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