The Karate Handbook Book

Introduction     6
What is karate?     9
The history of karate     12
Other martial-arts styles     16
The roots of karate     21
Is karate for me?     27
What do I need?     28
Belts and grades     29
The karate class     31
Types of karate club     32
Dojo etiquette     34
Fitness for karate     41
Warm-up exercises     42
Stretching for karate     52
Cardiovascular exercises     60
Strength training for karate     64
Meditation     72
Stances and stepping in karate     75
Basic techniques     83
Punching     87
Striking     104
Blocking     116
Kicking     127
Kata     149
Kumite (sparring)     235
Conclusion: So what is karate?     249
The Japanese language     250
Index     254
Bibliography and credits     256