| What to expect when beginning Karate? | | | | finding Karate is not for you maybe you are in |
| Karate, one of the more popular martial art, is | | | | the wrong school. Try another school and |
| practiced by hundreds of thousands of people | | | | instructor. Remember Karate is for everybody! |
| through out the world, making it one of the | | | | As the student steps onto the floor of the |
| easiest martial art to find a school for. Karate | | | | Karate school, there are several things they must |
| schools are located in just about every major city | | | | know. Some schools prefer the traditional |
| worldwide. | | | | methods where bowing is required. This is the |
| Karate is practiced in what is called a "Dojo," the | | | | eastern method for showing respect towards a |
| Japanese term for training area. But can be | | | | person. It is not worshipping the person you are |
| practiced basically anywhere. Many excellent | | | | bowing to. Ask the senior ranks the rules for |
| Karate practitioners trained in garages, | | | | bowing and how to bow. They will be very helpful |
| basements, and backyards converted into Dojos. | | | | in this area. |
| As a new student begins to study Karate many | | | | No matter what you do give the utmost respect |
| frustrations will develop if the proper attitude is | | | | to the instructor and senior ranks. You could be |
| not applied. Not every student is going to walk | | | | spending a lot of time with these individuals. Plus |
| into a Karate school and grasp everything that is | | | | they will be more willing to help you, when you |
| taught to them. But before the student starts | | | | display respect and gratitude. |
| training they must find a good school. And then | | | | When talked to or asked a question by the |
| build up enough courage to actually walk through | | | | instructor answer with "yes" and "no." Most |
| the door to inquire about the style of Karate and | | | | schools require you address the instructor as |
| school. | | | | "Sensei" while senior ranks addressed as Mr. and |
| Next the student must develop the "Can Do" | | | | Mrs. Sensei is a Japanese term for teacher or one |
| attitude. The student must instill in their mind that | | | | who came before. |
| they can accomplish and achieve whatever they | | | | What you actually do in Karate class depends on |
| set their mind to. Also, have a positive attitude | | | | the school and instructor. For the most part |
| about the experience of learning Karate. | | | | classes will about one hour in length with warm-up |
| Karate is defined as empty hand meaning it's a | | | | exercises at the beginning of the class. In your |
| form of self defense making the body a martial | | | | very first class you should learn a few basic |
| weapon. But there are other benefits of Karate. | | | | techniques to get you acclimated to Karate. The |
| Some of the most common are: | | | | basic techniques you should learn is the basic |
| - Physical Fitness | | | | punch and one or two basic blocking techniques. |
| - Gain Confidence | | | | Some schools may even teach the basic front |
| - Discipline | | | | kick. Generally, kicking is reserved for later |
| - Strengthen the Mind | | | | classes. Pay attention in class, you can learn a lot |
| - Gain Balance | | | | by watching other practitioners. |
| - Learning Perseverance Next is find out exactly | | | | Guaranteed, a couple of days after this first class |
| why you want to study Karate, so, you can | | | | you will have sore muscles. You are using muscles |
| establish goals. There are many reasons why | | | | in a way never used before. One thing about this |
| people study Karate. | | | | is to persevere. Continue on and the soreness will |
| - Is it for the sport? | | | | disappear. Develop the discipline to go to class. |
| - Is it going to be a hobby? | | | | Many times you will not want to go to class |
| - Is it for self defense? | | | | because of fatigue. This is where discipline comes |
| - Is it for Physical Fitness? Whatever the reason | | | | into play. Use the "Can Do" attitude and force |
| Karate is one of the easier martial arts to learn, | | | | yourself to go. |
| although you might not think so during the very | | | | The first six months continue going to class three |
| first class you enter as a student. Keep in mind | | | | days a week. After the first six months you can |
| the first time you do something in Karate is going | | | | increase or decrease to whatever workout |
| to be the most difficult. A lot of people drop out | | | | regiment you like. By this time you should have |
| of Karate because of this and never really give | | | | enough knowledge about Karate to practice on |
| Karate or themselves the chance. If you are | | | | your own. |