We practice traditional karate, the way the old masters wanted it done, not the westernized way. Most clubs follow the western way, although they say it's traditional karate, most of them don't really know the difference (example - they will not be able to tell you why a kata is done a certain way and what the moves mean)
With the tremendous growth of karate throughout the world, there are ample bona fide clubs in which you can study the art of karate. It is of the utmost importance however, that you check the credentials of the instructor and the club teaching methods, and to which organization it is affiliated, in order to establish a good future pattern in development in karate. Most countries have a karate union or association, supervening national activities. It is a good idea to check with such a federation about the club you are thinking of joining.
How do you find out which club to join? The following points are quite important when looking for a karate club.
Find out about their qualifications. He/she should at least have a black belt.
How long the instructor is been doing karate? To be able to pass on the knowledge of karate satisfactory, the person must have at least 4-5 years of full time karate training. This is how long it takes to qualify for your black belt if you train regularly.
What track record do they have. Are their students able to defend themselves when needed. If the answer is yes, can they proof it?
Is the club affiliated (registered) to the province? If your karate club is not affiliated to the province, it is the same as going to a school that is not recognized by the education department, you will not be able to partake in any karate activities in the province, the country or even internationally. You or your child are being denied opportunities of success and proper development in karate.
Do they enter tournaments. If not, why not? You and /or your children deserve the opportunity to achieve medals and/or provincial and even national.
The movements and techniques you learn in karate are quite graceful and beautiful. Some aspects look like boxing while other parts of karate resemble dance or ballet (kata). You will find karate challenging, but fun.
In karate, you need to do the moves correctly to be effective. You need to strengthen your body to enable you to develop the ability to absorb or deflect blows that might come your way.
Some questions are asked about some of the training methods used in traditional karate.
1. Most of the students do their push-ups on their knuckles will this affect the form of their hands?
No, you will not develop big ugly knobs on your hands. To punch correctly, you use the two "inside" knuckles with a straight wrist. Punch any other way and you will hurt or break your wrist badly. The push-ups are done on these two knuckles to strengthen the wrists and to become accustomed to be able to punch without breaking or tearing skin.
2. Sometimes contact is allowed when doing free fighting. We get hurt.
We do not tolerate bullying or uncontrolled aggression and allows gentler students to grow to their full potential, whilst the more powerful students are taught to control and direct their strength. Some contact to the body is allowed to teach you instinct to harden your muscles when a blow might be delivered and to be able to take some blows without crumbling into a shivering heap. When you are attacked by a criminal or the school bully he is not going to go easy on you because you might get hurt.
3. Sometimes the moves are repeated over and over again and the sensei (teacher) is strict on the way the moves are done.
To be able to defend yourself effectively, you need to do and understand karate properly. If you want to enter tournaments (especially kata) you have to move perfectly and well co-ordinated, and by repetition, only these moves are perfected. If the sensei do not teach you the right way, look for another sensei, you are wasting your money, time and in time your enthusiasm as well.
4. My friend has been doing karate for 6 months and already has a green belt.
Your friend should look for another school, you only become competent and understand the moves for the next grade after 25-30 training sessions of an hour each. It makes the school look good if the students progress so fast, the parents of the kids are happy as they see their child passing and progressing so fast, but ask yourself, what can my child or my friend do if they need to use their hands and feet to protect themselves, will they be able to? These students will also not do well in provincial and national tournaments.
By Shihan Bhasker Sinouvassane.
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