| First, lets look at exactly what karate is | | | | self-defense skills. |
| Karate has its official origin in the Okanowin islands. | | | | It is more-less the mother system to Tae-Kwon-Do |
| But its roots go back even further then that. Karate | | | | and other martial arts to a lesser degree As far as a |
| can trace its roots back to the fighting methods of | | | | self-defense martial art, it is VERY effective if you |
| the Chinese systems of centuries ago. | | | | focus and learn everything you need to learn. |
| The word Karate means The Empty Hand. Karate is | | | | People always want to know, How long does it take |
| a self-defense and fighting style of martial arts and is | | | | to get a black belt? |
| rooted in that history. To a greater extent, karate | | | | That is a very good question! It should take you |
| can be broken down into 3 different areas: | | | | about 4 to 6 years if you train 2 to 3 times per |
| 1. The basics. | | | | week and are in fairly good shape and have |
| 2. Katas (Forms). | | | | somewhat good coordination |
| 3. Sparing. (Simulated self-defense.) | | | | Is Karate The Best Martial Art? |
| The Basics of karate include learning how to punch, | | | | Karate is a great martial art! The success of it |
| kick and how to balance yourself in the proper | | | | depends on the person training in it. Karate is a great |
| stances that karate is built upon. It is an art that | | | | form of self-defense, cardio training and a good way |
| each move you learn at the basics level is needed to | | | | to train your mind. It is effective on the street if you |
| go to the next level. Every move is a building block | | | | learn how to use it well. |
| for the next one. | | | | Is Karate For Me? |
| The Kata part of karate involves learning a fixed | | | | The answer to that is yes if you are looking for a |
| sequence of moves that need to be practiced over | | | | great way to keep in shape, learn an art and learn |
| and over again through repetition. Through learning | | | | some very effective self defense techniques. The |
| these set of moves you learn how to be more | | | | best thing to do is to go and test a few schools out |
| precise in your strikes and kicks. These Katas are | | | | and see if you like it! Most training centers in your |
| apart of karate for as long as you train. | | | | area will let you try out a class for free and some will |
| The Sparing part of karate is meant to be the | | | | even give you a free month. Take advantage of it |
| practical application part of karate. This is where you | | | | and discover for yourself if karate is the martial art |
| have simulated fights and can work on your | | | | for you. |