In this article I am not interviewing the head of an international Karate organization, or a world-renowned Sensei. I’m not talk about my own Sensei (Hanshi Don Owens who is a warrior in his own right) and sharing his vast and time-proven Karate knowledge. These are all worthy individuals that have an immense amount to teach us, and I will write more on some of these individuals at another time.
No, this article isn’t typical, and neither are the Warriors I’m writing about. Individuals like Sam, Patrick, Jess, Anna, Robbie and Johnny are Karateka who show up to one of my Dojos with two things: a heart of fire for Karate, and a physical or cognitive challenge. And, when I say ‘show up’ to class I mean SHOW UP.
This group leaves their inhibitions and ‘disabilities’ outside the Dojo door. I named their group the Warriors because they match the definition:
A warrior is someone who shows courage, resilience, and a fighting spirit—whether on a battlefield, in daily life, or within their own inner struggles.
In addition to this, my definition of a Warrior includes empathy, and the willingness to share their knowledge and mindset.
Showing Up!
When these Warriors show up to classes, my coaches and I put away the overreaching ideologies about disability and simply teach them Karate. Yes, some have difficulty hearing or speaking fluently. Some have mobility issues, and some have difficulty with processing instructions on the first pass. Yes indeed, some have challenges, but a closer look will show you that every single one of them has the courage to stand – despite the various challenges they own – and deliver.
On the day of class, Katie has her Gi ready to don long before class time, and her repeated question is: is it time yet? Can you imagine where Karate would be – where our Karateka would be – if we all had Katie’s drive for the Art? I am not being stereotypical; I am rather being matter of fact. Many Warriors in my Karate class can attach their full attention to the task at hand, step over their struggles, and simply do Karate. Such is an ability many of us do not have.
David is a Warrior of this nature. Although he struggles sometimes with fluent speech, is the first to volunteer to count for me or recite the Warrior Code. It isn’t just that he volunteers to do so that impresses me, but it is the passion and energy that he does it with. Desire turned to action is a formidable ability, especially in the face of adversity.
I asked Eric, a young man with Down syndrome in my class what he thought of the classes, and of Karate in general. His response was this: “It’s beautiful, Jeff, my buddy! Beautiful!”
These young people are not unaware of their differences or challenges, they just see above them and go after what they want. They don’t get hung up on whether they will be good at something – they simply give it a go, as best they can. Snapping a front kick with crispness is an admirable skill, but when the kicker is one with muscular hypotonia or early onset rheumatoid arthritis in the knee and still attempts the kick is truly remarkable.
Proving Themselves
Recently the Warriors did their first Grading. It wasn’t a ‘do this if you can’ grading, or ‘don’t worry if you’re too shy to do this’ scenario. This is not a token Karate program, and the Warriors, as well as their parents, were made aware of this up front: hard work and progress equals promotion.
The students knew that we had expectations for them to meet. Beforehand, we knew that some in the class struggle somewhat silently with anxiety issues as they are not always able to articulate how they feel and why. My coaches and I were also on the same page that we were going to encourage everyone to get up and run through the grading syllabus with good energy and with purpose. That is just what they did. Yes, there were nerves and shyness at some points, but that was overthrown by the desire to show what they had learned.
This program has hills to climb, and we will climb them. Sometimes the pace will be slow, but no one gets a free pass. Free passes aren’t advantageous to those with disabilities – or to anyone else for that matter. There are pointings and learnings in all our struggles. Recognizing these is a life altering ability.
As a Sensei and Karate devotee, this group has me thinking. Are these dis-abilities or un-abilities or are they simply stones in the road to the way forward. And this group is teaching me to stop sitting and whining about the stones in the road and either go around them or go over them. Or, better yet, have a friend help me roll them off the path! How’s that for ability.
If one of these individuals can’t do a Jodan Yoko Keage, that’s not a disability. There are plenty of us who can’t do that kick properly. A kick to the shin is often more effective and leaves you in a more stable position. The purpose of a kick it to destabilize or halt an opponent, and fancy Karate isn’t always functional. Having said that, the Warriors don’t get to say, “I can’t do that!”
Karate for Everyone
How often do I hear people say to me: I’d love to do Karate, but I hurt my back a few years ago, and I’m afraid I’ll make it worse, or I’d love to do Karate, but I’d be too self-conscious. Of course, sometimes these justifications are legitimate, but we often don’t push ourselves to do things because we don’t believe in ourselves enough or are not willing to go outside the fringes of our comfort zone. Life happens on the fringes.
This class also has me thinking that we need to reimagine Karate as an Art for everyone. Karate can be adapted (not watered down) to offer something of true value, mentally and physically, to anyone who wants to participate. A senior citizen, a visually impaired person. or a person in a wheelchair can equally find something in Karate that resonates with them and is profoundly beneficial to them. Is that not the mandate for those of us looking to share the benefits of this Art?
Another David in my class finds Karate an excellent means to physical exercise and for social contact, something he had been missing in his life. David is participating in both my classes now and is not only excelling at Karate but is finding his place as part of the Dojo family and friends. David is teaching us that leaning on one another on this journey is imperative to getting the most out of it.
I have been at this Karate thing for my entire youth and adult life, and I feel blessed by what the Warriors class is giving me. I can emphatically say that Karate is good for individuals of all walks of life with different cognitive and physical abilities. More importantly, I will categorically say that these individuals are equally as good for Karate. They are teaching me perseverance in the face of adversity. They are teaching me what unselfishness and genuine empathy should look like. They are showing me that the cover is sometimes in no way indicative of the content of the book. Through them, I see how foolish and trivial it is to live in fear of another person’s judgment of you.
Simply put, I am learning that the desire in your heart can kick the crap out of any ineptitude you feel about yourself…if you’re willing to dig deep enough.
To anyone who walks into my Warriors’ dojo and says, ‘How sweet!’ or ‘How cute!’ I say No, not sweet or cute at all. This is Karate, and they are Karate students on a tough, committed road like everyone else. We need to see the activity (Karate in this case) as the common denominator that we are all good at in our own way.
Volunteers Make it Happen
The volunteer Senpai and coaches who assist me with the Warriors’ class are selfless, dedicated, and kind people. They renew my belief in those that do good for no material of selfish reason. They are themselves still learning the Art but have already gained the virtue of passing on what they know. They don’t get paid as I am trying to run this program such that it is not a financial burden to the students, and yet they go above and beyond for every student in every class. They spend their own time researching how to teach exceptional individuals, as well as drills and activities to help them excel.
That’s what Karate-Do is!
Whatever creator made us, or whatever source we evolved from, didn’t make us different by accident, and we are not here to go it alone. The sooner we agree to live and let live – and to have faith in one another – the sooner we all get to a better place. Karate is no different. As Sensei, we can teach everyone something, and I guarantee that same person has something to teach us.
Hanshi Jan Knobel recently made a statement about those of us in the Karate world saying: “We need to learn to see with different eyes.” This struck me as being very profound. Oftentimes we hold Karate so dear and see it as so sacred that we are afraid to open its doors to those who, on the surface, don’t seem to fit the bill. I think that’s a disability that we have, and one we need to work on.
Eric is right, Karate is a beautiful thing…we just need to offer it up more earnestly.
- Redefining the Warrior - July 2, 2025
- Sensei Who? - May 14, 2025
- Timing: The Cheetah or the Concrete Hippo - August 21, 2024
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