The term karate is a word that defines a martial art that originated on the island of Okinawa (Japan) during the year 1922, and consists of kicking and punching, alternately harmoniously with alignment and breathing, strength and balance, in order to try to knock down your opponent with a single blow. These blows are usually dry and can be delivered with the feet, hands or elbows. Currently this technique is practiced as a sport and with the purpose of achieving personal defense. In addition to this, karate is based on values as a philosophy of life since for those who practice this sport the honorCourage, patience, integrity, self-control and loyalty are very important, and above all it should never be used to attack but to defend yourself.
The clothing used to exercise this sport is called " karategi ", which consists of a white non-buttoned jacket, trousers of the same color and a belt. The belt can be of different colors, being white for beginners, so that as the level progresses it will change, the black belt being the culmination of the training, once the participants achieve the black belt, they can keep progressing in degrees called "danes." The numbering is increasing from first to tenth dan, to qualify for the first dan it is a basic requirement that the person has a minimum age of 16 years and that to show the tenth dan must be more than 70 years.
Karate styles can be divided into traditional and non-traditional, the traditional ones are based on promoting, in conjunction with martial arts, all the internal aspects that lead human beings to progress, emphasizing traditional physical positions and behavior staff to keep in mind with classmates. While non-traditional karate is based on discipline as a practical instrument for self defense.
The Japanese karate association was founded in 1949, covering all styles, and extending this discipline beyond oriental culture.
