Welcome to Middlesex Shotokan Karate Club. We have designed this fact site to be of source of useful information for prospective,new and existing members. If you have any comments about additional information you would like to see on the site please talk to the club official or send an email to msk-group@hotmail.com
Why Karate?
People typically start Karate to learn selfdefense skills. However there are many other benefits from karate training including.
Physical fitness:
A typical karate session will include exercises that will develop strength and flexibility, along with stamina and dexterity.
Confidence:
Karate raises self esteem by providing a safe and supportive environment for developing and testing one's own ability and skills. Furthermore knowledge of self defence techniques and the confidence this give can often in itself be enough to deter a potential aggressor.
Respect for others and for yourself:
Karate requires us to practise our techniques with fellow students. As such the importance of mutual trust and respect is quickly learnt.
Concentration:
Karate requires of mix of physical exertion and mental activity encouraging the development of focus and self-discipline.
Self Development:
Karate is unique activity in that it provides an opportunity for men,women and children to train and develop at their own level at the same time. At advanced levels many karate students find that practising the martial art becomes a form of meditation.
Karate History:
Legend has it that Karate has its roots in the Kung Fu fighting system developed by Shaolin monks in China. During the 14th cetury Kung Fo arrived in the small south Chian sea island of Okinawa. Here Kung Fu was integrated into Okinawa's local fighting system known as "Tode" )fighting fists) In 1609 Okinawa was invaded by the Japanese who banned all Okinawans from carrying and owning weapons. The Okinawans responded by adapting their fighting art to use comon agricultural imlements and of course hands and feet. Thus Karate-do- 'The way of empty was borne'. In 1922 Okinawan Karate master Gichin Funakoshi was sent to Japan by a council of Okinawans karate masters to demonstrate karate to high ranking Japanese dignities as well as Japnese masters of Judo and Akaido. The Japanese were so impressed by this new fighting art, that it was eventually integrated in to their own martial arts culture. Finally the western world was introduced to Karate after world war 2 by the many returning American soldiers who had learnt karate while staioned in Okinawa and Japan. Over the years various masters of Karate developed their own styles. Gichin Funakoshi developed the SHOTOKAN style which is still the most popoular fro the Karate and the style practised by Middlesex Shotokan Karate Club.
