Скачать или смотреть Elvis Presley's Love For Karate: The Tiger Man!

Elvis Presley was a devoted martial artist who achieved a high-level black belt and used his influence to popularize karate in the United States. His decades-long study of the discipline profoundly impacted his choreography and personal philosophy. 

Elvis Presley was a devoted martial artist who achieved a high-level black belt and used his influence to popularize karate in the United States. His decades-long study of the discipline profoundly impacted his choreography and personal philosophy. 

Elvis's karate training and rise in rank:

Elvis's fascination with karate began during his U.S. Army service in Germany and continued throughout his life under the tutelage of several prominent instructors. 

Early training: While stationed in Germany from 1958 to 1960, Elvis trained with German Shotokan expert Jürgen Seydel. During his leaves, he took private lessons in Paris with Japanese Shotokan master Tetsugio Murakami.

Achieving black belt: After returning to the U.S. in 1960, he met American Kenpo Karate founder Ed Parker. Elvis earned his first-degree black belt in Chito-Ryu karate from Hank Slomanski on July 21, 1960, shortly after training with him.

Advancing through the ranks: Elvis continued to train under different masters, including Korean Grand Champion Kang Rhee in Memphis. Master Rhee awarded Elvis his seventh-degree black belt in 1973 and his eighth-degree black belt in 1974.

Opening a karate school: 

Elvis co-founded the Tennessee Karate Institute (TKI) in Memphis in 1974 with Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and Red West. The school catered mainly to lower and middle-class white people. 

Influence on his career and pop culture:

Elvis did not keep his love for karate separate from his music. He prominently incorporated his training into his public persona, helping to introduce martial arts to a wider Western audience. 

Stage choreography: In his live performances during the 1970s, he incorporated karate stances, fluid kicks, and hand movements, which became integral to his dynamic stage presence.

On-screen appearances: He performed karate-inspired moves in films like G.I. Blues and choreographed fight scenes in many of his movies. A martial arts dance sequence was also filmed for his 1968 Comeback Special, though it was cut from the initial broadcast.

Documentary project: In 1974, Elvis financed a karate documentary called The New Gladiators. Though footage was shot of him training with Ed Parker and Bill Wallace, the film was not released until 2010.

Public demonstration: His passion was shared publicly during a 90-minute demonstration with Ed Parker at the TKI in Memphis in 1974. Portions of this were later included in the documentary This Is Elvis. 

The philosophical side of karate:

For Elvis, karate was more than a physical pursuit; it was a way to channel his energy and focus, offering him discipline and inner peace. 

The TCB motto: In 1974, he wrote an oath reflecting his karate-inspired personal philosophy. It emphasized "respect for all style and techniques. Body conditioning, mental conditioning, meditation for calming and stilling of the mind and body".

Personal discipline: Some historians argue that the discipline of karate particularly appealed to Elvis as a man who grew up in poverty, offering him an internally based sense of self in the face of hardship.

The "Mr. Tiger" nickname: His Memphis instructor, Kang Rhee, gave him the nickname "Mr. Tiger" during training. Elvis was so proud of this that he had the name embroidered on his black belts.