TRAINING

There are three sessions a week:

Sunday 10h00 - 12h00 at the dojo
Tuesday 20h30 - 22h30 at the dojo
Wednesday 19h30 - 21h30 at the MJC dance studio

In addition to the above club sessions, we also hold our regular inter-club sessions with KDS Toulouse. For more information about these additional classes, please contact the club.

Training consists of different aspects that form an integrated and comprehensive approach. These aspects are:

1. Physical Training
Karate practice is an excellent way of keeping fit, emphasising coordination, balance, control and all-round development of the body. Many people who start karate want to improve their physical fitness (which they do), but are even more impressed by just what they can achieve when they learn how to use their physical coordination in addition to their fitness.

Physical training includes warming up, mobility exercises, stretching to prepare for movement, specific exercises for speed and stamina, and stretching at the end of the session to develop flexibility.

2. Kihon
Kihon is the practice of the basic physical techniques. Training in the individual techniques allows actions to be executed smoothly, accurately and efficiently. It is during these practices that students learn the skills that will form the foundations on which the rest of their karate will be built.

3. Kata
Kata is a series of karate movements and techniques integrated together to form a sequence. Kata are designed to enable the practice of all karate techniques. There are over 25 kata, ranging from the quite simple (involving only a few techniques) to the very complex (requiring jumps and physical dexterity).

4. Ten-no Kata
These basic exercises teach how to apply techniques in relation to a partner. One partner executes an agreed attack to which the other responds with a specific defence and counter. Skills such as how to move in a fast, yet physically relaxed manner, or how to punch, kick or deflect attacks, are all covered in a systematic manner.

5. Kumite
Sparring is one of the most difficult of karate practices to accomplish well, and the easiest to perform badly. At its highest level, kumite involves the free use of any karate technique, usually against a single opponent. Completely free sparring (jyu kumite) is usually only practised by those of considerable experience, although lower grades spar under carefully controlled conditions, such as sambon kumite.