what is the diffenerce between karate and tae kwon do?
149254
The two most common martial arts practiced in North America are karate and tae kwon do. Many wonder what the difference between these two martial arts is. This is especially the case for those who are just starting to look around for a martial arts studio. After all, most practitioners in both karate and tae kwon do seem to wear the same type of white gi uniforms with various colored belts.\n\nModern traditional karate was developed in the islands of Okinawa in Japan after some influences from Chinese martial arts. There are actually different styles of karate but they are all commonly considered as Japanese martial arts today. The colored belt system was developed to show the various ranks of karate practitioners with white depicting novices and black belts (with various degrees) representing instructor levels and higher. There is a whole range of other different colors in between. Modern tae kwon do was developed in Korea after much influence from Japanese karate during the occupation by Japan. Indeed, tae kwon do is sometimes referred to as Korean karate. The Koreans adopted similar white uniforms along with a colored belt ranking system for tae kwon do. Today, there are two main styles of tae kwon do, one under the International Tae Kwon Do Federation and the other under the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Many tae kwon do schools have added a black lining to their white uniforms for black belt levels. A V-neck top is often seen in schools affiliated with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. There are also older Korean styles including tang soo do and moo duk kwan. Some of the more Americanized karate and tae kwon do schools also use uniforms with other colors such as red, black and blue in addition to the traditional white.\n\nIt can be generalized that in karate, one would use their arms or hands for 60% of the time for strikes or blocks while the use of legs for kicking will be about 40%. This breakdown is seen in the many forms or katas of karate which are set routines which simulate fighting against imaginary opponents using martial arts techniques. The forms from tae kwon do would have the opposite percentage breakdown with 40% hands and 60% legs. In tae kwon do, there is also more emphasis on higher kicks to the head level than in karate. Tae kwon do practitioners also utilize more jumping or flying kicks where one is airborne while executing kicking techniques. The tae kwon do forms or patterns are generally a bit shorter and less complex than the karate forms. Some tae kwon do schools have been known to use the odd karate form in its curriculum as well.\n\nIn North America as well as other parts of the world, there are separate traditional competitions for karate and tae kwon do. However, the open martial arts tournaments in North America often have competitors from both karate and tae kwon do competing together. Some of the larger open martial arts competition events will have separate forms divisions for Japanese karate and Korean tae kwon do competitors but the fighting or sparring divisions will usually be combined. Many black belts in tae kwon do end up studying karate as well and the opposite has been true too. Tae kwon do has received more publicity in recent years since its introduction as an Olympic sport. The style and rules used for the Olympic version of tae kwon do fighting comes from the World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF). Both karate and tae kwon do are considered as hard style martial arts in North America today (as opposed to soft styles such as the many versions of Chinese kung fu).\n\nClint Leung is a lifelong martial artist with over 32 years of training experience in kung fu, tae kwon do, karate, kickboxing and martial arts weaponry. He has won Canadian and world championship titles (NASKA, NBL and WSKF). He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (http://www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com) , an online retailer and designer of premium martial arts activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has martial arts info
1096480
Yes. The patterns do change. From the earilest beginings of Tae Kwon Do, the patterns were established as a way of self defense because most in acient Korea was not allowed to have weapons for fear of revolt. According to the lessons I have had and all the information I can find, I have yet to find any documentation that states the patterns MUST remain the same. Furthermore, martial arts is like the Earth, ever chaning. No two instructors can do or teach exactly the same nor can any two students learn and prefom exactly the same.
928380
I don't know if it's the same, but I take taekwondo and i read somewhere it takes about 2.5 years to get from white belt to black. Kickboxing probably has different belt colors, but our school goes: White, Yellow, Green, High green, Blue, high Blue, red, and then i think sometimes there is a high red in between, and finally black.  There was a sign hanging in our school:" A Black belt is just a White Belt that doesn't give up." Kind of inspiring.  Good luck!
