Karate Dojos: Venues where the Teaching is More than Just Self Defense
The value of self defense has been acknowledged since the ancient days. As with any time frame, danger in the form of robbers and assailants are always standing threats to the safety of persons all over the world. Arming oneself with the value of self defense would be a smart course of action, leaving people with options as to how to deal with mugger or assailant related situations.
When talking about self defense, Karate, a class of Martial Art, is known to be one of the most popular of self defense options, which many have taken a liking to. Hailing from the land of the rising sun, Japan, Karate stands to be a martial art developed though the combination and synthesis of Chinese Kempo, the Japan indigenous Ryukyuan fighting styles and various concepts from Classical Japanese Martial Arts.
Karate is Japan's most famous of martial arts, with Karate Dojos being set up all over the world. This popularity status is seconded by Judo and Aikido, followed by other classes and types of Japanese Martial Arts. The 80s movie, "The Karate Kid", showed the world the dynamics and learnings which takes place in Karate Dojos, as well as the philosophies which border and control Karate as a Martial Art. Mr. Miyagi's "wax on" and "wax off" lessons are surely proof of the "practical" side of Karate as a martial art. Japanese period movies about Feudal Japan never fail to show aspects of Karate in action, with some even giving much focus on Karate.
Basically, Karate means "empty hand", emphasizing that the Martial Art requires no weapons at all, for its successful flow. Karate practitioners are referred to as karateka, while Karate Dojos are basically venues where Karate lessons take place. As a Martial Art, Karate Dojos train students to successfully accomplish the various activities involved in Karate. From punches, kicks, elbow strikes, knee strikes, joint manipulations, locks, restraints, traps, grappling and throws, Karate Dojos are places where lessons are learned, as well as bodies feel the pain of lessons being learned.
The term dojo though isn't solely limited to Karate only, as dojo is basically a venue where martial art is being learned. There is such a thing as an Aikido Dojo or a Judo Dojo.
Bottom line, if you are on the look out for a Martial Art which covers aspects of defense and offense as well, Karate would be the martial art for you.
