As luck would have it, I came across the Seido dojo close to where I live, and am happy to say that I have never regretted my decision. Seido has provided the answer to my restlessness. I remember when Sensei had asked me during first grading test at white belt, as to why I want to learn karate, I had answered, "To be a better person". Over six years from that date, I do not know whether my friends think that I have benefited, but I do know that Seido has held up a mirror to me. It has shown me my strengths and weaknesses and has enabled me to understand myself better. Thanks to Seido, I have started developing the ability to understand the motives for my own actions, in and out of the dojo.

I am beginning to understand now, what Kaicho means when he says that "the biggest enemy you have to face is not outside of you but inside you." Seido is making me realise that my own fears and perceptions limit the capabilities that I deliver. It has brought me on the road to better mental equanimity.

Seido also means to me, a way to good health and an active and energetic lifestyle. The sense of satisfaction that I get after a good workout in the dojo has no parallel elsewhere.

Seido means also, a way of life that is self respecting but not egoistic, powerful yet gentle, confident but not arrogant.

Indeed it would be futile to attempt to list all that Seido has to offer. To put it succinctly, Seido means the world to me. It is the best time of my day, spent in the company of people I trust and learn from. I know that I have only started my journey and am yet to fully implement all that Seido has to teach, but the road is clear. And I am confident that I am on the right track.

Osu!

Rajesh Narula
Senior Brown Belt

March 2003

Karate. The very name conjures up images of punches thrown at blinding speed, assailants blocked with a wall-like strength and kicks delivered with deadly accuracy. That of course is one part of karate. In the words of Grandmaster Tadashi Nakamura, founder of the World Seido Karate Organization, the essence of Karate-do is the training of body, mind and spirit to achieve the fullness of human potential.

Martial arts have their origins in the Shaolin Monastery in Central China. Here Bodhidharma, the Indian patriarch, taught martial art to monks to help defend themselves against bandits. From then on it developed into various forms of self-defense.

Karate which literally means 'an open hand' is one of the most effective of such methods where almost every part of the body can be used as a means of defending and attacking to protect oneself. Since the origins of karate are intimately intertwined with Zen philosophy, the training is such that it imparts holistic training in the physical mental and spiritual spheres.

A trained karate-ka is an unusual being. Physically strong, emotionally stable and mentally focused. Increased stamina, muscular strength and cardio- vascular fitness are a natural result of the physical training. A calm mind ready to face the myriad challenges that life offers and self-confidence with the ability to defend oneself follow easily as the training advances.

The World Seido Karate Organization holds classes through the week except Sundays in their Dojo at the Arya Samaj Mandir, Greater Kailash II. Started in 1985, where highly trained Black Belts with more than 10 years of experience hold morning and evening classes for men, women and children from ages 4-60. Anybody regardless of their age, profession or status can begin training in karate and in a short while see for themselves the tremendous benefits that come their way.

It is very good training for the young mind. Children as young as four years of age can start to train and will develop enhanced concentration and general physical ability. Apart from the direct physical well-being men will find it easier to face stress in their professional lives.

Women will find the training particularly useful. Physical fitness and weight loss is a direct consequence. In a short while they will begin to feel confident about defending themselves against physical harassment and attacks from assailants much stronger than themselves. A self-assured, independent and self-confident attitude would greatly enhance the quality of their lives.

Ashutosh Dixit
September 2004