KARATE

Karate is a martial art developed from indigenous fighting methods from the Ryukyu Islands, Chinese kempo and classical

Japanese martial arts. Karate is characterized by the use of the hips and stances to generate striking power, by the distinctive use of breathing to

focus power, and by the practice of prearranged forms. A karate practitioner is called a Karateka.

Types -
The practice of karate is divided into three elements: kihon (basics), kata (forms) and kumite (sparring). Kihon covers the

training of all the stances, kicks, blocks, strikes, punches and body movements that are used in kata and kumite. Practicing kihon enables one to

gain an understanding of how the body moves in order to generate as much power as possible with the minimum of effort. Kata are the traditional

predetermined forms or patterns of karate. Each Kata teaches various principles of movement and self-defence and exercise for improving

breathing, balance and co-ordination. Kumite is where the techniques practiced in kihon and kata are applied against an opponent.