The Karate Do

 

It is a Japanese Martial Art that combines different defensive and offensive fighting techniques.

 

Karate Do is a Japanese term made up of 3 “ideograms”.

 

Kara (Empty) - TE (Hand) - Do (The Way)

 

Combining the three ideograms it becomes "The Way of Karate"

                                                                            

In summary, we could define that the meaning of Karate Do is: "The path of one's knowledge through the practice of Karate"

 

Karate Do generally considers physical confrontation justifiable only as a means of defense, numerous systems have been founded, spread or practiced by various types of MONKS.

Japanese styles, when concerned with the non-physical qualities of combat, are strongly influenced by the ZEN philosophy.

 

For example, Karate Do can have a strong philosophical connotation on the flow of Energy and on the emergence of Peace, it can for example have both a strong philosophical connotation on the flow of Energy and a Spiritual one, in fact a recurring theme is the value of "Peace inner" in a practitioner, attainable only through individual meditation and training.

   

Anyone who has never approached a martial art hardly understands what Karate Do is and it couldn't be otherwise, I myself, despite a constant practice that has lasted for years now, have only understood some aspects.

 

Karate Do is the martial art whose objective is the physical and inner improvement of the practitioner, as well as effective self-defense. The aim is pursued with the study and application of combat techniques: parries, kicks, punches, various techniques with the hands, knees, elbows, etc. as well as various techniques and variants of unbalancing the opponent, strategies, changes of position and direction, are repeated seeking perfection in form and effectiveness.

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The dangerousness of a real fight is known to the karateka and for this reason the expert practitioner tries to manage a possible fight with the minimum number of techniques, preferably avoiding the fight itself, a single blow must be sufficient to remove the opponent's intention to fight. harm.

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In the Shotokan Style of Karate Do, the techniques are very rapid.

There are various types of very specific positions, adaptable to the circumstances of the practitioner and the situation, they tend to be learned by seeking a compression towards the ground. This allows you to develop a push in various directions with quick and whipping movements using the correct execution energy.

The blocking techniques are thought to be strong enough to cause pain to the opponent, dissuading him from the intention of a possible next attack.

Should this intention fail, being able to deflect a blow while allowing a counterattack as devastating as possible following the theoretical concept of the "single and definitive blow".

 

The Way of Karate-do is realized over time, according to individual natural rhythms, assimilating and maturing knowledge concerning the aspect:

 

Technical: in knowing how to use the various techniques for defense / attack and how to use them in different situations. Technical knowledge is acquired through continuous and methodical exercise, and it is necessary to learn some fundamental elements: the free movement of the body, precision, power, distance, time, rhythm, etc.

 

Inner: in being able to overcome one's weaknesses, in acquiring self-control of one's emotions and entering into harmony with oneself, so that the body and spirit become one.

 

Physical: in knowing how to use one's body even with the knowledge of elements of anatomy and physics. The exact use of the limbs, the right contraction and relaxation of the muscles, as well as the balance that make the movements faster.

 

These elements are present in the three inseparable aspects of Karate:

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KIHON = learning the basic fundamental techniques.

KATA = fight against imaginary opponents formed by techniques for defense and attack, in a pre-established order, conceived and elaborated by ancient Masters.

KUMITE = application of learned techniques against real opponents: it's real combat.

 

Although it is also possible to explain how the various techniques are to be performed, it is essential to study them with one's body to receive both the benefits and those unique sensations that only by experiencing the experience could we intuit and understand their profound meaning.