Eyeworld

O UTSIDE THE OR 70 | EYEWORLD | OCTOBER 2019 by Ellen Stodola EyeWorld Senior Staff Writer/ Meetings Editor are exceptions, he said, but if you look at the other popular styles, you could easily identify Shotokan from the group based on those char- acteristics alone. His interest in karate was a key factor when he began to search for a college. "On my list of requirements was that my future university have a karate club or local dojo nearby. I was fortu- nate that The Ohio State University not only has a fantastic Shotokan karate club but several other types of karate and martial arts groups as well," he said. His campus housing was conve- niently located near the training facility, and Dr. Hura scheduled his classes to allow for training in the evenings. "Classes and academics were always priority number one, but karate was a close second," he said. Continuing to train in Shotokan karate during college was a great experience in terms of growth and personalizing his karate. "The fundamental principles of any martial art are taught the same to all beginners, regardless of an individual's physical differences," he said. "These basic principles are the foundation for all progression. At some point, one needs to go beyond the basics and begin tailoring their movement to their specific body type and personality. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have an instructor aware of the need for this natural progression, or one who will allow it, but I had both." As his experience evolved during college, Dr. Hura said he viewed his training experience as "self-guided;" in addition to training with the club, he started his own personal karate train- ing including cardiovascular conditioning and weight training. Training frequency At The Ohio State University, training was structured around 2-hour classes three times a week, Dr. Hura said. He did an additional 2–3 hours of karate a week plus another 3–4 hours of other physical activity. This structure was similar to his training prior to college as well. When Dr. Hura attended medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Med- icine, he continued training at his home dojo A rjan Hura, MD, has practiced Shoto- kan karate since he was seven years old. Even now as an ophthalmology resident at the University of Cincin- nati, he continues to prioritize the practice of martial arts alongside his medical training. Shortly after moving to Cincinnati as a child, he enrolled in karate classes at a new near- by dojo. "I'm not sure what specifically motivat- ed my parents to get me started in karate, but I do remember that I was initially quite resistant to going to the dojo," Dr. Hura said. Compared to other types of karate, Sho- tokan is characterized by long, deep stances and linear movements that seek to maximize economy of motion, Dr. Hura explained. There A passion for karate About the doctor Arjan Hura, MD Ophthalmology resident University of Cincinnati Source: Arjan Hura, MD (all)

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