| The best course of action to take sometimes | | | | of the sparring area. Sparring matches are |
| isn't clear until you've listed and | | | | typically divided by weight, age, gender, and |
| considered your alternatives. The following | | | | experience. |
| article should help clue you in to what the | | | | |
| experts think is significant. The most | | | | Training is important in Karate as well as |
| important thing is to study with an open mind | | | | concentration because while it may be easy to |
| and be willing to revise your understanding | | | | create a centered being when inside a martial |
| if necessary. | | | | arts gym, the same cannot be said of |
| | | | situations and circumstances outside. |
| Karate (空手) or karate-dō | | | | Controlled breathing is one key to being one |
| (空手道) is one of the most | | | | with the universe and to center oneself with |
| fascinating martial art in the world today. | | | | nature. |
| For me, there is not any martial art that is | | | | |
| as flexible and enjoyable as sport. Karate | | | | In studying karate-dō |
| as a martial art was developed and | | | | (空手道), it is important |
| diversified in Japan. Karate is NOT an | | | | to remember that along with building physical |
| expression of aggression. Karate is not about | | | | strength to be able to defeat your opponent |
| violence at all. It is about respect, | | | | the mental capacity should also be developed. |
| disciplin of mind and body, confidence, | | | | Just like in any art, it takes a lot of |
| control of oneself, and ends with courtesy | | | | practice and discipline to perfect the art of |
| and leads to Wa-No-Michi (peace in one's | | | | Karate (空手). The important |
| life). | | | | thing is the one who wants to get into the |
| | | | art should have determination to give honor |
| Ankō Itosu (糸洲 | | | | to the art by performing it in the best way |
| 安恒, Itosu Ankō, Itosu | | | | possible. |
| Yasutsune in Japanese) is considered by many | | | | |
| the father of modern karate, although this | | | | It seems like new information is discovered |
| title is also often given to Gichin Funakoshi | | | | about something every day. And the topic of |
| (船越 義珍 Funakoshi | | | | martial art is no exception. Keep reading to |
| Gichin) because the latter spread karate | | | | get more fresh news about martial art. |
| throughout Japan. | | | | |
| | | | The Ultimate Collection of Martial Arts and |
| Modern karate training is commonly divided | | | | Self-Defence eBooks Pack you will find here: |
| into kihon (basics or fundamentals | | | | - This extremely rare Collection will help |
| techniques: blocking, punching, striking, and | | | | you become a master in Martial Arts... |
| kicking), kata (formal exercises which | | | | |
| combine basic karate techniques - blocking, | | | | So now you know a little bit about |
| punching, striking, and kicking - into a | | | | karate-dō (空手道). |
| series of predetermined movements. ), and | | | | Even if you don't know everything, you've |
| kumite (sparring). | | | | done something worthwhile: you've expanded |
| | | | your knowledge. |
| A karate practitioner is called a karateka | | | | |
| (空手家). The karateka must | | | | Enjoy, and in the words of Gichin Funakoshi: |
| apply proper karate techniques, demonstrate | | | | |
| correct power and speed, and, above all, | | | | " The aim of training reflects the precept |
| exercise good control -- contact is | | | | expressed by the words - although the |
| prohibited. The karateka may freely engage | | | | doorway is small, go deeply inward... Once a |
| his physical and mental powers, but must | | | | kata has been learned, it must be practiced |
| strictly control his attacks -- contact is | | | | repeatedly until it can be applied in an |
| prohibited. The karateka must be well-trained | | | | emergency, for knowledge of just the |
| and disciplined enough to make a powerful | | | | sequence of a form in karate is useless... |
| blow that stops just before it reaches its | | | | Train systematically, without becoming |
| target. | | | | impatient... Develop gradually, advancing |
| | | | steadily, one step at a time... " |
| Karate competition has three disciplines: | | | | |
| sparring (kumite), empty-handed forms (kata), | | | | Copyright © Anne-Marie Ronsen |
| and weapons forms (kobudō kata). | | | | |
| Competitors may enter either as individuals | | | | You have permission to publish this article |
| or as part of a team. Evaluation for kata and | | | | electronically, in print, in your ebook or on |
| kobudo is performed by a panel of judges, | | | | your web site, free of charge, as long as the |
| whereas sparring is judged by a head referee, | | | | author bylines are included. |
| usually with assistant referees at the side | | | | |