KARATE KUDOS

Karate Kudos for complete physical fitness

2021-09-25T13:40:00.000+04:00

Karate Kudos for complete physical fitness

The book @karatekudos takes every reader through an exciting, educative, and incredible fun journey to be the best version of yourself, physically and mentally, through the world of Martial Arts and Self-Defense.

Note:-

Do refer to the book for further knowledge and practice.

Karate Kudos digital book

Pressure and Vital Points of the Human Body

2020-09-25T14:10:00.002+04:00

Pressure and Vital Points of the Human Body

In today’s circumstance, the modern definition of karate has to be a way of self-defense to handle efficiently conflict situations when all other avoidable means are exhausted. Here, the role of learning with hard points, vital points, Varma points, and pressure points will come into support.

The knowledge of vital points of the human body is advantageous for karatekas. The meaning of ‘vital point’ is the parts of the body where a blow would be comparatively effective. Vital points are pinpoints, and the majority of those points of the body where maximum caution is applied are vital points known since ancient times.

Figure - Forty vital points of the human body

In martial arts, pressure points are areas of the body where the application of pressure or strike causes pain. They can be used to release an attacker’s grip on our arm, cause spasms by striking the solar plexus, etc. The most controversial subject regarding martial arts pressure points is the Death Touch. The pressure point is a place on the body where a nerve ends, branches-off like a “Y” or crosses or overlaps with another. Many pressure points are located around joints in the body. The knees are one of the best examples. Pressure points can be “activated” in numerous ways, most of which require a great deal of practice. Some are merely squeezed tightly with the fingertips, as during a wrist- grab. Others must be struck by a fore-knuckle fist or a spear hand at a specific angle to the surface and some can simply be punched, such as the knockout point along the lower jawline. The effect of activating two or three pressure points simultaneously can be remarkable, often causing instant paralysis or loss of consciousness, i.e., neurological shutdown. Activating only one can cause unconsciousness or merely numbness and loss of muscle control in an arm or leg, facilitating the application of a joint lock.

Practicing pressure point fighting is so dangerous that in most dojos, strict rules are applied. Usually, only 15 minutes a day are allowed for such practice; only one side of a practice partner’s body can be struck on a given day because hitting points on opposite sides amplifies the neurological impact remarkably; and for some especially sensitive points, the attacker is only allowed to tap lightly on the spot. Each technique must be learned along with the corresponding shiatsu “correction” technique for reversing the harmful effects. The information about pressure points is contained and revealed in kata. In the practice of kata, the location and inter-relationship of various points are rehearsed. Some of the kata movements represent the opponent’s actions. Some show exactly the movement the defender makes, and some techniques show, on the performer’s body, the points to be struck on an attacker’s body. This is why karate masters have always stressed the need for visualization during kata practice. And this is why the old masters took longer to perform a kata than the modern student.

Note:-

Do refer the book for further knowledge and practice.

https://notionpress.com/read-instantly/1332181

Abdominal Breathing Techniques

2020-09-23T20:05:00.001+04:00

Abdominal Breathing Techniques

Diaphragmatic breathing is used in traditional Chinese and Japanese martial arts, but unfortunately, I think most martial artists don’t realize the full measure of how valuable this really is regarded not only the practice of kata but karate in general.

One of the most critical aspects of kata is proper breathing. A kata without proper breathing won’t have power, snap, and explosiveness; it will feel weak.

When the mind stops overthinking, when the thoughts are getting out of the way, proper breathing naturally sinks in. The breath becomes slower, more powerful, and the body adjusts by automatically exhaling at the end of a technique, resulting in an important increase in strength, energy, and stability.

Kata like sanshin use very deep, audible abdominal breaths, synchronized with footwork and hand movements. Independently, if it is practiced during kihon, kumite, or kata, karate breathing always comes from the hara or deep belly, and not from the thorax.

Note: Develop proper breathing has been elaborate more on page number 69 on the book Karate Kudos.

Karate Fitness and food

2020-09-17T11:22:00.000+04:00

Karate can be practiced as an art, self-defense, or as a combat sport. Traditional karate places emphasis on self-development. Modern Japanese style training emphasizes the psychological elements incorporated into a proper kokoro (attitude) such as perseverance, fearlessness, virtue, and leadership skills. Sport karate places emphasis on exercise and competition. Weapons are an important training activity in some styles of karate.

