Is Twice-a-Week Training Enough to Become a Karate Master?

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

So, you’ve decided to take up karate training. That’s great news! There are many benefits to learning karate, both physical and mental. But if you’re like most people, you probably don’t have all the time in the world to devote to your newfound passion. You may be wondering if it is enough to train twice a week—or if you should try for more to become a true karate master. Let’s look at the pros and cons of twice-a-week training and help you figure out what works best for you.

The Pros of Twice-a-Week Training

The Pros of Twice-a-Week TrainingTwice-a-week training can be an effective way to learn karate and stay on top of your skills. For starters, it gives you enough time to learn new techniques without getting overwhelmed or overworked. It also provides enough time for your body and mind to rest in between sessions so that you can come back feeling refreshed and ready for more instruction. This can help ensure that every session is focused on learning something new rather than having to spend too much time reviewing material from prior lessons.

another benefit of twice-a-week training is that it allows plenty of time outside of class for practice. Being able to hone your skills outside the dojo helps ensure that when it comes time for testing, you will be prepared with the right moves and reflexes needed for success. Plus, with additional practice sessions outside of class, there will be less pressure during class sessions because everything will already be familiar and easy to recall when needed.

The Cons of Twice-a-Week TrainingThe Cons of Twice-a-Week Training

Although there are several benefits associated with twice-a-week training, there are some drawbacks as well. First off, twice a week isn’t necessarily enough time to master all aspects of karate-especially if your goal is black belt-level expertise or higher levels of achievement. The truth is that mastering any skill requires dedication and consistency; two days a week simply may not cut it if you want real results in the long run.

​​But perhaps one of the biggest disadvantages associated with twice-weekly classes is that they might not provide enough motivation or accountability when it comes to staying on track with your goals or pushing yourself harder each day in class. Having an instructor present during every session helps keep students focused on their goals as well as providing feedback about how they’re progressing throughout their journey towards mastery.

Other Considerations

Of course, there are other considerations that should be considered when deciding how often to train in karate. For example, how much time do you have available to devote to training? If your schedule only allows for two days of practice per week, then that’s all the time you have available—but if you can squeeze in three or four days of practice each week, then it might be worth considering adding an extra class or two into your schedule. Similarly, consider whether it would be more beneficial for you to focus on one style at a time rather than trying to learn multiple styles simultaneously—this way, you can get deeper into each style without spreading yourself too thin.

It’s clear that twice weekly classes have their advantages but also come with some drawbacks too – especially when it comes down to mastering higher levels of expertise or pushing yourself further each day during class sessions In general though, twice weekly classes are certainly a great place start – provided that you supplement them with regular practice outside the dojo – and can make a big difference when it comes down achieving progress in karate overall! Ultimately though, what really matters is finding what works best for YOU – so make sure to test out different schedules until finding something that fits into YOUR lifestyle while also helping reach YOUR goals! Good luck!

Please visit askaboutkarate.com for information about our school in Santa Rosa, CA!

Top 10 Reasons You Don’t Exercise – Part II

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

  1. You want to exercise but you have to take care of your family.

You don’t have to neglect your family to fit in exercise. Join a health club that has a daycare center or do a video while they nap. If they’re old enough, have them participate in your routine by lifting very small weights or counting your repetitions, or take them with you on your daily walk. Show your family what it means to be healthy by giving them a good role model. Contact Shotokan Karate Leadership School about family discounts.  Families that kick together, stick together! Karate at a Shotokan Karate Leadership School is a great way to stay fit!

  1. You can’t seem to stay motivated to continue working out.

Feeling Safe with Martial ArtsIf you’re tired, have swamp blood or stagnant feeling, stressed or bored with your workouts, it’s hard to keep going. To combat that, change your routine every 4 to 6 weeks by trying something new or changing your intensity or time. Remind yourself every day what your goals are and what you have to do to reach them. Reward yourself often (massages make great gifts). Shotokan Karate Leadership School does this for you with exciting, dynamic and fun curriculums that will keep you coming back for more. It works!

  1. Exercise HURTS!

You don’t have to hurt yourself to reap the benefits of exercise. When doing your cardiovascular exercise, make sure you’re in your target heart rate zone. You should be able to carry on a conversation, not huffing and puffing. When it comes to weight training, there should be effort involved since lean body tissue only grows when you challenge yourself. Using the heaviest weight you can handle for 12-16 reps will help you get the most out of your workouts. You should feel slight burning, but not teeth-gritting pain! Since martial arts is an individual sport, it is easy to gear for all fitness levels.

