"How important is age?"

In a nutshell, age is extremely important. A child who cannot handle being in kindergarten, or pre-school, will not be able to concentrate in a martial arts class. Before five years of age, any child who can focus in a martial arts class is exceptional.

We have successfully trained a few children who were, or are, four years of age. I don't want to turn away the next Bruce Lee or Mozart, when he or she comes along, but there are a few factors to consider when a child is very young.

1. Can he or she let go of a parent's hand and work independently, in a classroom setting? This is very important, unless you can find a martial arts teacher that will teach parent and child, together, in the same classroom.

2. What are your true goals? When a parent has a lot of patience, it is much easier to accomplish realistic goals of focusing in a classroom, improved motor skills, and enhanced athletic abilities. However, instant success and precision performance are not likely. In many cases, young karate students tend to "shine" around seven years of age or older, so why put your child under pressure?

3. How much of a distraction is a young child going to be in a karate class? If your child is used to being the center of attention, this won't work in a martial arts class. Time is shared with other students, and the objective is to learn everything in the daily lesson plan. This cannot be accomplished if a child is screaming for attention.

Within our Karate studio, in North Providence, we have a no pressure screening process for young children, as a measure, to see if joining our kids Karate classes will be a good relationship for the parents, child, and the Karate studio. This is why we have a free 30-day trial membership, with no obligations on either side.

As a parent, you want your child to get the optimum martial arts experience every time they train. This can only happen if the martial arts school establishes clear guidelines for conduct and if all the children participating are "team players."

Otherwise, parents do not get their money's worth and children waste time in a Karate class, while the child who gets the most attention is a discipline problem.

Within a child's mind, being responsible for his or her actions is a matter of developing awareness, and everything is a new experience. As adults, we know that this knowledge comes with age, but each individual child grows at a different rate. Children are not "little adults," and we cannot place adult expectations upon them.

If you put children into extremely high-pressure situations, they will not continue to enjoy the activity. Whether it is martial arts, academic school, or little league baseball, it is healthy for parents and children to have goals, but we all have to learn to accept life's little setbacks without worry.

© Copyright 2005 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications



By: Paul M. Jerard Jr.

About the Author:

History of Wado Karate

In 1934 Master Hironori Ohtsuka founded the traditional Japanese Karate style called Wado-Ryu Karate – which translates to “way of peace” or “way of harmony”. Master Ohtsuka believed that “violent actions may be understood as the way of martial arts, but the true meaning of martial arts is to seek and attain the way of peace and harmony.”

Considered as a pioneer of the martial arts due to his dedicated training and innovative ideas, Otsuka Sensei began his martial arts career in Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu, and than trained under the personal guidance of Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi – who is sometimes recognized as the Father of Karate.

After years of training and studying, Ohtsuka Sensei decided to create his own Karate style by combining the two arts and creating “Wado” – a fluid, yet powerful martial art.

By 1938 Wado-Ryu was officially registered and later recognized by the Japan Martial Arts Federation as “traditional” Karate – 1 of 4 styles in Japan that had been awarded this status.



What you will learn

Most Wado Karate schools are very traditional due to its roots and history. This is a great environment to learn in because the student will experience the true essence of Wado. However, some creative Wado-Ryu instructors have incorporated modern training and teaching techniques to accommodate a larger student base.

Classes will consist of Karate basics such as punches, kicks, blocks, and strikes – including several stances to build strength in the legs, develop coordination, and improve balance. Along with these basic techniques, students will learn how to refine their timing by performing reaction drills and combining them with kicks and punches. This teaches the student how to counter and/or evade an attacker.

In addition, another focus in Wado Karate classes are katas – detailed choreographed patterns of stances combined with basic Karate techniques. To some practitioners, this is considered as the foundation of Wado, since Otsuka Sensei spent countless hours perfecting katas.

