Better Health through Karate (Page-3)


The World Karate Association, which is recognized by The International Olympic Association (see www.wkf.net/) recognizes four major styles of karate. These are Shotokan, Shito-ryu, Goju-ryu and Wado-ryu. There are also several un-recognized styles, such as the full contact style of Kyokushinkai, which have a fairly large following. However, full contact, by its very nature, does not teach self-control, and there is the additional danger of broken bones during training. Full contact does, however, give its practitioners abundant self confidence! The Indian affiliate of the World Karate Association is the All India Karate-do Federation, (see http://sportal.nic.in ) which is recognized by the Government of India, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Indian Olympic Association. You could check up its website for the instructors in your State, or you could look up www.jkaindia.org (the JKA India, being one of the largest constituents of the WKF). Other styles recognized or not, may also have their own WebPages. 

If you do not have access to the internet, or the time to check the information out, and you want to know if your neighborhood dojo (martial arts school) is any good, ask to see the instructors AIKF Black Belt Certificate and his affiliation certificate. Also talk to the Instructor, about where he (or she) learnt karate, how long it took them to pick up the art, how his/her students fare in AIKF competitions, and then form your judgment. 

Lastly, do not look for short time courses, or short cuts to learning karate. There are 10 levels (Kyus) to pass before you can earn your Black Belt. The junior levels take a minimum of three months, and sometimes as long as a year to go through. The Brown Belt Level (3rd Kyu to 1st Kyu) takes a minimum of 6 months for each level. Black belt Levels take still longer! A 2nd Degree Black Belt will have to wait 3 years before he becomes eligible for a 3rd Degree, and a 3rd Degree Black Belt will have to wait 4 years before he can become eligible for the 4th Degree. Karate is a life time commitment, which will give you a life time of good health.