Tag: Karate

Adult Health and Fitness

Adult Health and Fitness

Posted on | by AskAboutKarate

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

Shotokan Karate Leadership School knows the physical aspects of karate  and how it makes an effective way to exercise the whole body — muscles, coordination, and aerobics.

Karate is a physical endeavor. Students can expect to receive an intense physical workout, benefiting their strength, balance, and cardiovascular systems. This workout makes karate a great fitness activity to include in a personal physical fitness and exercise routine.

Physical Elements of a Typical Karate Class

Depending on the level of the class and the instructor’s preference or schedule, each class session may incorporate the following elements:

  • warm-up/stretching
  • stances (front stance, middle stance, ready stance, back stance, etc.)
  • basics (practicing blocks, strikes, kicks, and other basic moves up and down the floor)
  • forms (repeating form segments multiple times)
  • sparring (intense bouts)
  • one-steps (similar to mini-forms and sparring, with a partner)
  • self-defense techniques

For higher belt ranks, classes may also include weapons training, advanced kicks, and various other advanced karate moves.

These various parts of a karate class strengthen students’ muscles, improve their balance and coordination, extend their endurance, and improve their cardiovascular health. For more information on Shotokan Karate Leadership School please visit us at http://askaboutkarate.com.

Practicing with Shotokan Karate Leadership School Builds Muscle and Strength

Making Karate a Part of an Exercise and Fitness RoutineThe different karate moves work various muscles throughout the body, providing a full body physical fitness workout for adults.

Karate Stances – from front stance to middle stance or to a ready stance, etc. – all strengthen leg muscles, extending endurance and balance.

Karate Kicks – front kick, round kick, crescent kick, side kick, jump front kick etc. – works different core leg muscles, from hip to thigh to calf, and merely lifting each leg exercises it and helps tone the muscles.

Karate Punches and Blocks – punches, strikes, blocks, etc. – fulfill a similar function for the arm and side muscles, using the torque of muscles against one another – resulting in a tremendous amount of force providing a strong physical workout. Practicing also helps karate students hit targets harder and more accurately.

Karate Stretching – Karate Certified Instructors recommend stretching before and after each lesson. Simple stretching tones, lengthens, and prepares the muscles, ensuring students avoid injuries and receive the most effective workout possible.

Practicing Karate Improves Balance and Coordination

In addition to strengthening and toning muscles, karate helps improve a student’s physical coordination.

Holding stances for extended periods of time not only strengthens the leg muscles, but also aids in accomplishing greater balance. Balancing the legs in a proper stance provides a strong foundation for the body, helps transition to the next move in forms, as well as helps in creating a solid ending stance after completing moves.

Balance is also required when executing kicks, to keep the body upright and to place the kick appropriately and consistently. It also takes coordination to throw a punch at a consistent level and specific location. Repeating forms and other moves accurately and consistently also aids with hand-eye coordination and overall covertness and confidence.

This balance and coordination, sharpened through karate training, helps in other areas of life, from walking down the street to balancing on a moving bus to competing in other sports activities. It can even help if a person happens to become caught in a real-life self-defense situation. For more information on reality-based martial arts training, visit http://askaboutkarate.com.

Practicing Karate Provides an Aerobic Workout and Helps Improve Cardio Fitness

Builds Muscle and StrengthKarate classes also provide cardiovascular exercise through completing forms (kata’s) and sparring.

Karate kata’s (forms) teach combinations of moves, simulating a “fight.” The discipline of practicing karate partially stems from learning forms at each belt level. Depending on the speed and number of forms to master, this repetition can provide a light, moderate, or vigorous aerobic workout.

Karate sparring, which is a short intense fighting bout, as seen during mixed martial arts matches (MMA), can leave students breathless and muscles aching. Participating in a variety of sparring matches during a karate class gives students an intense cardio workout, while also demonstrating realistic uses of the basic moves learned in class.

Making Karate a Part of an Exercise and Fitness Routine

Incorporating martial arts into a physical fitness routine is a good way to get and stay healthy and to consistently work the overall body. The varied physical fitness benefits of karate develop a life-long means to achieve overall health and fitness.

Every karate class contains several of the physical elements discussed here. Some classes might focus on basics (basic strikes and blocks), while others might concentrate on repeating forms, and still others might include sparring and self-defense techniques. This makes some sessions more aerobic and others more about strength and endurance. All classes include some similar elements, such as warming up, stretching, and holding stances.

