Martial Arts Classes

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Saturday	Sunday
				Kids Kung Fu 9:30-10:30am
Kid's Karate 4:45-5:30pm Dave Ramsey		Kid's Karate 4:45-5:30pm	Tai Chi 5:30-7:00pm		Beginner's Karate 2:00-3:00pm
		Kid's King Fu 6:30-7:30pm	Freestyle Karate 7:00-8:00pm
Mixed Martial Arts 7:30-9:30pm	Freestyle Karate 7:00-8:30pm	Mixed Martial Arts 7:30-9:30pm
	Mixed Martial Arts 8:30-10:30pm		Mixed Martial Arts 8:30-10:30pm

Introduction to Karate

The word "karate" means “empty hand”. To practice karate means to be able to defend oneself without weapons. It also means to face any situation clearly and calmly, without fear, anger, or self-consciousness.
The roots of karate extend back nearly 5000 years, and seem to be traceable to India. In 520 A.D., a monk by the name of Bodhidharas is said to have traveled from India to China, where he taught the monks a series of exercises based on the fighting arts taught in India.
From China these arts spread to Okinawa and were combined with the native forms of combat. Twice the Okinawan government banned the possession of weapons, which resulted in the development of empty-handed fighting, including many of the techniques and katas practiced in karate today.
Karate was brought to Japan and shown to the public for the first time in 1922 by Gichin Funakoshi, a professor at the Okinawan Teacher College. The people of Japan were so impressed that they asked him to stay and teach his art in Japan. Because of his extensive teaching, writing, and leadership, Master Funakoshi is known today as the founder of modern karate. Karate was brought to the United States in the 1960's by Master Hidetaka Nishiyama, who has become an international leader in the teaching of karate. He travels widely, including annual visits to our region, for master classes and tournaments.

Training Overview

KIHON (Key-Hon)

Kihon is basic training in karate. Kihon begins with learning basic posture, stances, punching, kicking, and striking techniques. These basic techniques are practice over and over until can perform them without thinking. Karate kihon is trained from the very beginner to the most advance karate-ka (karate student). Kihon is the base for learning karate therefore techniques must be practiced continuously.

KATA (Kah-tah)

Kata are the formal exercises of karate. Kata is a prearranged form consisting of offensive and defensive techniques. Kata is the way of teaching karate throughout generations of students. Each kata movement has application. A karate-ka must train kata until they understand the application and principle of each technique. The beginning kata teach basic principles of karate while advance kata teach more advance applications.

KUMITE (koo-mee-tay)

Kumite is free-sparring between two individuals. Kumite involves all karate techniques including punching, kicking, stiking, and breaking balance techniques. Basic kumite starts with 5 step, 3 step, and 1 step prearranged sparring. Advanced kumite is called jyu-kumite or non-prearranged sparring. In kumite we strive for controlled perfected techniques using no contact with our training partners.

Instructors

David Ramsey

For more infortmation regarding the Martial Arts offered at Blacksburg Health and Fitness contact David Ramsey at 540-449-9060.