Home Exercises for Martial Arts -The karate Art

Some aspects of home martial arts training, such as those required to perform a particular technique, are specific to a particular martial arts. Others involving overall physical fitness and endurance are likely to improve performance in most styles. You can target your home workouts to improve both aspects of your training

Establish Goals

Before you start, determine exactly what you want to accomplish during your home workouts. If you want to improve your ability to perform specific martial arts techniques, the best way is to have an expert demonstrate the correct form before you begin to practice it on your own. If that isn’t possible, you could study instructional videos and books. Although these can provide useful information, they cannot provide essential feedback for you. Spending time training with a good coach or teacher is highly recommended for learning proper form and technique as well as the principles behind the art you are studying. For yor home training, determine whether you want to improve your strength, speed, endurance, flexibility or all of them.

Train

Many martial arts, including jujitsu, aikido, judo and hapkido, recognize the importance of learning how to fall safely. If this is one of your goals, obtain a mat or prepare a soft surface on which you can practice falling and rolling safely.
Hard martial arts such as karate and tae kwon emphasize striking techniques. A heavy bag hung from the ceiling or from a tree branch outdoors can be a great asset in the development of your kicking and punching abilities. Practice with a speed bag will increase your hand speed and coordination. Many practitioners find that basic strength training is crucial to their success. Weightlifting workouts targeting both upper and lower body muscles may improve your performance providing you maintain flexibility by stretching regularly.

Practice Breathing

Proper breathing techniques are crucial in the martial arts. Without them, you will quickly tire. Practice efficient, deep breathing by consciously moving your diaphragm in and out. Your abdomen, not your upper chest, should expand with breath in and contract with each breath out. This will bring more air deeper into your lungs. It is more efficient than taking shallow breaths by raising your upper chest. Breathe in when you move and prepare to execute a technique. Practice breathing out when you exert yourself, for example when punching, kicking, or throwing a real or imaginary opponent.

Find Workout Partner

Martial arts are, by definition, activities designed for interactions between people. You can increase your general fitness and improve your technique by practicing alone at home, but eventually you will need to practice your techniques with another person. If you study at a martial arts school or Dojo, you may get enough practice working with others there. If you're training on your own, find someone who shares your interest, even if he or she is not as proficient as you. While far less than ideal, safe, slow motion practice in a controlled manner with someone willing to serve as a stand-in will help you identify problems with your techniques. Remember to always put your partner’s safety first.

SPEED TRAINING FOR MARTIAL ARTS- The Karate Art

Here are some training tips to keep in mind when developing speed in your skills:

1. The skill must be conducive to speed training. 
Most martial arts skills can be done at full speed, either in the air, with a partner or against a target. Gross motor skills are more easily adapted for speed training than precision skills.

2. The skill must be physically sound. 
Do not try to build speed until you have mastered the basic physical model of a skill. If you have to think about the mechanics of performing a skill or you are performing it without the correct bio-mechanical form, your potential for speed development is limited.

3. Relax. 
Speed training requires relaxation from the point of initiation up to the point of impact. At the point of impact, the muscles should briefly tense and then relax again to facilitate quick recovery.

4. Recover.
Recovery between executions is essential for improving speed. If you are training a single skill, like front kick, the recovery between kicks can be brief, up to fifteen seconds. If you are working on combinations, spend a bit more time between repetitions so you do not become fatigued too early.

5. Practice first, practice last.
There are two theories on where in your workout speed training should come. Many experts advise putting speed training early in the workout so you are not fatigued and your muscles are fresh. This is good advice if you are relatively flexible, have good muscular endurance and can relax easily. There are two drawbacks to doing speed training early in a workout: you can become too fatigued to perform well later in the workout and you may be too tense to fully achieve your potential. Practicing speed skills near the end of a workout means your muscles are looser and therefore you may find it easier to relax although you may sacrifice some freshness. Arrange your speed training to suit your performance style.

6. Use low repetitions.
Keep the number of repetitions of each skill low (less than 10) but the quality of each repetition very high. Perform each rep with complete concentration and fully rest between repetitions.

7. Feel the speed. 
As you perform each repetition, you may find that a particularly fast repetition “feels” different from all the others. Try to capture and recreate this feeling, whether it is a feeling of lightness, relaxation, energy, intensity or whatever name you assign to it.

8. Take time off. 
As you practice for speed, you may find that you have hit a speed bump, a pace which you can consistently imitate, but cannot break through. When this happens, it’s time to take a few days to a week off from speed training. Instead of practicing the technique, spend time each day visualizing breaking through the speed bump.

Dynamic-Karate-The art of Karate

                      Basic Karate Moves start with;

1. The correct relationship between the feet and floor. Karate starts from the ground.

2. Use of the ankles, knees, legs and hips to create stable Karate Stances and powerful Karate kicks.

3. The effective use of the upper body; shoulders, back, arms, elbows and hands to produce dynamic Karate Strikes and Karate Blocks.

