Goju-ryu is a form of karate that originated in Okinawa. It was founded in the early 20th century by Chojun Miyagi, an Okinawan martial artist who began his studies in Okinawa and traveled to China, which is the source of many Okinawan arts,...
Karate is divided into at least nine distinct styles, passed down from master to student or, often, one generation of family to the next. While there are several Japanese karate styles, all karate traces its roots back to Okinawa, and some martial...
The side kick is one of the strongest kicks in karate, according to the website of the Okinawan Karate-Do Institute. Due to its effectiveness, the side kick is taught in many styles of martial arts. The quick, thrusting motion of this technique...
Shotokan is a style of Japanese karate created by Gichin Funakoshi when he brought karate from Okinawa to Japan in the 1920s. (Okinawa is a prefecture of Japan but has a distinct cultural identity.) Funakoshi kept a number of the traditional...
Over time, different cultures developed individual fighting styles based on their history. From the empty-hand strikes and farming utensil weapons of karate to the grappling style of jiu-jitsu, the character of a martial art tells a lot about the...
Many people are confused about the terms "karate" and "kung fu," treating them as synonyms or simply not understanding the difference between these systems. Neither term actually refers to a single martial art; both words are blanket terms for a...
The martial art of karate is a comprehensive fighting system developed in ancient Japan. While most "karateka" learn the art in a dojo under the instruction of a sensei, the Internet has made it possible for people to advance in the techniques and...
Karate participants have various reasons for joining a karate class. Some may be there for physical fitness. Others may want to perfect the ancient art of the karate kata. If you are instructing a karate class, your objective is to help your...
The tonfa, also known as the tuifa or tong fa is a martial arts weapon. Though its origin is not known, it has a long history as a tool and a weapon. Today tonfas are used in conjunction with karate, usually in pairs.
Wushu and karate are both Asian martial arts. Both have roots in ancient Chinese martial arts. Both employ kicks and punches, and both train using choreographed fighting forms. That, however, is where the similarity stops. Nobody watching the two...
Shotokan karate is one of the four Japanese schools of karate and it is a martial art that dates back hundreds of years. Characterized by deep stances and linear movements, Shotokan varies from the more circular and flowing styles of older...
Japanese culture has given rise to a wide variety of fighting styles. While some of these fighting styles remain largely Japanese, martial artists worldwide have adopted many of them; one is an official Olympic sport. The practices embrace...
Although the roots of Japanese martial arts can be traced back to China, Japan has developed its own distinct fighting styles. From grappling to swordsmanship, each style generally has its own focus. Japanese martial arts have stood the test of...
Karate weapons have an interesting history, as does the martial art itself. Okinawa banned the Chinese and Japanese from possessing any weapons during a long period of oppression. However, humans are tool-makers and the people learned that they...
The Japanese martial art Wado-Ryu, meaning "way of peace" or "way of harmony," is a form of karate that favors peaceful resolution over fighting. Wado-Ryu, like other forms of karate, teaches the skill of fighting with the hands, rather than with...
Modern combat training integrates many traditional martial arts, such as Okinawan karate, muay thai kickboxing and Chinese wushu, creating different philosophies and approaches to self-defense. Regardless of the style, all martial artists need a...
Kyokushin is a style of karate created by Masatatsu Oyama. Kyokushin karate is known for its emphasis on mental and physical toughness and for its grueling, full-contact training methods. This style does use the traditional kata, or forms of...
When you drive along Cooper Street in either direction in Arlington, Texas, you are most likely to see a variety of fitness facilities. Whether you are looking for a neighborhood, chain or a specialized fitness class, Arlington offers diverse...
The Korean martial art of taekwondo is the most widely practiced martial art in the world. According to the International Olympic Committee, more students study taekwondo under the auspices of the World Taekwondo Federation than any other...
Centuries ago, people from the Okinowan Islands incorporated traditional Chinese Shaolin fighting techniques, along with local innovations, into a martial arts style dubbed karate. Karate, which means "empty hands" in Japanese, traditionally did...
The modern grading system in karate uses different colors and grades of belts to signify the skill level of the person wearing the belt. The color of the belt allows other students to know the skill level of other students so students can pick...
If you've studied karate, you might have heard of sanchin, a form of training that helps the practitioner build strength and flexibility. Originating in China, where qigong breath work is a primary focus of both martial arts and traditional...
In the martial arts, different colored belts are worn by students to signify their level of knowledge and skill. In 1964, the Federation of All-Japan Karatedo Organizations, or FAJKO, attempted to unify the varied belt ranking systems that had...
Budokon exercises combine yoga- and martial arts-inspired exercises. Bodokon draws from Okinawan Karate-Do, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Olympic Style Tae Kwon Do, Ashtanga yoga and Iyengar yoga, according to Budokon.com. These exercises burn calories,...
Some of today’s traditional martial arts weapons were developed on the island of Okinawa in the 1600s. During that time period, the Japanese government had banned the use of weapons in Okinawa. In order to protect themselves, Okinawans...
Shohei Ryu is a style of karate that branched off from Uechi Ryu, incorporating many of its kata or technical forms. Like its parent style of Uechi Ryu, Shohei Ryu is essentially an Okinawan or Japanese interpretation of the Chinese kung fu style...
Hard styles of martial arts tend to meet an attacker's force with an opposing force. Soft styles usually redirect an opponent's force and use it against him. Goju-ryu, which is Japanese for "hard-soft style," is a traditional martial art that...
The use of vital point striking to incapacitate an opponent is one of the attractions of the martial fighting arts. The idea that a single blow to a secret point will drop an opponent instantly is appealing. While the rise of mixed-martial arts...
The traditional martial arts all draw from a limited pool of techniques. Most arts use some kind of striking with either feet or hands. Most have ways to uproot an opponent and knock him over. Some use traditional weapons while others teach...
