Adult Karate focuses on traditional Wado Ryu, Push Hands, Partner Training, Exercise and Pad Work. Classes are suitable for all age groups from 13-years to the over 40s. What to Expect at the Club Students are encouraged to give it their 'best efforts'. Training is challenging, taking into consideration students' age, ability level and their own personal aims. We believe martial arts are accessible to everyone, not just young athletic types. You certainly won't be beaten to a pulp or asked to train beyond your means. But we do ask everyone to apply themselves appropriately. Lessons can take different formats depending on the topics being taught. But generally you may see some of the following activities: Warming Up and Cooling Down At the start of the class we do a range of movement and exercises to warm up and prepare ourselves mentally for training. Cooling down at the end of class might involve static stretching, slow kata (see below), or meditation. Basics (Kihon) Basic techniques can be trained in different ways, either alone or with a partner. Basics can be practiced in one position or by moving around the training hall (Dojo). Techniques can be put together into combinations to build fluidity, balance, timing and co-ordination. Pad Work Hitting thin air is fine for working on the basic technique, but impact training offers valuable feedback and testing of posture and timing. Pad work can also be used as a good physical workout as well as an aid to training the basics. We generally use focus mitts and Thai pads for this type of work. Pairs Work (Ippon Kumite, Kihon Kumite) Formal pairs work looks like basic technique or abstract movements. They are designed to further teach principles of body movement, timing, awareness and distance. Applications (Ohyo) The 'practical' application of technique, trained in different ways, usually with one (or more) partners. This covers the self defence aspects of martial arts. Push Hands (Kakie) An exercise in developing technique, posture, timing, sensitivity, awareness and fluidity. Push hands is common in Chinese martial arts, and similar exercises exist in other systems too. Push hands is a dynamic, skillful and enjoyable training method that can be as simple, complex or intensive as required. There are some examples of push hands on the articles and videos page. Forms (Kata) Kata are pre-arranged sequences of movements that contain the core teachings and principles of the system. Some kata appear to consist of a handful of basic techniques, while others appear to contain more complex movements. All katas can be trained at different levels, focussing on technique, mindset, timing, application and so on. Kaisetsu is a term used to analyse the movement and principles of kata (it is a commentary of kata); you may also have heard the term 'bunkai' which means to break down and study the component parts. 'Jiyu Kata' is a form of 'freestyle' kata (not the display/choreography type) where students can move spontaneously in all directions. In one sense it is similar to shadow boxing. Jiyu kata can also be performed with one or more 'opponent's in a realistic manner, which is a great sparring method for testing your applications. Sparring (Kumite) Sparring allows students to pit their skills against each other. There are many forms of sparring ranging from push hands to match fighting to 'self defence sparring'. Further Information Please review our Resources
page for details of our child protection, ethics and equality policies.
Membership and renewal forms, and other useful documents are also
provided on the resources page. |
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Adult Karate |