Tai Chi and Kung Fu Classes at Still Mind Aikido Westchester

Comparing Karate to Kung Fu & Tai Chi

Karate vs.
Kung Fu/Tai Chi

Learn about how karate differs from kung fu.

Karate
Goju & Shotokan

“A karate master was asked what is the best martial art. He named a different martial art. His student asked, "then why do you teach karate?" He said, "I'm in it for the victim." Karate is truly as good as any other martial art. He was explaining the type of person who would be inclined to practice karate.”

Unknown Teacher in NYC

Founder of Goju Karate

Chojun Miyagi
Chojun Miyagi

Okinawan karate before Shotokan was invented

Karate History

Karate originated from Shaolin Kung Fu in China via the Okinawan Islands. Shotokan karate first entered mainland Japan in the 20th century by Funakoshi Sensei. A typical karate class in Westchester may include stretching, basics, katas or forms, some application, and sparring. One studies the karate katas to learn “the secrets” themselves, and develop skills for self-defense. Karate emphasizes powerful strikes to disable an attacker initially, and later teaches how to control the attacker without harm. Generally, the emphasis in karate is external (hard) power, as opposed to the internal (soft) power from tai chi. Karate uses a broad variety of weapons to complement empty handed practice. Modern styles of karate may include Shotokan, Goju, and others. Exercise is often aerobic.

Karate Classes in Westchester, NY: Availability

Karate classes are available in our space in Scarsdale. Elsewhere in Westchester NY, karate is available in Mount Vernon, Rye and Elmsford. Additional availability may be found in Yonkers, White Plains and New Rochelle for the lower Westchester region.

Shaolin Kung Fu
and Tai Chi

Shaolin Kung Fu

Mr. Yu Shaolin
Mr. Yu Shaolin

History of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

Our system begins with tai chi forms, which are based upon internal power and primarily anaerobic exercise. They are slow moving and can take several years to learn. The movements may have some similarity to those in karate, but again they are slower. Great attention is paid to details on the body mechanics that will enable force and good posture. Tai chi is known for using the meridian system of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has a strong emphasis on health. The self-defense focus is on minimizing harm to an attacker.

After completing the tai chi forms, basic Shaolin Kung Fu forms are taught. Shaolin was the original martial art upon which karate was founded. It uses external power, or physical force, and is more aerobic. The system also has weapons and push hands competition to test one's knowledge of form. The self-defense focus of Shaolin is similar to karate, to quickly learn to disable an attacker.

FAQ

How is Karate Different from Kung Fu & Tai Chi?

Shaolin Kung Fu is the original system from which karate was derived. It tends to be more sophisticated in terms of the number and variety of forms, while sparring is not as prevalent. Tai chi has slower moving forms than karate. Both of these systems tend to be focused more on health, with tai chi particularly using the meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Karate is in the Japanese tradition rather than Chinese tradition, and tends to have a greater focus and depth on a more limited set of forms and emphasis on competition. The full article explores these differences in greater depth.

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