Category Archives for "Shotokan Karate"

Shotokan Karate vs. Taekwondo … Which Should I Do?

By Joel Williams | Common Questions , Shotokan Karate , Taekwondo

A common question submitted to GMAU is: Should I do Shotokan or Taekwondo? On the surface, what sounds like a simple question is actually difficult to answer. The best answer is highly individualized, and ultimately, can only be determined by the potential student themselves. Our hope is that this article will shed some light on the similarities and differences and give the reader some insights into how to go about making this decision.

Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (an eBook summary)

By Joel Williams | Shotokan Karate

This eBook will provide GMAU students, and other interested readers, with relevant and important information about a variety of martial arts topics, written in a quick-and-easy-to-read format for those with a busy lifestyle.

Funakoshi’s 20 Precepts: Essential Guidance for all Karateka

By Joel Williams | Shotokan Karate

Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957), the founder of Shotokan Karate-Do, is often credited as being the “father” of modern karate. Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles of Okinawan karate of the time: Shōrei-ryū and Shōrin-ryū – see Karate-Do My Way of Life and refer to the table below.

In addition to being a karate master, Funakoshi was an avid poet and philosopher who would reportedly go for long walks in the forest where he would meditate and write his poetry. Following the teachings of Anko Itosu and Anko Asato, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1922. In 1930, Funakoshi established an association named Dai-Nihon Karate-do Kenkyukai. The association is known today as the Shotokai. He taught karate at various Japanese universities and became honorary head of the Japan Karate Association when it was established in 1949. Let’s take a closer look at his legacy and the insights he left behind for those who train in karate and wish to use it as a mechanism for growing and developing physically, mentally and spiritually.

The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Shotokan Karate

By Michael Hodge | Shotokan Karate

Shotokan Karate is a dynamic martial art style created by the late, great Gichin Funakoshi. The style is characterized by highly concentrated striking, forthright blocking, powerful stances, and a series of captivating kata. Shotokan is a form of self defense that is built like a strong house – first a formidable foundation is molded within a student, and then one brick is layered on at a time. Rather than including endless variations and techniques, the style focuses on a handful of powerful blocks, strikes, and kicks – and then perfecting the body alignment and concentration required to place them within an actual fight.

This guide is designed for complete beginners to the style. You will be introduced to the style’s beginnings, the purpose of the various training types, along with some practical knowledge on its basic movements. This is a crash course in the white belt level of the style – focusing on the foundational movements, rather than the complex combinations and sequences (kata).  

My Karate Journey with the Global Martial Arts University (Guest Post by Jonas Bieri)

By Michael Hodge | Shotokan Karate

This is a guest  post written by Jonas Bieri, of Switzerland. He is currently a 3rd kyu brown belt in Shotokan Karate-Do with the Global Martial Arts University. He also maintains a blog about his karate journey.

When my kids started Karate at a local dojo, my interest in the Shotokan style started. Watching them train, learn and grow made me want to practice Karate, too. Observing their world-class japanese instructor teach them techniques, mindset and stamina, and seeing all the kids improve, rank, sometimes fail and retry, motivated me enormously.

Being already a student in a local Goshindo Jiu Jitsu dojo and training once or twice a week, I did not want to spend yet another weeknight away from the family to practice Karate, so in 2016 I joined theGlobal Martial Arts University with their distance learning course to learn Karate at home via video lessons instead. We have some free space in the corridor between the kids’ rooms, that’s where I placed a mirror and now call it my home dojo.