International Association of Shotokan Karate (IASK)

Copyright © 2021 N B Adamou

WHAT IS KARATE

Karate is a system of self-defence, which uses all parts of the body. In order to transfer energy from the muscles, in an instant burst of synchronised movement thus channelling power to these areas in the form of karate technique.

Mr. Nicholas B. Adamou 9thDan IASK
Chairman and Chief Instructor of the International Association of Shotokan Karate (IASK)

In order to transfer energy from the muscles, the leg, hip, back, stomach, and arm muscles are made to work in an instant burst of synchronised movement thus channelling power to these areas in the form of karate technique.

Karate techniques, whether they are kicks, blocks, punches or stances have a beauty and artistry comparable to ballet and other of corporal expression. This beauty and artistry is a natural and inevitable outcome from adhering to basic principals of physics and nature.

Basic Training (Kihon) is designed to cultivate fast, powerful and dynamic body movement; power being produced by the speed of the technique, and is therefore equally effective for all types of people, be they large or small (e.g., a bullet is approximately one inch long and weighs a few ounces, but is incredibly powerful by virtue of its speed).

Sparring (Kumite) makes use of all the attacks and defence techniques mastered during basic training and can be broken down into various categories ranging from 5 step programmed basic sparring to free-style sparring (Karate equivalent of boxing) via increasingly more complex, instinctive and reflex orientated forms of sparring.

Formal exercise (Kata) training joins basic techniques together in a single, non-stop routine ranging from 21 to52 moves, which are done with speed, power, correct tension and relaxation of the muscles, breath control, mental concentration, and balance (a kata can be linked to a gymnastic floor exercise in terms of rhythm, timing and expression).