What draws us to this ancient form of self defense? It may be because it differs from wrestling in that it does not depend upon muscular strength. It differs from the other forms of attack in that it uses no weapon. Its feat consists in clutching or striking that part of an enemys body as will make him numb, and incapable of resistance. Its object is not to kill, but to incapacitate one for action for the time being.



If you do not have to be bigger than your opponent is, you do not have to out muscle him, you do not even have to have superior firepower, what is the secret of Karate? How is it possible to defeat someone who wishes to do you harm?

The answer lies in several items coming together at just the right time.

The first, naturally, is training. Training, training, training. However, to get the most of your training, you need to be in good health. Karate involves many body movements, which, while not strenuous or fatiguing, nevertheless tend to build muscular tone and also limber up the body in general. Like other forms of exercise, Karate also stimulates the circulation, causing oxygen rich blood to reach all body organs. It is a well known fact that this exercise makes for general well being.

Which brings on the second secret: Breathing! If you are an average human being, you may be alive but you are not breathing, correctly, that is. Americans take breathing for granted, but did you know it is really an important exercise. Proper breathing habits stimulate heart action, increase the circulation, drain the carbon dioxide from the blood, and make for better, more active muscular coordination. But alas, so many of us indulge in shallow breathing, mouth breathing and some of us in a moment of intense concentration even forget to breathe! The most important prerequisite to proper breathing has nothing to do with the respiratory system at all. Its proper posture! If your shoulders slump forward, your neck droops, your stomach bulges ... if your spine curves as you walk and your back looks like the letter S, then brother, ATTENTION! You can learn all the Karate techniques and principles, but without proper posture, you can never perform correct breathing exercises. Resolve now to stand erect, back straight, head up, shoulders back.

So, now you are in good heath and are breaking properly, on to the third secret of karate: Calisthenics. This is n integral part of Karate training. It is essential that the student conduct a 15 minute warm up or limbering up exercises to strengthen and loosen his muscles. You should loosen the body, indulge in neck twisting, arm stretching, back stretching, leg swinging, leg stretching, leg spreading, trunk twisting, etc.