| This article is about Karate. The art of the | | | | In learning the different katas, you learn |
| empty hand and what the formalities and | | | | how to transition quickly form one technique |
| philosophies of the art. | | | | to the next. You learn how to block or evade |
| | | | an oncoming attack, then counter with a punch |
| In the world of martial arts, karate is a | | | | or kick of your own. With just your empty |
| relative new comer. Although its roots go | | | | hands and feet you can protect yourself and |
| back over 1,000 years to the Shaolin province | | | | overcome an opponent regardless of how much |
| of China, karate as it is today was not | | | | bigger or stronger they are. |
| developed until the early twentieth century | | | | |
| in Okinawa, Japan. It was during that time | | | | Although karate is classified as a fighting |
| that four martial arts masters developed the | | | | art, its guiding philosophy makes it clear |
| forms of karate that are still taught today. | | | | that its purpose is self defense. The karate |
| These are called Okinawan karate. They are: | | | | philosophy states that karate never attack |
| Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, Shotokan, and Wado-ryu. | | | | first. In fact, students are taught that the |
| Thought these four karates have many | | | | best defense is to avoid the conflict |
| similarities, they are distinctively | | | | completely. It is much better to talk your |
| different. | | | | way out of the fight, or even to run away to |
| | | | avoid the fight, but when all else fails, and |
| Later, in the 1950's a newer form of karate | | | | the use of force is inevitable, you must be |
| was developed called Kenpo karate. Based on | | | | ready to act quickly and decisively. |
| the forms found in Okinawan karate, it was a | | | | |
| much more complicated form of karate. | | | | Karate is built on respect both toward |
| | | | others, and for yourself. As you learn |
| Borrowing heavily from the forms and | | | | karate, you will notice your feelings about |
| techniques of other martial arts such as kung | | | | yourself changing. The workouts required to |
| fu and jujitsu, karate focused on providing a | | | | become proficient in the techniques and katas |
| means of self defense without the use of | | | | will make your body stronger, you will have |
| weapons. In fact, the name karate means "way | | | | more endurance, and you will have lower body |
| of the empty hand". Although advance karate | | | | fat. You will soon begin to feel better |
| students do learn to use weapons in their | | | | about yourself physically. |
| fighting routines, the emphasis is on | | | | |
| fighting with an empty hand. | | | | You will also begin to see changes |
| | | | psychologically and emotionally. Not only |
| When you first learn karate, you are taught | | | | will you gain confidence from knowing that |
| several basic techniques. You will be | | | | you have the knowledge to use your empty hand |
| required to practice these techniques in | | | | to protect yourself and drive away an |
| class and on your own, until you can do them | | | | attacker, but you will begin a pattern of |
| without hesitation. The moves should come | | | | success based on effort and self discipline. |
| quickly and smoothly. After these beginning | | | | |
| techniques are learned, more techniques are | | | | Learning karate - the way of the empty hand - |
| added, and you begin to learn how to put the | | | | is an excellent way to not only learn to |
| individual techniques together in a series of | | | | defend yourself, but also as a way to build |
| choreographed moves, called kata. | | | | yourself up physically and emotionally. Find |
| | | | a school near you and give it a try. |