Karate training is commonly divided into three:

1. Kihon (basics or fundamentals),

2. Kata (forms), and

3. Kumite (sparring).

Self-defense is not the only motive behind karate. It is not just for learning; it’s also great for our overall health and well-being. It tunes our body, mind, and soul spiritually with perfect practice.

What I have learned in class can easily be applicable in real life; I experience it. I shall not just learn about ways to defend against an attack on the street or in other situations, we will also learn attitudes and strategies for avoiding the worst-case scenarios from the day-to-day practice lessons at our dojo.

Fitness Benefits of Karate

Karate offers a wide variety of exercises that are excellent for fitness! Karate is a high-aerobic activity that utilizes virtually every muscle group in our body. Our endurance, muscle tone, flexibility, sense of balance, as well as our overall raw strength will improve through the practice of karate. Karate offers a complete full-body workout, helping with weight loss and overall health and fitness.

Health Benefits of Karate

Many practitioners can attest to the incredible health properties of karate and will tell us that by training karate, we have never felt as good in our entire lives.

Karate will definitely help us with achieving our fitness goals and getting a healthy, flexible, agile, and robust body. Karate consists of a series of dynamic offensive and defensive techniques using all parts of the body to our maximum advantage.

Mental Benefits of Karate

We will discover numerous physical and mental benefits of engaging in karate. Karate will help to develop self-confidence, self-esteem, mental toughness, and resilience.

All these mental benefits can then be applied in our everyday life and will make us a better, well-balanced person. Karate improves our mental health because it teaches us how to meditate and draw upon our spiritual energy.

Karate breathing

The correct karate breathing is a technique to learn and practice. Let us focus only on the proper breathing to adopt during striking or blocking. Learning how to breathe correctly will directly affect our punching power, speed, stability, and endurance.

a. Proper breathing technique - Most people breathe using the upper parts of their lungs, known as intercostal breathing. That way, inhaling and exhaling are done in the top body; the lower body does not participate. As air is breathed out, those parts become weak and empty. That’s a very shallow and superficial way to breathe. Actually, it’s the same breath a sick person uses. That’s not what karateka practice. In karate and Zen meditation, another type of breathing called diaphragm breathing is taught. Young children and animals naturally breathe this way. Diaphragmatic breathing is a deep “lower-body” the breathing technique that makes use of a large internal muscle at the bottom of the lungs called the diaphragm. This muscle can be activated through the tensing and relaxing of our hara or tanden.

b. Breathing when punching - Proper breath gives life to our punch. Karate breathing teaches us to inhale (breathe in) through the nose and exhale (breathe out) through our mouth when we execute our punch. The important point is to exhale whenever we strike and whenever we move for defense. When we exhale, contract our abdominal muscles a bit, and push down on our lower belly, we feel our navel moving toward our spine. Exhaling this way while punching will root our body firmly into the ground and allow us to transfer more mass into our strike. When we are not attacking or defending, just maintain natural breathing; don’t mainly focus on exhaling and just keep a calm, controlled breath.

c. Breathing benefits in karate: There are numerous benefits of proper breathing for a karateka. The mental and physical benefits are mentioned here:

i. Mental benefits:

• Enhances concentration and focus,

• Gives more mental clarity and alertness,

• Supports to calm down the mindfulness,

• Helps to control our emotions,

• Feels more energetic.

ii. Physical benefits:

• Supports in fighting fatigue,

• Enhances physical endurance,

• Relieves pain,

• Develops proper biomechanics,

• Better posturing,

• Enhances acceleration,

• Supports in transferring mass into our strike,

• Faster and powerful punches,

• Develops our ki.

Food and Martial Artists

Food plays a big part in just how fit we can be. But martial artists and other athletes don’t eat the same as everyone else. They have different physical requirements for their bodies and so must follow a very different set of dietary and nutritional rules. One of the goals of these athletes is to ensure that they have plenty of solid muscle, so they are always striving to achieve this. They are usually depleting nutrients and carbs at an unusually high rate and burning up their energy reserves. In short, they are pushing their bodies to the limit and beyond.

