| Is it possible to learn karate at home? If you are | | | | (the way of karate) is all about. |
| thinking about starting karate, getting some online | | | | So karate class training has the warm up and stretch, |
| information, is a good idea. With some online tutorials, | | | | basics (kihon), next comes sparring (kumite). Now the |
| you will be able to understand what to expect if you | | | | word sparring is used loosely in karate because it |
| attend a karate club. | | | | usually means anytime you partner up to practice |
| But if you have some video instruction, I only | | | | karate techniques. For example, you may partner up |
| recommend using them at the same time you attend | | | | to practice a wrist grab and escape, this will be called |
| classes conducted by a qualified karate instructor and | | | | kumite or sparring in the dojo (training hall). So try |
| the moves you practice, will be basics (kihon) or | | | | not to think that every time the word sparring |
| forms (kata). | | | | (kumite) is used, you are going to partner up with a |
| Karate is an incredible art form that has developed | | | | crazed black belt who is going to try and kill you! |
| over thousands of years of evolution giving us the | | | | After the warm up, basics and sparring, kata (forms) |
| karate we have today. There are thousands of | | | | is usually practiced. Kata is a sequence of karate |
| karate for beginners classes starting every day, | | | | moves including, punches, kicks, strikes, jumps, spins, |
| where people, young and old start to learn karate for | | | | etc, that are strung together in a particular order, to |
| the first time. | | | | create a pattern of techniques, similar to the |
| Karate classes usually start with a warm up, followed | | | | gymnastics floor display. |
| by a full body stretch. This alone is great for health | | | | To explain kata fully will need an article all on it's own, |
| and well being, keeping the body soft and supple is a | | | | but to me kata is the most important element of |
| fantastic thing, especially in your later years. | | | | karatedo. They say, kumite is the spirit of karate, |
| Next will come basic karate moves (kihon), blocking, | | | | but kata is the soul! And I agree. |
| punching, kicking, etc. These are practiced on the | | | | So if you are practicing karate moves at home, |
| spot, or stepping forward, back and even at | | | | trying to get a feel for karate, I wish you luck and |
| different angles in the many varied karate stances | | | | urge you to attend a karate for beginners class as |
| (dachi). These are the techniques you will be able to | | | | soon as possible. Good luck with your journey in the |
| practice at home and get an idea of what karatedo | | | | wonderful world that is karatedo! |