                          “Basic” Does Not Mean Easy!

If you want to know how to learn Karate take a look, for example, at a perfect golf swing. It looks utterly simple but ask the golfer how she does it and she will tell you, basic practice!

But that's not all...

If you intend to start Karate or are looking for ways to improve what you already know...

                                  ...remember one thing from this Blog...

- Bad Karate = Basic Karate Moves Practiced Incorrectly

- Great Karate = Basic Karate Moves Practiced Correctly

A little more attention to the Karate basics and your Karate will be special.

                     Are Karate Basics the Only Secret?

No. The basics by themselves are not enough. Practice will make perfect only if you practice the right stuff the right way.

What you practice and how you practice are critical to your progress. You can get the ‘what’ anywhere - children’s Karate programs, adult Karate programs, free online Karate lessons. These and thousands of Karate books will all show you what to do..

..very few will tell you in any detail how to actually do it.

                                What are the Basic Karate Moves?

The fundamentals of all Karate styles are: Stances, Strikes, Kicks, Punches and Blocks. Let’s take a look at these - beginning with Karate stances.

                      Karate Stances Dachi Kata

Karate stances are common to all types of Karate and Karate forms. They are far more than the dramatic combat posturesthey appear to be. They keep the body balanced and stable and allow attacks and defences to be made with maximum effect.

The 3 main Karate Stances of Shotokan are;

- Side stance Kiba Dachi

- Back stance Kokutsu Dachi

- Front stance Zenkutsu Dachi

Basic Karate moves become masterful techniques when the position of the feet, knees and hips all come together to create the right base. The move itself will determine which of the Karate stances is best for the situation.

                                Karate Stances – the Big Misconception

The ‘frozen’ leg positions we see in Karate forms known as kata and basic Karate Moves kihon are ‘point in time’ poses. They are simply the best position to perform against an imaginary fixed target not a real moving one!

                                      For maximum effect, Karate strikes should have;

- Correct Tension in the striking surface

- Thrust kime to strike deep and decisively, or

- Use of a fast snappy whip-like action to shock

- Use of the other arm as a counter action

- Straight wrist (usually)

Karate Kids: The Benefits of Martial Arts

With a bloodcurdling cry, your 6-year-old leaps into the air in a karate kick, raising your hair and blood pressure simultaneously. Before you panic and pad the walls, try channeling this urge into a martial arts class.

Activities like tae kwon do, kung fu and aikido are a fun way for both boys and girls to achieve fitness and focus. Some parents may think they also promote violence, but that's a myth, according to experts. The martial arts actually help teach self-discipline and socialization skills. In fact, many parents whose children have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report great success with these programs because self-control and concentration are exactly the skills underdeveloped in ADHD kids.

Progress is often marked by the belt system, which takes the beginner from a white belt through a variety of colors until black. Testing for each new level, generally every three months, is a good exercise in setting and achieving goals.

But, say experts, it's the respect kids learn, whether from bowing or standing still and waiting for the next command, that can be the most important benefit: It often carries over into school, helping to improve behavior and even grades, according to recent research.

"Six is usually a good age to start classes,"

Karate (Japanese)

A system of self-development using kicks and punches. Its quick, sharp actions involve snapping movements of the joints, which means that kids need to warm up carefully.

Tae Kwon Do (Korean)

A form of karate developed as a military art, which has become one of the more popular martial arts in the U.S. It uses kicking and punching movements to energize the body, and breathing and meditation techniques to provide focus.

Judo (Japanese)

Taught as a competitive sport, judo teaches kids how to throw a partner using balance and leverage and helps them learn self-control and respect for their opponent.

Jujitsu (Japanese)

A competitive form of self-defense that teaches students to use their opponent's weight and strength against him. Having a partner fosters cooperation.

Aikido (Japanese)

Uses many of the same movements as jujitsu but is gentler and noncompetitive. It, too, is an excellent discipline for teaching children how to work with a partner.

Kung Fu (Chinese)

A rigorous and physical form of karate that involves more fluid movements than its Japanese cousin, making it easier on joints. It's fast-paced, so kids get an aerobic workout.

T'ai Chi (Chinese)

Focuses on balance, stretching and weight-bearing moves. T'ai Chi is easy on the joints, boosts flexibility and improves concentration skills.

How to Understand Basic Karate- The Art of Karate

The concepts of basic karate explained. This should work with almost any style of karate, because the basic principles are essentially the same.

1) There are many styles of Karate; e.g. traditional and modern (Sport Karate), but many of the basic techniques are the same.

2) Training in Karate generally involves four aspects:

• Kihon (Basic techniques)
• Kata (Form or pattern)
• Bunkai (Study of techniques encoded in kata or "kata application")
• Kumite (Sparring or paired form).