When it comes to physical stress, one of the most stress-inducing sporting activities for the human body is rigorous martial arts training. With this kind of intense training, we are focusing on agility, speed, strength, and endurance all at the same time. Along with the significant physical demands this places on the body, mental stress can also be significant. This means that a martial artist’s mind has to be just as sharp and fit as his body to execute masterful fighting techniques at quick speeds.

Criteria for martial artists, choices of food:

• High protein,

• Vitamins, fibers, minerals,

• Avoid junk foods,

• Moderate amount of high-carb food is needed for energy but avoid eating a lot.

Lyrics on Martial Artist

2020-09-16T13:36:00.001+04:00

Two Lyrics from Tammy

I have written two songs in my new book “Karate Kudos”, which will appeal to listeners. It has a great chorus, with the focused lyric in a fresh approach.

I am looking for Music publishers, record labels, music libraries, or recording artist to help me in recording both in contemporary radio-friendly melody.

The genre could be pop or rock style.

I preferred recording locations to be at Dubai, alternatively other best options too can be considered.

Please contact me at:

karatekudos@gmail.com

Tammy - The Dubai Karate Girl

2020-09-15T12:59:00.004+04:00

Tammy

Thankfully! Many opportunities came up in my life to quit karate, but I bound my ill thoughts so tight with the dreams, set goals, and aspirations that neither my peers around me nor my inner negative thoughts could train me much. Finally, here I am with all the kudos, which I dreamt of.

I also kept in mind my most important board examination preparations too, where I set my goal as 96%+. On top of that, I also had my karate black belt training, with the manuscript to be forwarded to my publisher for the needful work for final printing so as to receive the first batch of printed copies before July.

Michelle Obama said- “The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.”

Thus sacrifice the lazy past habits, devote more time, and become energized with more able productive hours to spare with work as mentioned. My dream became realized with the sacred martial art training for a prosperous life ahead. I mean it! To grab a wonderful, respectful future ahead, my dream made me resilient to my sedentary practices. My life is changed now, with activities which I loved most in real life as I dreamed.

Bodhidharma - The founder of martial arts

2020-09-14T19:23:00.001+04:00

Bodhidharma

Period- AD 440 to 528

Bodhidharma was the teacher of Dharma, who came from South India, in the Western Region of China. He was the third son of a great king, Lankavatara Sutra (Sugandan). He is the Zen patriarch and father of martial arts.

Bodhidharma was the third son of the Tamil King Sugandan, also known as Simhavarman of Pallava dynasty, a devoted Buddhist who managed state affairs according to the Buddha's teachings. Bodhidharma was born in Kanchipuram in the Southern Indian Kingdom, today's Tamil Nadu state of India, around year 440. Bodhidharma’s original name was Jayavarman, according to the royal lineage, and his name became Bodhitara at a Buddhist monastery, changed by his master Prajanatara.

Bodhidharma’s Invention’s

1) Tea - It is more likely that he started the practice of drinking tea among the monks so that they would not fall asleep while meditating. The discovery of tea was ever a story of many dimensions, and the telling of the tale depended on the leaf’s use as medicine, food, or drink. Throughout history, tea was intimately related to deities, demigods, and mortals. In Japan, the monastic use of tea as an aid to meditation was celebrated by linking the plant and its origins to Bodhidharma.

2) Martial Arts - Bodhidharma taught Shaolin monks moving exercises, designed to both enhance chi flow and build strength. These sets, modified from Indian yogas. This gave rise to the legendary art of kung fu. This art was based on the movements of the 18 main animals in Indo-Chinese iconography.

It is hard to say just when the exercises became “martial arts”. The Shaolin Temple was in a secluded area where bandits would have traveled and wild animals were an occasional problem, so the martial side of the temple probably started to fulfill self-defense needs. After a while, these movements were codified into a system of self-defense, which ultimately took the form of kung fu and karate in mainland Japan. Thus, the birth of martial art to the world.

