Karate class - confidence must become as much a habit and skill would flow naturally - these are equally important in a karate school.

In a typical karate class – as a student, you would be known as Karate-ka. In class, you and your fellow students’ will line up in neat rows by rank before performing 'makuso' (seated meditation) – the same routine in other karate school. The aim of practicing meditation in karate class or school is to clear the rigid patterns of thought and confused emotions, which always tend to obstruct the learning and understanding of an opponent.

There is basically two karate style and it is either: Okinawan karate or Japanese karate in a karate class or school. Two different school of thoughts and both schools have seen dramatic changed since its debut.

Karate school

Warm-up session in the karate class or schools will start with the neck, rotating the head, first in one direction and then the other; bending the head sideways, then forward and back and finally twisting it from side to side. Work systematically down through the body, rotating the arms to loosen the shoulders; bending sideways, forward and backward; twisting the trunk; rotating the hips; stretching and spreading the legs; rotating the knees and ankles; and, finally, shaking the limbs loosely in order to relax muscles and joints. Deep breathing may be added at the end of a class.

It is follow-up with basic drills in class with punching bag and focus-pad training targets. Using of this training gear in a karate class can improve power and reaction time. Next you would be as a beginner of the school, you would perform ippon kumite: a one-step drill where you would learn the followings:

• Karate kata of correct posture, fighting stance and body movement. It is also an integral part of any martial art school teaching. Mastering this 3 basic steps together with hand and foot techniques would enable you to blocks any attacks, while at the same time maintain a strong balance and able to move in swiftly to counterattacks.
   
• Karate weapon - the basic weapon of Karate is the fist. The striking area of this basic fist (seiken) consists of the knuckles of the first, second fingers and should be toughened by regular practice with a 'makiwara'. (NOTE: The makiwara should not be use by children as their bones are still developing. Generally, around the age of 16 and teenager can begin this type of training under the supervision of an experienced instructor of the school)
   
• Karate foot - it must be capable of bearing the weight of the body, plus the momentum and shock of the attack, without the loss of balance.

NOTE: wear protective gear for protection during free sparring in a karate class or school. This should include groin cup and mouth guard. Use a canvas, leather or foam-dipped gear designed to protect hand, feet, head, chest and ribs.

Some karate class employs only the training methods that were taught to the teachers by their predecessors. More progressive karate school maintains traditional or classical karate foundations infused with modern training methods.

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Related Articles:
[Karate Class] [Karate Style] [Japanese Karate] [Okinawan Karate]
[Karate Kata] [Karate Foot] [Karate Weapon]