1. Maintain Balance
For thousands of years, the martial arts practice of karate has evolved with each new generation of practitioners. Karate is a physical sport that involves both self defense and combat. But it also encompasses spiritual practices that transcend the body and the fight. Though Karate teaches the art of striking, jabbing and kicking, it also includes restraints and escape techniques. The combatant's primary goal always is to overcome his competitor or enemy as quickly as possible. Karate is not an aggressive sport; it's used deflect physical harm so you can maintain balance with the universe.
2. Use It Daily
Karate restraint techniques can be applied in many everyday situations. The techniques to hold the attacker by applying pressure to key point along the joints in the neck, arms or legs, can be used by law enforcements professionals, doormen, bouncers and anyone else who deals with the public. The ability to restrain an unruly patron or criminal might in itself be well worth the Karate training.
3. Know Your Strength
A skilled Karate expert can fatally wound another person once she masters the jabbing and kicking techniques. Knowing his own strength, the Karate practitioner must be in control of her anger and only use the dangerous applications of her art when absolutely necessary. Restraints are some of the first moves learned in Karate. Mental stability is second, and the physically harmful moves are the final phase.
4. Learn the Body
The Karate student will learn the weak spots in the human body so that he knows just the right spots to hold. Restraints can be done after an opponent is taken down with a throw or a sweep, or while the attacker is still standing. A very common restraint is to grab the wrist of the opponent and swing him around so his arms are behind his back. A chokehold that does not cut off air circulation, but does prevent the attacker from moving is another common restraint hold. The best holds are those that are not harmful unless the attacker tries to move, because they are effective but not offensive.
5. Mix it Up
Although many of the techniques learned by Karate students can be taken to the ring of an extreme fighting match, the basic tenets of the art do not support fighting for prizes or prestige. Instead, the ancient martial art is more focused on inner-balance and self defense. A true Karate devotee would rather run from a street fight than show off his abilities. Once engaged, the Karate expert will take down the opponents and leave. Often the restraint moves allow the Karate practitioner to hold off further fighting until the police can take the attacker away.
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