  1. You can’t make the commitment to stick to an exercise routine.

Conflict Resolution When you look at exercise in the long term (i.e., that you have to exercise on a daily basis FOREVER), it can be overwhelming. However, you don’t have to change your life overnight. Start with small goals, such as to be more active every day by taking the stairs and moving around more. Decide you’ll get up 10 minutes early to walk or lift weights. Over time, you can increase your workout time and try new things. For now, just worry about making it a daily habit. Remember, keep it fun! Shotokan Karate Leadership School has programs for those that want to train 1-2 times per week or those that would like unlimited classes. Visit Shotokan Karate Leadership School to learn more about Karate  programs so you can choose which one is right for you and your family.

  1. You don’t have time!

Physically inactive people have just as much free time as exercisers, so you can chuck this excuse! Here’s how to get past a busy schedule:

  • Schedule your exercise time.
  • If you can’t find a full 30 minutes during your day, break it up into 10 or 15 minute segments.
  • Get up a few minutes early and take a brisk walk, use 15 minutes of your lunch hour to walk the stairs and walk the dog or lift weights after work.
  • Keep a calendar of your workouts so you can track your progress and stay motivated.  Shotokan Karate Leadership School instructors can help keep you on track as well. Their job is to keep you motivated.
  • Remember that exercise generates energy–the more energy you have, the more you’ll get done each day.

Time is not an excuse, if we put more emphasis on doing something physically productive yet fun every day (little more down time from the TV) we could alter the time we have left in life.

Please visit https://askaboutkarate.com/ for information about our Karate school in Santa Rosa, CA!

 

Are you too busy to exercise

Top 10 Reasons You Don’t Exercise – Part I

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

Are you too busy to exercise? If so, you’re not alone. Studies show that 60% of American adults don’t get the recommended amount of physical activity, and over 25% of adults are not active at all (maybe a little too much TV time). These statistics reflect the fact that many of us simply don’t exercise. Shotokan Karate Leadership School, wants to help you change. What’s your excuse for not exercising?

  1. You really hate to exercise.

The key to happinessThe key to happiness is doing things you enjoy. If you hate running, you don’t have to do it. Find activities that match your personality. If you love the outdoors, go hiking or biking. If you like simplicity, stick with walking or circuit training. Try things before you decide you don’t like them. Visit Shotokan Karate Leadership School for a fun and exciting Karate fitness program.

 

  1. You’ve tried to exercise but you keep quitting.

People often quit because: they schedule too many workouts, try to accomplish too much in too little time, or work too hard and/or don’t give themselves rest days. Do whatever you can–you have to start where you are, not where you want to be. Keep cardio light and schedule recovery days. Progress each week by adding a few more minutes to each workout. Enduring a martial arts program is easy, as they have regular belt rank testing to measure your results and earn your rank. Karate is a way of life, mind, body and spirit. Elvis Presley once said, “It’s not just self defense, it’s about…self control, body discipline, and mind discipline… and breathing techniques. It involves Yoga. It involves meditation. It’s an art, not a sport.”

  1. You can’t afford a gym membership.

There’s no reason you have to join a gym to exercise. You can walk anytime, anywhere. Dumbbells are cheap and can be used for a variety of exercises. There are also an incredible number of workout videos available for the home exerciser. Visit Shotokan Karate Leadership School for affordable martial arts programs.

7.  You’re not seeing any changes in your body.

There's no reason you have to join a gymNot losing weight fast enough? Welcome to reality. You don’t put weight on overnight and it won’t come off that quickly either. Once you start exercising, give your body time to react. It could take up to 12 weeks before you start seeing some real changes in your body. In the meantime, try to enjoy the other benefits of exercise. Shotokan Karate Leadership School has different programs to help meet your needs, and while you are waiting to see those results you will be building friendships for a lifetime. Building a healthy lifestyle through consistent healthy habits will change a life over a period of time. Nothing good comes quick.

  1. You don’t know how to exercise.

Once people get in a gym, sometimes they are at a loss of where to begin and all of that equipment can seem overwhelming! That certainly won’t fly with the wealth of information at your fingertips. Try one of the many exercise books, videos or websites that cover everything from cardio to stretching exercises. And if exercising alone is not something you’re into, Shotokan Karate Leadership School has certified instructors ready and willing to help guide you to meet your fitness needs.

Read Part 2 for the TOP 5 of the Top 10 Reasons…

Please visit https://askaboutkarate.com/ for information about our Karate school in Santa Rosa, CA!