Karate, as we know it today, takes its beginnings from India in the age of the birth of the Buddhist religion. Although they didn’t use the word “karate”, the priests of the early Buddhist temple evolved various spiritual disciplinary systems for the refinement of the body. Bodhidharma in China, around 465 AD, received an audience with the emperor and obtained permission to reside at the Shaolin Szu Monastery in Honan Province. This location became the birthplace of martial arts and eventually named karate at mainland Japan.

3) Zen Buddhism - Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen tradition of Buddhism and the first Patriarch of Zen Buddhism. Bodhidharma started the Dhyan School of Buddhism, which came to be known as Chan in China and Zen in Japan. Bodhidharma is better known as Damo in China and Daruma in Japan. The famous Daruma doll of Japan, considered a good luck charm, is based on Bodhidharma, with its curly beard and large eyes.

Karate Career choice

2020-09-13T22:48:00.001+04:00

We associate Millions of people with Karate and billions will add up in days to come.

Every karateka must practice and earning the belts from recognized WKF system, and career scopes with Karate are more but before that accumulate:

Certified Coach from WKF,

Certified The referee from WKF, and

Be a participant with certificates in National & International tournaments.

Here is the list of careers one can opt after getting Karate training:

1. Karate Coach

2. Amateur Karate Teacher

3. School Sports Teacher

4. Karate Referee

5. Fitness Coach

6. Equipment maker

7. Event organizer

8. Media and technology enabler to feed Martial artist fraternity.

The pandemic COVID-19 changed many a business model, which is true with Martial arts schools too. The online teaching mediums like Zoom and Facebook live taking over it. The world is completely changed now, unlike post-pandemic periods. It adds up a new dimension to the way martial arts schools deliver their classes but it needs to groom up further with more technology integrations to enables a feel of close and relation.

Since it mostly relied upon on bricks and mortar model because of its aesthetic traditional values so overnight change requires effort and time.

The Digital Karate wrote before Pandemic stuck up the world has some fantastic solution guidelines and it has those fine balancing act to change Martial arts overnight.

Daruma Diaphragm Breathing

2020-09-12T22:19:00.001+04:00

The Vitruvian women’s stance with abdominal breathing has the capacity to resolve all the lifestyle-related diseases that come out mainly through the inner body parts located in and around our abdominal diaphragm.
It’s ideal for daily joggers and walkers mainly trying to stay fit with no chronic diseases. It’s a routine that is daily practiced during sunset or sunrise in an open space. Take the Vitruvian women’s stance with abdominal breathing to stretch the large internal muscle at the bottom of the lungs called the diaphragm for three minutes.
Lifestyle-related diseases are:
1.        Diabetes
2.        Blood pressure
3.        Kidney stone
4.        Pancreas stone
5.        Heart disease
6.        Hypertension and stomach upset
7.        Body and back pain
8.        Breathing disorder, etc.

Step- Stand, raise the hand, and stretch with breathing in and out as Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian woman, repeat the process 3 times. It is to achieve the golden ratio and connect all human senses with nature. The hands’ middle fingers and bottom of the leg capture maximum wing circumference; thus, Body- Mind Soul starts the utilization of their full potential through nature.

The Daruma Diaphragm Breathing exercises are targeted towards people regular with morning and evening walks, my advice to this fitness enthusiast, do-follow following practices free of cost instead of getting trapped into paid mafia system and gain nothing, only loss, and mental harassment.

1) Weight Loss: Do follow guided KETO system, light exercise, and diaphragm breathing.

2) Stay Healthy: Formal exercise, office kata, diaphragm breathing and be a member of free health clubs nearby your green park ground (example- Garden Green ground Yoga club, Laughter club, Dubai marathon runners club, etc.)

3) Gym Enthusiast: In Dubai, Gyms are available in many building accommodations, schools, and offices. Just get little know-how from an expert and use those free of cost facilities. Before commencing the workout give one sit-up with Office Kata too, it will boost health with 36 pressure point activation.

