Learning to defend one’s self to be ready for any situation doesn’t need to cost much. For students and faculty of De La Salle Lipa (DLSL), it’s free.
Special Assistant to the President for Sports Development and Hanshi 9th Dan Red Belter Br. Mario Dacanay, FSC, initiated free Shidokan training sessions for DLSL employees, students and parents at the campus employees’ fitness center, Sept. 22.
Organized by the Human Resource Department (HRD), the first training session led by Dacanay focused on the ethics of the art such as how to pay respect to the instructor as well as to the founders prior to starting each lesson.
He also discussed the benefits of Shidokan in harmonizing the mind with the body.
“Shidokan is not a sport because sports is all about earning points and winning. Shidokan is more on self-defense and finding [one’s] presence of mind in times that it is needed the most,” Dacanay said.
Moreover, he mentioned that the training centers on character formation and development of its attendees, making it different from other martial arts.
Shikodan aspirants and other forthcoming participants will then undergo probationary trainings every Saturday, 1 p.m – 5 p.m. for three months, after which they will be assessed to become an official member of De La Salle Shidokan.
Last August, Dacanay bagged a gold medal in the recently concluded 1st Okinawa Karate International Tournament, Senior Male Kata Shurite-te kei/ Tomari-te kei category held at Okinawa, Japan.
Shidokan is a traditional karate sport that traces its roots in Okinawa. Its main focus is mastering the self which makes it different from the more commercialized version of karate.