Practicing karate consistently two to four times a week or more provides sufficient time working every muscle group and the body as a whole. Over time, this promotes overall health and well-being.

In Karate, committed students receive a varied and intense full-body physical workout that goes far beyond simply fighting or self-defense.

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

 

Mental and Physical Fitness

Shotokan Karate Leadership School for Mental and Physical Fitness

Posted on | by AskAboutKarate

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

Karate is known to be one of the most well-known forms of martial arts all over the world. Karate helps develop the core physical properties of the human body – endurance, flexibility, and strength. Learning karate requires an individual to be focused on various aspects such as regular practice and determination – thereby promoting the development of those aspects in the body as well.

Karate has the potential to improve both the mental and physical fitness of a person. Karate has long been known for its ability to make a person fitter and smarter. Long time practice in karate also instills a feeling of discipline and determination in a person.

Benefits of Karate for Children

Benefits of Karate for ChildrenLearning Karate from a young age is known to promote the development of good behavior in a child. Because of the fact that Karate is focused on developing the physical aspects of the body as well as the mental aspects, the child will learn to be more disciplined, focused and in control of his or her body.

Self-esteem and self-confidence is something a lot of children struggle with in today’s fast paced world. Karate, however, is known to promote a feeling of being happy with oneself and helps children in becoming more confident about their body and abilities. Moreover, the fact that Karate is taught as a form of self-defense rather than as a form of attack, a child that takes up this martial art will be taught about how to control his or her impulsive reactions and also use the martial art only when required.

Many children have benefited from karate classes and regular karate practice at Shotokan Karate Leadership School. Over time, the demand for karate among young children has actually increased. The greatest beneficiary of karate have been young children who have used it to improve their physical fitness and mental performance at the same time.

Benefits of Karate for Men

While taking up karate when you are a young child will obviously give you more time to develop your body and tone it, grown men can also take up the martial art and see it almost completely transform the way they live. Psychologists also believe that men are ‘hard-wired’ to thrive on physical power and being able to come out on a physical altercation. While karate does help develop your body to be a weapon, there is also a lot of stress placed on ensuring that the body is able to cope with the mental aspects of keeping your calm and ensuring that you know how to diffuse a situation without allowing it to develop into a physical assault.

The way an individual is trained is essential in order to breed the right aspects of karate in a man. It is also extremely important to make sure that you find out as much as you can about potential sensei’s and their teaching methods before you join one.

Karate practice provides great benefits to men in the form of improved fitness. It has helped many men in losing excess weight and making themselves slimmer. Karate has also made them mentally tougher and better able to take on the challenges of life.

Benefits of Karate for Women

Benefits of Karate for Women More and more women are getting interested in martial arts and, specifically, karate. While the interest of women in karate in previous years and generations had not been either very highly regarded or encouraged, more women are starting to see the benefit of self-defense in today’s aggressive world. While the benefits of karate for women are very similar to those for men, there are other subtle differences. For instance, women have started to take the issue of their safety into their own hands. A well-trained karate-practicing woman is able to defend herself without the need of a male companion to be her ‘knight in shining armor’.

Karate helps women develop their physique as well as mental health to give them a significant advantage over a man that has no martial arts training. A woman trained in karate has a lot to gain. She can use karate lessons to improve her self-esteem and confidence.

For this very reason, the practice of karate is on the rise among women. Most women who learn karate also invite their friends and other women into it. This has created a lot of demand for karate among women in recent years.

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

Child Safety

Top 10 Healthy Eating Tips for Children with Tips, Part II

Posted on | by AskAboutKarate

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

Practical Healthy Eating Tips for Children, continuedEat Food Good For You

 

  1. Avoid sugar-laden breakfast cereals, breakfast bars, and granola bars: Many cereals, breakfast bars, and granola bars that appeal to kids are high in sugar and have ingredients almost like a candy bar. Choose unsweetened, low-fat, whole grain, fiber-rich versions of these items instead. Karate Kids and Adults Health Tip: Add fruit to naturally sweeten cereals. Also this is a great meal for children to “prepare” themselves; they get pretty excited when they help. Don’t forget, children can only eat what you bring into the house. If you avoid buying sugary foods, your children won’t be able to eat them.

 

  1. Reduce sugar intake: Most kids love sweet treats like candy, cookies, donuts, muffins and chewy “fruit” snacks, but too much sugar is not good for their health or teeth. Offer these items infrequently – perhaps as dessert after dinner – and limit the serving size. Choose healthier alternatives such as fresh, dried, freeze-dried or canned (in juice or extra-light syrup) fruit. Karate Kids and Adults Health Tip: Our family opts to go to our martial arts class for our after-dinner treat. We also have a “special of the week”, where each week our children get to pick a new fruit or vegetable to try. This encourages the children to try new things and offers a healthy alternative to help change things up after dinner.

 

  1. Use pre-packaged convenience foods sparingly: Although quick and easy, these highly processed foods are high in salt, sugar, and/or fat—as well as preservatives—and have little to no nutritional value. Serve these items only in “emergency” situations. Karate Kids and Adults Health Tip: We wash all fruits and veggies right after we get home from the grocery store. This helps save prep time when preparing meals. Also, “think double:” Double your recipes and freeze half for future meals. Just remember to label everything prior to putting it in the freezer and leave at least ½ inch of space at the top of the container as frozen foods expand.Making Health Eating Habits

 

  1. Avoid fast food: There are few nutrients in fast food—and plenty of calories, sugar, fat, cholesterol, salt and preservatives. When you do eat out, make healthy restaurant choices and help your child order the most nutritious items off of the menu. Karate Kids and Adults Health Tip: As parents, we know this isn’t always avoidable. So when you do have to make this choice, simply consider the healthy alternatives that fast food restaurants are now offering. By replacing the French fries with fruit or veggie dippers and the soda with low-fat milk this will make a world of difference.

 

  1. Prevent habitual overeating: Infants and young children are very good at paying attention to their hunger and fullness cues. Reinforce that your kids should eat only when they are hungry and stop as soon as they start to feel full. Avoid the “clean-your-plate” mentality. If your child is satisfied, don’t force him to finish his meal. Karate Kids and Adults Health Tip: Invest in a home food scale and an extra set of measuring cups/spoons. This is a great way to incorporate portion control and measuring for children. Obviously, you can’t measure and weigh every time; however, children love to utilize what they learn in school at home.

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

 

Top 10 Healthy Eating Tips for Children with Tips, Part I

Posted on | by AskAboutKarate

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

Shotokan Karate Leadership School schools are concerned about the reports about childhood obesity becoming rampant in America. This is not an experience they wish on any child. Obesity is a scary thing. Preventing obesity can be easy and empowering for children. Parents and caregivers need to allow children to have control over their bodies. Kids need to learn to take control of their real needs and treat their bodies with love and respect, the sort of traditional life skills taught at martial arts found at Shotokan Karate Leadership School.

Nutrition is at least as important as exercise. People who attempt to lose weight are often totally confused about the role of nutrition. Some think that if they work out, they can eat whatever they want. Not true! Worse, contestants on The Biggest Loser often came in thinking “they’ll work out a lot and won’t eat at all,” says Bob Harper, a trainer on the popular TV show. This is not a good strategy! You need to hit the sweet spot: fueling your body enough with healthy foods to give you energy to get through the day (and your exercise routine), but not so much that you take in more than you’re burning off.

Practical Healthy Eating Tips for ChildrenHealthy Nuts

  1. Encourage your child to eat regular meals and snacks: Offer three meals and one to three snacks each day and serve your child a wide variety of healthy foods. Karate Kids and Adults Health Tip: Think ahead and pack several healthy snacks for “on the go” so that children have easy access to healthy options.
  1. Serve plenty of fruits and vegetables: Fruits and veggies are packed with nutrients yet contain few calories. Be sure to include at least one fruit and/or vegetable at each meal and snack. Karate Kids and Adults Health Tip: Remember, a food needs to be introduced up to 10 times before a child’s taste buds can enjoy it. Children love to help in the kitchen—allow them to help make smoothies or rinse/prepare vegetables.
  1. Focus on high-fiber whole grains: Whole grain, fiber-rich breads, cereals, pastas, rice, and low-fat crackers provide more vitamins, minerals and fiber to help meet your child’s nutritional needs. Karate Kids and Adults Health Tip: Remember that parents lead by example. Most of the time, children eat what we do.Eat Fruits and vegetables
  1. Choose low-fat and non-fat dairy products: Low-fat and nonfat milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream and ice cream contain less fat and cholesterol than regular-fat versions. If your child eats cheese regularly, consider purchasing reduced-fat varieties. (Keep in mind that children between one and two years of age need to consume whole milk.) Karate Kids and Adults Health Tip: Can’t get your child to drink milk? Try blending 1⁄2 cup frozen fruit into 1 cup low-fat milk. Don’t forget to serve with a straw.
  1. Limit sweetened beverages: Juice, soda, lemonade, and fruit drinks contain excess sugar and calories, but few nutrients—sometimes, none at all. Serve these drinks only on occasion and serve no more than four to eight ounces—you can dilute these with water. Plain water is the best choice. Consider going green by purchasing reusable water bottles; let your child pick one in their favorite color. Karate Kids and Adults Health Tip: Add fruit to your ice cube trays, blueberries work great!

Come back for Part II.

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

How to Use Karate in Real-World Situations

Posted on | by AskAboutKarate

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

If you think that Karate is only applicable in fighting and violence, well, there’s a lot more uses of Karate in life. As a matter of fact, Karate can be used in every aspect of a person’s life including self-defense.

Starting your Karate journey can be quite tough at first. You might think where will it impact my life? Moreover, a lot of people are confused about this one question. So, we are here to talk about how to use Karate in real-world situations. To spice things up, we are going to add some real-life scenarios that can save the lives of a lot of Karate Students out there.

  • Self-Defense

Now, training for self defense can be quite rewarding. A lot of people think that Karate can’t help you defend yourself in a life or death situation. However, here’s the truth. When we talk about those attackers, they are mostly fighting with their egos. Hence, in the midst of proving themselves, these attackers are full of rage. Karate Students learn ways to read their opponent. Hence, Karate will let you discover the fighter’s weak points and ace the fight. In essence, a fighter’s ego exposes themselves to danger.

  •  Sportsmanship

Even though all sports are different from one another, Karate helps the athlete in a lot of ways. Here’s how Karate can improve your overall sports performance, enabling you to become a beast in your most favorite sport.

  • Karate increases the strength and balance of your body

Karate Teaches Self-DefenseFrom eye coordination to hands, you’ll see a drastic change in handling your body after you start training in Karate.

In other words, your body acts in a way you want it to move. Even if your right side or left side is weaker, Karate helps in balancing the core of your body, making you perform in your prime in the respective sports you’re playing.

  • Karate builds explosiveness

Do you have a hard time acting to your reaction? For example, even if you have a little control over your body and senses, if you can move with the explosiveness that a sport requires, you won’t be able to thrive.

In some sports, it’s jumping higher, running faster, dodging, attacking, throwing, and all the other physical elements involved.

  • Karate builds flexibility

In sports like MMA, Boxing, Football, and Basketball, having inhumane flexibility can put you ages ahead of the competition.

Athletes who have an insane amount of flexibility can not only move better but they can perform in a charming and explosive way. Karate makes you stretch your hips, glutes, and every muscle/joint you can think of.

  • Karate Improves Your Emotional Health

Life is uncertain. You can’t have perfect days every time. Additionally, life is a series of losing your loved ones too. That’s where Karate comes in. We all know that Karate improves your physical health.

However, the equal benefit that it provides is improving your mental health as well. Karate constantly reminds you that life is temporary, some things are outside the level of our control, and the things you can control, let go of them. You can only control what’s inside your brain.

  • Karate Helps in Stopping Negative Thoughts

Karate has Real World UsesWe humans tend to think negatively. Well, that’s true for the most part. However, Karate prepares you to combat not only fights but negative thoughts too. When you put your body and mind through challenges and hard work, it creates tolerance for tackling more challenges and thoughts.

This is because your brain is a muscle too. So, whenever there are negative thoughts, instead of frowning upon them, you start to take action!

  • Conclusion

Keeping in view all these real life situations, Karate is indeed helpful in preparing you for real life situations. And if you make up your mind to join and learn the art of Karate, it will make you and your life better.

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

 

Teaching Leadership

How Karate Helps Create Leaders?

Posted on | by AskAboutKarate

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

We all know that the next generation is our future. The young kids will be the future and they’ll be responsible for the creation of a balanced or not-so-balanced society. In other words, the same kids who go to school every day will become the leaders of the future.

It was the same for us. We took the necessary education and training to become a leader, and that’s how our generation is working. For the next generation, it is our responsibility to create leaders who are capable enough to lead it.

Leadership simply means the ability to lead. It can be friends, colleagues, cities, countries, or the whole world. But interestingly enough, Karate can create future leaders.  In this post, we are going to talk about how Karate helps create leaders.

Karate and Leadership Skills

  1. Karate encourages self-confidence and leadership qualities

Leadership SkillsThe first and foremost important quality that a leader should have is self-confidence. As we all know, Karate teaches self-confidence to make the learner’s life easier and better. The various techniques we learn in Karate put us through all the necessary pressure, and at the end of the day, that pressure pays off. Your self-confidence increases drastically.

Whenever we talk about children, a lot of them have confidence issues. Therefore, Karate pushes you to accomplish things that you never thought were possible.

It improves confidence and self-esteem, and these two qualities are necessary to become a great leader.

Moreover, when students are confident, they become super-charged into leading. We know that not everyone is cut out to become a leader. However, Karate teaches that our elders should be respected. This creates a natural leading environment and that’s how real leaders are made.

2. Karate encourages us to help and educate others

From inspiration to education, Karate teaches us how helping others will promote happiness and betterment for the world. After a student becomes a master’s in Karate, he becomes an inspiration for a lot of people. Moreover, he can help others to learn Karate and strengthen their mental and physical health.

This ability to inspire and educate others is the epitome of what a leader should be.

3. Karate promotes an honest mindset

In a world ruled by corruption, Karate teaches us that honesty is everything. Truthfulness is the art of becoming successful in life. Moreover, a leader’s impact on society as a whole can be negative or positive. By learning Karate, it becomes evident that you’re learning honesty too.

In other words, honesty promotes trust, and in order to become the best leader, you’ll need trust to make people listen to you. This is especially true for the kids.

4. Karate improves a person’s social life and communication

Karate encourages us to help and educate others After the constant interaction with one another in Karate, socializing doesn’t even harm you. A lot of children have social anxiety. Hence, Karate turns them into a normal kid who doesn’t run away from social situations. In the Dojo, you’ll meet new people, make new friends, inspire some, and maybe have a fight with some people.

The whole journey of comradery is something that will make you think about life twice. This is because in the current digital world we live in, kids are getting more and more socially awkward. But when it’s mastering an art like Karate, the whole personality and communication improve.

5. Karate promotes self-discipline

The most important part about becoming a leader is self-discipline. If you don’t do something that you tell others to do, you won’t be able to become a leader. A leader is something who inspires others. Having discipline is important when you’re training to become a leader.

In the world of Karate, self-discipline is the key to improving your life. Especially for kids who are young, it creates something valuable in their brains. Self-Discipline is everything. It’s how you start your day, it’s how you inspire others, and most importantly, it’s how you get the right results.

Conclusion

Karate can become a useful tool to create new leaders. Karate isn’t just physical training. It is the ultimate training of mind, body, and soul. But most importantly, learning Karate can create leaders that’ll become our future someday.

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

Top 10 Reasons You Don’t Exercise – Part II

Posted on | by AskAboutKarate

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

Posted on | by AskAboutKarate

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!

kids are like soft clay and can be modeled

Shotokan Karate Leadership School Teaches Children to be Calm and Learn Respect

Posted on | by AskAboutKarate

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

Shotokan Karate Leadership School teaches that kids are like soft clay and can be modeled into becoming excellent human beings only if given the right training and the guided direction in their life. Such life skills such as being focused, calm and to show respect are two of the most fundamental values that they should be taught when they are young.  For ages Karate has been known for not only teaching self defense techniques but also teaching students how to concentrate, focus, and respect themselves and others.

At Shotokan Karate Leadership School,  students are taught respect and calm before beginning actual physical training. For young kids focus does not come easily, they are brimming with energy and curiosity and many do not find the right way to channel this immense source of energy. To help them become calmer, more methodical, and help them learn to work diligently toward a goal, children should be enrolled into martial arts classes.

help students focus on their inner selfUnderstanding their own selves

Karate and other forms of martial arts help students focus on their inner self by listening to their body and their thoughts. This is a quality that, when inculcated at the very beginning, can help them when they step into adulthood. Often adults forget to take care of their own bodies and health situation due to the constant personal and professional stress they are under, if a disciplined habit of listening to their own body and thoughts could have been put into place they would have been much healthier and happier people. Through training in Karate children are taught to listen, see and feel both internally and externally. They are trained to be more aware. They become present to their own strengths and weaknesses, courage and fear.

