Karate for Kids and for Mom and Dad, Too
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About this ebook
Cruz, an experienced teacher of karate, offers an introduction to traditional karate and shows that is an exciting, healthful, physical art that develops the body and mind and is an effective form of self-defense. In this guide, he
defines the concept of karate;
discusses the history of the martial art;
explains its physical, mental, and spiritual principles and philosophies; and
describes and illustrates essential punching, blocking, and kicking techniques.
Geared toward young adults as well as parents, Karate for Kids offers a complete guide to traditional karate using easy-to-follow instructions, caricatures, and diagrams. Cruz communicates how young people can develop a sense of worth through traditional karate and how karate can help youth to master life with an inner respectability.
incent A. Cruz
Vincent A. Cruz, a tenth-degree black belt in traditional Shotokan karate, is the founder and chief instructor of the International San Ten Karate Association (ISKA) and the International San Ten Martial Arts Federation (ISTMAF), based in Madera, California. He has worn the black belt for fifty-two years.
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Karate for Kids and for Mom and Dad, Too - incent A. Cruz
Karate for Kids
and for
Mom and Dad, Too
K1.jpgVincent A. Cruz
Illustrated by Edward Luena
iUniverse, Inc.
Bloomington
Karate for Kids and Mom and Dad, Too
ISKALogoOutline.bmpCopyright © 2013 by Vincent A. Cruz
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.
ISBN: 978-1-4759-5881-2 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4759-5883-6 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-4759-5882-9 (e)
iUniverse rev. date: 02/08/2013
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter One — What Is Karate?
Chapter Two — The Masters
Chapter Three — Basic Concepts
Chapter Four: Basic Principles
Chapter Five — Philosophy
Chapter Six — Getting Started
Chapter Seven: Organizing the Karate Techniques
Chapter Eight: Stances
Chapter Nine: Body Posturing and Shifting
Chapter Ten: Punching Techniques
Chapter Eleven: Basic Punching Techniques
Chapter Twelve: Striking Techniques, Uchi Waza
Chapter Thirteen: Blocking
Chapter Fourteen: Kicking Techniques
Chapter Fifteen: The Kata
Chapter Sixteen: Combining Techniques
Glossary
Suggested Reading List
About the Author
Endnotes
To my sister,
Diana Rosa
SanTenLogo.jpg三天空手道協会
Endorsed by the
International San Ten Karate Do Association
Foreword
Occasionally, upon personal reflection, we reach a level of awareness where we are able to recognize the significance and effect others have on our development as spiritual beings. These rare and special people touch us with their wisdom and provide insight into life’s many mysteries. From the lessons they provide, we uncover the ability to question our own actions and, in doing so, discover the means to initiate positive change for ourselves. As we acknowledge our blessings, we realize the need—no, the appropriateness—of expressing our gratitude for all we have gained.
I met Vincent Cruz almost by accident. I had trained in Shotokan karate for a number of years and was already a black belt at the time. I was training hard and with great dedication; however, I felt that something was missing. A freak skiing accident resulted in my leg being broken into ten spiral pieces. For nine months, I was non-weight bearing on the affected leg, and it was close to a year before I could start light karate training. Today, I have nineteen screws and three titanium plates as a permanent reminder of the event. The good (if that is possible) to come out of this event was the unlikely chance I met Master Cruz, a man who would come to be my teacher, and more importantly, my friend.
All who engage in martial arts understand that the relationship between student and sensei is one of reverence and dedication. Words cannot adequately express the mutual respect for one another that develops along their respective journeys of enlightenment. I have been very fortunate to be a direct student of Master Vincent Cruz, for whom I presently have the honor of serving as his sempai. During the time spent with Master Cruz, in training as well as personal interaction, I have had the rare opportunity to share many of his thoughts about the teaching and practice of traditional karate. One of those thoughts pertains to the teaching of karate for children.
In writing Karate for Kids, Cruz has cleverly addressed several important areas of need. Karate is a growing phenomenon in the United States and internationally, and adults as well as children of all ages have discovered this exciting Japanese martial art. A great variety of works have appeared on the art of karate; nevertheless, there remains confusion and considerable discussion on the topic involving the distinction and differences between traditional Japanese karate and sport karate. Additionally, most literature that addresses karate presents in a fashion not easily understood by children and young practitioners. Few publications or books have been written with the intent or purpose of filling this void. In Karate for Kids, Cruz carefully crafts a book that presents the essential physical and philosophical elements of karate. His masterpiece makes for easy reading and is equally understandable for all ages. Its goal is to provide clear and purposeful instruction for the young practitioner in a way that reinforces and facilitates regular dojo training and thereby enhances the martial arts experience.
Karate, as we know it, is only a couple of hundred years old. It developed on the Ryukyu Islands, the largest of which is Okinawa. Its roots are immersed in the various Chinese styles, which were passed on to Okinawa as a result of trade between the kingdoms over the centuries and eventually fused with the numerous family ryus
already in existence. In the early days, its purpose was for self-defense and personal preservation. It was a matter of life and death, and there were no rules. No sense of sport existed, and its ultimate purpose was clear. With the passage of time and modernization of most eastern civilizations, the need for such drastic application waned, and the focus and intent of training shifted. No longer was the study of karate performed with the urgency fostered by medieval life; its focus shifted to conditioning and competition. This has led to the development of what we refer to as sports karate,
in which rules regulate and control the application of technique by the competitors.
After World War II, karate’s worth for self-defense, physical fitness, competition, and overall mental and physical development came to be more and more recognized worldwide. As a martial art, however, it necessitated long and carefully repeated study. Along with its growth and popularity, the seemingly grueling requirements of its study came to be overridden by the demands of today’s world for more rapid results and quicker development. The result was the emergence of many new sports using the name of karate. To avoid confusion with these new sports, longtime practitioners began distinguishing the original karate as traditional karate.
The teachings of traditional karate, through Master Cruz, are focused on and intended to stress the foundational principles on which traditional karate was created. In Karate for Kids, those principles are made available to young karateka in a format that is directly intended for their comprehension and ultimately enhances their personal development in this wonderful martial art. As it is an honor to be associated with Master Cruz, it is likewise an honor to now introduce to all Karate for Kids.
Steven W. P. Oliver, Renshi, Sixth Dan
Preface
Many books and manuals have been published with different styles and systems of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese martial arts. I have also found a few books for