Dr. Fabiana Turelli
Karate Scholar. Athlete. Champion for Women
Dr. Fabiana Turelli is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba who uses sports to drive social change. As a visionary social scientist, her research blends critical pedagogy, feminism, and intersectionality to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. She actively challenges systemic barriers, proving that academic research can be a powerful catalyst for a more just and reflective world.
Her impact shines through “Activism in Karate: Building Community for Women across Borders.” A black belt for nearly three decades and a former international competitor, she channels her tenacity to confront violence against women within martial arts from the inside out. By mentoring girls in Manitoba and building lasting institutional networks, Dr. Turelli empowers the next generation and redefines what it means to be a champion.
Sport Karate and the Pursuit of Wellness
How Challenge, Discipline, and Determination Create a Stronger Life. A Surprising Path to Wellness
Summary of the Publication by Turelli, F. C., Tejero-González, C. M., Vaz, A. F., & Kirk, D. (2020). Sport karate and the pursuit of wellness: A participant observation study of a dojo in Scotland. Frontiers in Sociology, 5, Article 587024. doi.org,
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sociology/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2020.587024/full
When people think about physical movement to achieve wellness, they often imagine meditation, relaxation, or calming activities. . Martial arts are believed to achieve wellness through their meditative and spiritual aspects. But a fascinating study conducted by Dr. Turelli in competitive karate reveals another truth: Many karate practitioners find wellness not through relaxation, but through challenge, using their training as a “laboratory for life” (p.8).Through intense physical training, overcoming fear, and mastering self-control, these karateka discovered a deep sense of confidence, fulfilment, and personal growth.
The Study
The first author spent eight months immersed in a sport karate dojo, training alongside practitioners, observing classes, making field notes, attending competitions, and conducting interviews. The original goal was to understand how karate’s emergence as an Olympic sport affected practitioners. However, they uncovered something unexpected. Most students were not motivated primarily by medals or competition.
The main goal for many was achieving personal wellness through intense training.
A Different Understanding of Wellness
For these karateka, wellness meant far more than simply feeling healthy.
It included:
- Physical fitness
- Mental strength
- Emotional resilience
- Self-confidence
- Courage
- Personal achievement
- Meaningful social connections
Karate became a vehicle for building a stronger body, stronger mind, and stronger character. The study identified five key elements that shaped their experience of wellness.
1. Fitness: The Foundation of Confidence - More Than Weight Loss and Exercise
Many participants initially joined karate to:
- Lose weight
- Improve fitness
- Stay active
- Reduce stress
Practitioners reported feeling:
- Stronger
- More energetic
- More capable
- Better prepared for life’s challenges
Several even claimed they felt fitter in their forties and fifties than they had been in their twenties. The result was not only physical improvement but also a growing sense of self-belief. Participants also reported enjoying Karate more compared to other forms of exercise. Over time, this initial fitness goal gained more depth: participants found joy and beauty from the physical sensation of performing techniques effectively.
Key Insight: Fitness gave them confidence, and confidence became an important part of their wellness.
2. Beauty: Finding Art in Movement - The Joy of Doing Something Well
One of the study’s most surprising findings was the importance of beauty.
Not beauty in appearance but beauty in movement: the way one’s body feels during techniques.
Karate practitioners described a deep satisfaction in:
- Moving with speed, precision, fluidity and control.
- Performing kata smoothly and effortlessly
- Experiencing complete harmony between mind and body
After years of practice, movements became natural and almost automatic. Many described entering a state where everything simply flowed.
Key Insight: The beauty of karate was not only seen. It was felt. This feeling created moments of joy, fulfilment, and complete presence.
3. Facing Fear: Growth Through Discomfort - Learning to Be Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable
Fear is a constant part of karate. Practitioners spoke about:
- Fear of failure
- Fear of losing
- Fear of making mistakes
- Fear of injury
- Fear of pressure
Yet they did not try to eliminate fear. Instead, they learned to face it repeatedly.
A philosophy often expressed in the dojo was: “Be comfortable in being uncomfortable.” Karate became a safe space for confronting difficulties and discovering inner strength, which transferred to the participants’ day to day lives when faced with conflict or difficulties. In other words, facing fear and discomfort in the controlled dojo environment facilitated greater resilience.
Key Insight: Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting despite fear. Every challenge overcome made practitioners feel stronger both on and off the mat.
4. The Aggressive Attitude - Confidence Without Anger
Karate encouraged people to take action rather than remain passive. The study found that practitioners highly valued what they called an “aggressive attitude.” This did not mean violence or hostility.
It described an active posture one should adopt when facing life’s difficulties, which encompassed: :
- Determination
- Assertiveness
- Confidence
- Initiative
- Commitment
Students believed this attitude helped them in everyday life as well as competition.
Key Insight: Success requires energy, commitment, and the courage to move forward. Karate taught practitioners to be powerful while still being able to think clearly and respond in a controlled manner.
5. Control: The Ultimate Skill - Power Guided by Discipline
If confidence and aggression were important, control was considered essential.
Karate practitioners admired those who could:
- Fight effectively
- Regulate their emotions under pressure
- Use power responsibly
- Protect training partners
Developing control in their techniques gave the participants a sense of competence. Control represented mastery. Not only mastery of technique, but mastery of oneself.
Key Insight: True strength is the ability to remain powerful and disciplined at the same time. Practitioners viewed this balance as one of the highest achievements in karate.
The Great Paradox - Why Do People Enjoy Something So Difficult?
The most remarkable finding of the study is that these karateka found happiness, beauty and flow in challenge. They willingly embraced:
- Fatigue
- Hard work
- Pressure
- Fear
- Discomfort
Because every challenge represented an opportunity to grow. Instead of weakening them, the process made them feel stronger, more capable, and more fulfilled.
What Makes Sport Karate Unique?
Traditional martial arts often pursue wellness through:
- Serenity
- Meditation
- Inner peace
- Spiritual reflection
The karate practitioners in this study pursued wellness through:
- Intensity
- Effort
- Discipline
- Self-confrontation
- Physical challenge
- Continuous improvement
They discovered that growth often happens beyond comfort, yet within the context of a supportive community.
Lessons for Life
The study highlights an inspiring truth:
- Strong bodies build strong minds.
- Confidence grows through challenge.
- Fear becomes manageable when faced repeatedly within a supportive environment.
- Discipline creates freedom.
- Wellness is not always found in comfort.
For these karate practitioners, the path to wellness was not easy. But it was meaningful.
Final Takeaway - Sport karate is far more than punches, kicks, and competition.
For the karateka in this Scottish dojo, it became a powerful path to personal transformation. Through fitness, beauty, courage, aggression guided by purpose, and self-control, they discovered a deeper form of wellness. Their experience reminds us that sometimes the greatest growth comes not from avoiding difficulty, but from stepping directly into it.
“You do not become stronger by seeking comfort. You become stronger by embracing the challenge.”