Once you become a Black Belt in Wado, students will also learn Kihons – choreographed Karate techniques, however performed with a partner. The attacker has certain punches, kicks, and strikes to deliver, while the defender has to execute precise blocks, evasions, and counters. This is where Wado really differentiates itself from other styles because it uses the hips and body to evade attackers, along with their energy, and counter with strikes, throws and/or locks.

Your First Day

As I mentioned, Wado Karate can be a very traditional martial art, so your first class will probably cover some of the traditions of Karate. For example, you will learn that you need to bow at the dojo (training) floor before entering or leaving, as well as bow to other Black Belts that enter or leave the dojo floor because this shows respect.

More than likely you will be in a class that includes other beginners of the same age. In these classes they will teach you how to punch, kick, and block correctly, and demonstrate which part of the body you want to use when executing these techniques. They may also teach you some very basic stances so you understand how to perform them later in your katas.



Required Equipment

The only real equipment you will need is a Gi and Obi (uniform and belt). Anything else is simply considered additional curriculum to a Wado Karate schools program. Many schools teach controlled free-style sparring, therefore will require you to purchase protective gear such as a helmet, hand and feet pads, chest protector, mouth piece, and groin protector for guys. Other schools may also teach you how to use a weapon. Traditionally, Wado-Ryu does not have a weapon in their art, as it is an empty hand style, however the instructor may have learned it somewhere else and decided to include this in their curriculum.

Expected Costs

The cost of training in Wado-Ryu can vary, so there is no definitive answer. And, it depends on the school’s curriculum, since some studios may have mandatory purchases such as sparring equipment or training videos. I suggest you ask the instructor what are the required purchases in order to train at their school so you can budget accordingly.



By: Javier Lozano, Jr.

About the Author:

"Hey. Wait a minute! I only just started Karate and now you're talking to me about quitting already. What do you think I am - an undisciplined, unmotivated loser or what?"

OK, maybe you're right, maybe I shouldn't talk to you about quitting yet but I think there are some valuable lessons to be learned from the beginning about the different reasons why people quit karate. By knowing this you will know which pitfalls to avoid.

There are some common reasons for quitting karate that are often beyond our control such as lack of money, moving out of the area, illness or injury, change in family circumstances, the death of a loved one, and other unfortunate circumstances. Although all of these are valid reasons I will list in this short article the reasons that are within our control.

Here are some of the most common reasons in no particular order.

· Loss of interest

· Failure on a promotion test

· Disagreements with fellow members and/or instructor

· The curriculum is too hard or too easy

· Feeling like you're not getting it

· Feeling intimidated and overwhelmed

· Not getting out of it what you want

· Conflict of values

· Karate is not what you thought it would be

· Negatively comparing yourself to others

· Worried about injury

· Lack of control shown by fellow members when sparring

As always there are many more reasons why people quit karate and the list could go on but above are some of the more common reasons. I would venture to say that many of these reasons are self-made and are fear-based. If you are looking to get started in the martial arts then you might want to take a moment for some honest introspection and ask yourself if you are likely to quit for any of the above reasons.

If you are, then it will be even more important that you do your research beforehand and find a school that matches your goals and your values. When you do this, you increase your commitment by the intensity of your preparation, and you help write an insurance policy on your success.

Remember, success comes from preparation, and this is certainly an important element in that preparation that sends a loud clear signal to your subconscious mind that you are out to do your very best in this endeavor.

My own instructor once told me, "Never be afraid of failure if you try your best". If you follow this advice then quitting the martial arts probably won't be a viable option, and as the old saying states so clearly, "Quitters never win, and winners never quit."

If you want some more tips on how to make a successful start in your karate practice then check out my FREE Report "Karate for Newcomers: How To Find Out Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Karate Practice". You will find out how to download it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com.

Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate.



By: Paul A. Walker

About the Author:

I'm often asked the question "Which is better, Karate or Taekwondo?"; "Which is stronger, Judo or Kung Fu?"; or more direct questions such as "Could you beat a Mixed Martial artist in a fight?"