3) In kihon, you learn the Karate way of punching, blocking, kicking and movement. Often you will do drills for your Sensei that may be dull and boring, however you should always try your absolute hardest, sound motivated, get low, and snap out your blocks, punches, and kicks.

4) In kata, you learn to combine the basic techniques in a flowing movement.Each kata is built around a specific fighting strategy for you to understand. Always remember to look where you’re going, and remember what you learned in kihon.

5) In bunkai, you analyze every movement in a given kata and develop possible applications in real combat situations. Bunkai is a transition step to kumite.

6) In kumite, you learn to apply kihon and bunkai in a controlled environment.Kumite is one step towards real combat, in that two practitioners will attempt to perform moves on each other, whether in turns, or in Du Kumite which is another step towards free fighting. Remember to be relaxed, and don’t pay any attention to the size of the person. Pretend you are playing a video game, and don’t be afraid of getting hit. That will happen often.

7) Basic Punches: Karate punches use straight punch technique with a twist of the wrist near the point of impact. Always hit with your first two knuckles, and make sure that your elbow is not locked, because you will overextend it and get hurt. Pull the fist that isn’t punching back to your waist as you punch. This is called ‘Hikite’ and if timed correctly, will help your punch be stronger and sharper.

The deadliest moves in the world of Martial Arts- The art of karate

Be ready for the deadliest moves in Karate  – The Art of Karate

1) Side Kick to Throat
Damage; crushed throat, broken Adam’s apple. Result: attacker will die unless given immediate medical attention.

2) Side Kick to Jaw
Damage: broken jaw, loss of consciousness.Result: attacker will be knocked out for several minutes, require medical attention.

3) Side Kick to Heart
Damage: crushed or cracked chest, broken sternum, possibly stopped heart.Result: attacker will be unable to breathe for several minutes; may die.

4) Side Kick to Back of Head
Damage: broken neck, loss of consciousness. Result: attacker will be knocked out, usually permanently crippled; may die.

5) Roundhouse to Temple (toes directly contact temple)
Damage: cracked skull, nerve damage, blood stoppage to brain.Result:attacker will be knocked out, may go into a fit or delirium.

6) Knee Drop to Heart
Damage: heart will be stopped, rib cage crushed, lungs punctured. Result: attacker will usually die unless given immediate medical help.

7) Stomp to Heart
Damage: stopped heart, cracked or crushed chest, punctured lungs.Result: attacker will usually die unless given immediate medical attention.

8) Stomp to Throat
Damage: crushed throat. Result: attacker will usually die unless given immediate medical attention.

Don’t try these steps.. It may cause harm to you.

The Karate Art- Self defense tips and tricks

Simple self defense tricks

1) To Survive, Accept the Fact That You May Die

Here’s a fact that is useful to remember when someone attacks you: you may get killed and panicking doesn't reduce your chances of getting killed. Accept this fact because it should help you concentrate despite the surge of fear. Many people fear for their lives too much in dangerous situations, that they ultimately fail to save their lives. Rather than vehemently denying and fearing the fact that you could die, accept it. This is the only way to get it out of your mind and think of options before you – options that can save your life.

2) Attack When You’re Being Attacked

Your instincts are made to protect you. There is one instinct though that will most likely lead to your destruction when your attacker is near you: running away. Sure running away helps, but only when your attacker is a good distance away. Rather than retreating, advance. In a typical scenario where your attacker is the one who feels he is the predator and you’re the prey, he doesn't expect you to fight back at all. If you react quick enough, you’ll be able to surprise him and open up opportunities to deliver damage.

3) Kick Only When Necessary

Here’s a tip direct from the dragon himself, Bruce Lee. Kicking is effective only at the right distance. Make sure that your attacker can be reached by your kick before you kick him. Also, always bring your hips with you when you kick. Kicking with your leg alone is not that powerful. According to Lee, it’s also very effective to target the body part that’s nearest to you. Remember that when your attacker gets close to you, he’s not only increasing his chance of hurting you, he’s also increasing his chance of hurting himself. If your attacker steps in your range, kick his body part that’s closest to you (usually his knees).

4)  Everything Can Be a Weapon

Guns, knives, and pepper sprays are not the only weapons available to you. Anything harder than your knuckles and sharper than your fingers is a good weapon. That’s why it’s advisable to always carry something that can serve as a weapon, like an umbrella or a pen. Stones on the ground are also useful, especially if the aggressor is a good distance away. The one rule you should remember is that hard objects should be smashed against bone, while pointed objects stabbed into soft tissue.

5) Aim for All Those Weak Spots

Yes, just like the big boss in any video game, your attacker is full of weak spots however fearsome he might seem. Aim for the following body parts during a fight: eyes, nose, ears, throat, kneecaps, and groin. The groin is the most effective to hit because it sticks out, it’s at the center, and it’s very painful when hit.

Master all these tricks and you can pass up on those Karate lessons your friend recommends to you. Always remember that you’re not a passive target, and you’re equally dangerous as your attacker.

lots more to come