Karate and its styles, by Patricia Torralba

What is Karate-Do?
Some people ask me what is Karate, and some people also ask what is the difference between Karate and the popular martial arts of Ju-Do or Taekwon-Do. Many people get confused, which is understandable if you are not familiar with the wonderful world of martial arts. We have to look at where the martial art originates from, the philosophy and history behind it and the stances or body movements on which each martial art focus more.

Karate means: "empty hand".
Do means "way", "path".
Karate-Do: "The path of the empty hand".

Karate may be defined as a weaponless means of self defence. It consists of dynamic offensive and defensive techniques using all parts of the body to their maximum advantage.

Karate practice is divided into:

Kihon (drilling of stances, blocks, punches, strikes and kicks)

Kata (pre-arranged forms simulating combat situations)

Kumite (sparring)

In each category, the beginner is given instruction at the most basic level until the techniques become spontaneous. As the student progresses technically, he or she progresses physically as well, and advanced practices demand greater stamina. At this stage, the student becomes involved with more intricate and difficult katas and more dynamic forms of kumite. As the student approaches black belt level, technique, stamina, speed, and coordination become natural as a result of strong practice. It is at this stage that the serious student discovers that his or her study of karate has only just begun. The object of true karate practice is the perfection of oneself through the perfection of the art.

Karate as self-defence
Karate is one of the most dynamic of all the martial arts. A trained karateka is able to coordinate mind and body perfectly, thereby allowing the unleashing of tremendous physical power at will. Therefore, it is not the possession of great physical strength that makes a strong karateka; rather it is the ability to coordinate mind and body. Upon developing this ability, even the smallest person finds that he or she has within himself or herself the power to deliver a devastating blow to any would-be attacker.

The benefits? I think they are very obvious... but here we go:
In our everyday lives we often forget the value of exercise to both our physical and mental health. The practice of karate tones the body, develops coordination, quickens reflexes, and builds stamina.
Also, the serious practice of karate develops composure, a clearer thought process, deeper insight into one's mental capabilities, and more self-confidence. In this, karate is not an end, but a means to an end. It is an activity in which advancing age is not a hindrance. Rather it encourages proficiency in the keen coordination of mind and body.

Karate styles:
There is not just one way or correct way of practicing Karate, as there are many diferent styles. Karate is not "unified" and that is one of the reasons why Karate is not at the Olympics. I think that it makes Karate even more interesting, though. And I look at it as a martial art so extensive and broad, that years of practice and studies are needed. Few diferences between styles, on techniques, stances, or Kata. There is no right or wrong style. At the end of the day every single style is still Karate. I studied and practiced Shito-Ryu for 7 years. It was a great experience and an honour to have learn with Sensei Luis alberto Garcia, in Madrid, Spain. Studying, practicing and teaching Shotokan now, has broaden my knowledge of techniques and Kata and I find it extremely interesting when comparing with each diferent style.

Witnessing the Karate course with Sensei Phil Snewin  from Kamishin Ryu recently (I wish I could have taken part, but had to sit down and just watch, due to my foot injury),  made me think even more about the importance of certain things that we tend to forget in our lessons:

• I think that it is very important to name all techniques in Japanese, and explain them in English.
• Karate, as a Japanese martial art, is very regimented, and ordered, and we should focus on keep practicing in that way. I believe that practicing Karate in the most traditional way possible is the beauty of Karate.
• Focus on the critical distance.
• Look before you act. When practicing techniques, bunkai and very important: in Kata!
• "Zanchin", as personal awareness, concentration, mental focus...

There are four major styles of Karate today: Shotokan-ryu, Shito-ryu, Goju-ryu, and Wado-ryu. A brief description of Shotokan and Shito-ryu is provided below:

Shotokan-ryu, which was founded by Funakoshi, came from Shorin-ryu (from Shuri-te), and utilizes long linear stances and physical power. This style was one of the first styles to be introduced to Japan in the 1920's. Powerful kata such as Bassai (Shuri-te) are typical of this style.
Goju-ryu was founded by Miyagi. It came from Shorei-ryu (from Naha-te and Tomari-te), which utilize up and down stances and internal breathing power (known as "hard and soft" techniques). Kata such as Sanchin (Naha-te) and Rohai (Tomari-te) demonstrate these techniques well.

Shito-ryu was founded by Mabuni. It is a combination of Shorin-ryu and Shorei-ryu, which makes this style a lot like a combination of Goju-ryu and Shotokan-ryu. Shito-ryu is fast, but is still powerful and artistic. Its kata include the same kata as Shotokan-ryu and Goju-ryu, as well as some artistic Chinese white crane kata such as Nipaipo. Shito-ryu also practices with Kobudo (weapon arts) and sometimes Iaido (sword arts) as part of the style, which makes Shito-ryu fairly unique among the modern Karate styles.
Wado-ryu is a derivative of Shotokan-ryu. It was founded by Ohtsuka, a student of Funakoshi.

I, being a previous Karate Shito-Ryu and Kobudo student, I would like to explain a little about its origins so you can also be familiar with this marvellous Karate style:

As stated above, Shito-ryu is a combination of two old different styles of Karate: Shorin-ryu and Shorei-ryu. This combination makes Shito-ryu a blend of power and speed. Shito-ryu emphasizes very much on Kihon (basics) at the beginning, but for a senior student, quality and quantity run together. Shito-ryu contains all eighteen Shorin-ryu katas, all sixteen Shorei-ryu katas, the Chinese white crane katas, plus the katas devised by Mabuni himself from his broad knowledge and experience, for a total of over 60 katas (depending on the organization).
Moreover, Shito-ryu lives together with Kobudo (weapon arts) and Iaido (sword arts) as well. Kobudo katas and Iaido katas, along with Kihon, Kumite, all the other Karate katas, and the principles and messages behind them made the treasury of Shito-ryu so magnetic and demanding that it truly deserves a life-long dedication to practice and perfect.

By Sensei Patricia Torralba.