Thanks to the current popularity of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) we are seeing a showcase of different styles being pitted against one another. However my answer to all of these questions has to do with the many different paths that are available in the martial arts, and the one common destination.

Before I elaborate on what that actually means let me first give you a situation. You are standing outside your local shopping mall and you want to get home. How many ways could you do it? Well you would normally drive, either in your car or someone else's but you could also take the bus, ride a bike, walk or even hitchhike. Which way is best?

Of course most of you will tell me to drive. It's quicker, you don't have to pay for a bus, you have control of your trip and you don't have to use much energy. But are any of the other methods any less valid? You still reach your objective, and that is to get home. Granted it takes longer but maybe you learn something along the way that could be valuable for the rest of your life; or maybe you just have a miserable journey and wish you had driven!

Different martial arts are very similar to that. Some of them are like riding your bike. You get some exercise without straining yourself too much, but it takes a little bit longer than you wanted to get to your destination, others are like walking the whole way - it takes hours to get there but you see all kinds of sights on the way and learn a lot. However, you have to decide whether the time it took was worth the effort. Then finally you have the quick option to get in your car and drive in order to get there quickly. Some martial arts offer you this too but you have to ask yourself if you were even looking at and enjoying the sights along the way, much less learning something.

So which is better, Karate or Taekwondo? Which is stronger, Judo or Kung Fu? I have an answer and here it is!

No one martial art is better than another, yet at the same time all martial arts have something that is better than the others, and ultimately the choice one makes as to which martial art to study comes down to personal preference.

Let me give you some concrete examples of what I mean by this answer. Firstly consider a 250-pound muscular, well proportioned man being pitted against a 150-pound toned guy of equal technical ability in a wrestling match. There is no doubt in my mind that the bigger guy will win 9 times out of 10 because of his sheer size and strength. There is a lot of skill involved in wrestling and that is why I said they have the same technical ability. But wrestling generally favors the bigger fighter.

So let's put these same fighters in a Karate tournament where the goal is not to pin your opponent into submission but to score points through quick, powerful and focused techniques. The small guy now doesn't have to worry about being smothered, he just has to worry about whether he is fast enough to get in and out of the big man's guard and score the point. The chances for each fighter winning are a little more even in this match.

Now let's make the small guy a ju-jitsu expert who understands wrist locks, arm locks and pressure points and let's make the big guy a lumbering yet strong oaf. I would almost guarantee that the ju-jitsu guy would win this fight in spite of the seeming size disadvantage.

I hope that you've understood what I'm trying to say in this brief article. The point I'm making is that the question of whether one art is better than another does not depend on the art itself, but rather on the person who is studying that art. If the art is suited to the practitioner, then the martial artist will ultimately become very skillful and very accomplished. On the other hand, if the martial artist can't kick, yet chooses Taekwondo as his style he will have a very hard time!

So which martial art is the best? In the end it simply depends on you and what your specific skills and talents are! It would probably be better to ask which martial art would suit you best, and how can you find this information? I can help you here by offering to help you by offering the additional information in my FREE Report "Beginners Guide to Karate". You will find out how to download it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com

Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate.

I hope you take me up on this offer and save yourself a lot of wasted time and effort in choosing the right martial art.



By: Paul A. Walker

About the Author:

So you got your kid enrolled in your local martial arts school, congratulations! This is the first step to a rewarding journey for both you and her. You probably have a few worries about what lies ahead but at the same time you're probably really excited to see your child get into the martial arts. So what equipment, uniform and gear do you need to buy for the first class — and how much should it cost?

One of the great things about the martial arts is that it doesn't cost much to get started compared to other activities. For example a set of good golf clubs can cost as much as $1000 or more. Starting soccer can lead to multiple purchases of a soccer shirt and shorts, socks and cleats, shin pads and of course a good soccer ball. Baseball and football have similar requirements. Dance and ballet can also become quite expensive with all of the different costumes and outfits for the various recitals. You want your child to look good of course so you're willing to buy whatever is necessary. But you don't know much about karate.

