Karate – The Art of Empty Hand Defense

Karate is a martial art based on the principle of “empty hand defense.” Its techniques focus on balance, timing and precision over brute force. This is why even smaller framed people who know martial arts can strike blows with the same impact as larger people who don’t.

While karate offers physical discipline, it also teaches students to respect others and themselves and to uphold moral principles outside of the karate dojo (training hall). It also helps improve cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, coordination and overall mental well-being. It is also a great stress-reducer and can help teach kids how to control their emotions, stay focused under pressure and defend themselves if necessary.

The term karate is Japanese and it means “empty hand fighting.” It was developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom, influenced by Chinese martial arts (especially Fujian white crane) and by indigenous Okinawan fighting styles. When the Satsuma clan ruled Okinawa in the late 1700s early 1800s, martial arts became more formalized. Gichin Funakoshi is credited with systematizing and promoting karate worldwide.

The karate system includes kihon (basics) training in unison by a group of karateka and prearranged drills called kata that are based on idealized combat applications. Various karate styles differ in their emphasis on kata, and each style has a different set of stances, strikes, blocks and kicks. Karatekas train barefoot and earn belts to indicate their level of proficiency in the art. Competitions are held from local to international levels in kata, sparring and weapon demonstration.