The table below describes the belt colors and significance of each in the American Freestyle Karate system of the Shorin-Shorei Karate Do Association.
Color Expression Practice white Self-Control Control your mouth and body yellow Respect Be nice to people and things orange Self-Discipline Do what you know you should do, even when it’s inconvenient purple Knowledge Open yourself to the wisdom of others green Focus Concentrate on one thing at a time blue Courage Stand up for what you believe in red Confidence Believe in your abilities brown Intensity Extraordinary power and focus black Honor, Integrity Do what is right, even when no one is looking
“The Karate Kid” kicked off an avalanche of interest in karate in the 1980’s. It prompted me to take up Tae Kwon Do for a short period - something I wish I stuck with for a longer time. Although it displayed a romanticized view of martial arts, there are tidbits of wisdom sprinkled throughout we can apply to our daily study.
First learn stand, then learn fly.
-Mr. Miyagi (The Karate Kid)
Do not forget that karate-do begins and ends with rei.
-Gichin Funakoshi
Master Gichin Funakoshi penned this as the first of his Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate. On face we practice rei every session when we bow at the beginning and end of class. Simple, right? The concept of respect in karate carries a much deeper meaning that, when we start to truly understand, profoundly impacts our practice, relationship with our peers, and our enjoyment of life.
