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What Is Karate?

Karate originated in Okinawa and can trace it's lineage all the way back to the 1300s.  Karate originally came from Chinese Kung Fu (Gung Fu) and has many styles and philosophies.  

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Orginally, karate was designed for hand-to-hand combat with weapons (Kobudo) and without.  Because of it's many cultural influences, karate was the original MMA, a complete fighting system that utilized kicks, strikes, throws, takedowns and grappling.  

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There are essentially two schools of thought when it comes to karate; those who compete and those who do not.  At Tatsu Dojo, karate is considered Budo and training is specifically designed to strengthen one's body, mind and spirit for self-defense.  

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Key Aspects Of Karate Training At Tatsu Dojo

  • Karate training involves, basics (kihon), kata (forms) and sparring (kumite).

  • Body conditioning through training and bone hardening exercises.

  • Emphasis on striking and kicking soft targets rather than just the face or the belly.

  • Heavy use of easy takedowns, sweeps and attacks to joints.

  • Breathing, concentration and focus are vital elements to karate.  

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Common Questions

​"Am I too old to start karate?" 

  • No.  You can begin karate training at any age.  We take into account any physical conditions our students may have.  

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"What about risk of injury?"

  • Any martial arts training can result in injury.  The most important factor is how the art is taught and presented.  Good martial arts training requires time and commitment.  The more time you put into your training on and off the mat, the less likely you are to have an injury or hurt someone else.  

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"Do you compete in tournaments or MMA?"

  • No.  We have padded and unpadded sparring sessions (kumite), but the techniques you need for competition are very different than those required for the street.  â€‹

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"Do you offer classes for children?

  • Unfortunately, no.  We have space and staff limitations.  You must be 18 years old to begin training at Tatsu Dojo.  

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"Do you teach weapons?"

  • Yes, you'll learn a variety of traditional weapons here at Tatsu Dojo.  But first, we think it's important that you obtain a thorough grasp of empty-hand skills. 

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"How do I get started?"

  • Follow the link below and take advantage of our free trial lessons.

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