I was around 4 or 5 years old when I first heard my dad say the word, “horizon”. When they explained to me what that meant, I asked, “You mean that straight line that’s the farthest I can see?” After my dad confirmed that was correct, I followed up with, “If I had super-strong binoculars, could I see the mainland?” My dad replied, “No.” I then asked, “Why?”, and so would begin the usual question after question session, ultimately followed by silence, because by then, dad had other, more important, things to do.

That’s one of the first things in life that I can remember so perplexed me, because my child logic made me so sure that the only limit to what I could see on the horizon, was the magnifying power of my eyes. This was before I learned about the curvature of the earth and that the most powerful telescope wouldn’t allow me to see more than 10-20 miles (depending upon how high a vantage point I was at) due to the “dropping away” of the earth as the distance increased.

Anyways, I was talking to my friend John the other day, about his “obsession” with running every couple of days and my “obsession” with karate-do. John’s several years older than me, so neither of us are spring chickens, and each of us sees his activity as a healthy form of exercise, helping us to slow down the aging process, as well as a form of communing with the Lord. I have to admit that John looks like he’s in good shape, but over the last couple of years, he’s been complaining to me about his foot hurting and most recently, about how tight his hamstrings were. I told him that I hadn’t experienced any of these problems, though before training, we spend about 15 minutes doing the pretty extensive warm-ups associated with karate. By contrast, John would spend 30 seconds doing some stretches that look like the zenkutsu-dachi. I half-jokingly told him, “That’s why runners’ shoes have that distinctive sole…they’re designed to only go in one direction…forward!” I was poking fun at the repetitive, single direction aspect of normal jogging, as compared to the endless combination variations, directions, speeds, etc of karate-do. Not to mention the use of pretty much, every muscle/joint/ligament in the body.

Other than dance, I can’t think of too many activities that stress development and use of virtually every part of one’s body than martial arts like karate/kung fu/taekwondo/capoeira/etc. I always think of it as raising one’s view of the “horizon”…the outer reaches of one’s physical abilities. There’s no doubt that there are many benefits to running as a part of one’s weekly regimen, among them: better lungs, a stronger heart, leg strength, the burning of calories and weight control, a form of stress release, getting rid of toxins via the sweat glands and exhalation, as a form of mediation, etc. Karate practice can produce all of the above benefits. I would say that the major difference lies in the repetitive, limited nature of running. In karate, emphasis is placed on careful stretching of all parts of the body, while karate moves also develop leg strength, the upper body, arms and hands are similarly strengthened. Increasing speed is a high priority, balance, pivoting, distancing, shifting, multiple rhythms, total body coordination, projection of force, proper body alignment, and on and on. For these reasons, one can spend one’s entire life learning/practicing/teaching karate-do, never attaining perfection.

Running does have its drawbacks. I have many older runner friends who have developed problems with their feet, knees, hips, and back, attributable to the repetitive pounding of their feet over the course of years. Due to all of the good things that do come from running, many runners continue to run, mile after mile, year after year, without any idea as to whether their bodies are getting stiffer in all of the joints/ligaments/tendons, or if the upper body stomach/chest/arm/hand muscles are gaining any strength or flexibility. For example, several of my friends have remained excellent runners while suffering from frozen shoulder syndrome in their fifties and sixties…how often does a runner have to raise his/her arms above shoulder level? Similarly, a major effect of the aging process…the increasing inflexibility of the joints/tendons/ligaments can sneak up on the well-conditioned runner without his/her knowledge. Essentially, it’s their mortality creeping up on them, little by little.

So, how does one try to watch for the creep of age?…I think, by keeping an eye on the horizon. Yes, if you were trying to get an early warning about the approach of a far away enemy, you’d perch yourself on a reasonably high vantage point and keep an open eye on the horizon. I believe that there are few forms of exercise that can raise one’s awareness of the effects of age on their body than karate-do. From the very first stretching exercise, to the last punch or kick, it can make one very much aware of any lost flexibility, speed, strength, balance, or conditioning throughout one’s body.

Yes, we’re all mortal, but until the day He calls us to His side, let’s take that exhilarating climb up the cliffs (and crevices) of Shotokan, and keep our eyes on the horizon, keeping our defenses strong against the ravages of age! Sorry, got carried away.