Karate, Nature and New Dimensions

Karate these days, and many other martial arts for that matter, are usually done within the confines of a building. Ok, we've all seen the beach training photos posted on Facebook, which Is why I said usually.
Karate is also mainly practiced barefoot.

This however, was not always the case, at least the indoors part.
 Miagi Chojun for example, would teach his karate to students outside in his garden. They would also lift rocks for strengthening exercises and use various Karate tools.

Occasionally I train at my local
Duck Pond.....

Training outside is an absolute joy. It connects your Karate with its surroundings, and adds a new dimension and feel for what you are engaged in.

My Dojo as it was.....

My Dojo at the moment is in a bit of a mess compared to the photo above.  But, it has served me well for the past 10 years.
There never used to be any of the authentic Okinawan karate tools that take their place along the Shomen (front wall) . These appeared about 8 years ago upon my acceptance into an Authentic Goju Ryu Dojo.....

Fortunately many of the tools can be used outside....

Most of the tools are portable.  Ideal then to be used in the outside training area; which brings me to the point of bare feet.

So, training is normally done on a smooth flat floor without the need for shoes.

My outside area is paved in bricks that I had lying around. This falls directly in line with the Okinawan way of making use of what you have. To train in barefoot would be ridiculous as they would be shredded in no time. So this gives rise to the opportunity of wearing footwear.

The bricks of the outside area
are extremely abrasive.

Karate done in footwear on an outside surface of almost any description, shines a whole new light on your training. Certain things are more difficult to do, whilst other things are easier. Bio mechanics of what your comfortable with have to change in order to become comfortable again, and the surface you are now on is not very flat or smooth and adds another important dimension to practise.

The various Makiwara helps me connect with my surroundings too. I made them myself, again from materials I either had spare after a job or had, once again, lying around.

I like.....old school...... I like adding different elements to my Karate, and I love training outside and daring to be different from the
' Norm ' ..... Dare you?