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 Karate Overview
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Karate, literally translated as "empty hand," is one of the oldest and most effective means of fighting known to man. It is considered the ultimate in unarmed self-defense. The practice of Karate consists of learning blocking, shifting, punching, striking, and kicking. Although it can be aggressive, it is instructed and practiced by most groups as a counteraction to an attack on your person.

Much erroneous information has been disseminated to the public recently on Karate. Most of the information has stressed the bizarre, the board and brick breaking. It is true that Karateists can smash stacks of tiles with the bare fist and chop through bricks and boards, but this is only to demonstrate the power that an individual can achieve through Karate. A further misconception of the art is that one must harden or mutilate the hand to be effective in Karate. A zealous student may possibly form a callous on certain parts of the hands and feet by repeated practice, however, it is extremely rare to see any Karateists in this country or in Japan, with truly deformed or impaired use of his hands or feet.

The essence of Karate is speed. Add this to a knowledge of anatomy, of where and how to strike and you have an unbeatable combination. There is no mystic or secret power of Karate, nor are all the movements deadly or dangerous. Karate movements have been analyzed and geometrically calculated so that whatever the action, a block or punch it is the maximum the body can achieve. One quickly learns that it is not the size and strength alone that win, rather speed and knowledge that are the factors in who will emerge victorious in physical combat.

For just good exercise, Karate ranks among the best because it uses all parts of the body and keeps you "toned up." Unlike other exercises that are oftentimes boring, Karate is always challenging, stimulating and especially purposeful.

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