Never underestimate the importance of physical conditioning as a Martial Artist. You can have all the techniques in the world but if you do not have the endurance or conditioning to back it up it will not matter

 

Remember to use supplementary training equipment and routines to enhance your training. An example would be weight training, running, stretching machines, and calisthenics (using your body and/or a partner for conditioning). The body must be strong to do karate properly. This does not mean you have to look like a bodybuilder but you must be strong.

 

Mastering a kata is not so much as remembering the form from front to back and vice versa. Traditionally, katas were developed to pass on the skills to the next generation. To truly master a kata, is to fully master each move of that kata. Every action in a kata represents skills that must be understood and the martial artist must be able to explain, demonstrate and understand the movement for all of the kata before it can be said that the kata has been mastered.

 

Make sure you drink enough water during the day to keep you from getting hydrated. Even when you are not sweating doesn’t mean you are not burning off the water in your body. Your body is over 75% water and without it, you can get sick.

 

Always stretch before class on your own so that you never pull any muscles. Stretching is one of the most overlooked portions of class and should consist of about 15 min each day if you really want to get those nice kicks that are a big advantage when it comes to sparring.

 

Many people are unaware that the health and well-being at a physical, mental and spiritual nature are at the root of traditional martial arts training. This is followed by self-defense and fitness. At the dojo, a holistic approach is practiced of balancing the mind, body, and spirit through the ancient method of breathing and relaxation in coordination with certain movement and practice. People can still derive the same benefit today as they have for the past millennium in these arts and as a result prevent and minimize sickness and disease.