The Origins Of Karate

“You may train for a long, long time. But if you merely move your hands and feet and jump up and down like a puppet, learning karate is not vastly different from learning to dance. You will never have reached the heart of the matter; you will have failed to grasp the quintessence of karate-do.” – GICHIN FUNAKOSHI

In 1916 Gichin Funakoshi introduced Karate into Japan from Okinawa. Karate means Empty Hand. Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍, Funakoshi Gichin, November 10, 1868 – April 26, 1957) is the founder of Shotokan Karate-Do, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is known as a “father of modern karate”.

Following the teachings of Anko Itosu and Anko Asato, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1922. He taught karate at various Japanese universities and became honorary head of the Japan Karate Association upon its establishment in 1949. 

Karate is thought to have been started in India by a Buddhist priest called Bhodidarma, who wished to take Zen (a sect of Buddhism) to the Chinese. The Buddhist priests learnt how to fight to defend themselves from bandits and wild animals as they wandered.

In about AD 500, Bhodidarma reached the court of Emperor Wu at Chein-K’ang in China, where he was warmly received. He left the courts, eventually reaching the Henan Province and went into seclusion in the Shaolin temple (Shorin in Japanese) to teach Zen. He also taught his system of unarmed combat called Shorin Kempo.

Forms of Chinese combat have been recorded as far back as 3000 BC. Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍, Funakoshi Gichin, November 10, 1868 – April 26, 1957) is the founder of Shotokan Karate-Do, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is known as a “father of modern karate”. Following the teachings of Anko Itosu and Anko Asato, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1922.

He taught karate at various Japanese universities and became honorary head of the Japan Karate Association upon its establishment in 1949.  is credited with being the founder of Chinese Kempo, mainly because he added the meditative practices of Yoga and Zen, making it a more complete system, as we know it today.

Zen is inseparably linked with Karate and every Master of Karate seeks a more enlightened experience by studying Zen; in fact, all the developments in Shorin Kempo were achieved by various priests, through the years. Finally, the close connection between priests and medicine resulted in the discovery not only of vital spots on the human body where cures could be applied but also where Kempo attacks could be directed for the best results.

From China, Kempo spread north to Mongolia, east to Korea and south-east to Okinawa. Eventually it reached Japan, where it became extremely popular after the Kamakure era (about AD 1200). The soldier class, the Samurai, welcomed both the combat forms and the Zen philosophy. The morality and mysticism of Zen Buddhism appealed to their sensibilities but the real attraction was the way it provided them with a discipline which made them capable of great endurance and excellence in fighting, through the development of insight into both themselves and their opponents.

At various times in history – for instance in 1400 and again in 1609, in Okinawa- the authorities forbade the populace to use arms. As a means of protection against the bandits, and sometimes against the authorities, unarmed combat became widely taught. The schools, themselves usually confined to the temples, were nevertheless kept secret, because if discovered they would have been immediately wiped out by those in power. It was not until 1901 that Karate, as we now know it, was brought out of secret study and taught openly in Okinawa.

In 1916, Master Gichin Funakoshi came from Okinawa to Tokyo and pioneered the modern system of Karate in Japan. There are many schools of Karate today, born from many origins, each with its own merits and perhaps its own faults.

Tiger Athletic is the future of fitness. A modern approach to fitness, a private gym where sessions are strictly by appointment. You never share equipment, workout space, or your trainer. Sessions are completely private, in fact, it’s just you and your trainer on the floor during your appointment.

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Get Up. Show Up. Lace Up.

Sharpen your psychological and physiological self by training like a professional athlete in our unique training facility, designed and developed by your personal trainer Aubrey.

Our custom, in person strength & conditioning and online program offerings, including boxing, kickboxing, strength & conditioning, and functional training. Its always just you, your trainer, and the whole gym. No sharing space, queueing for equipment, or your trainer’s attention.

Boxing HIIT

Tiger Athletic provides the most effective boxing instruction, conditioning the body for optimal results through our unique approach. The client is assessed, treated, and trained as a professional boxer to ensure the highest standards of technical and physical performance. It’s just you, your coach, and the gym. Absolute Privacy. Let’s Work.

