What is karate?

Karate meaning "Empty Hand" is a Japanese martial art. At Yoroshi we practice Kyokushin Karate, this is a full contact form of karate which predominantly consists of punches and kicks. Kyokushin is known for its philosophy regarding self-improvement, discipline and hard training. Through training you see steady progress and can show this by participating in the belt exams!

A karate training often contains the following: first a warming up and stretching; then “kihon”, in which the students form a line and practice basic techniques; then practicing both attack and defense techniques; then rounds of sparring; and finally a cooling down with often some stretching as well. The training always focuses on control: strikes to the body are full contact; as no protection is used, punches to the head are disallowed altogether. The training is split in two hours, with the first being open for everyone to join and focusing more on conditioning and basic techniques, the second hour is just for members (However feel free to join the fist few times!) and goes more in to specific techniques and kata.

Belt exams

For Karate we usually have belt exams once a year. During the year we practise techniques and improve conditions for these exams to make sure you are ready when the time comes. The exact requirements can be found here. If you have a belt in a different style of Karate and want to still do a belt exam ask the Sensei for your options!