Shotokan is the way of Shoto, it is that style of traditional Japanese karate which specialises in punching, striking, kicking and block technique. Now, if you want to master this style of martial arts under the Japanese Karate Association, the Japan Karate Association institute functioning at West Hill is the right place for you. This institute has been functioning for the past 30 years. This is the only institute in the district. Thiruvananthapuram is the only other district which has a JKA institute in the state.
For those who are hearing about the The Japan Karate Association for the first time, this is one of the most prestigious martial arts institutions in the world, which offers a rank recognised throughout the world, something that most independent and small karate institutes cannot offer. What makes Shotokan Karate different from the ones you see in movies? This form of martial art is purely traditional, it does not have those jaw-dropping flashy spinning and jump kicks that most kids try to imitate usually.
This form of martial art also gives importance to character building of a person. In Kozhikode city, Shotokan Karate by JKA is taught in seven schools in the district. The classes held at the institute at West Hill also have around 25 students from all age groups, starting from seven years and onwards. They also have eight to nine young girls who have joined to learn some self-defence lessons. “The uniqueness of this style of martial arts is that the same syllabus and style is used in all the 150 countries by the JKA. Moreover, as far as I know this is the only institute that gives importance to training instructors,” says Sajeevan VP, chief instructor, Kerala JKA.
Sajeevan says the knowledge and awareness about the importance of learning a martial art is missing amongst the public, but of late there has been a change and many parents are bringing their daughters, especially to learn some self-defence lessons.
“When the institute opened 30 years ago we had a large number of students, but with time the number started dwindling. But now we can see a difference in people’s attitude, not just towards learning martial arts, but also for maintaining their health and body figure,” says Sajeevan.