Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Interesting Facts About Karate

Interesting Facts About Karate

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.

In Okinawa, karate was developed during the 1300s in the years of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It wasn't brought to the mainland of Japan until after the turn of the 20th century. However, it quickly became very popular and within 15 years of its arrival, a karate club was established at Keio University and just ten years later, most Japanese universities had clubs devoted to karate. Karate became popular in the United States after World War II. Soldiers stationed in Okinawa were exposed to karate and began taking lessons and developing an interest in this art. In 1945, the first American school of karate opened in Phoenix and today, there are thousands of dojos throughout the United States.

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.

During training, students of karate earn various belts to mark the level of their skill and improvement. As beginners, karate students begin with a white belt, and their first goal is to learn enough skills and master them in order to earn the yellow belt. After yellow, the belts continue to orange, green, blue, purple, brown, red and finally, black. For young adults and older adults, you can earn different degrees of black belts.

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.

Karate training is an excellent option for children and teens, and for those who need Encinitas karate classes, Carlsbad karate classes or San Marcos karate classes might consider Team Mai for their child. Not only will they improve their physical strength and coordination, they will gain self-confidence and self-control. Our focus is teaching confidence, respect and discipline in a fun environment. All of our senseis are experienced instructors that have earned black belts. Team Mai also hosts summer camps and overnight parties for its students.




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