Usually the dog days of August are pretty slow when it comes to sports. Fortunately for the avid sports fans in 2008 we have had the Olympics to add a little spice to our sports entertainment. What an Olympics this has been as well. Numbers wise for NBC in the first week they should be kissing the very large feet of Michale Phelps. If not for his amazing performances they certainly would not have had the big ratings that they have had.

The amount of world records that have been set in these Olympics Continue Reading »

The benefits of karate are numerous both physically and emotionally. People who excel in karate more often than not apply those successes to other areas of their life. Karate teaches you to master control of your body as well as your emotions. With that said enjoy the following video clip of Jim Carrey spoofing a karate expert. Then read the article regarding the history of karate and share your opinions on what your exposure to karate has been either personally or through an acquaintance.

Karate by Jim Carrey

Technorati Tags: Fitness, Martial Arts, Karate, Martial Arts Equipment, Karate Equipment

A Brief History of Karate

There is some debate as to the origins of karate. Many people claim that the history of the martial art can be traced to the founder of Zen Buddhism, Daruma who emphasized the physical as well as the mental aspects of this intense fighting style. Others argue that karate as a martial art originated in the islands of Okinawa, as the martial art form Okinawa-te, or Okinawa hand. Before its incorporation into the country of Japan, Okinawa was an independent kingdom, influenced by the Chinese and other neighboring cultures. This Chinese cultural influence enabled the martial art form of Okinawa-te to develop into three distinct styles, Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomar-te. Overtime, Okinawa-te began to resemble the Chinese martial art form of karate. Continue Reading »