What Is Karate?

​

In a nutshell, Karate is a martial art of Japanese origin that deals with attacks through evasive body movements and/or blocking, and counter attacks using kicks, punches and strikes. Karate is the most widely practised Martial Art form in the world, it can be defined as a weaponless means of self-defence. 

​

Karate, the Japanese word for “empty hand,” is an ancient martial art        developed over the last 200 years that was born in the Okinawan Islands as a form of self-defence at a time when weapons were banned by invading Japanese forces.

 

Karate is not only an excellent form of self-defence but also a fun method of staying fit and healthy.

​

Karate is a useful method of developing strength, agility and stamina as well as an excellent way of honing mental skills and developing discipline.

​

Karate practice is divided into:

​

• Kihon (drilling of stances, blocks, punches, strikes and kicks)

​

• Kata (pre-arranged forms simulating combat situations)

​

• Kumite (sparring)

​

Who is Karate for?

​

Men, women, young and old – all are welcome, as long as you are over 6 years of age. Fitness and flexibility don’t matter as these will develop as you progress.

​

Where can I train?

 

Various Dojo’s (training halls) throughout the area. After completing a beginner’s course, students can train at any of our dojos.

​

What do I need to bring?

​

Just yourself and an open mind! There are no dress requirements for beginners’ courses, just wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing. However, most students wear a “Gi” (karate suit) after four weeks of training.

​

What can I expect?

​

A friendly, supportive environment to learn about Karate. As part of training, students will develop fitness and self-confidence in an enjoyable and exciting manner. Karate is good exercise for body, mind and spirit.

​

So what is Karate really all about

​

It’s all about YOU and it’s all about what YOU make of it.

YOU can make it a fun and challenging hobby and family activity by participating with other family members.

YOU can make it a really worthwhile physical activity by training hard and improving your health and fitness.

YOU can also make it an incredible pursuit that can boost your self-confidence and your character by trying to do your very best.

YOU can make it your goal to try to gradually improve your weaknesses through the honest and fully committed practice of karate.

​

​

Through proper, disciplined and often intense physical Karate training, the practitioner will naturally form a strong character and develop emotional well-being.

 

Karate as a Sport

​

Karate, in addition to being a superb form of self-defence and exercise, is an exciting sport. Basically there are two types of events in a Karate contest; Kumite and Kata. 

​

Kumite is free-style fighting that resembles boxing, but unlike boxing, attacks are stopped just short of contact, to avoid obvious potential injury.

​

Kata is a formal exercise made up of Karate techniques performed in set sequence. Originally intended to be used by the Karate-ka to practice alone, Katas consist of all types of Karate techniques, such as blocking, punching, kicking, striking and various body shifting tactics. Katas are based on imaginary opponents numbering from four to eight, attacking from all directions. There are more than 50 Katas. Some are relatively simple; others are quite complex, requiring a high degree of skill. Many consider the mastering of Karate Kata to be the true essence of Karate.

​

Precepts of Karate

​

So, as well as regular practice of the physical karate, students should try to engage in the 20 Precepts of Karate, a written legacy from Master Gichin Funakoshi.

 

The establishment of modern karate is largely attributed to Master Funaksohi and his precepts form the foundations of the martial art.

They are important for all serious students to learn and think about:

 

1. Karate-do wa rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru koto wo wasuruna.

 

Karate begins and ends with courtesy.

 

2. Karate ni sente nashi.

 

There is no first attack in karate.

 

3. Karate wa gi no tasuke.

​

Karate is an assistance to justice.

 

4. Mazu jiko wo shire, shikoshite tao wo shire.

​

Know yourself first, before you know others.

 

5. Gijutsu yori shinjutsu.

​

Spirit before technique.

 

6. Kokoro wa hanatan koto wo yosu.

​

Be ready to free your mind.

 

7. Wazawai wa getai ni shozu.

​

Accidents come from laziness.

 

8. Dojo nomino karate to omou na.

​

Karate training goes beyond the dojo.

​

9. Karate no shugyo wa issho de aru.

You will never stop learning in karate.

​

10. Arai-yuru mono wo karate-ka seyo, soko ni myo-mi ari.

​

Apply karate to everything. Therein lies its beauty.

 

11. Karate wa yu no goto shi taezu natsudo wo ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru.

​

Karate is like boiling water. If not given heat, it will go cold.

 

12. Katsu kangae wa motsu na makenu kangae wa hitsuyo.

​

Do not think of winning. Instead, think that you must never lose.

 

13. Tekki ni yotte tenka seyo.

​

Make adjustments according to your opponent.

 

14. Tattakai wa kyo-jitsu no soju ikan ni ari.

​

The outcome of a fight depends on how you handle weaknesses and strengths.

 

15. Hito no te ashi wo ken to omoe.

​

Think of hands and feet as swords.

 

16. Danshi mon wo izureba hyakuman no tekki ari.

​

When you step outside your own gate you face a million enemies.

 

17. Kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai.

​

Fixed positions are for beginners; later, one moves naturally.

 

18. Kata wa tadashiku jissen wa betsu mono.

​

Kata is practiced perfectly, the real fight is another thing.

 

19. Chikara no kyojaku, karada no shinshuku, waza no kankyu wo wasaruna.

​

Hard and soft, tension and relaxation, quick and slow, all connected in the technique.

 

20. Tsune ni shinen kufu seyo.

​

Think of ways to apply these precepts every day.

 

​

Read. Think. Learn. 

See you in the dojo!