Karate For Beginners - Learn Karate The Old Way?

Karate teaching currently is made up of kihon (basics), kata (forms) and kumite (sparring) and although the common karate moves were very much the same, the way karate was studied in the early 19th century, bears minor similarity to the karate that is taught these days. They simply practiced kata and kata applications. The karateka on Okinawa would attack with very strong techniques that would test their partner to the limits and test their kata defences.

Saying that, there are karate dojo, that still practice the 'old way', taking karate moves from the kata and putting them into a self defence application, with the karateka attacking and defending, as if their lives depend on the outcome.

Many people struggle when learning a new karate kata, but if it is taken slowly and one technique at a time, it really can be a painless experience. Try not to over analyze early on, get the order of each move in the kata. so at this stage try and understand where each step, jump, spin, angle and karate technique is and in what order.

So first, try and get the pattern of the kata and everything in the right place. By the way, this is where people who do not understand kata, say 'OK, I know that kata, show me another!'

Once you understand the order of the karate techniques within the kata, start putting groups of techniques together. If you have a kick, kick, grab, punch, it is probably a kata sequence. Take these four karate moves and practice them slowly, start trying to get the moves to flow, then start to speed things up, it is at this time you should start to learn the kata applications of each technique.

Every kata has it's own timing and rhythm, so check to make sure you have the combination of karate techniques right.

So now you should have the sequences down and understand the applications of each karate move, so speed up and really go for it!

When putting all the kata sequences together, try and get them to flow, start slowly then gradually speed up, remembering the timing of each sequence.

Make your karate kata strong, but try not to move in a robotic way and on the opposite side of things, try not to make your kata a floppy soft dance! Many karateka fall into one or the other to strong or to weak.

Attitude is everything in the martial arts, be sure to have a strong fighting spirit when practicing your kata.

I feel kata is the number one reason anyone should practice karate, if it isn't, then another martial art should be the order of the day.

Linden has been training and teaching karate for over 30 years and loves to share his knowledge and experiences from the karate dojo. Supplement your karate training with these free online videos, karate lessons for beginners.

Learn Karate at Home?

Is it possible to learn karate at home? If you are thinking about starting karate, getting some online information, is a good idea. With some online tutorials, you will be able to understand what to expect if you attend a karate club.
But if you have some video instruction, I only recommend using them at the same time you attend classes conducted by a qualified karate instructor and the moves you practice, will be basics (kihon) or forms (kata).
Karate is an incredible art form that has developed over thousands of years of evolution giving us the karate we have today. There are thousands of karate for beginners classes starting every day, where people, young and old start to learn karate for the first time.
Karate classes usually start with a warm up, followed by a full body stretch. This alone is great for health and well being, keeping the body soft and supple is a fantastic thing, especially in your later years.
Next will come basic karate moves (kihon), blocking, punching, kicking, etc. These are practiced on the spot, or stepping forward, back and even at different angles in the many varied karate stances (dachi). These are the techniques you will be able to practice at home and get an idea of what karatedo (the way of karate) is all about.
So karate class training has the warm up and stretch, basics (kihon), next comes sparring (kumite). Now the word sparring is used loosely in karate because it usually means anytime you partner up to practice karate techniques. For example, you may partner up to practice a wrist grab and escape, this will be called kumite or sparring in the dojo (training hall). So try not to think that every time the word sparring (kumite) is used, you are going to partner up with a crazed black belt who is going to try and kill you!
After the warm up, basics and sparring, kata (forms) is usually practiced. Kata is a sequence of karate moves including, punches, kicks, strikes, jumps, spins, etc, that are strung together in a particular order, to create a pattern of techniques, similar to the gymnastics floor display.
To explain kata fully will need an article all on it's own, but to me kata is the most important element of karatedo. They say, kumite is the spirit of karate, but kata is the soul! And I agree.
So if you are practicing karate moves at home, trying to get a feel for karate, I wish you luck and urge you to attend a karate for beginners class as soon as possible. Good luck with your journey in the wonderful world that is karatedo! Ossu

Linden has been training and teaching karate for over 30 years and loves to share his knowledge and experiences in the martial arts. Supplement your dojo training with these free videos, karate lessons for beginners.

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