Karate is a martial art first developed in Okinawa, Japan. It was introduced in a period when Okinawans were barred from owning weapons, leading them to learn how to defend themselves with their bodies. The term 'karate' means empty hand ('kara' – empty; 'te' – hand), and the practice has evolved greatly over the years. There are dozens of styles being taught at MMA and karate training classes around the world, and within those styles are many variations. Let's take a quick look at four Read more [...]

Before selecting a karate school for your child, make sure you know and understand which form of karate you’re enrolling him/her into. Generally speaking, there are two different types of karate classes, traditional karate and sport karate. Both types involve learning fighting techniques, but they differ in many other aspects. Traditional karate emphasizes self-development (budo), whereas sport karate emphasizes exercise and competition. Here are the key differences between the two. History Read more [...]