| What to look for and how to prepare yourself, so | | | | karate skill without causing injury to yourself, or |
| you can confidently walk into a karate school and | | | | others. Important areas of karate are tested in |
| not only know what to expect, but know what to | | | | competition (shiai), speed, timing, distance, balance, |
| do! | | | | spirit, reactions, etc, etc. |
| People have practiced martial arts for thousands | | | | Some karateka do not agree with competition, |
| of years. There are many reasons why people | | | | they believe if someone has a bad character, |
| practice martial arts and the reasons have | | | | competition can only make things worse, some |
| changed and evolved over the years. | | | | karateka will show disrespect to their opponents, |
| In times of war, it was the fighting skills learned | | | | instructors and referees, but I believe this to be |
| from karate that were the main reason to train, | | | | very rare and the majority of karateka at |
| in times of peace, health and character | | | | competition show respect and humility whether |
| development took precedence and now we have | | | | they win or lose. |
| the competition side of karate, which is huge! | | | | Chose The Right Karate Dojo For You! |
| Master Gichin Funakoshi, who was the founder of | | | | It's important to know what you want from |
| Shotokan karate, believed the development of | | | | karate, if it's self defence, you will need to find a |
| character was the most important part of the | | | | karate school that place emphasise on street self |
| martial arts. He believed and passed on the | | | | defence training. If it's fitness, you may not want |
| philosophy of, no first attack in karate. | | | | sparring or kata (forms), but lots of stamina |
| It seems modern day martial arts go into one, or | | | | training. For competition training you need to find a |
| a combination of four directions, | | | | dojo that concentrate on the competition side of |
| 1.Self defense. | | | | karate. If you are looking for health and character |
| 2.Fitness. | | | | development, it may be a karate dojo that |
| 3.Health and character development. | | | | practice kata (forms), kihon (basic karate moves) |
| 4.Competition training. | | | | and kumite (sparring), a majority of the time. The |
| The self defense aspect of karate is plain to see, | | | | majority of karate schools practice a mixture of |
| but if the karateka (someone who practices | | | | the above areas, but check before you start |
| karate), doesn't train with the correct attitude, it | | | | training and be sure it's what you're looking for. |
| doesn't matter how many moves they learn, or | | | | Karate's Three K's |
| for how long they train, they WILL be ineffective | | | | Kata (forms). The best way to describe kata, is a |
| in a street situation. | | | | sequence of karate strikes, blocks, kicks and |
| Fitness | | | | manoeuvres, put together to form a pattern, |
| The physical gains seen by practicing karate are | | | | similar to a gymnastic floor display with emphasise |
| obvious. | | | | during the kata being placed on technique, fighting |
| Karate is very anaerobic, short explosive bursts. | | | | spirit, relaxation, speed and power. |
| Many sensei (karate teacher), will advise their | | | | Kumite (sparring). Where two karateka partner |
| students to compliment their karate with aerobic | | | | each other and attack and defend against |
| exercises such as, running, cycling, swimming, or | | | | eachother, karate kumite starts with very basic |
| even walking. A lot of karate dojo (training hall), | | | | moves, eg. Attacker steps in with a single punch |
| have the philosophy that you should not practice | | | | and the defender blocks with a single block and |
| karate for fitness, instead, you should be fit to | | | | counter strike. Over time the karate sparring |
| practice karate! This is a very confusing | | | | develops into free sparring, where anything goes. |
| philosophy for someone new to karate, but as | | | | Many karate dojo teach the philosophy of, 'Ikken |
| time goes by, the karateka will understand this | | | | Hisatsu' or to 'finish with one blow'. |
| philosophy. | | | | Kihon (basics). Practice of the basic strikes, blocks, |
| Master Gichin Funakoshi said, ' karate begins and | | | | kicks and stances is a fundamental part of karate |
| ends with respect' | | | | training, whether it's competition, self defense or |
| Respect, discipline, courtesy, effort, dedication, | | | | regular training, the karate techniques need to be |
| humility, achievement, perseverance, etc, etc, all | | | | practiced until they become second nature and |
| these positive human attributes are encouraged | | | | when needed, just happen as opposed to |
| and taught in most karate schools. | | | | consciously thinking about which move to use. |
| Competition arenas are a great place to test your | | | | |