Shukokai is often translated as 'The way for all' so the Chinto Karate Group welcomes students with physical and mental disabilities, many of who benefit from karate’s life lessons to help them overcome the handicaps that life hands them at every turn.

The original rules of karate, that make the discipline so beneficial, were designed for people without disabilities.  It is important that they are maintained as much as possible and adapted to suit people with disabilities. The Chinto Karate Group has extensive experience of the adapted karate training.  Our Head Coach is also a Disability and Inclusion Officer with the AMA (the UK's largest multi-style martial arts organisation and Governing Body.

Many people view karate, and most other martial arts, as depicted in the movies and see it as a sport for the macho fit and super athletic.  The reverse is, however, the real truth. Karate is not just about fighting.  It is a discipline in its strictest sense. It seeks to impart to those who take part in it some important life skills like perseverance, mental sharpness, focus, and self-control.  These are skills that everyone could use regardless of their mental or physical state. 

Actually, it can be argued that people with certain disabilities could benefit from Karate’s life lessons more to help them overcome the handicaps that life hands them at every turn. 

That said, it is important to note that the original rules of karate were designed for people without disabilities.  Kicks, stances, and strikes, for instance, were designed to be executed using two hands and legs.  Eyesight was important for timing and focus.  However, it is these strict rules that make the discipline so beneficial, so it is important that they are maintained as much as possible. 

The single most effective adaptation of karate to suit people with disabilities does not focus on change of rules. Rather, it concentrates on the approaches to training.