Shotokan Karate

2020-09-11T21:16:00.002+04:00

Gichin “Shoto” Funakoshi (1868–1957) The Father of Japanese Karate, Gichin Funakoshi, was the school teacher from Shuri who is credited with bringing karate to Japan, thus earning himself the title of ‘Father of Modern Karate’. In fact, he wasn’t alone in bringing karate to Japan. Many karate masters from Okinawa traveled to Japan to promote their art, including Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shito-ryu, which is a synthesis of Shuri-te and Naha-te, and Chojun Miyagi, founder of Goju- Ryu, which is based on the Naha-te traditions. But it was Funakoshi who did it first and perhaps did the best job of promoting it. Funakoshi started studying karate under Anko Azato and later studied under Itosu. Funakoshi recalls that he spent ten years learning the three Naihanchi (Tekki) kata under Itosu.

In 1950, King Sho Shin built his palace in Shuri, Okinawa for his day to day bureaucratic activities. This is the time and place where the linear style of Shotokan Karate developed and later flourished. The karate style of Okinawa Shuri-te is known to be hardstyle karate martial art from the island using big and strong linear movements. The royal city of Shuri was the capital city of Okinawa. Karate masters in the capital city Shuri have their own kata and traditions; it is the style Shuri-te and later spread in the name of Shotokan Karate.

The origin of two styles of karate, Shuri-te and Naha-te, have their own histories. My book will emphasize the development of Shotokan Karate; thus, more emphasis shall be given to its events and different phases.

Two key events occurred that made Okinawa a unique breeding ground for a new martial art:

1. In 1429, Okinawa was unified under the first Sho Dynasty. Prior to this, Okinawa had suffered from internal conflict between warring clans. To help maintain order, Sho Shin, the second Sho king, banned weapons to control the bickering warlords.

2. In 1609, the Japanese Satsuma Clan of Kyushu invaded Okinawa. They probably found the weapons ban quite convenient and ordered that it be continued. Only the ban was enforced by the Satsuma Samurai, who wielded katana, the deadly Japanese long sword. By 1650, the Japanese were operating a policy of National Seclusion, Sakoku, which barred Westerners from trading in Japan (with an exception for limited trade with the Dutch). This policy was extended to Okinawa. Officially, Okinawa was still a province of China, and so, to keep control of Okinawa while avoiding war with China, the Shuri officials were ordered to deny any connection with Japan. To compound this situation, European and American ships started appearing on the Okinawan shores in the 19th century, carrying explorers, missionaries, and whalers. This conflicted with the Japanese isolationism and put the officials at Shuri in a difficult and dangerous position. They were instructed not to allow trade with the Westerners but were also not permitted to explain that the king of Okinawa was subordinate to the Japanese. Matters worsened in 1853 when Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States Navy paid a visit to Okinawa. His objective was to open trade between Japan and the United States. He decided that a show of strength in Okinawa was needed as a prelude to his negotiations in Japan itself. Perry demanded that he be allowed to see the king to discuss a trade agreement.

As usual, the Okinawan officials politely declined. Perry then landed a force of 200 marines, armed with rifles, two cannons, and two brass bands, and paraded up to Shuri Castle. Perry himself traveled on a sedan chair carried by Chinese coolies. Perry and his entourage marched up to the gates of the royal palace and demanded entry. The Shuri officials allowed him to enter the main hall, where he found the Regent and a small group of his staff. The Okinawans expected Perry to declare himself governor of Okinawa, but Perry had only planned to demonstrate his strength, and having made his point, he returned to his ship. It was a tense incident nonetheless and coming face to face with 200 marines must have had an impact on the staff at Shuri. And, as so many of the karate masters of that day were employed as high-ranking members of the royal household, it is very likely that they would have been there facing Perry and his men.

Karate Overview

2020-09-11T20:55:00.001+04:00

Karate is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts under the influence of kung fu, particularly Fujian White Crane. Karate is now a striking art using punching, kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes, and open hand techniques such as knife-hands, spear-hands, and palm heel strikes. Historically, and in some modern styles, grappling, throws, joint locks, restraints, and vital point strikes are also taught. A karate practitioner is called a karateka.

Karate training is commonly divided into three:

1. Kihon (basics or fundamentals),

2. Kata (forms), and

3. Kumite (sparring).

‘Kihon’ means ‘basics’ and these form the base for everything else in the style, including stances, strikes, punches, kicks, and blocks. Karate styles place varying importance on kihon. Typically, this is training in the unison of a technique or a combination of techniques by a group of karateka. Kihon may also be prearranged drills in smaller groups or pairs inside a dojo.

