Everyday is An Opportunity
One important result is an increase in confidence and awareness of one’s environment that allows people to cut through the fears we face every day. “It’s all about life,” Shihan Graves says. “You really want to be in awe every day and aware every day and at the point where you say, ‘Here I am and I’m going to live my life.” “We’re not really thinking that, as you turn the corner, you’re going to get mugged. But whether it’s fear of a shark attack or fear of being late to work, it’s still fear. Martial arts is all about that word confidence because you’re always tasking with that world around you.”
Martial arts training also give students a better perspective on cause and effect. “In martial arts, you must have a chess-like mind. Things are going to lead to other things,” he says.“Actions have consequences, and we’re responsible for our actions. We’re going to understand that focus.” Such lessons can have an especially big impact on children, especially those with issues like attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism. “Their focus improves because they know actions have consequences. It’s immediately known and immediately gratifying”. “And, there’s just so much more we can offer to the world with [martial arts] training.
- Matsumura Sōkon was one of the original karate masters of Okinawa
- Higaonna Kanryō, also known as Higashionna West, was a Ryukyuan martial artist who founded a fighting style known at the time as Naha-te
- Chōjun Miyagi was an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Gōjū-ryū school of karate by blending Okinawan and Chinese influences
- Dr.Sumihiko Funatsu (Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan), (Mahato-Kai) founding president of the 10th. Dr. Dan Sumihiko Funatsu
- Dr. Noriyuki Tamesue (Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan), (Mahato-Kai) grand master of Mahato Karate Association
- Jerry F. Barbar Shihan Mahato Karate Association USA
- Michael Ray Graves Menkyo Kaiden Shihan Mahato Karate Association USA
Chojun Miyagi (宮城 長順) was born on April 25th, 1888; which was about 10 years after the end of the Satsuma occupation of Okinawa. He grew up in Higashimachi, Naha, Okinawa. At a young age he witnessed an assailant being captured by a man who, in comparison to the trouble maker, seemed deceptively frail. The man’s name was Ryuko Arakaki. Young Miyagi followed Arakaki to seek his tutelage in combat knowledge. It was with Arakaki that Chojun Miyagi strengthened his body using the old Okinawan implements of Nigiri Game, Chishi, etc… Two years later, Arakaki formally introduced Miyagi to *Kanryo Higaonna.
Among Miyagi’s peers were Juhatsu Kyoda, Jinan Shinzato, and Seiko Higa. At this time, Karate was still practiced in secrecy.* Higaonna trained and taught in the city of Naha while his contemporary, Anko Itosu, made a name for himself in Shuri. In time Miyagi developed and grew into a respected martial artist. When Higaonna had fallen ill, he was, unfortunately, living in solitude since the passing of his wife. Miyagi took him in and took final hospice care of his Sensei. After Higaonna’s passing, Miyagi’s passion to continue learning led him to China to follow in the footsteps of his teacher. Upon his return, he waited for several years before teaching.
