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Martial Arts Vocabulary
Home » Exercise Equipment » Martial Arts » Martial Arts VocabularyPosted by Your Guide on October 9, 2006 7:44 PM
Especially because the martial arts come from Asia, they have a vocabulary of words that are mostly unfamiliar to native English speakers. The following words may be useful to students who are starting out in the martial arts.
Dojo: The classroom or other place where martial arts training takes place.
Sensei: The teacher in a martial arts school. This Japanese word means "one who has gone before." The Chinese word for teacher is sifu, and the Korean word is sabonim.
Kata: A set series of techniques, in a certain order, which students learn in most martial arts traditions. Students usually learn the various kata in a certain progression, practice them frequently, and perform certain kata when they test for their next belt, to show that they have become proficient in those exercises. Some schools use the word form instead of the word kata.
Kihon: Basics. Kihon may include stance, positions, and footwork.
Gi: The formal uniform which martial arts students wear in many traditions. The gi generally consists of a long-sleeved shirt in which the two sides cross over each other in front and tie at the sides, along with loose-fitting pants.
Dan: A level of learning which experienced martial arts students attain. If a sensei is a second-dan black belt, it means that the martial artists above him in that style have awarded him one degree beyond that of black belt.
Kumite: Freestyle sparring, in which two martial arts students fight each other under controlled conditions.
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