Karate
Get The Basic Facts About Karate
Karate is a self-defense system that originated in Okinawa, Japan. This martial art makes use of weapons. The use of weapons can be credited to Okinawa’s long history of Japanese and Chinese suppression - where conventional weapons such as swords were not allowed. Because of that, substitute weapons derived from farming tools were developed for the Okinawan martial arts. Up until this very day, such unique range of substitute weapons are being used in practicing different Karate styles.
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The word Karate is a result of the combination of Okinawa-te (Okinawa hand) and Chinese boxing. Karate was then considered the more refined martial art as a product of combining the best Chinese martial arts and Okinawa-te. Furthermore, the literal meaning of Karate may be taken as weaponless or the art of empty hands. Kara-te-do is the more appropriate and correct way that Karate should be written, though.
A martial artist can have several reasons for practicing Karate. Karate can be perceived as an art or budo; it can be considered as a combat sport; or it can be taken as a self defense training. Moreover, there are two different ways of practicing Karate - the traditional Karate and
the sport Karate. There should be no debate as to which is better, since both complement each other. Both types significantly bring to the table the same purposes - these are, to improve the performance and abilities of a martial artist.
In general, the traditional Karate practice is emphasized on self development - which would include psychological elements alongside proper attitude such as leadership skills, virtue, fearlessness and perseverance. On the other hand, sport Karate is focused on enhancing the skills for competition and exercise.
Karate Characteristics - An Overview
Karate is considered as a striking art as the primary aim of Karate practitioners is to make the most out of kicks, punches, open hand strikes, elbows and knees to disable opponents. Alongside these, Karate also emphasizes on teaching how to block strikes of opponents and disabling them with pinpoint strikes.
In most of the styles of Karate, respective joint locks and throws serve the same importance to the practitioners. And, as mentioned earlier, simple weapons are also being used in practicing this martial art. Normally, when employing take downs within the art of Karate, finishing strikes are used.
Such basic goal is applied in all styles of Karate, which are namely:
- Wado-ryu
- Uechi-ryu
- Shotokan
- Shito-ryu
- Kyokushin
- Kenpo
- Goju-ryu
- Budokan
Karate And Your Health - The Benefits
Karate indeed is a great martial art from which you can learn effective self-defense techniques and further give yourself a disciplined lifestyle. However, Karate offers more benefits than just skills - as there are other health benefits behind to be grateful for. Below are a few advantages that practicing Karate can do for you:
1. Loosens up the body and allows better blood circulation. This is especially true for the new Karate class beginners since a systematic stretching routine is normally followed. The nerves and joints in your body which may have not been often warmed up in the past may be improved through Karate. There are Karate moves being taught again and again until the practitioner masters it and it becomes second nature. Kicks, strikes and blocks - when repeated over and over will help stimulate your body’s circulation system.
2. Helps you break away from vices and bad habits. The movements in practicing Karate encourages your posture by helping you to remain upright and generally make you more alert. Also, smokers who practice Karate more often eventually find themselves not needing nicotine anymore, and luckily are guided through to do-away from smoking.
3. Improves your mental focus and feeds on your self fulfillment. After learning the proper techniques to do Karate, you will then be given the opportunity to practice with a partner in a pre-determined and controlled manner. Through this, you are helping your mind to have better mental concentration. Having mental concentration and learning helpful physical Karate techniques give the practitioner that a positive outlook in life and get that sense of a achievement.
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Karate is serves advantages in good number of ways. What’s even more wonderful about the art of Karate is that it has a depth that takes time and practice to master. Exploring and mastering all aspects of Karate runs in a course of a lifetime. This is where serious incremental and constant improvement through continual training takes place.
