MOUNT VERNON — When you hear the word karate, do you think about Bruce Lee? Or maybe you think about a movie like “The Karate Kid.” Or do you just think about sports? When the majority of people think about karate, they view it only as a sport. But karate is really a way of life.
Teacher Lee Wedlake, who is based in Florida, gave two seminars at Panther Kenpo Karate in Mount Vernon this past weekend. On Saturday morning, 13 8- to-11-year-olds gathered to take a “Self Defense and Summer Safety” karate lesson from the well-known instructor.
Wedlake began studying martial arts in Chicago, Illinois in 1967 at a YMCA.
Wedlake subscribes to the belief that karate is a way of life. He explained, “Like going to college, it teaches one how to think, not what to think. One goal is congruent actions. Defending yourself in physical ways, by getting a good education, taking care of your physical body, paying your insurance bill, etc. would be an example of the congruence, or consistency, a martial artist tries to develop. Treat your training partner well, like you would your friends, colleagues, parents, mentors, etc.”
As Wedlake worked with the students, he explained to them that karate involves not only self-defense, but also self-discipline. When defining the term self-defense, Wedlake explained that it is not just defending yourself in a fight. Self defense includes looking both ways before you cross the street, brushing your teeth, getting enough sleep and exercise, wearing a helmet when riding a bike, and learning how to swim.
Another part of self-discipline is knowing when not to fight. Wedlake encouraged the students to get away from the problem, stay away from trouble and to use their heads. In a bullying situation, Wedlake said, “The child is important and has a degree of power or control over a situation. But kids need to know when it’s OK to use their karate and that using karate is not just punching and kicking — it includes getting help, running or walking away, talking their way out, blocking and lastly, physical striking. This is a tough decision for a young one and they need the help of parents to help establish the baseline, and parents need the help of the karate instructors.”
Karate training aids with many skills. Physical and mental strength, as well as thinking skills are gained through practice. Wedlake explained, “It's a good workout for the cardio-vascular system, improves strength and flexibility, and helps with balance, timing, and agility. Power is generated through the movements and it transfers to other sports as well. Kids often do better in their sport and adults will, too. Many have told me their golf swing is better.”
During the seminar, Wedlake had students sit with their legs crossed and hands on top of their heads. From this position, he instructed them to stand without using their hands. This exercise is one that can create strength and power in the legs. Wedlake encourages anyone with coordination issues to take up karate. “It is the person who sees themselves as uncoordinated that benefits most from this training. The ‘natural’ doesn’t often understand the struggle that others have to accomplish things. I have seen amazing improvement in people through this training; sometimes from one you thought really wouldn’t make it. It’s a testament to the human spirit.”