1171772
The name of the school won't always reveal what martial art a school teaches or the number of styles they offer. Asking what kind of martial art someone teaches is not a stupid question. There is a styles directory on www.martialartssites.com that will describe many different styles of martial arts to you. www. wikipedia.com is also good.\n\nHere's an old answer of mine that might help:\n\nHere's what I would do:\n\n\n1. Get a sheet of paper and write down exactly what kinds of benefits you wish to obtain from studying karate/martial arts. It's a good idea to know exactly what you want to achieve.\n\n2. Go to www.smartpages.com and look up MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION in you city and state. It will tell you what martial arts are taught in your area and where the schools are located.\n\n3. Once you know what martial arts are offered in your area look up their definitions on the net. Note the similarities and differences between each. A good place to do that is www.wikipedia.com.\n\n4. Visit the schools in your area. Ask for a free class. Make sure you find a Master Instructor who is overseen by a larger governing body.For example: Many Tae Kwon Do schools belong to the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Verify your instructor's credentials.\n\n\nSome Martial Arts:\n\nTae Kwon Do and Karate will provide you with a great cardiovascular workout. They will also tone you. For the best results go to class around 4-5 days per week and at least 20-30 minutes a day at home to practice your moves.\nKoei Kan and Isshin Ryu are two good styles of karate. You can also look up Kenpo.\n\nKrav Maga, an Israeli style of self defense, is a superb physical workout. Around 4-5 days of Krav with transform your body. I've watched it happen. Fair warning! The workouts are intense! Take a look at Jennifer Lopez in the movie Enough. She's doing Karv Maga.
1042668
whoa! that was wierd and a bit stinky. but seriously, tai ju kwon is one of the 7 schools of tae kwon do that were started after WWII. before WWII japan had taken over korea and killed all of its master after rapping the style Tae kwan (one of the main styles in korea at that time) and calling it karate. after training the koreans in this flawed style to fight in their WWII the few korean masters in japan returned home to rebuild thier lost style. many dissagreed with the countries ideals of what taekwondo should be. because of this the masters went off and started their own schools (all of them i can't remeber but some are tai ju kwon, chi gong kwon, moo duk kwon, and sum jul kwon [kwon means school bye the bye]). it wasn't till the 70's did korea unify these styles into taekwondo under four federations. kta(korean taekwando asso.) wtf (world taekwando fed.) ata (american taekwando asso.) Ita (international taekwando asso.). but many still reconize the original schools like the one you mentioned.
941392
In kickboxing(well at least thai) you kick with your shin and the power comes more from the torque(pivoting on foot twisting hip, and swinging of arms) while taekwondo is more kicking with the foot and get its power from the snapping motion of the leg.\n\ntaekwondo sparring is focus more on point scoring while kickboxing is more knockout\n\nkickboxing is practically boxing but you can use kicks, elbows, and knees too; taekwondo at least to me focus more on kicks than punches.\n\nkickboxing the techniques are less fancy and easier to learn, while taekwondo is a lil more flashy and harder to learn and tend to require great flexibity\n\nthe fighting stance and and blocking is pretty different. kickboxing resembles more western boxing with its blocks and stance; while taekwondo remsembles the more traditional eastern arts\n\nby the way i dont necessarily think one is better than the other i personally enjoy kickboxing more; however any art can be very effective
896576
martial arts, Karate or Tae Kwon Do.  Both require the above + flexibility.  I do karate and other martial arts and not being arrogant but: \ni do have a lot of cardiovascular endurance (partly because i do my own fitness training at home and at the gym) - \n\nmuscular endurance ?YES!!! repetition of 100's of techniques in concession (eg. pyramid kicking/ punching etc.)this can also be done at the gym - \n\nmuscular strength YES being able to hold a kick or position your body in a certai nway requires great muscular strength - i also do isometrics and other strength exercises , yet again most can be done at gym.  \n\nFINALLY, being a martial artist, high kicks are not compulsary to be able to perform but if you follow a good flexibility/ stretching routine they will be no problem. splits and other such things are not essential but personally serve as a bench mark of flexibility ...(just somethingto measure by)\n\nhope this helps you\ngood luck with whatever you pursue\n\nL
701274
find the best martial arts or king fu that best suits you. king fu is one of the most diverse martial arts ever, unlike karate, taekwondo, judo, or aikido... kungfu has so many styles, from barehand styles, to armed weapon kungfu, to slow movement kungfu like taichi.. and those into kickings like shaolin kungfu.. i think kungfu has so many styles that each clans of families have different specialties, so choose one that suits you..  i was fascinated with kungfu, its a good martial arts as modern martial arts came from it..
