Karate Stretches

Series Summary

Karate is a martial art that originated in Okinawa prior to the 1874 annexation of Okinawa by Japan. It has been influenced by many different groups and famous martial artists from China, Japan, and Okinawa, including Sokon Matsumura, Anko Itosu, Anko Asato, Funakoshi Gichi, and Ohtsuka Hironori. The karate student incorporates linear punches, kicks, throwing elbows, and knee strikes primarily as a means of self defense; the highest success and honor of the art is for the student to employ karate without harming the opponent. In this free video series, learn karate from a martial arts expert. First, he explains karate stretches and the proper karate stance. Next, he talks about guarding with arms, blocking jabs, hooks and uppercuts and then moves on to throwing karate jabs, hooks and uppercuts. Finally, learn about striking with the legs, roundhouse kicks, hooking up to rest and hitting with the knees and elbows.

Video Transcript

"O.k. So what we're going to do here, we're going to go ahead and start with a stretching techniques. First we're going to start with a very basic arm stretch. We're going to go ahead and go across. We're going to just hold on to it, for about five seconds. Same thing with the other side. We're going to go ahead and let's start from the back. Now when you go in the back, you're going to go ahead and swing your arm. Cut in at the elbow and bend. It's very important to that, so we're going ahead to do our strikes. And when you make these strikes, you're going to have good flexibility. You cannot be flexible, if you do not stretch. Don't take that for granted. Everyday stretch, even if you're not training. Now we're going to go ahead and put one foot down. Move forward. Now in this one, it's not good enough to go ahead and cheat. And not bend the front leg. You have to bend the first one. and the back leg, keep it perfectly straight. I'm going to go ahead and switch to the other side. Now what we're doing, we're now working the calves. But now we'll go ahead and work out the front side of the legs. We're going to stretch it out. And the same thing with the other side. And that's the way to start off, the class."