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