Initially for martial arts training you only need a uniform (often called a gi) and that's it. Of course there are other things you could buy such as a gear bag or a club T-shirt but essentially your only piece of equipment to get started is a uniform. A basic uniform should cost around $30 to $40 and sometimes, depending on the school, your first uniform is given to you FREE as a bonus for signing up for the initial program.

"OK, this sounds good. All I need is a uniform for $30 and I might even get it for free. This is a great deal, what am I missing here? What lies ahead that will affect my pocketbook?"

Well, you're right to be a little skeptical but honestly you don't need much money for karate equipment. Your biggest ongoing expense will be the cost of your tuition which is currently (as of January 2008) at an average of around $100 to $120 per month for a twice a week program. Community center programs are obviously cheaper and large schools that are located on busy streets in nice areas are obviously higher because they have to be to keep their doors open.

Concerning the equipment, these are the items that you will need to purchase as your child progresses through the ranks to black belt:

· Better quality uniforms (these can range from $60 for a mid-level uniform, to $100 for a good uniform, and all the way up to $200 for a top of the line uniform - your instructor should offer a good selection to fit the different budgets)

· Sparring gear - your child will need hand pads and shin & instep pads, and in all probability a gum shield and some headgear. All of this should cost you $100 or less depending on the quality of gear you buy. Often your instructor will offer the whole package for a discount and you should definitely take advantage of this to save a bit of money.

· Training gear - Martial arts requires a lot of practice and your child will probably need to practice at home as well as in class. To facilitate this you may need to buy some focus targets or a kick bag (either a hanging bag or a free-standing bag). These targets usually begin at around $20 for the basics, and a good kick bag will cost a little over $100. However be warned you could easily spend up to $500 on this type of equipment depending on how much your budget is, because there are all kinds of really cool training gear available.

· Weapons - Depending on your school, there may be a weapons requirement and again this will be an additional expense. Basic weapons don't cost very much however and you probably won't have to put out any more than about $20 per weapon just to be able to participate in the class. As usual of course there are multiple upgrade options and if your child wants to enter into tournaments then a better quality weapon will be required.

· Instructional support resources - Many schools offer books and DVDs for curriculum support and although these items are yet another expense they are a one-time investment that can be tremendously beneficial to your child's ultimate progress and development. These tools will help your child practice at home and can also provide you, as the parent, with the means to offer support and help to your child as she progresses through the ranks. The cost of these resources will vary based on the different curriculum that is being studied but very often there are some excellent resources to be found online, on your club website or on other style specific websites. Be sure to do your research in addition to purchasing the necessary content support.

All in all the gear, equipment and uniform cost of practicing martial arts is minimal because in most cases all you need for the first couple of years is a uniform (or two), some sparring gear, some basic training gear for practice at home, an occasional weapon, and some instructional DVDs or books to take your child's understanding to the next level. The estimated cost of all of this equipment is about $400 to $500 over a period of two years to fulfill the minimum requirements. If you break this down on a per month basis then you are looking at less than $20 per month on average for basic equipment costs for the first few of years of training.

The truth of the matter is that like every good parent you will probably spend more because you will want to buy your child some T-shirts and clothing, a gear bag, additional equipment and so on. But these things will still be considerably less than that set of golf clubs! And what's more, you can use these items as valuable incentives for your child as they successfully make it through the ranks of their training.

If you need more help with this or any other karate subject, please be sure to download my FREE Report "Beginners Guide to Karate". You will find out how to download it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com/

Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate.



By: Paul A. Walker

About the Author:

History:

Shotokan is both a young and an ancient martial art. It is ancient because its roots are deeply entrenched in the past, and young because, as it is expressed today, it is an art that is less than a 100 years old. Shotokan is characterised by its long and low stances, its powerful techniques and its dynamic forms.

