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FAQ
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Is karate for me?
What is karate training like?
How is karate different from other martial arts?
Is this style of karate a good one for me?
How do I pick a good school?
Is there danger of injury?
Can I start at a higher belt if I have experience already?
How long does it take to get a black belt?
What belt system do you have?
Is karate for me?
Women, men, and children aged 5 or older who can safely engage in moderate physical activity can learn karate. You are never too old to begin karate training.
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What is karate training like?
Karate training is divided into three aspects: basics (kihon), sparring (kumite) and forms (kata). Kihon entails the practice of the basics of stance, blocking, punching, kicking, striking, moving and stance. Kumite involves prearranged attacks and defenses at a lower level progressing to free sparring (exchange of techniques with a partner) at higher levels. Kata is prearranged sequences of defensive and offensive techniques.
Classes range in length of an hour. We recommend attending two classes per week if possible.
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How is karate different from other martial arts?
Karate involves defending oneself via blocking, and counterattacking using punching, kicking and striking techniques.
Judo, being a grappling and throwing art, provides methods for immobilizing the opponent. Judo is best described to a novice as a Japanese form of Greek wrestling.
Unlike judo, aikido contains heavy Japanese spiritual and religious overtones. Aikido is more merciful in that an opponent can be neutralized without permanently maiming him.
A tae kwon do artist will utilize kicking as his primary method of striking at his opponent. His stance is high, and his arms are used mostly for protection.
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Is this style of karate a good one for me?
Kami Bushi Kai is a combination of Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, Aiki-Jitsu, Jujitsu, and Boxing. Jeet Kune Do, and simple unarmed defensive tactics as well as a few other styles for a martial art system. Overall it is a martial art system to be practical in any situation since each style has its advantages and disadvantages. It would be very beneficial for the serious martial arts practitioner to understand and be proficient in several styles as far as self-defense is concerned or confronted in a realistic situation. Violence does not always have to settle a situation but be prepared if need be.
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How do I pick a good school?
Step1
There are many systems within the martial arts. Research web sites, books, and other resources to figure out what system you would like to study. Some systems are strictly weaponry, some karate ("kara"-empty, "te"-hand, in Japanese), and others a mix of both.
Step2
Ask family, friends, colleagues, and co-workers for advice. If you know someone in the martial arts, his or her school might offer deals or discounts for referred friends.
Step3
Shop around. Visit different dojos to participate in a class or two to see if you like it. Keep in mind your transportation - is the school worth the commute?
Step4
Meet with the instructors. Ask questions such as what drew them to the art?; how long have they been studying?; if they have studied other systems, what were they? Be sure to ask practical questions as well such as what is the cost?; what kind of uniform do you wear?; are they included in tuition?
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Is there danger of injury?
Very small. The stress is on safety and the training is supervised so that nothing like this occurs. The protective gear worn by the students is a greatly helping factor in our safety record being as good as it is.
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Can I start at a higher belt if I have experience already?
This all depends. If you are coming from another Shotokan school, perhaps under a different affiliation, you will probably be able to start at your original rank. Come to the club and ask Sensei about taking a placement test. Other styles of karate are quite similar, but still have some differences, and you may be able to start at a higher rank by taking a placement test. If you have trained in a completely different style of martial art other than karate, it is probably best to start as a white belt and become familiar with our training system and forms, but you will likely rise through the ranks quickly.
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How long does it take to get a black belt?
First degree black belt in karate is awarded to those who have mastered the basic techniques. With regular, consistent practice, students generally attain the rank of first degree black belt in two to five years, with three years being average.
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What belt system do you have?
Kami Bushi Kai has twelve levels of kyu ranking. A white belt has no level; with it starting at 12th – 10th kyu are Yellow belts, 9th – 7th Blue belts, 6th – 4th Green belts, and 3rd – 1st Brown. Black belts earn red stripes signifying the dan 1st – 8th. The main significant of colors belts and stripes are primarily to show progress of the Deshi. The main purpose in any martial art is for the practitioners to better themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually.
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