| Lets take a typical Karate Class, like all things we | | | | say well over 1000 Movements in every class. |
| start with the basics first. The warm up - It is | | | | When you start to add kime (key-may), (means |
| really important before starting any vigorous | | | | putting everything you've got into it.) Train two or |
| exercise to warm up the intention should be to | | | | three times a week, then you begin to see how |
| move every joint, gently stretch every muscle | | | | karate can be a great way to gain physical |
| and get the heart pumping an blood circulating a | | | | fitness. |
| little faster. | | | | Karate also teaches mental fitness, by mental |
| The basic moves are next, 7 Strikes, 5 Blocks, 4 | | | | fitness I don't mean intellectual ability I mean being |
| Stances and 4 Kicks. We will practice each one 10 | | | | able to control your mind not letting your mind |
| slowly, 10 medium and 10 fast. So that's 7 strikes | | | | control you. The mind will always give up before |
| x 30 reps = 210 Movements. The Blocks are the | | | | the body. For example an hour into your first |
| same so that's 5 x 30 = 150 movements. For the | | | | class I'm sure your mind will be telling you "I can't |
| stances we start in the stance then bring feet | | | | do this for much longer". In reality your body is |
| together and drop into the stance using the other | | | | quite capable of doing much more. |
| foot. So that's 4 x 30 = 120 movements. The | | | | Your gut reaction to an incoming strike or kick is |
| kicks we do 30 with each leg so that's 4 x 30 x | | | | to move backwards. It may be far more |
| 2 = 240 movements. So that's | | | | effective to step towards your attacker blocking |
| 210+150+120+240 = 720 Movements. Not bad | | | | as you move this will then put you in range to |
| for the first 30mins of the class. | | | | deliver a fast and effective counter attack. By |
| After a quick drink we then work on either kata | | | | practicing these moves many times eventually |
| (a pre determined set of 20 to 50 Movements), | | | | you will actually train your mind to make |
| Bunkai (Practical application of blocks, strikes, | | | | conscious split second decisions and override the |
| stances and kicks) or Kumite (Sparring). All in all I'd | | | | gut reactions. |