In the martial arts, belt exams test a student’s ability to meet certain qualifications. The belt exam motivates students to improve their skills through hard work and continued training. Many years ago, when Karate was practiced in Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate, the belt was simply a way to keep a student’s pants from falling

All traditional Japanese martial arts begins and ends with the bow. The bow is a sign of respect and peace — respect for the traditions, respect for the people you train with — and it shows your peaceful intentions. That doesn’t mean we don’t go hard sometimes, it doesn’t mean we don’t compete in a

The Karate uniform is called a Gi (pronounced ghee). other styles of Traditional martial artsiest may use ther term is Dogi or Keikogi. Despite the gi looking like the kimono, this is incorrect the kimono is the traditional Japanese garment and wearing one is a highly ritualized tradition and is associated with endless rules of