The Way of the Empty Hand

The Japanese word karate translates as “empty hand” (kara, “empty,” and te, “hand”), denoting it as the study of unarmed self-defense. When we add the suffix -do (meaning "way" or “path”) we imply that, beyond the self-defense applications, karate is a way of life, a discipline containing moral and spiritual elements.

Karate-do provides much more than physical exercise: it improves concentration, balance, strength, flexibility, coordination, self-confidence, and discipline. Because its many benefits carry over into our personal relationships, academic performance, and professional success, we can truly say that karate-do is a way of life.