Karate Is Self-Defense

Karate is Self-Defense is a guide for students who are beginning their journey down a challenging and rewarding path. This book contains over 350 photographs displaying technique in an easy to follow format. Karate is more than just physical technique; it is a way of life. It is a way of thinking about the safety of you and your loved ones. Karate develops a mindset that will help you overcome obstacles and achieve goals. The habits and mindset developed in karate, apply to all aspects of life, including practical application for real world situations. This book will cover a brief history of martial arts with a focus on Japanese karate, non-fighting aspects of self-protection, responsibilities when dealing with a physical conflict and the aftermath, as well as physical techniques and drills that can aid in training for physical defense.

Matthew C. Matson has studied martial arts most of his life, from wrestling, European fencing, and boxing, to karate and jujutsu. His formal study of karate started in January of 1999 in the Collin County Community College (now Collin College) self-defense program taught by Brody Burns. At the end of the semester he had decided that someday he would have Mr. Burns’ job or one like his, so he joined Sensei Burns’ dojo. Within 2 years he was assisting in classes at the dojo and some off-site programs. In 2002 he was awarded an assistant instructor’s certificate, the title of Senpai, from Brody Burns and Darrin Free. He continued to train, compete and assist in the teaching of programs at the Academy of Classical Karate-do. Mr. Matson earned his black belt, from the Academy of Classical and the WIKF (Wado International Karate-Do federation) in 2006. In the fall of 2007 Sensei Burns asked Mr. Matson to teach at Collin College. In his time at Collin College Mr. Matson has taught Karate, Self-Defense, Cardio Kickboxing credit courses, as well as Kickboxing and Pilates wellness, non-credit, classes. He has competed and traveled around the United States and the world for karate. In 2001 he started working at 24-Hour Fitness. There he earned several training certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and other organizations. Mr. Matson managed a couple of clubs for 24-Hour Fitness as an assistant fitness manager and as a fitness manager. In 2006 he went back to school, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management, Health and Wellness in 2008 and then a Masters in Sports Performance and Injury Prevention in 2009 from California University of Pennsylvania. He has 12+ certifications/licenses and continues to further his education in the field of sports performance, athletic training and coaching. In 2008 Mr. Matson earned an assistant instructor license from Tatsuo Suzuki Hanshi. In 2009 he earned his second-degree black belt. All of Mr. Matson’s dan certificates and teaching licenses in karate have come from Suzuki Hanshi, up until Suzuki Hanshi’s death in 2011. Mr. Matson continually trains in both Wado Ryu karate and Shindo Yoshin Ryu as much as he can. He is at the dojo teaching and training almost every day.