Karate

Karate can best be described as a form of martial arts, though many people consider it to be a sport as well. Karate originated in Okinawa, Japan from several original fighting styles combined with Chinese Kenpo. Karate Moves consist of punches, kicks, knee hits, elbow hits, open hand techniques, locks and restraints, and throws. Karate is believed to have first been practiced before the 19th century where it slowly grew in popularity and made its way to the Japanese mainland as well. The first official Karate club was established in 1924, further popularizing the sport. By the 1960s and 1970s, martial arts were so popular that they appeared in several Hollywood movies. This caused another large growth in popularity, and martial arts schools began to pop up all over the world. Today, people young and old and from all over the globe change into special uniforms and practice their Karate Moves at a variety of different skill levels.

Most people who currently practice Karate do so in one of three ways. These include Budo, which is where Karate is looked upon as an art form; athleticism where Karate is considered a combat sport or a solo sport; or as a form of self defense and/or exercise. Those who practice Karate as an art also practice it as a form of spiritual enlightenment and are closest to the practice’s original intentions. Other forms of Karate practice may emphasize confidence and perseverance but mostly focus on physically performing various Karate Moves.

For any person interested in studying Karate, it is important to first decide which way to practice the sport. Those interested in learning the sport as a genuine art form will not want to put too much focus on the actual Karate Moves. Instead, they will want to start slowly, learning about the origins and the psychological and emotional emphasis of the martial art. The moves will come until later. For those interested in practicing as a sport, or as self defense or exercise, it’s all about the Karate Moves, and a different kind of class will need to be sought out. The best way to get a feel for any particular class is to talk to the instructor about the main goals of the specific class. Also, most martial arts schools and training centers allow prospective students to either observe or participate in one introductory class free of charge. It is usually in the potential student’s best interest to take advantage of this offer in order to know for sure if a particular class is the right fit. Once a student has the right class to match the student’s interest, there’s no limit to how much can be learned or how long the student may practice.