Holt Karate

Karate is the combination of two words; Kara and Te. Empty and Hand. The idea being that we learn to use our bare hands to defend ourselves.

 

We do not teach people to be fighters, we teach Karate-do which means the way of the empty hand and it is more than learning to fight, it is a philosophy we try to teach and study.

 

Karate-ka are students of Karate-do and while a lot of the training is indeed punches, kicks and blocks, these are only to be used as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted.

 

Dojo is the place of the way and is often confused with training hall. While we do train in halls and refer to them as Dojo's, a Dojo is anywhere you choose to practice Karate-do.

 

Hombu is the term used for main club. For our club this means Stevenage Dojo located in Hertfordshire. It is here that all Karate-ka go to grade or attend competitions.

 

Sensei, this seems like a title and is often used as such but it simply translates to teacher.

 

Kihon, this means basics and is where we practice single techniques or small combinations many times over in order to improve our performance and execution of these techniques.

 

Kata are forms where Karate-ka practice set combinations in a set sequence.

 

Kumite. This is the most dangerous part of our training. Parting of Hands begins in a very controlled way and progresses from basic sparring to full free-style for the higher grades. It is not fighting so much as partnering up with others to explore your own strengths and weaknesses.