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