A karate uniform is called a "gi." It is important to tie the karate gi belt in the traditional way. The belt represents your rank and standing in the dojo (school). Tying the karate gi belt correctly shows respect for that rank and completes the proper look of the karate uniform. A traditional knot will also remain tied while you perform karate exercises.
Step 1
Check that the size on the karate gi belt matches the size of your karate gi uniform. This is important so that you have enough belt material to tie a complete knot, and have just the right amount left over to hang to the bottom of your karate gi top.
Step 2
Open the karate gi belt up and place the center fold on your abdomen. Make sure that you have the same amount of belt material to your left and to your right.
Step 3
Pull the karate gi belt around your body. Cross the sides around your back making sure to tuck one side under the other. Bring both sides around to the front again.
Step 4
Cross both sides of the belt in front of you. Create an X shape in front of you while pointing the ends of the belt down. The side of the karate gi belt coming from your right hip should be on top.
Step 5
Bring the right side of the belt under. This is the side that is on top of the X shape in front of you. Pull that end underneath the center of the belt that is wrapped around your belly. Make sure that it goes beneath all the belt material and is now pointing up. The left side of the karate gi belt should be facing down.
Step 6
Make another X shape by bringing both sides of the belt together again. The end of the belt sticking up should be on top.
Step 7
Thread the loop with the end of the belt on top. Pull it through then pull on both ends of the belt hard in opposite directions. Don't be afraid to pull the belt hard. This will not tighten the karate gi belt around your waste. It will only make the knot tighter.
Step 8
Check the ends of the karate gi belt. They should be exactly the same length. This is important for a proper look. If one end of the karate gi belt is noticeably longer than the other, you must start over.
Things You'll Need
- karate gi belt
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