question for karate people.?

Question

hi im 12 years old and in 6th grade and im thinking about karate. do you have to be both physically strong and mentally strong to do karate? if so, which one do you have to be more? because i am not all that much muscular, and i get destracted easily when i try to concentrate hard on things. so, does anybody have any answers for me?

Answer 1

Martial Artist is very much like school, K-12 or white through black belt, it's a learning process. Some students are good at forms/katas while others excel at sparring, etc., we all learn at a different speed, so don't be disappointed if you have trouble with a technique, we all go through at some time in our life.

Ask your parents to take you to a Kenpo Karate class, watch and ask some questions and take some notes. Call some of the local Martial Art Supply stores in your area and ask what school, and or what instructors are good with your age group.

Please try and stay away from those sport karate schools, they will take your money (mom & dads) if your there or not, even if you quit,, because of the contract you'll need to sign.

Check out kenpo demos on youtube.com or learn more about kenpo from you'r favorite search engine.

Good luck and don't give up!

(77)

Answer 2

no you just have to be a human being the rest you'll learn.the physical,mental and concentration factors will dictate how fast you learn.and your sensei of course.anyway heres some info.
A good well rounded style would be freestyle Karate.You will learn stand up,ground,grappling and weapons.What a lot of people don't understand is that freestyle Karate is about practical street defence not who can kick the highest or punch a pad the hardest.It's definitely not a sport martial art like TKD or BJJ.The motto of my style is the best of everything in progression.Basically that means we don't care where the technique comes from we improve it and integrate it into our style while still maintaining tradition as do most freestyle Karate's.
The hardest thing is finding a good experienced instructor.I would recommend Bushi Kai or Zen Do Kai, but if your not in Australia or New Zealand you may have some difficulty finding some one who teaches these styles.These styles also usually have separate classes available to everyone in Muay Thai and BJJ/Submission/Shoot wrestling.If you can't find one of these i would suggest Kempo or Enshin or another freestyle Karate.

Answer 3

Martial Arts will teach you to focus and help you to become less easily distracted. I own a large Shotokan Karate School and we receive numerous referrals of children who have add/added. The structure, discipline and focus of the martial arts will help you in this area. In terms of physical fitness, this too will improve as you begin and continue your training. I have many students that started training with me when they were 9, 10, and 11 and were uncoordinated, had little to no muscle tone, and lacked athleticism. But with the rigorous excersizes, the reptition of the blocks, punches, and kicks (called kihon), the crunches, the stretching, and the push ups they have developed into strong well fit young men. Many of them are on the National AAU Karate team at this time. So do you need those things to be successful, (it helps, obviously) but you will develop them as you train, as you work as you sweat. Just remember once you start, put your all into it. From the moment you enter class and step on the deck until you leave the dojo never relax, never slack off... and you will seen gains quickly. Good luck and hope I helped.

Answer 4

Find a teacher that you like and then actually go to class. Karate won't "make you" this way or that. It is great exercise that will build those young muscles and help you get into shape. If you are easily distracted, and further more, you know that you are? Well, only you can help that. Mental focus doesn't mean that you need to be able to move things with your mind and walk on hot coals.

The only requirement that I know you will need in order to be successful in class is, willingness. And it probably wouldn't hurt to pay attention as well.

Answer 5

I have been studing martial arts for 4 years, and When I started I was not muscular or that good at concentrating at the task in hand, however though the training I started to realize my true potential, I recomend karate for someone who is willling to the hard work and is in for the long run.

Answer 6

You must have strong will power to really embrace a martial art. The strength and mental focus will come with the training. You must put 110% into the training. Training will not be just for the dojo, you will have to practice everyday.
If you do this you will develop your body and mind.

Please find a good school, do not seek a good style.
Visit schools in your area. take free classes. Ask lots of questions. Never sign a contract and never pay for rank testing.
Ask to observe their sparring.

Good luck, have fun!!!

Answer 7

dont be too hard on yourself, as you are only 12, and all the muscles and will power will grow as you do. the great thing about doing something like Karate is that you learn the tools for life. discipline, obedience, determination, confidence, agility, reflex improvement, threat awareness, control... the list goes on. the main thing to remember when you train is that it goes beyond the training hall/dojo.

you will find that you wont be distracted while training, as it is continual and does not allow for you to take time out to relax. this is good. it starts you off slow and quickens in intensity as you improve.

the hardest thing will be for you to stay with it. 12 years old can be a time of change. you may want to do something else in 6 months time.

but I suggest you try it, and if you like it stick with it. even one that may be not as great as another style will be better than sitting at home on the computer.

you could try looking into Muay Thai kickboxing too, and see if they have childrens classes in your area. this will give you less moves, a simpler format, yet totally awesome power. But only do it if they run classes for people your age. some dont.

good luck, you wont regret it. my only regret is not starting at your age (I started at 14)

Answer 8

i am 13, and had the same problem when was 12.


Joined karate with no muscles.

Listen, first do 20 pushups and 100 situps per day. walk 2 km and run 1. Get into max fights and win. try shirt off fights.

NOw I have a 3.4 inch musle and good abs.

i'll fight if ur in india lol

Answer 9

At 12 years old you are too young to worry about any of this.

Your body is not matured. You have yet to go through the HGH and Test release that will happen in a few years.

Get back to me in a few years.

And what are you worried about?

Be a kid--you won´t be able to do that when you are 40.

Answer 10

I started doing freestyle karate when i was 11. I was so not physically strong, and although i have improved, alot of the time i rely more upon speed than strength in sparring. mental strength will be improved also.