why karate?

Question

why do people want to be in karate?
What does it do for them?

Answer 1

Why karate? One could say why an astronaut or why a PC tech?

Its a passion for some people. A way of life for some. A way to defend and protect for others.

A way of forming discipline and ettiquette for troubled kids and is great for self defense for woman.

fact is most of the styles be it Karate, Kung Fu, TKD or whatever. they are all good, its the teacher that will define if it is good and your ability to understand them.

It is also a great way to stay in shape and flexible for older people too. It brings self esteem to many people.

all Martial Arts not just Karate have many positive teachings to them to help improve anothers life.

Answer 2

There is NO military base for karate! It is a fighting art and has nothing to do with the military. It is not a martial art. Martial = military. This has got confused as soldiers sought to learn it as part of their training. It was never intended for the battlefield. What you mean is karate-do or the way of open hand (fighting). It is indeed the most devastating form of combative art in the world. What you see is only the sport aspect. What you don't see is called the Bunkia or actual meaning of kata that describes and shows things like neck braking, choking, and devastating strikes that are taught only in advanced levels, at least black belt.

Answer 3

I started Karate in 1968 originally for self-defense. But then I fell in love with the escoteric philosophy, discipline, and hard work of the subject. The martial arts provided more of what I wanted out of life than any sport.

Answer 4

Karate: Because we have a bunch of military bases (Marines and Air Force) on Okinawa.... Okinawa's traditional martial art is Karate, and military men saw the benefits of karate after getting their butts kicked in Okinawan bars by Okinawan Karateka.
I believe if we had the same bases in Beijing, Tongbei Quan would be the generalized name we use for Eastern Martial art, and it would be the most practiced style.
Karate not only gives you a method of self-defense, but a traditional "art" that can be used to obtain self-realization (Buddhist Enlightenment) and improve your health. (The lifespan of the average karateka in 18th century Okinawa with in the 70s when the average King of Okinawa, and Japanese Emperor only lived 40!)
If you too want these three things, you can study Okinawan Karate. (Or it's Japanese derivatives, created by Okinawans like Kenwa Mabuni's Shito-ryu, and Gichen Funakoshi's Shotokan)

Answer 5

A lot of people join karate for self defense. It's a great workout and good exercise. It also helps reduce stress. It might not have as much of a self defense angle anymore, but it still has many health benifits.

Answer 6

No single martial art is "best" or "ultimate." Each martial art/style has its strengths & weaknesses. I think karate can be of great benefit when combined with another martial art, such as a grappling art. Cross-training in different arts provides necessary perspective and a "reality check."

I train in both Aikido and Shotokan Karate.

Answer 7

Self defense, exercise, group interaction, stress management, personal developement, and enjoyment.
These are a few things karate, and almost any martial art has to offer.

Answer 8

Karate can be a way to fulfill several needs.

It is a good workout - it'd help your fitness and overall well-being.

It has spiritual side -- it helps those looking for esoteric knowledge.

It helps self-defense -- depending on the style you learn also very practical moves (kyokushen and shidokan produce excellent fighters.

these are just a few reasons.

I hope it helps

good luck!

Answer 9

Besides the typical health benefits that martial arts offers it also gives you a stronger mental attitude and mental discipline with which to approach challenges and problems in everyday life. The belt rank promotion system itself is a great motivator-especially for children (or adults) who lack self-discipline and through their progress and mastering of different skills develop good self-confidence and self-esteem.

While it's great to work with good athletes and coach or train great competitors and fighters it is even more rewarding to see and be involved in changing someones life a hundred and eighty degrees and give them the tools they need to better themselves and enjoy some of the aspects in life that sometimes come so easy to others.

Answer 10

Karate training has three major goal:
1) perfection of character
2) physical fitness
3) self-defense

They are in the order of importance that is stressed.
I obtain all three from my training