The founder of Shotokan, Gichin Funakoshi, was an Okinawan. He trained in the oldest of the Okinawan te (hand) systems as a young man and in the early 20th century brought what he had learned in the island of Okinawa to mainland Japan, where he demonstrated his art before the Emperor. He originally intended to return to Okinawa but was persuaded to to remain and continue teaching in Japan. Funakoshi's pen name was Shoto (waving pines) and kan (hall). Hence Shotokan can be translated to mean "Shoto's hall of the way of the empty hand".

While Funakoshi was the originator of Shotokan, it was really his son, Yoshitaka Funakoshi, who developed it into the form we know today. It rapidly grew in popularity, supported, encouraged and regulated by the powerful Japan Karate Association. Before long, it was to be found all over the world.

Triads:

Shotokan is built on what are known as triads, which are both real organisations and metaphors for something much deeper within the human psyche. There exists the physical triad of kihon (basics), kumite (sparring) and kata (forms), which require dedicated training and the constant perfecting of technique. This is followed by the moral triad of justice, mercy and compassion and finally by the ethical triad of duty, honour and loyalty.

If we put all of the 9 triad principles together (9 symbolises perfection) we achieve the whole, rounded person. When these principles are practised in a martial art, they illustrate one of the fundamental concepts of Shotokan, as advocated by the founder, Gichin Funakoshi. His aim was to focus on the development of the human character as a whole being, rather than on winning and losing.

Significance:

While Shotokan is a wonderful form of relaxation or sport for many people, for those who practise it seriously it has a much deeper and wider significance. This deeper realisation, however, can only come after years of dedicated practice. While this is a dimension of the art that emerges rather slowly, Shotokan can still be enjoyed at all levels by hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world.



By: Thanaseelan

About the Author:

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity and ratings over the past couple of years. Love it or hate it, it looks like the UFC is here to stay. Consequently many men in the 18 - 34 demographic are becoming more interested in the martial arts.

After watching great strikers such as Chuck Liddell, Anderson Silva and Houston Alexander and watching the incredible grappling and wrestling skills of Randy Couture, Matt Hughes and BJ Penn, many martial artists are asking themselves the question "Will my martial art get me to the UFC?"

The answer to this question is very simple.

No, your martial art will not get you to the UFC! Make that a maybe, instead of a definite no.

OK, I can already tell that some of you may be shocked at that one line put down of you, your chosen martial art and your UFC aspirations. After all I don't know anything about you but let me expand on my answer so you know where I'm coming from.

First of all, it is important to understand that no one style has all of the elements of a complete fighting system for success in the Octagon, but many styles have a lot of them. The UFC, Pride, WEC and Elite XC are all labeled under the category "Mixed Martial Arts." This should tell you a lot in relation to the question of whether your martial art will get you to the UFC. Mixed martial arts is exactly what it says it is - a mix of several different martial arts pulled together to create the full skill set of techniques needed for survival in the ring, cage or octagon (or the street for that matter!)

To be a successful UFC fighter you need to have a great stand-up game and a great ground game. In addition to this you need to learn take-downs and take-down defenses. This doesn't even include the physical conditioning or the mental aspect of preparing for a fight. So here are some suggestions as to which styles you should study to give yourself the best chance of becoming a good fighter.

· Striking Skills: Boxing, Muay Thai, Shotokan, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Savate

· Take-Downs: Judo, Hapkido, Sanda (San Shou), Sambo

· Grappling and Submissions: Wrestling, Brazilian Ju-jitsu, Japanese Ju-jitsu, Aikido

There are many other martial arts not on this list that are also worthy of in-depth study; and some of them on the list include all of the above skills to a greater or lesser degree.

So will your martial art get you to the UFC? Not by itself, but if you combine the strength of your chosen art with the missing elements that you need from some of the other styles above, then you will be well on your way.

For more in-depth information on many of the most commonly practiced martial arts, get my FREE "Beginners Guide to Karate". You will find out how to download it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com

Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate.



By: Paul A. Walker

About the Author: