Shotokan Karate Exercise Front Kick Belt Training

Mae Geri (front kick)

The karate front kick, or mae geri is the first karate kick that is practiced. One of the common mistakes with front kick (mae geri), is to let the kick travel in an upwards arc. The kick wants to be traveling in a straight line on impact, just like a bullet. The path of front kick is a straight line as can be seen in the video below, where we are using our obi (belt) for a really good kicking exercise, that makes sure the path of the front kick is correct. Try to get the kicking foot to lightly touch the belt as it travels to the target and back. Mae geri is one of the first karate moves taught in karate classes, so if you are trying to learn karate at home, take your time with this karate technique because if you master this and understand the basic kicking principles, the other kicks will come very easily.

learn Karate At home Soto Uke

Soto uke or outside block is one of the basic karate moves that is practiced in the karate dojo. The block comes from outside the body, to inside. The basic soto uke uses the inside of the forearm to block, the more advanced block, simply uses the open hand and is a very small karate technique.

Soto uke ou bloquer l'extérieur est l'un des mouvements de base de karaté qui se pratique dans le dojo de karaté. Le bloc vient de l'extérieur du corps, à l'intérieur. Le ukulélé soto de base utilise l'intérieur de l'avant-bras à bloc, le bloc plus avancés, utilise simplement la main ouverte et est une technique très petites karaté.

Soto uke oder außerhalb Block ist eine der grundlegenden Karate-Bewegungen, die in der Karate Dojo geübt wird. Der Block kommt von außerhalb des Körpers, nach innen. Die grundlegenden soto uke nutzt die Innenseite des Unterarms zu blockieren, die weiter fortgeschrittenen Block, nutzt einfach die offene Hand und ist ein sehr kleines Karate-Technik.

Learn Karate At Home - Kizami Zuki or Jab Punch

Next in this karate for beginners series, is Kizami zuki or Jab punch. The video shows this basic karate move without the snap back and the more advanced snap back from kamae.

Learn Karate At Home - Forming A Karate Fist - Seikin or Forefist

A quick karate training video showing how to form karate seikin (fore-fist), try and make sure the fingers roll tightly at the half way point, which will help with the forming of the fist, especially if you are trying to learn karate at home.

Karate For Beginners - The Warm Up and Stretch

This is one of the most neglected parts of karate practice and it is a part of karate that you ignore at your peril.
Not only is stretching healthy, it also helps prevent injury during karate classes. Stretching should be practiced before and after your karate lessons.
My sensei said to me, 'the only time your whole body is stiff, is when you are dead!" and he is absolutely correct.
Keeping the body soft and supple should be a priority for all karateka.
But before you start stretching, it is very important to warm the body up. An example could be, gently shaking the legs and arms, gently swinging the arms, walking slowly, then speeding the walk up and finally into a slow jog. Obviously this is just an example, but this demonstrates a warm up before the stretch.
There are many stretches and to get the maximum benefit, these stretches should be held for anything between, twenty five seconds and three minutes. I also encourage our dojo members to hold the stretches longer in the summer and when they are practicing karate at home, as in the dojo, sometimes time is the enemy.
Stretching at the end of training should also be encouraged as this allows the body to warm down slowly, keeping the elasticity in the muscles.
If you wish to explore the different types of stretching, of which there are many, I have listed the different types of stretching below and a google search will uncover some incredible information on stretching.
1. Ballistic stretching is a form of passive stretching or dynamic stretching in a bouncing motion.
2. Dynamic stretching is a form of stretching beneficial in karate, utilizing momentum from form.
3. Active stretching eradicates force and its adverse effects from stretching procedures.
4. Passive (or relaxed) stretching is a form of static stretching in which an external force, like a karate partner, exerts pressure upon the limb to move it into the new position.
5. Static stretching is used to stretch muscles while the body is at rest.
6. PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching is a stretching system that was first used in the 1940s and 1950s to rehabilitate patients with paralysis.
Although stretching may feel uncomfortable for someone just starting to learn karate, persevere and very soon your karate techniques will take on a whole new level and meaning.

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linden_John

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linden_John