Traditional Karate and Explosive Power produce better and healthier Martial Artists

Training in martial arts like Tai Chi, or Tai Ki, are good for some aspects of traditional martial arts, such as stretching to produce more limber individuals. But when it comes to explosive power, such as seen in some karate demonstrations where martial arts masters destroy large blocks of ice, piles of roofing tiles, bricks, rocks, etc., or the power that oozes from focused kata, bunkai, self-defense demonstrations, etc., one must use the proper tools - learn to punch, kick, block with focus and concentrated power - the type that is necessary to put down an adversary with a single punch! In martial arts, we have a saying - "hitotsuki hitogeri" (one punch, one kick, one knockout). 

This is possible by taking advantage of every ounce of physics. Sir Isaac Newton came up with the three basic laws of physics that included F=ma (Force equals mass time acceleration). Thus to develop a one punch strike, one needs to take advantage of acceleration and also their mass. This is done by training with focus and learning to use your body mass to help increase the force of a strike. You need to be very fast to achieve maximum acceleration along with developing focus, which can best be done while training in karate kata.  But, if one trains as in tai chi, they will have a tough time punching their way out of a wet paper bag, so to speak. So punch fast, hard and with authority and some additional body hardening, weight training, targeting vital points, etc., will improve your chances of defending yourself with one, quick punch.

This also has benefits in health (for you, not the person who receives the punch). By training properly in karate, you will dramatically improve your fitness. This concept pretty well matches suggestions by Dr. Joseph Mercola in his 2016 book. Dr. Mercola suggests that we should exercise as fast as we can for 30 seconds and follow with about 90 seconds of recovery while exercising at a much slower rate - pretty much what one sees in good kata practice. It is suggested to continue this regimen for about 20 minutes. This form of exercise should focus on the super fast with muscle fibers. And, it is important to vary your forms so you should practice different kata.

For me, I typically train for about an hour in explosive karate and kobudo kata and finish my training regimen with weight and resistance exercises. I've done this for most of my life and even continued to so so when working as a geologist in the middle of no where in places like Donlin Creek, Alaska surrounded by three trillion, starving mosquitos, Ellendale, Australia surrounded by flies and crocks, and while searching for gold in Lewiston, Wyoming, where I was surrounded by coyotes. So, to keep healthy try learning 'TRADITIONAL' karate as opposed to Sport Karate and practice your kata.