Which style of karate do is better, shoto kan or shito ryu?
336611
Like underpants, karate do styles are not one-size-fits all.\n\nYour best bet is to do a little research on the history of each style (wikipedia, for instance). Once you have a sense of which style sounds better suited to what you're seeking, locate some dojos. Call ahead and make appointments to visit each dojo to observe classes. While you will start in a beginner level class, check out higher level classes too. Visit the dojos you like a couple of times at least. Arrive to your appointments punctually, conduct yourself respectfully (no food or drinks, turn off cell phone, stay until class ends). \n\nWhen you're researching styles, be aware that even the same style can have numerous governing organizations. Which organization your school/chief-instructor is affiliated with influences everything from the educational style through events (tournaments, training camps, etc.) students will participate in.\n\nLastly, "Karate" means "empty hand." As such, be wary of styles and schools that seem flashy; full-contact sparring (protective gear), arsenals of weapons, and more emphasis on physical acrobatics rather than a balance of the body with the mind (concentration, calm, focus, etc.). . . unless of course that's what you're looking for.
485546
Judo = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judo\nKarate = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karate\n\nJudo is more fun than Karate, if you were thinking of taking one of these sports up.\n\nI am also a black belt in Judo, gained my black belt when I was 15 and then gave up when I left school ...... stupid decision I made there :-(
558049
Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu (柳生新陰流) is indeed a style of "kenjutsu" but, before one jumps to the conclusion, the definition of "kenjutsu" must be explained.  What is "kenjutsu"?  "Kenjutsu" is the term denoting methods of using the blade.\n\nSince "kenjutsu" means "swordsmanship", it should not be of any oddity to find the systematic study of sword-drawing (iaijutsu/iaido/iai) within a single "kenjutsu" style.  In the Japanese classical swordsmanship styles, the "kenjutsu" is divided into two parts: kempo and iai/battojutsu.\n\n"Kempo" in "kenjutsu: does NOT refer to karate or karate-like techniques, the kanji for "kempo" here is translated as "sword-methods" -- the usage of the blade outside the sheath.  "Iai" refers to the systematic study of sword-drawings and/or sneak-attacks.\n\nNow, "taijutsu" is NOT limited to ninjutsu only.  The term, "taijutsu" simply refers to empty-hand combat techniques.  "Ninpo Taijutsu" simply means "empty-hand techniques that follow the principles of ninjutsu" and nothing more.\n\nMost classical "kenjutsu" styles DO possess "empty-hand combat methods" within their systems.  Some will refer to it as "taijutsu" whilst others will use other terms, such as jujutsu; some styles even divide the techniques of throwing-n-locking from striking-n-kicking, the former is termed "yawara" or "jujutsu" whilst the latter is termed "taijutsu".\n\nIn Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu, there is indeed a "taijutsu" known as "mutotori taijutsu" (combat techniques without the blade).  The terminology itself here is a misnomer because, one does NOT really fight without a sword -- the "sword" is inside the heart and is manifested as, one's own arms as well as the arms of the enemy (depends upon the situation and/or technique).  It is similar to the concept of aikijujutsu/aikido where most techniques can be performed with the sword as well as empty-handed.
649862
Hey, people, if you don't know the answer, don't just try to grab points.\n\nKung Fu is a family of martial arts.  Some of the forms inclue Wing Chung, San Soo, Shao Lin, and others.  They all encompass different techniques.  San Soo, for example, encompasses the animal forms, such as Tiger, Crane, Dragon, etc.\n\nTae Kwon Do is a form of MArtial Art that is very strongly focused on Discipline and kicks.  Either art is effective if used properly, and they transitionalize well together.\n\nBear in mind that there are Two differnet generalizations of Kung Fu:  So Style, which is Northern China, and Ki Style which is Southern Style.  Southern China is mountainous, and the moves with Ki Style are made for closed in areas where you need to use closer attacks and defenses.  Northern China holds the vast Gobi Desert.  Kung Fu from this region Is open, and the moves are large and a lot of ariels.  both are beautiful in their own right.\n\nTae Kwon Do is much more likely to be taught correctly in America than is Kung Ku, because MOST, not all, teachers do not separate the different philosophies of Kung Fu, and teach a generic form.
1114881
Tae Kwon Do is pretty nasty...it's a little like kickboxing and works alot of muscles.  Apparently, Akita (sp?) is supposed to be a new thing for working out your upper body.  It uses swords.  The examples I saw were more like carved pieces of wood, but the real thing is straight lethal.  Tai Chi is probably your best bet though...look it up and see.  I thin that's what you're looking for though.
