Karate is composed of several basic moves that can be mastered by anyone with a bit of practice. We will concentrate here on the karate moves that you can learn at home, by yourself. Here is a set of two videos showing basic karate moves and techniques that should be useful to you. Remember practice make perfect, do not rush the moves and pay attention to the body position in the videos.
Tuesday
Monday
The Different Styles Of Karate
We often talk about "karate" but did you know there are many different styles of karate? In these series of posts, we will go over the main karate styles and give a brief description of each. It's important you get familiar with the karate culture if you want to be a true student of karate, even if you just want to know how to learn karate by yourself.
Various different styles were created during the XXe century. They are all different, in various aspects: strikes, fighting stance, use of weapons, etc.
The most well known official karate styles are Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Wado-Ryu and Shito-Ryu. But there are many others like Kyokushinkai, Shorin-ryu, Kobudo...
Shotokan is the most widely taught style of karate throughout the world. It was developped from various martial martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi. Shotokan is divided in three parts : Kihon or « foundation », Kumite (combat) and Katas (set of moves).
Shotokan techniques are characterized by wide stances, giving stability and by powerful moves.
The Gojo-ryu style has its origins in the Naha-Te (then Shorei-ryu) of Okinawa and was founded by Chojun Miyagi in 1926. One famous student and master of the style, who did a lot to popularize it, is Gogen Yamaguchi who was nicknamed "the cat".
Strength training and respiratory exercises are two important elements of the style. High stances and palm strike techniques are some of its main characteristics.
Wado-ryu was created in 1939 by Hironori Ohtsuka. Hironori was a master of ju-jitsu when he discovered karate under Gichin Funakoshi.
This style favors flexibility and simplicity. Its stances are higher and its techniques smoother than other styles.
Shito-ryu is a karate style from Okinawa created in 1939 by Kenwa Mabuni. Kenwa was a brillant student of two great masters from the island : Anko Itosu from Shuri-Te and Kanryo Higashionna (or Higaonna) from Naha-Te. This style officialy has 60 katas.
Emphasis is placed on dodging attacks from the opponent. Stances are highly varied: Shiko Dachi, Sanchin Dachi, Neko Ashi Dachi... movements are short, blocking movements are powerful and the styles has a lot of grabbing techniques. Hip movement and positioning is very important in the shito-ryu style.
Various different styles were created during the XXe century. They are all different, in various aspects: strikes, fighting stance, use of weapons, etc.
The most well known official karate styles are Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Wado-Ryu and Shito-Ryu. But there are many others like Kyokushinkai, Shorin-ryu, Kobudo...
Shotokan is the most widely taught style of karate throughout the world. It was developped from various martial martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi. Shotokan is divided in three parts : Kihon or « foundation », Kumite (combat) and Katas (set of moves).
Shotokan techniques are characterized by wide stances, giving stability and by powerful moves.
The Gojo-ryu style has its origins in the Naha-Te (then Shorei-ryu) of Okinawa and was founded by Chojun Miyagi in 1926. One famous student and master of the style, who did a lot to popularize it, is Gogen Yamaguchi who was nicknamed "the cat".
Strength training and respiratory exercises are two important elements of the style. High stances and palm strike techniques are some of its main characteristics.
Wado-ryu was created in 1939 by Hironori Ohtsuka. Hironori was a master of ju-jitsu when he discovered karate under Gichin Funakoshi.
This style favors flexibility and simplicity. Its stances are higher and its techniques smoother than other styles.
Shito-ryu is a karate style from Okinawa created in 1939 by Kenwa Mabuni. Kenwa was a brillant student of two great masters from the island : Anko Itosu from Shuri-Te and Kanryo Higashionna (or Higaonna) from Naha-Te. This style officialy has 60 katas.
Emphasis is placed on dodging attacks from the opponent. Stances are highly varied: Shiko Dachi, Sanchin Dachi, Neko Ashi Dachi... movements are short, blocking movements are powerful and the styles has a lot of grabbing techniques. Hip movement and positioning is very important in the shito-ryu style.
Saturday
Before We Begin: Karate Terminology
Like all disciplines, Karate has its own jargon that you must become familiar with in order to progress rapidly. Before we begin looking at the various karate techniques, it is important that you learn a few words first that you will see appear throughout this blog. Because our focus is on learning karate at home, we will not go over all the terms related to Karate but only over the most important and more common, so let's begin.
First things first, what does karate mean? Karate means "empty hand". Karate-do is used to describe the practice of Karate, Karate-do could be translated by "the way of the empty hand". Karateka designates the practicioner of karate.
A dojo is the place where martial art training takes place. The gi or dogi is the name for the karate uniform. A kata is a set of pre-defined movements used to show technique and mastery. LAst bu not least, sensei is the name used by students to adress their karate master or teacher.
These are just a few essentials words part of the karate "culture" that you must become acquainted with. Each time a new term will be introduced we will give its meaning when relevant, but for now that's enough!
First things first, what does karate mean? Karate means "empty hand". Karate-do is used to describe the practice of Karate, Karate-do could be translated by "the way of the empty hand". Karateka designates the practicioner of karate.
A dojo is the place where martial art training takes place. The gi or dogi is the name for the karate uniform. A kata is a set of pre-defined movements used to show technique and mastery. LAst bu not least, sensei is the name used by students to adress their karate master or teacher.
These are just a few essentials words part of the karate "culture" that you must become acquainted with. Each time a new term will be introduced we will give its meaning when relevant, but for now that's enough!
Thursday
Hi And Welcome To Learn Karate At Home!
Hi there and welcome to Learn Karate At Home. Karate is a fascinating art but people don't always have the opportunity to go to a dojo and learn it, be it for financial reasons or lack of time. If that's your case, don't worry, this blog will try to help you learn karate at home, at your own rythm. From basic moves, to more complicated Katas to self defence, we will try to teach you how to gradually master Karate from the comfort of your home. Hope you stay tuned and see you soon.
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