Learning conflict resolution

Karate teaches one to respond without reacting, especially aggressively. Though the art teaches self defense, it actually inculcates values of patience and deep understanding which are essential in resolving conflict without becoming aggressive. Children learn to listen proactively instead of rushing into fights. While training the kids to be calm and tranquil, one of the lessons that are imparted at the Shotokan Karate Leadership School is that of breathing.

Breathing is the very way in which we let life force or Chi, also known as Ki enter into our body. Rhythmic and harmonic breathing is key to maintaining a normal healthy life. This fundamental learning can actually help in saving lives. Many of us live our life without the knowledge of how to breathe properly in a coordinated manner. It teaches children taking karate classes to relax under pressure and maintain a healthy and harmonic rhythm in their daily activities. This brings down the haphazardness that we have sometimes noticed in children.

Karate teaches one to respond without reactingBy learning the simple principles of being respectful and calm in all kinds of situations, kids develop healthy relations with their classmates at school and with their teachers. They are better focused on their studies, which in turn improves their test results. This cumulative achievement leads the child to feel more confident and works as a motivation to do even better in life. With constant positive reinforcement this good practice can be continued and sustained to help them become strong and responsible adults.

We welcome you to join us at Shotokan Karate Leadership School  and see why so many community members have chosen our school.

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

 

How to Choose a Karate School for You or Your Kids

Posted on | by AskAboutKarate

By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA

In the Karate business, not all schools are created equal. Karate instructors generally do not have to answer to a state agency or even have specific training. Some schools require all Karate instructors to become certified prior to owning or operating a Karate school, and keep their national certifications and qualifications up to date.

Finding a Karate SchoolCertifications such as the following might be required:

  • CPR
  • State and Federal background check
  • Class management skills certification
  • Physical skills certification
  • Child safety skills and drills
  • Bullying prevention techniques

Below are some key steps, questions to ask, and tips when choosing a Karate School:

  1. Research on the internet. Read Karate articles, stories, testimonials, and learn as much as you can about your local Karate schools.
  2. Make an appointment. The school should offer a free introductory class, take it and experience the class, the school  and the instructors. This should be a positive experience with class structure and a personal rapport with you and your family.
  3. Gauge the attitude of the instructor and the students. This can serve as an accurate indicator of school spirit.  Respect goes both ways, you should see both the instructor and students showing it at all times.
  4. Does the class have structure and self control? A Karate class should include a warm up, specific training material and cool down. Many schools encourage the students to arrive early to their Karate class so they can stretch before the class to prevent injuries.
  5. Consider location. The school’s proximity to your home or work should seriously be taken into consideration prior to enrolling into a program.
  6. Inspect the equipment and facility. Karate schools vary in the type of equipment and amenities they offer. Does the school appear clean? Are Karate students required to wear safety gear?
  7. Evaluate the class sizes and schedule. Many new students prefer to be part of a larger class, rather than a small class as the energy levels of the class are higher; however, the benefits of a smaller class should not be overlooked. You will also want to ask when classes are offered, how long are the classes, and can your class schedule be flexible if needed.
  8. Determine the quality of instruction. Is the instructor certified? What rank does he or she hold? How long has he or she been in Karate? Who is his or her senior instructor and how often do they train together? Are they certified by a reputable national Karate organization?
  9. Check the class ages and groups. What age can my child start? Are the classes separated by age and/or belt level? Are you looking for a family class?
  10. Learn their ranking/belt system. How often do you test for rank? What are the requirements? Is my rank nationally recognized? Can you transfer out of the area to another academy with the same Karate style and curriculum?
  11. Know the price of instruction and other required fees. Prices vary depending on the program. Ask about paid in full options, many times this will not only save you money, but it will also include free gear or a considerable discount. Be sure to ask questions, the instructor should be receptive to your questions and answer in a clear manner. Is everything discussed, well documented within the membership agreement?
  12. See if they offer a variety of Karate programs. Search for a school that offers multiple programs for the entire family from preschool to adults, or offers multiple disciplines or styles that you might enjoy.

Find the right Karate SchoolIt’s always smart to do your research prior to enrolling at a school. Seeing what the school has to offer will give parents and potential students a better understanding of the commitment and guide you in making your decision for the right Karate School.

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