529724
A knife-hand strike is a strong technique in karate. More popularly known as a 'karate chop,' the knife-hand is powerful enough to knock out an attacker.\n \nSteps:\n1.  Open your hand with your fingers extended and touching together.\n \n2.  Arch the hand backward, forcing the palm side of the knuckles forward.\n \n3.  Fold the thumb into the palm, bending the top of the thumb downward.\n \n4.  Curve the tips of your fingers in slightly while keeping the hand arched backward.\n \n5.  Move your striking hand, palm up, near the opposite-side shoulder.\n \n6.  Strike across your body, straightening your elbow as you go.\n \n7.  Twist your wrist immediately before contact, so that the palm faces down. The padded edge below the pinky is the striking surface.\n \n8.  Keep your other hand as a fist at your side. Pull back on this hand in the opposite direction of your strike to gain power.
1145651
That depends on what you want out of it. They are all different. They all have strengths and weaknesses. I teach and train in Karate but that's because it's right for me, not necessarily for you. Here are some brief descriptions of the major arts.\n\nKarate - linear punching and kicking (similar to boxing and kickboxing)\nJudo - ground work, grappling, locks and throws\nTai-chi - slow beautiful movements used for exercises\nTae-kwon-do - A lot of kicking (and shouting)\nAikido - Circular movements with locks, holds and throws (non aggressive)\nKung-Fu - Chinese art that is very flashy and great for tournaments.\n\nThe best thing to do is to find an art for you, go to different Dojo's and watch classes. Most Dojo's will let you take a free class. Find whats best for you and work hard. Later you can add another art that compliments your first one.
943837
correct that's why in Australia zen do kai was formed its freestyle fighting that is "street"  and freestyle is now the biggest  fight tournament around being th ufc. Which proved that doing 3 turns before a strike got your head knocked off. good bye karate
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!
1095486
wing chun huh?\nI know all 5 forms and know chee sao... but never have officially learned it in a classroom.\nI learned Chee Sao through my Mi Zhong Lo Han (my jhong law horn) Its really all the same.\nI have a set of randy williams books that show everything...\nthey are good, have you seen them? I learned the forms from those books and Grand Master Lee corrected my posture..\nI really like it. Can you analyze me by video I upload? Im in texas...\nBelt really isnt that important to me..\nI just want authentic wing chun people to say im doin it correctly..\nI have video I pirated of Yip Man to help... :) all forms done by him..  I know there are different lineages that fued, and want to stay clear of such things. I just wanna learn wing chun and no one can agree on how it should be nowadays. So.. \nI can trade vids with you if you want.\nI have lots of forms,\nall kyokushin karate\nall tkd\nall wing chun\nall bjj techniques\nall drunken style techniques\nI cant give out my good ones though...\nmaster lee would skin me. Strictly forbidden.. if anyone wants to learn, they can come to him. I have some sword fighting video too.. web cam.. i wanna practice.. ! ive got 7 years experience with other arts too. So form and strength, and moves are all familiar cause the body only has two arms and two legs. ;)
157464
go with tae kwon doe. it's fun and buils mental and physical strength.
1022036
There is no one ultimate art and anyone that says so hasn't looked past their own art. Every martial art has strong and weak points to it. The best way to go is to study two or more arts and combine them. That is how most all of the modern arts have developed over the years.\nMorihei Ueshiba (O Sensei) the founder of Aikido combined jujitsu, fencing, and spear fighting together with his religous beliefs to create a new and powerful art.\nKenwa Mabuni the founder of Shito-ryu Karate combined two styles of Karate (Naha-te and Shuri) to create one of the major styles used today.\nMy oppinion is to take two arts that are very different from each other and learn them both well enough to combine the movements and create your own.
1053271
1.) Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu (Masaaki Hatsumi) \n2.) Genbukan Ninpo Bugei (Shoto Tenemura)\n3.) Jinenkan (Fumio Manaka)\n\n1.) Link for Bujinkan Schools: http://www.winjutsu.com/winlinks.html... \n\n2.) Link for Genbukan: http://www.genbukan.org/cgi-bin/site.pl... (there should be a dojo locator on there)\n\n3.) Link for Jinenkan Locations: http://www.jinenkan.com/locations.htm...\n\nAll three arts have school in America and Internationally. \n\n**Note: Genbukan dojos outside of Japan teach ninjutsu better, than Bujinkan.
691478
karate\n\nn : a traditional Japanese system of unarmed combat; sharp blows and kicks are given to pressure-sensitive points on the body of the opponent
471413
I've done some each of tae kwon do and karate, and I like tae kwon do better.
1012741
Jiu-jitsu and karate are Japanese martial arts that focus on offensive techniques.  Tae-kwondo is a Korean martial art that is primarily meant for defense.
1184523
HEY A KARATE QUESTION!