Fitness and Karate

Fitness Isn’t a Chore When It’s FUN! Part 2 of 2

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

Choose physical activities like Martial Arts that allow you to have fun, make friends, and push your own boundaries in a safe place. Actually enjoying the exercise alters our brain chemistry to reduce and resist stress, ultimately leading to mental clarity and better performance at all levels. Playing vigorously has the added benefit of ridding your body of stress-causing hormones such as adrenaline. Activities like the Martial Arts are shown to significantly bolster the brain’s and body’s stress resistance functions.

​​Strength training, yoga, or any exercise that involves tensing then releasing muscles can act as progressive relaxation. As Dr. Brehm-Curtis explains it, “When you measure muscle electrical activity after weight training, there’s less electrical activity, indicating that the muscles are more relaxed.” 

If you are not the type to meditate, try rhythmic, repetitive activities such as certain Martial Arts styles, swimming, rowing, or running, all of which increase alpha brain waves. These are the same waves that produce a meditative calm. 

Fitness with KarateHow many of us have said we can’t find time for one 30 or 40 minute exercise session? The American Council on Exercise suggests taking a 10-minute break every 90 minutes to climb stairs or walk around the building. You’ll accumulate 50 minutes of exercise in an eight-hour day and be more productive, because you’re reducing stress and physically moving.

For stress-relieving benefits, try exercising at least 30 minutes most days of the week. If you are new to exercise, begin with just two or three days, then work up to five or more days. If you need help or have questions, ask your Martial Arts instructor. Remember, exercise doesn’t just affect your physical appearance but your mental health too!

Common to most popular Martial Arts styles practiced in the U.S. today are the terrific mental and physical benefits derived from the total body workouts, especially in supportive classes where partner stretches, exercises, drills, and free sparring intensify the experience! Long-lasting fitness doesn’t have to be boring! Martial Arts are anything but routine, and the amazing benefits are available to anyone – at any starting fitness level or age – who is willing first to try then to persevere. Perhaps the secret to the longevity of traditional Martial Arts could be how personally and collectively enjoyable the practice, and how varied and advantageous the rewards. Fitness is not a chore when it’s fun!

Please visit https://askaboutkarate.com/ for information about our martial arts school in Santa Rosa, CA!

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Fitness Isn't a Chore

Fitness Isn’t a Chore When It’s FUN! Part 1 of 2

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

Training at your local Martial Arts facility provides a remarkable series of experiences that are anything but boring, same-old same-old routines! Training gradually improves your abilities, incrementally reaching personal goals in a safe and fun environment. Martial Arts are well known for their ability to develop impressive combat skills and self-confidence. They enhance strength, stamina, focus, reflexes, and more. And it’s more fun, more motivating to sweat and train with classmates who share your interests and support your goals!

But a quality program will provide much more than mere yelling, jumping, kicking, and punching. Whether confidence, discipline, fitness, or self-defense is one’s motivation for training, the central aim of every Martial Arts student is to improve. To get tougher; to be more adept and effective. We train to conquer obstacles and fears, to broaden our capacities, to learn and earn respect in all areas of life. It shows in our Black Belt attitudes – and in our physical fitness!

Karate and FitnessIf your exercise routine is no longer motivating, or seems to be producing less and less of the toning and conditioning results you want, you just have to try Martial Arts at Shotokan Karate Leadership School! Consider: you’ve tightened your abs, stretched your hamstrings, and built your biceps, but have you done any work to stretch and build your mental stamina? Exercise helps your body’s systems resist stress-related disorders and dysfunctions. Martial Arts training for many is intense, relaxing, and ultimately satisfying all at once. In large part we must thank our incredible brain chemistry for the relief and improvements we receive.

Martial Arts training helps practitioners “keep our cool” – stay calm and not panic or overreact – in stressful situations. Simply put, through our practice, we learn to control our minds and bodies so that less adrenaline is released whenever we experience stress. 

How it WorksHere’s how it works: The brain neurologically signals the body to produce adrenaline during stressful situations, but the surge is beneficial only for short periods of time, not long-term. Long-term exposure to adrenaline is now known to cause many physical problems. It can contribute to headaches, digestive problems, colds, high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stomach fat! According to Barbara Brehm-Curtis, Ed. D., professor of exercise and sport studies at Smith College in Northampton, MA, “If done consistently, physical activity actually reduces your stress reactivity. That means less adrenaline gets released and you don’t get as stressed out by things that used to upset you.” 

…to be continued

Please visit https://askaboutkarate.com/ for information about our martial arts school in Santa Rosa, CA!

Website Blog built by Go2Karate Sites, a company of Rev Marketing.