Karate was developed on the small island of Okinawa, just south of Japan, from a variety of influences, but especially the Chinese combat systems that came with trade and political connections.

On Okinawa, three main strands of karate (at the time meaning Chinese Hand, but sometimes just referred to as 'te') developed and intermingled around the cities of Shuri, Naha and Tomari, all within just a few miles of each other.

For most of its history, karate was taught privately on a person-to-person basis, until the early twentieth century when it was introduced to the school system. From here it was exported to mainland Japan and the styles we know today came into being. By this time karate had come to mean 'empty hand' to aid its introduction to the Japanese.

Shotokan was developed by some of the students of Gichin Funakoshi (the 'father of modern karate') in Japan, who was largely responsible for bringing Okinawan karate into the public eye. Shotokan had its roots in Shorin Ryu and shares strong connections with Shotokai and Wado-Ryu, among others. Funakoshi's karate came mainly through the masters Matsumura, Asato and Itosu.

From Japan, initially through the American air bases on the mainland and in Okinawa, karate has spread to all the corners of the earth. It came to Britain in 1957 through Vernon Bell, who eventually invited the first JKA Shotokan instructors to the country in the mid-60s (these were Kanazawa, Enoeda, Kase and Shirai).

While it is always developing, and new schools spring up from old styles, the form is very successful and remains fairly consistent. To watch a person practice karate is to see a deep-rooted history brought to life.

What to expect from training

All our training sessions start with a warm up. It is important to warm up properly not just to reduce the risk of injuries but to develop flexibility. This flexibility is crucial. Not just that it allows maximum reach but also that it allows movement to be fluid and direct thereby ensuring fast accurate delivery of the technique. It is no accident that our lifestyle does not lend itself to our having natural flexibility. Our younger members usually find that stretching comes easy, as do the lady members to a certain extent. The ones who struggle the most are the men! There is no easy answer to achieving great suppleness, but regular stretching everyday, including as soon as you get up, will give results.

When we are fully warmed up we will usually move on to some basic techniques. We practice punches, kicks and blocks in different combinations to improve speed, strength and the quality of the technique. Each has to be practiced with focus (kime), as if it were to be used to stop an opponent. The combinations are varied and will suit some more than others. Some people find hand techniques easy while others prefer leg techniques, but all must be practiced.

Often, the next step is to work with a partner. This may be three step, five step, or one step sparring where we practice the techniques we have learnt. Working with a partner one person is the attacker and must step forward with the appropriate punch or kick. The other person must step back and deflect the attack and finally defeat the attacker with a counter attack of his own. Our partner attacks different target areas and we do different blocks and counter attacks thereby sharpening our skills to defend ourselves against others.

Kata is a predetermined series of blocks, evades and counter attacks that must be done in sequence. One intepretation of kata is that you are being attacked by a number of people and must defend yourself and defeat these imaginary attackers. Even though the opponents are imaginary, kicks and punches must be performed with full power and effort. Kata is taught at every level within Shotokan Karate. From the first training session the first basic kata will be performed. As you progress through the grades you are taught more and more advanced kata, but the first kata must not be forgotten and the emphasis must be on improving your technique, for example better stances and more power.

Multiple attack situations are sometimes practiced to help us learn how to defend ourselves against attacks from more than one opponent. Obviously this has to be developed from simple situations but gradually the karateka will develop skills to cope with these situations.

Free-style or free-fighting (jiyu kumite) is more or less self explanatory. You are free to do anything you like as long as you do not make excessive contact (this can result in disqualification). The idea is to find a controlled technique without excessive force. Speed, agility and technique are paramount in this.

Karate can be learnt by anyone young, old, male or female. Demonstrations show examples of how karate can be used to defend yourself. The blocks and attacks taught in karate are very affective when applied correctly and can be used to defeat a bigger and stronger opponent.

Whether you are interested in karate for self-defence or just to help you get fit, you can find a fascinating world of learning from your training. It requires dedication and commitment to get the best out of yourself but the training is available to all ages, both male and female.