‘Kata’ means literally ‘shape’ or ‘model’. Kata is a formalized sequence of movements which represent various offensive and defensive postures. These postures are based on idealized combat applications. The applications, when applied in a demonstration with real opponents, are referred to as bunkai. The bunkai shows how every stance and movement is used. Bunkai is a useful tool to understand a kata. To attain a formal rank, the karateka must demonstrate competent performance of specific required kata for that level. The Japanese terminology for grades or ranks is commonly used. Requirements for examinations vary from school to school.

‘Kumite’ means ‘sparring’ in karate. It literally means ‘meeting of hands’. Kumite is practiced both as a sport and as self-defense training. Levels of physical contact during sparring vary considerably.

According to ancient Okinawan legend, karate had its beginnings in India with a Buddhist monk named Daruma. Tradition says that Daruma traveled from India to the Shaolin Temple in the Honan Province of China. There he began teaching the other monks his philosophies of physical and mental conditioning. His teachings included exercises for maintaining physical strength and self-defense. This same monk, known as Bodhidharma in India and as Ta Mo in China, is credited with founding the school of Buddhist philosophy known as ‘Ch’an’ in China and ‘Zen’ in Japan. The Okinawans believe that the art known as karate today came from those original teachings of Daruma through an Okinawan who visited or lived for some time in China at the Shaolin Temple.

The Famous Karate Styles

1. Goju-ryu:- Goju-ryu (meaning ‘hard-soft style’ in Japanese) is one of the main traditional Okinawan styles of karate, featuring a combination of hard and soft techniques. Both hard and soft principles come from the famous martial arts book used by Okinawan masters during the 19th and 20th centuries, the Bubishi, which means hard; it refers to closed hand techniques or straight linear attacks; ju, which means soft, refers to open hand techniques and circular movements. Goju- ryu incorporates both circular and linear movements into its curriculum, combining hard striking attacks such as kicks and close hand punches with softer open hand circular techniques for attacking, blocking, and controlling the opponent, including joint locks, grappling, takedowns, and throws.

2. Shito-ryu:- Shito-ryu is a form of karate that was founded in 1934 by Kenwa Mabuni. A synthesis of various Okinawan schools of martial arts, the Shito-ryu is primarily practiced in Osaka. Due to both controversies in Kenwa Mabuni’s line of succession and Mabuni’s extensive efforts to popularize the martial art form in Japan, there exist many successor karate schools that claim Shito-ryu as an influence.

3. Shotokan:- Shotokan is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing ‘karate-do’ through a series of public demonstrations and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including those at Keio, Waseda, Hitotsubashi (Shodai), Takushoku, Chuo, Gakushuin, and Hosei.

4. Wado-ryu:- Wado-ryu is one of the four major karate styles and was founded by Hironori Otsuka (1892-1982). The style itself is individual in its emphasis on not just striking, but tai sabaki, joint locks, and throws.

Basic Karate

2020-09-11T20:40:00.001+04:00

Karate Basics

The three forms of movements that make up combinations and techniques in karate are:

• Kihon (Basic techniques)

• Kata (Form or pattern)

• Kumite (Free Sparring)

‘Kihon’ is a Japanese term that means ‘basics’. ‘Ki’ means ‘foundation’ and ‘Hon’ means ‘base’. This word reflects the importance the Japanese place on mastering the basic skills of a discipline. In karate, the basics are our punches, our kicks, our blocks, our strikes, and our stances. In order to build a strong foundation for our karate, we must drill and practice the basics constantly.

‘Kata’ means ‘form’. Forms are sequences of movements that are put together in an overall pattern that we must memorize. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes, blocks, and throws. Shotokan Karate is comprised of 29 katas, each with its own emphasis on fast and slow or controlled and powerful movements.

‘Kumite’ means ‘training with a partner’. ‘Kumi’ means ‘to cross’ and ‘Te’ means ‘hand’. ‘Kumite’ therefore means ‘crossing hands’ with the person we are working with. It is when partners practice fighting techniques. Basic partner work introduces prearranged training drills that help us get used to using different punches, kicks, blocks, and strikes. It covers a vast range of activities.