therefore, several students
join together to make sure the ones holding the 1-inch board don't
tumble over.
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With
one very swift kick, the board breaks cleanly into two pieces.
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As an instructor, Sensei Scott Bottrell of the
Elkhart Dojo is dressed fully in black. Here he has done some very
intense deep breathing exercises, preparing his body and mind for
what lies ahead.
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Bottrell moves not even an inch as one of the
senior students smacks his forearms with the Bo-like pole. As the
broken pole flies through the air, Bottrell stands firm. This is
part of what makes the body a human weapon in the art of Yoshukai
Karate.
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Clay Roberts is sensei to the Williamsville
Dojo. Here he prepares for the task at hand with deep breathing and
concentration as he sizes up the competition: four slabs of concrete.
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No trick photography, no second tries. One
swift, extremely forceful kick and the slabs break into pieces
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