| By Anne-Marie Ronsen | | | | in Karate as well as concentration because |
| | | | while it may be easy to create a centered |
| Karate (空手) or karate-dō | | | | being when inside a martial arts gym, the |
| (空手道) is one of the most | | | | same cannot be said of situations and |
| fascinating martial art in the world today. | | | | circumstances outside. Controlled breathing |
| For me, there is not any martial art that is | | | | is one key to being one with the universe and |
| as flexible and enjoyable as sport. Karate as | | | | to center oneself with nature. Karate is an |
| a martial art was developed and diversified | | | | affective martial arts that can be studied |
| from various forms of Chinese Kung-fu on the | | | | anywhere in the world today. In studying |
| island of Okinawa and was taken to Japan in | | | | karate-dō (空手道), it |
| the early years of the twentieth century. | | | | is important to remember that along with |
| Karate is NOT an expression of aggression. | | | | building physical strength to be able to |
| Karate is not about violence at all. It is | | | | defeat your opponent the mental capacity |
| about respect, disciplin of mind and body, | | | | should also be developed. Just like in any |
| confidence, control of oneself, and ends with | | | | art, it takes a lot of practice and |
| courtesy and leads to Wa-No-Michi (peace in | | | | discipline to perfect the art of Karate |
| one's life). Ankō Itosu | | | | (空手). The important thing is |
| (糸洲 安恒, Itosu | | | | the one who wants to get into the art should |
| Ankō, Itosu Yasutsune in Japanese) is | | | | have determination to give honor to the art |
| considered by many the father of modern | | | | by performing it in the best way possible. It |
| karate, although this title is also often | | | | seems like new information is discovered |
| given to Gichin Funakoshi (船越 | | | | about something every day. And the topic of |
| 義珍 Funakoshi Gichin) because | | | | martial art is no exception. Keep reading to |
| the latter spread karate throughout Japan. | | | | get more fresh news about martial art. The |
| Funakoshi Gichin is responsible for changing | | | | Ultimate Collection of Martial Arts and |
| its emphasis from a method of self defence to | | | | Self-Defence eBooks Pack you will find here: |
| a mental and physical discipline. The five | | | | This extremely rare Collection will help you |
| most important styles of Karate are: | | | | become a master in Martial Arts... So now you |
| Shotokan, Goyo ryu, Wado ryu, Shito ryu, and | | | | know a little bit about karate-dō |
| Kyokushinkai. Modern karate training is | | | | (空手道). Even if you don't |
| commonly divided into kihon (basics or | | | | know everything, you've done something |
| fundamentals techniques: blocking, punching, | | | | worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge. |
| striking, and kicking), kata (formal | | | | Enjoy, and in the words of Gichin Funakoshi: |
| exercises which combine basic karate | | | | "It is important that karate can be practiced |
| techniques - blocking, punching, striking, | | | | by the young and old, men and women alike. |
| and kicking - into a series of predetermined | | | | That is, since there is no need for a special |
| movements. ), and kumite (sparring). A karate | | | | training place, equipment, or an opponent, a |
| practitioner is called a karateka | | | | flexibility in training is provided such that |
| (空手家). The karateka must | | | | the physically and spiritually weak |
| apply proper karate techniques, demonstrate | | | | individual can develop his body and mind so |
| correct power and speed, and, above all, | | | | gradually and naturally that he himself may |
| exercise good control -- contact is | | | | not even realize his own great progress... |
| prohibited. The karateka may freely engage | | | | The ultimate aim of the art of karate lies |
| his physical and mental powers, but must | | | | not in victory or defeat, but in the |
| strictly control his attacks -- contact is | | | | perfection of the characters of its |
| prohibited. The karateka must be well-trained | | | | participants... " The potential offered by |
| and disciplined enough to make a powerful | | | | this martial art fighting system ultimately |
| blow that stops just before it reaches its | | | | depends upon the person learning it. And - in |
| target. Karate competition has three | | | | short - karate is no more and no less than |
| disciplines: sparring (kumite), empty-handed | | | | what an karateka put into it. Copyright © |
| forms (kata), and weapons forms (kobudō | | | | Anne-Marie Ronsen You have permission to |
| kata). Competitors may enter either as | | | | publish this article electronically, in |
| individuals or as part of a team. Evaluation | | | | print, in your ebook or on your web site, |
| for kata and kobudo is performed by a panel | | | | free of charge, as long as the author bylines |
| of judges, whereas sparring is judged by a | | | | are included. |
| head referee, usually with assistant referees | | | | |
| at the side of the sparring area. Sparring | | | | Anne-Marie Ronsen is the author of many |
| matches are typically divided by weight, age, | | | | wealth and self development books. Download |
| gender, and experience. Training is important | | | | FREE e-books from or ... |