Sunday, July 13, 2014

Karate: Facts About This Martial Art

By Leigh Metopher


Karate is an ancient martial art that originated on the island of Okinawa in Japan. The word karate actually means "hand," and while punching and striking are important components of karate, kicking and knee strikes also important elements that students will learn during their training.

About six hundred years ago, Chinese martial arts were introduced to the people of Okinawa by visitors from China coming to trade goods with the inhabitants of these islands. During the years of the Ryukyu, karate was developed out of these ancient Chinese martial arts, but while it was hugely popular in Okinawa, the art did not reach the mainland until around 1910. However, it quickly became popular and by 1924, the first karate club was formed. By the mid-1930s, karate clubs had been established at most Japanese universities. During World War II, American soldiers were exposed to karate and the first American karate dojo opened in Arizona in 1945.

Of course, karate is not just one specific martial art. There are actually more than one dozen styles of karate to consider learning. Shotokan karate is perhaps the most common you will find and this was developed by Gichin Funakoshi, the father of modern karate. However, one could opt to learn Kyokushin karate or perhaps Wado-ryu or even Shuri-ryu, which was actually developed in the United States and not in Japan.

Most people probably know that a black belt is the most prestigious belt on can earn in karate, but there are actually different degrees of black belts. Once you've earned the black belt, you can continue to progress and earn higher degrees. Of course, all students start out as white belts and must earn many other belts in order to reach that black belt. You must progress through yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown and red before you have obtained enough skills to reach a black belt.

Earning each belt is certainly a huge accomplishment, but karate is not just about belts and certainly is not just about fighting. In fact, the philosophy is quite the opposite. Practitioners are taught to possess humility and self-control and use karate as a means of self-defense, not aggression. At a proper dojo, while students are certainly encouraged to earn belts, the main focus is improving discipline and one's physical condition. Karate is as much a way of life as it is a style of fighting.

For those seeking a school of martial arts in Carlsbad or a school of martial arts in Encinitas, Team Mai might be just what you need. Students from age four and up are welcome to take classes, and the focus is always on learning respect, improving discipline and instilling a sense of confidence in each student. Through karate classes, your child will learn crucial self-defense skills as well as improving their physical ability and improving their overall self-esteem.




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