4 steps to start practicing Shotokan Karate

Shotokan karate is a Japanese martial art founded by master Gichin Funakoshi at the beginning of the 20th century. It is a martial art that emphasizes technique, physical strength, coordination and discipline. Shotokan karate is practiced by millions of people around the world and has been particularly popular in France since the 1970s.

Being a traditional karate school, through this article we will provide you with the essential steps to get started with Shotokan karate. If you want to start practicing this martial art you are in the right place.

Logical but necessary, the first step to starting Shotokan Karate is to find a club near you. To do this, the Internet is a valuable tool. You can carry out an online search on search engines or directly consult the list of clubs of the French Federation of Karate and Associated Disciplines.

The It is important to find a Karate club that has a good reputation and is suitable for you. In this sense, online reviews and trial lessons are good indicators for evaluating a school.

Once you’ve found your Karate club, it’s time to equip yourself. The traditional dress for practicing shotokan karate is the karate-gi, also called «kimono». You can purchase a karategi at most martial arts and sporting goods stores.

The choice of your karate-gi will depend on the type of training: combat or kata. Opt for a rather flexible jacket and trousers if you do combat and a more rigid outfit if you do kata. We will explain how to choose your karate-gi in a future article.

Now that you’ve chosen your Karate club, it’s time to start learning. You will soon discover that Shotokan Karate is based on specific movements and positions. You’ll start by learning basic techniques, such as punches, kicks, blocks and dodges. Your teacher will show you how to correctly perform each technique.

Karate is a sport that requires rigor and discipline. Only time and work will allow you to progress and feel more confident in your practice. Karate has the particularity of being a physical but also mental sport.

Shotokan Karate is a sport accessible to all but which requires good physical condition. You will have to work on your strength, flexibility and endurance to be successful in this sport. Your teacher will give you exercises to do to improve your physical and technical condition.

By following these essential steps, you will be well on your way to successfully practicing Shotokan Karate. Remember that regular practice, perseverance and patience are the key to progressing in this challenging sport.