In 2000, being in Rio de Janeiro, I saw street acrobats. They carried out jumps one through another, and one of acrobats somehow strange turned on the place, crossing from one leg on another and at some point even leaning on hands. Unfortunately, in a picture the acrobat was depicted in a semi-squat standing, that is in the pose which is not giving ideas of nature of the movement at all. Then I did not know yet that the acrobat showed art capoeira - the Brazilian martial art which soon became popular and in world.
Elements of capoeira are stylized under the acrobatic and dancing movements. The duel occurs under music and without contact with the opponent. The fight purpose - by means of attacks and acrobatic exercises to solve intentions of the opponent and to discompose it. In the fitness version which is offered to the visitors by fitness clubs acrobatic exercises are simplified, but to seize them, it is necessary to sweat fairly
And in this article we will try to consider the next
important question: whether karate is suitable for girls? Very much a popular belief
that martial arts are not a women stuff.
Whether karate is suitable for girls?
It is obvious that good physical shape positively
influences health. And it is important to acquaint children with physical
culture since early years.
In this plan of karate attracts with the fact that the
girls gaining magnificent combative skills keep external feminity of a figure.
Karatekas have no pumped-over muscles, there are no fatty deposits, there is no
peculiar effect of "the iron woodcutter". Martial arts in general,
and karate in particular, develop not only force, but also flexibility,
mobility. And it, undoubtedly, girls of quality, necessary for health.
It is necessary to tell that karate attracts to itself
women not less, than men. Girls successfully participate in competitions and
demonstration performances. And it is interesting not only to karatekas, but
also detached onlookers. Grace and feminity are inexplicably combined with
force and speed of movements. Only look at performance of the Serbian team
within the World Cup in karate of WKF 2010:
Whether parents should send the daughter to section on
karate?
What motivation of parents at decision-making to send
the child to section/club on karate? If it is the boy, then, it seems,
everything is clear and is even natural. But the girl – in karate? Why they do
not send the daughter to section on sports dances, on rhythmic gymnastics or
figure skating, and choose karate or other single combat? At karate there are a
lot of pluses (about them is a little lower). Also the international experience
is important. For example, the number of boys and girls is approximately equal
in Japan almost in all groups which are engaged in single combats. And here
business not so much that in the east of single combat are part of culture, how
many that these martial arts are very good form of education of both spiritual,
and physical capacities of the child.
Section on karate - excellent option for those who
want to provide to the child all-round development.
If you decided to send the daughter to section on
karate, then surely study our article as it is correct to choose section.
Karate pluses for girls
Actually, karate for girls is perceived by parents as
the whole list is plus: it and confidence that the daughter will be able to
stand for herself; it and guarantor of physical health of the child; it is
considered also important that karate is not only accented physical training,
but also the martial art differing in the philosophy and aspiration to internal
harmony of the personality.
Thus, karate for girls is the whole world which
promotes all-round and harmonious development of future woman. But let's talk
about pluses in more detail... Large volume of work is behind external ease.
Certainly, trainings will not be lungs. A karate basis
– aspiration not to allow close contact with the opponent, to quickly neutralize
it. Girls work such blows which are capable "to lay" the rival in the
shortest time. Here we see one of the main pluses - skills of self-defense.
Also it should be noted that karate is a martial art
of which it is difficult not to be fond forever. Yes, from the girl many
efforts will be required to reach desired effect and efficiency. For certain,
for this reason say that karate promotes formation of special type of
character. In this plan advantage of karate for girls – in development of
commitment and self-confidence. Karate gives not only skills of self-defense
and attack, ability to apply them in any conditions, but also ability not to be
given in any situation. And it is, you see, not unimportant plus.
As we already spoke, trainings promote development of
flexibility, speed and force that, certainly, will positively affect on health
of girls. At the same time, external feminity is the winner only, and
"angularity" of a figure are simply not peculiar to karatekas. Let's
note that at many schools study also breathing exercises.
Possible minuses of karate for girls
Before sending the daughter to section on karate it is
necessary to consider that karate – quite traumatic type of martial arts. At
working off of falling fractures and other injuries are possible, at karatekas
joints quite often suffer. Therefore initially it is worth estimating strengths
of the child adequately: if there are even slightest diseases of joints,
hearts, problems with arterial pressure, neuralgic diseases of a backbone,
absence of sense of equilibrium, then, at least, it is necessary to tell about
it to future trainer or not to risk health of the daughter and to forget about
martial arts.
"Man's" and "female" karate
If to return to division into "man's" and
"female" karate, then It is necessary to tell at once: such approach
is inadmissible. It is impossible to divide martial art into karate "for
boys" and "karate for girls". Children, regardless of gender
accessory, perfectly find themselves and each other in halls. With playfulness
habitual to children and a spontaneity which is especially brightly expressed
at preschool age they with pleasure plunge into occupations and together go on
the way of knowledge of martial art.
karate boys and girls
Let's note that in 8-10 years the difference in
trainings of boys and girls is practically not felt and quite often in groups
trainers give joint classes. And since 10-12 years when at children there comes
the competitive period in karate, division into competitions for boys and
competition for girls begins. Generally it concerns kumite, on children's
tournaments it is often possible to see joint competitions in a kat without
division into boys and girls. However, with growth of level of technical skill
at cadets and juniors, many trainers, nevertheless, practice the mixed duels:
both as tests, and in quality of training to competitions.
In end it is worth emphasizing once again that karate
is a fine opportunity for the girl to develop in an appropriate, harmonious
way. Parents understand it and bring the daughters into sections and clubs on
karate. Karate suits all, regardless of a floor.
What first of all occur to most of people when the
speech comes about east martial arts? Of course, karate - to. This, perhaps,
the most popular type of martial art arose on the island of Okinawa. Initially
the word "karate-to" meant "a way of the Chinese hand" as
its formation was influenced considerably by the Chinese martial arts, but in
1933 the master Gitin Funakosi changed in writing a hieroglyph
"Chinese" to a hieroglyph "empty". Both hieroglyphs are
read equally - "penalty". The master emphasized with this replacement
not only nature of single combat - fight without weapon - but also his
independence. In 1955 there was the Japanese association of karate - to, and
Funakosi became her chief instructor.
In karate there is a set of the directions which are
strongly differing among themselves. The most popular among them - setokan,
called by experts the alphabet of karate. Methods of fight at an average and
short distance, blows legs at the lower and top level are the cornerstone.
Xietuokan demands good physical training and fast reaction.
One of the youngest directions is the Kyokushin
kaikan, founded in 1969. Methods of training differ in severe discipline, and,
unlike other directions, the emphasis is placed not on philosophical aspects
and moral self-improvement, and on fighting efficiency. One of the most
difficult examinations is so-called "hundred kumite" - hundred fights
without interruption.
In a sieve-ryu the emphasis is placed on speed of
movements, the correct breath and work with the center of gravity, in other
words, with ability to hold balance. This direction includes 50 kata - sets of
exercises that much more, than in any other style. Some duels are carried out
to a sieve-ryu in an armor in ancient Japanese style.
The direction godzyu-ryu connects methods of karate to
some elements taken from the Chinese martial arts. This style distinguishes a
combination of fast and smooth movements.
Style vado-ryu, created in 1938, is considered the
most Japanese of all. In it biases and throws dominate, the special attention
is paid to development of a special condition of mind.
Perhaps, the most spectacular style is karate kosik
- to because of the applied shock and another equipment. This direction is also
quite injury-causing therefore all duels pass with obligatory use of protective equipment.