Karate is a science and philosophy of fighting which has developed over the centuries in the Orient and now popular in Japan. During the past few years, it has spread from Japan to the United States and Europe, where it is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the world's most effective means of self-defense. Karate is a way of life, the purpose of which is to enable men and women to realize their full potential, both physical and spiritual. If the spiritual side of karate is ignored, its physical aspect is meaningless. The ultimate purpose of karate is to develop human character rather than merely strengthen human beings against physical enemies. Karate does promote confidence, courage, and other qualities. Karate properly viewed, is a way of perfecting your character. Man has developed ways of combat with his hands, feet, and head as a means of staying alive. These primitive fighting techniques gave birth to a more advanced martial arts, in which special techniques evolved for the hands, the feet and the head. The human body has five main movable parts, the arms the legs and the head, there are only five types of techniques. This is the case with modern jujutsu, kendo and karate.
Dividing the three major karate technique classifications in half there are six techniques which are the real karate fundamentals from which karate masters have developed and devised various other techniques. The six techniques are throwing, thrusting, striking, kicking, blocking and covering. Karate techniques aim to concentrate as much bodily strength as possible at the points of contact with the opponent's body. These points could be almost any part of the body- the knees, the head, the elbows and shoulders. These are the karate weapons. The distinctive feature of karate preparatory calisthenics is that they are all aimed at strengthening or limbering the joints. It is essential to follow a basic calisthenics routine daily. The true master of martial arts is the man who is able to forget himself in his desire to help others .This is the real meaning and philosophy of martial arts.
Correct karate is a martial art. It is the way of karate, and it shares the common aim with judo, kendo and aikido. Karate as the original martial art, through physical and spiritual training and discipline, makes the impossible possible, and helps one in pursuing the aim of life. Physical and psychological training are very demanding. Karate is a method of unifying body and spirit and making human life broader and deeper. Karate, like any other art, requires time. Since Gichin Funakoshi introduced karate over forty-five years ago, the number of people practicing karate is over 500,000
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