2006-08-24 05:15:05 · 12 answers · asked by i_dont_know 1 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
You should be expecting to stand in some ridiculous stance throwing reverse punches, and screaming "kiai!" for no apparent reason.
In all seriousness, expect bruises, a lot of sweat, and having to get used to taking and giving a shot against a live breathing human being.
While I am by no means a fan of Shotokan Karate simply because I think it's entirely too rigid.....I have seen and trained with some tough s.o.b.'s from that style.
With a good instructor, it's certainly better than not knowing anything at all.
2006-08-24 05:31:16 · answer #1 · answered by Manji 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Except for the third answer, It doesn't seem as though any of the previous people giving you answers has any experience in Karate. And I'm not too sure about the third one.
Karate is a linear art that teaches you to use all of the weight and movement of your body to throw very powerful punches. There is alot of blocking and punching involved and some kicking.
You will do Kata which is a pre arranged set of moves that simulate fighting one or more imaginary opponents. And you will spar (fight) other students. The sparring at the beginner level is very slow and very light and everyone should wear hand pads. You wont get hurt
Those who think Kata is usless just don't understand it. Kata is done with deep stances and exagerated blocking moves. The over exagerated blocks will help you to better understand and use real blocks in fighting and the deep stances will strengthen your legs and train you to keep your back streight and head up while sparring. The hard Kata punches will help you to find the right timing to throw accurate powerful punches.
This all takes time and will come out in your sparring.
I wish only people who knew what they were talking about would answer the questions. I don't answer questions on subjects that I can't be of any help. I guess they want the points more than want to help you.
Sorry for my rant! Hope this helps you out. Go watch a class or two before you start and look up Gichin Funakoshi.
http://www.shotokai.com/ingles/bios/funakos2.html
2006-08-24 07:46:05 · answer #2 · answered by Sensei Rob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should expect a Karate uniform, you may have to buy some parring gear depending upon the school. There will be stance training, kata (form movements), exercises, loud kai's (most of the time in my expereince), breathing techniques and possbily some meditation. You can check out more info on the web. This is more of a linear hard art.
2006-08-24 05:56:30 · answer #3 · answered by calmman7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Expect being extremely rigid and tense all the time, and being in stances that are so deep that you can't get up out of them easily, and screaming a lot, and getting a black belt in 2-3 years.
In other words, avoid it! Try another similar martial art, such as Taekwondo, where your muscles are relaxed while moving and only tense at the point of impact for a second, and where you're not screaming all the time (if you do ITF Taekwondo that is). Also try Tang Soo Do or any type of Kung Fu.
2006-08-25 02:28:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Disregard the guy that told you to do TKD instead. Try the Shotokan school and see if you like it. This really isn't the best place to ask questions about martial arts. Most of the people answering the questions have very limited experience, if any in the martial arts. Just read their responses.
2006-08-25 17:29:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many branches of Shotokan.
Each train differently. I find JKA's methods a little stiff and rigid, not much room for your own interpretation of the art.
The school I train at has direct roots to Funakoshi and Okinawa. Our style is rounder, softer and more Chinese than the style that came out of mainland Japan.
Regardless of what branch you are in your signature should be your aggressive defense. Your block should be your attacks. The other trademark is that you should never quit or give up at anything. "Fall seven times, rise eight times."
2006-08-24 05:42:31 · answer #6 · answered by spidertiger440 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stand in row with bunches of morons who think they're asian and work on kata that seem pointless and make weird noise on command.
Whenever you get in fight outside of gym, expect to get hit a LOT!
2006-08-24 06:38:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i was orange belt in karate and quited because it was too boring.
All you do is practice your katas all day and your form.
the kumite part is always forgotten.
You should go for the kyokushin karate, thats the real deal.
2006-08-24 06:22:31 · answer #8 · answered by CitoyenPatriote 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kihon (Basics) Kata (Forms) and Kumite (Sparring)
2006-08-24 08:06:28 · answer #9 · answered by noute_sotbef 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its old style but very good lots of hard training and lots of katas
2006-08-24 07:29:36 · answer #10 · answered by alexas_ray 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