Posts Tagged ‘self defense’

Why Traditional Okinawan Karate?

In its early development, traditional Okinawan karate was strictly a way to protect one’s self and one’s family, as well as the community. Good traditional schools preserve that tradition so that modern practitioners are well able to do the same.

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Karate Classes for Adults

Finding a regular physical activity that you enjoy is essential for adult fitness and health. Not only do karate classes for adults get us moving, they help in many specialized physical areas. Strength training exercises in karate include push-ups, jumping jacks, rolls, stances (both static and moving), and striking heavy bags.

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Being a Karate Teacher: Top 5 Favorites

Being a karate teacher makes me be a better person. I take my responsibility as a role model seriously. And that includes the constant knowledge that I am setting an example. But it’s not all serious responsibility. Being a karate teacher is a lot of fun!

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Parents Want Karate to Teach Valuable Lessons

I have learned what parents want karate to teach their kids. Several things come up repeatedly. The good news is that their expectations are very realistic if their child trains in traditional Okinawan karate regularly and consistently.

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Karate For Girls and its Benefits

The benefits and offerings of traditional Okinawan karate apply to all genders and ages. However, I can speak from the female point of view when I say that karate for girls is exceptionally powerful. My first exposure to martial arts was a recreation center’s aikido class. Then I started ongoing training as a young woman…

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Ground Fighting at Our Dojo

Our dojo offers ground fighting classes as enrichment to training. Not all traditional karate schools do. However, rolls, falls and take downs were part of many ancient Okinawan styles. We continue to preserve some of these basics in our curriculum of karate classes. Plus, many of our students appreciate rounding out their training with the…

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Bogu Kumite Sparring for Self Defense

Bogu kumite are Japanese words describing the type of full contact sparring studied by the United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance. Bogu is talking about armor, it’s made up of the words bo: protect, and gu: equipment. If you are going to participate in full contact sparring, it is vital to wear the right protective gear. Kumite…

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Kata Builds Self Defense

If you have ever seen several martial artists doing the same series of moves together, that was likely a kata. With the correct understanding, this type of training helps the student build the correct form, or body positioning. When done properly, as intended in a life protection art, kata builds self defense. It is the…

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