| Contrary to popular opinion, the martial art Karate | | | | defense and offense. |
| was not invented in China. Rather, it has its origins | | | | Some of the important Karate sub-styles are: (i) |
| in the island of Okinawa in Japan. The word | | | | Wado-Ryu style, which combines JiuJitsu |
| "Karate" means the "empty hand" or the "Chinese | | | | movements with Okinawa karate techniques, and |
| hand", and it has been given this name because it | | | | (ii) Uechi-Ryu style, which blends Okinawa Karate |
| involves a rapid use of hands and legs in an | | | | with Chinese martial arts tactics. The Uechi-Ryu |
| extreme close combat. | | | | style appears more Chinese than Japanese though |
| It was sometime in the sixteenth century that | | | | it is a blend of both the cultures. |
| Chinese Kung Fu fighters experimented around | | | | As you know, Karate is a fast-paced martial art |
| with their styles and formulated the "te" technique | | | | that involves electric movements of the hands |
| ("Te" means hand). The art grew in China and | | | | and legs. So, you need to ensure that you are |
| evolved from a very rough and simple fighting | | | | attired in a comfortable Karate uniform. |
| style into a hard, close-combat style. | | | | As Karate involves close combat and can be |
| Around the late nineteenth century, Gichin | | | | lethal, you will also need to protect your head and |
| Funakoshi, a famous martial arts practitioner from | | | | groin by strapping on a head guard and groin |
| Japan, blended new moves into the "Te" style and | | | | protector, respectively. Arm, chest and leg guards |
| displayed his art to the Japanese martial arts | | | | are available too, and so are karate mitts and shin |
| masters in early twentieth century. This was the | | | | protectors. And, of course, mouth guards can be |
| beginning of Karate, as we know it. | | | | considered too, just in case. |
| Karate kicked off with the original Okinawa style; | | | | To train for Karate, you will need jump ropes, |
| later on, the Japanese patented their own styles, | | | | breakable boards, a Karate training board and a |
| which are now appropriately called Japanese styles | | | | Karate training system. To perform Karate |
| of Karate. With time, many karate schools all | | | | exercises, you will need leg and body stretchers, |
| cross the world began naming their Karate after | | | | mats, water training bags, punching bags and |
| their school's or master's name, giving birth to | | | | pull-up and push-up bars. |
| many sub-styles. | | | | And, finally, before you go out there to practice |
| The original style - known as the Okinawa style - | | | | Karate, do not forget to plug in a first aid kit in |
| is a very hard and external style. It employs | | | | your bag. |
| circular means of defense while its attack is linear | | | | Karate not only keeps your body fit, it also |
| in nature. The physical condition is extremely | | | | strengthens your mind and enhances your |
| rigorous, as compared to the Japanese style of | | | | concentration. Only thing, you must learn to |
| Karate. The Japanese style of Karate is more | | | | respect it and practice it seriously as an art. |
| stylistic and its movements are linear in both | | | | |