09 November 2012

BEIRUT: For parents the attraction may be the prospect of discipline; for kids, the realization of every ninja fantasy theyve ever entertained, but Wissam Abousleiman contends that enrolling your child in a karate class can yield much, much more. It could even help unlock the door to a better Lebanon.

Karate helps you to find your balance in life physically, morally, spiritually, says the International Shotokan Karate Federation certified instructor, who has been teaching the martial art for almost four years in Lebanon.

Sure, for the plastic gun-touting, war-with-sticks enamored youngster, karate offers enough hitting, kicking and punching to be stimulating, but Abousleiman says that although as a martial artist you are trained to do these things, these are not the disciplines primary objective.

You are trained to hit, to punch; you can kick, you can even injure someone, you can maim someone, you can actually hurt someone severely, Abousleiman admits, but emphasizes: That is not the point.

The point is that although you can do it, you choose not to because you know that you would not want it for yourself and you would not want it for others, he explains.

So instead of finding a violent method, you would find a more peaceful way. This is the whole philosophy behind [karate].

Alongside the essential physical training there is a set of principles students of karate must learn to follow. Abousleiman readily lists them from memory: Seek perfection of character; be faithful; endeavor; respect others; refrain from violent behavior.

A system of etiquette lies at the heart of the classes, where students bow and show respect to those ranked higher than themselves.

Humility is also practiced, with a symbolic cleaning of the training area performed by the pupils after each session. And of course, for parents there is also the coveted discipline.

There is a lot of focus on discipline ... it is more important than fighting, Abousleiman says. If a student does not know how to stand [still] in class, we do not start the class.

Moreover, he adds, if a student is not present on the dot of the hour his session begins, he will not be admitted to the class. Cell phones, drinking and bathroom breaks are also forbidden during sessions.

We seek perfection of character, the instructor reiterates, adding that this is achieved mostly through developing the technique, applying yourself focus, understanding, presence, awareness its a whole process.

And the outcome?

Self-control, says Abousleiman, a very particular type of self-control that comes from training the mind as well as the muscles.

A student who attains this level of self-control can punch someone and make them feel they got hit without hurting that person, he adds.

But, the instructor says, its hard to get people to understand the process. A lot of those who commence lessons stop because they just cant get used to the kneeling and bowing and doing the whole etiquette process.

Others find the necessity of a timely arrival at class troublesome.

They are used to a different way of things, Abousleiman explains. Its a counter-Lebanese mentality.

But this new mentality, Abousleiman contends, is just the type of mindset needed to enshrine such practices in Lebanese society as heeding traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.

You have this self-awareness when youre in society, he says, once youre aware of yourself, you can begin affecting those around you, or understanding those around you.

Abousleiman likens this awareness to a fighters state of mind as he engages in patterned combat. Each opponent knows they must adhere to certain rules to avoid injuring the other.

Of course there are other benefits too, among them physical coordination and flexibility.

Karate can help people who favor using one side of their body over the other or who have balance issues, and it can also benefit those who have trouble doing two or more things simultaneously with the arms and legs, Abousleiman points out.

With multiple dojos in Beirut and Metn, ISKF Lebanon now boasts over 200 members. The youngest among these are just five years old, but the organizations oldest member is 80.

Indeed, despite having suffered a stroke, this man continues to train, Abousleiman says. Herein lies yet another boon of the sport: Karate is one of the few sports you can do until you are very old.

As an example, Abousleiman points out Shihan Teruyuki Okazaki, one of the most highly qualified martial artists in the world, who visited the club from Japan this year, can still do a split.

ISKF Lebanon offers classes in karate, aikido and iaido. For more information visit http://www.iskflebanon.com/.

Copyright The Daily Star 2012.