The Pros and Cons of Martial Arts Tournaments

Tournaments and other competitions are a source of controversy in martial arts. We’d like to look at both sides of the argument, then discuss why—or, more accurately, when—we at the Carbondale Park District karate program believe the benefits of competition outweigh their disadvantages. General Notes About Martial Arts Competitions Most traditional (karate and tae kwon … Continue reading The Pros and Cons of Martial Arts Tournaments

Will Martial Arts Help My Child?

Parents often look to martial arts like karate to help their children through difficult challenges or situations. Martial arts instructors, some well-meaning, may encourage parents to enroll their children by overselling or irresponsibly marketing the benefits of their schools. As wonderful as martial arts are, as real as their benefits are, you can quickly find … Continue reading Will Martial Arts Help My Child?

Questions and Answers About the Challenges Women Face in the Martial Arts

We’ve heard many questions over the years from women about the challenges they (might) face in karate or martial arts training, and wanted to answer a few of them below. Should you have a question that we failed to address, or feel we could have answered any of them better, please let us know! We’re … Continue reading Questions and Answers About the Challenges Women Face in the Martial Arts

What Can I Do in the Weeks Before My First Karate Class?

Congratulations! You’ve decided to start your journey in the martial arts. Maybe you’ve already found an instructor you like, but the next session doesn’t start for a few more weeks. What can you do in the meantime to prepare for your first karate class? Don’t try to learn karate techniques on your own. Beginners have … Continue reading What Can I Do in the Weeks Before My First Karate Class?

Can Martial Arts Help Me Lose Weight and Get Into Shape?

Many people join gyms, classes, and martial arts programs, or they buy exercise equipment or swimming pool passes, to lose weight and get into shape, particularly as part of a new year’s resolution. Martial arts can certainly help you achieve those laudable objectives, but to do so, you may first need to change your mindset, … Continue reading Can Martial Arts Help Me Lose Weight and Get Into Shape?

The Relationship Between Point-fighting and Self-Defense

A post on Iain Abernethy’s excellent forum inspired this exploration of the age-old debate about the value of point-style sparring—often called point-fighting or tournament karate—in learning self-defense. Most martial artists know that self-defense and point-fighting—or any combat sport, for that matter—enjoy a fraught relationship. The strategies, tactics, and desired outcomes do not overlap perfectly, although … Continue reading The Relationship Between Point-fighting and Self-Defense

At What Age Should You Start Martial Arts?

Martial arts like karate, aikido, jujitsu, and other self-defense arts require learning difficult physical skills and may involve hard physical exercise. Parents may wonder if their children are old enough to learn martial arts. Older adults may wonder if their bodies can withstand the rigors of martial arts training. Let’s look at both extremes one … Continue reading At What Age Should You Start Martial Arts?