My secret for winning the battles: before every competition, I determine in my mind that the purpose is WINNING!

Breathing exercises are very important in Karate. Therefore a simple exercise that teaches receiving blows to the abdominal muscles. Only by careful releasing of the air and muscle tension we can take powerful blows to the abdomen.

Here we go: Partner performs a straight arm with a clenched fist. Then the partner touches our belly and slowly presses harder and harder. At that time, we are releasing the air and tightening the abdominal muscles as hard as possible. End. In time, pressing turns into a gentle blow, until we reach perfection in taking blows.

„Studying karate is like climbing a high mountain. Life also reminds of climbing. It is important to constantly try to get to the top. Once you reach it, you can see and understand a lot. Standing at the foot of the mountain, you can only admire its peak.”

Shigeru Oyama