178725
Tae Kwon Do\nno need for years of practice. \nmainly defensive\nnot extremely formal, but has uniform structure.
1107688
Tae Kwon Do\nHwa-Rang and Choong-Moo
984993
there is no unified and recognized organization for all of karate.  each style or offshoot has their own champion, if they fight competitively.
636468
I took a look at www.mugendojo.com. They've taken a bunch of martial arts and attempted to combine them. These martial arts are not the same and some are built upon different philosophies. You might end up getting a sample of each and a mastery of none. \n\nHere's some info from one of my old answers:\n\nHere's what I would do:\n\n\n1. Get a sheet of paper and write down exactly what kinds of benefits you wish to obtain from studying karate/martial arts. It's a good idea to know exactly what you want to achieve.\n\n2. Go to www.smartpages.com and look up MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION in you city and state. It will tell you what martial arts are taught in your area and where the schools are located.\n\n3. Once you know what martial arts are offered in your area look their definitions on the net. Note the similarities and differences between each. A good place to do that is www.wikipedia.com.\n\n4. Visit the schools in your area. Ask for a free class. Make sure you find a Master Instructor who is overseen by a larger governing body.For example: Many Tae Kwon Do schools belong to the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Verify your instructor's credentials.\n\n5. Choose a martial art that lines up with your goals.\n\n\nSome Martial Arts:\n\nTae Kwon Do and Karate will provide you with a great cardiovascular workout. They will also tone you. For the best results go to class around 4-5 days per week and at least 20-30 minutes a day at home to practice your moves.\nKoei Kan and Isshin Ryu are two good styles of karate. You can also look up Kenpo.\n\nThe best thing about the Kung Fu styles is that they are usually "complete" systems meaning they cover stand up, ground, and weapons combat. Yu Chia is an interesting form of Shaolin Kung Fu.\n\nKrav Maga, an Israeli style of self defense, is a superb physical workout. Around 4-5 days of Krav with transform your body. I've watched it happen. Fair warning! The workouts are intense! Take a look at Jennifer Lopez in the movie Enough. She's doing Karv Maga.\n\nHope this helps!
574188
Ryu Kyu Kempo...It's mostly defense techniques and pressure points and nerve centers for offensive attacks.
810402
Karate is Japanese and means Empty Hand. \nTaekwondo is Korean and means Foot Fist Way.\n\nYou'll see more practical techniques taught in Karate than in Taekwondo. Taekwondo is more 'showy' with stylish kicking techniques. You'll usually see a lot of board breaking and stuff like that in a TKD demonstration although breaking techniques are taught in both styles. There are quite a few styles of Karate and also a couple of different styles of Taekwondo, although you mostly see the style seen in the Olympics i.e no hand techniques. Also, weapons are commonly taught in Karate but not in Taekwondo.
471413
I've done some each of tae kwon do and karate, and I like tae kwon do better.
1179222
you should study karate it uses all of your bodies weapons unlike boxing it only uses hands
1051072
Where ever there is schools there is competition in that art i think Taekwondo is pretty popular in Asia and most of the world i don't know if you want to watch or compete but if you are just wanting to watch i don't know if you can get a hold of any Korean Tournaments they are the best in the world at Taekwando and are as crazy about it as America is about Baseball.