| Karate is a martial art that has existed for thousands | | | | out young is still the best way. |
| of years. It originated in China and is based of the | | | | While karate is mostly a physical exercise, it is not |
| fighting system of Gongfu. Karate is now widely | | | | entirely. There is a strong mindfulness aspect of |
| practiced throughout the world and has undergone | | | | karate which is nurtured through meditation. You |
| many changes throughout its practice. While Karate is | | | | should go into each practice with a clear head and a |
| mainly a self defense and fighting system, it is also | | | | relaxed mind. This will allow you to gain the most |
| used to improve physical fitness level and lower | | | | from your training and the benefits will remain long |
| stress levels. Children as young as five can begin | | | | after you leave the class. |
| karate for the disciplinary and self esteem benefits. It | | | | After you have warmed up and done your stretching |
| is a magnificent sport and have numerous benefits | | | | and meditation, you will start to learn the basic |
| for participants of any age. | | | | moves of karate. This includes both the offensive |
| When you join a karate class, there are a few things | | | | and defensive aspects of the art. Your offensive |
| that you can expect. As karate is a sport like any | | | | moves will include attacks such as upper cuts, |
| other, you will need to do some preparations before | | | | punches, elbow strikes, knife chops, etc. You will also |
| getting into the fighting aspect. To begin, you should | | | | utilize kicks and learn to keep your balance while |
| do a warm up. This warm up can include some light | | | | delivering or receiving a hit. The defensive moves will |
| running or jogging, pushups, situps, jumping jacks, etc. | | | | include blocks for all of the upper and lower body |
| This will get your muscles ready for the challenge | | | | strikes. You will learn how to fall properly, in a way |
| they are about to face. The next step will be | | | | that protects your head from injury and does the |
| stretching. Stretching is so incredibly important to | | | | least possible amount of damage. |
| karate, this is a step you can not skip. Stretching | | | | The last part of a karate class is the sparring. |
| your muscles allows them to loosen up and allows | | | | Sparring is fighting with little or no contact. This allows |
| you to perform better moves without the danger of | | | | you to put the moves and techniques you have |
| injury. You can do stretches on your own, with a | | | | learned to use in a more realistic but safe |
| partner, or with the assistance of a machine. This | | | | environment. Learning karate can be extremely |
| becomes even more important as we get older and | | | | fulfilling and can enhance every aspect of your life. So |
| we begin to see stiffness in our joints, but starting | | | | what are you waiting for, go karate chop life! |