Each class consists of 12 rounds, with 2 warm-up rounds, 4 bag rounds, 4-floor rounds, and 2 core rounds. Burn upwards of 1,000 calories in our World Title classes! It doesn’t matter how bad in shape you think you are or who you are. A former athlete, young professional, stay-at-home-parent, or retiree, for 45 minutes a day you can fight for a world title.

Tiger Athletic provides the most effective boxing instruction, conditioning the body for optimal results through our unique approach. The client is assessed, treated, and trained as a professional boxer to ensure the highest standards of performance. It’s just you, your coach and the gym. Absolute privacy. Let’s Work.

Kick. Lift. Box.

A unique combination class consisting of high-intensity interval training, dynamic speed, agility, and cardio conditioning drills. Stimulate all your major muscles Ignite the strength and power while burning upwards of 700 calories. 12 x 3 minute rounds over 45 minutes and you’ll be right on track in achieving that lean and toned physique. A Kick-Lift-Box workout is made up of karate kicks and boxing routines and punches for heart-pumping cardio with strength and conditioning.

Tiger Athletic provides the most effective boxing instruction, conditioning the body for optimal results through our unique approach. The client is assessed, treated, and trained as a professional boxer to ensure the highest standards of performance. It’s just you, your coach, and the gym. Absolute privacy. Let’s Work.

Power Boxing

A modern, full-body workout, a pairing of best boxing practices with strength and conditioning exercises. This 45-minute boxing class, will develop your technical boxing skills and teach you various functional movement patterns that will transform your physique.

Tiger Athletic provides the most effective boxing instruction, conditioning the body for optimal results through our unique approach. The client is assessed, treated, and trained as a professional boxer to ensure the highest standards of performance. It’s just you, your coach and the gym. Absolute privacy. Let’s Work.

World Title Boxing

The pre-eminent 60-minute strength and conditioning boxing class, combining the best elements of both our Boxing HIIT and Power Boxing programs. This 60-minute sweat session will challenge athletes of all levels, getting you in the best shape of your life, while empowering you with the confidence of a champion.

Tiger Athletic is the future of fitness. A modern approach to fitness, a private gym where sessions are strictly by appointment. You never share equipment, workout space, or your trainer. Sessions are completely private, in fact, it’s just you and your trainer on the floor during your appointment. Training equipment is sanitized before and after every workout, that’s every hour!

Tiger Athletic is a modern, science-based exercise experience, unrivaled in workout quality, strength & conditioning equipment, and coaching. We ensure the highest training and hygiene standards with no joining or cancellation fees. Let’s workout.

Championship Boxing

It takes many hours of regular workouts in the gym to blast the 8 000 calories it takes to burn just 1 kilogram of fat from your body. Championship Boxing is a fun, challenging 1 000 calories per session that will engage you, push you and teach you totally new and practical skills as you move faster than ever towards your goal weight and aesthetic.

Each session is run like a championship boxing match, consisting of a 3-minute dynamic warm-up followed by 12 x 3-minute’ rounds’ comprising of 12 strength and conditioning exercises, for a total body workout. Each round is 3 minutes of all-out action with 1 minute of active rest and hydration between rounds for the best in class workout experience to rapidly sculpt and tone your physique.

This is a super-fast, super easy workout, designed for everyone from someone who has never thrown a punch to the professional athlete. Each dynamic workout is in a modern, private, appointment only facility where you can work out undisturbed and even bring your training partner at no extra cost for your first full month with us. The aerobic nature of many of boxing’s exercises leads to a high-calorie burn without a significant shock to your joints.

Championship Boxing is a brilliant all-round exercise choice for all fitness goals. Each workout increases the rate at which your heart pumps blood around your body, strengthening your heart’s muscles and lowering your chances of developing cardiovascular complications such as heart attacks and strokes.

It takes more than just jumping on a treadmill or lacing up and ‘hitting’ the road and hoping for the best. If you want to get the most out of your body, then you need to work it the right way through a variety of different forms of exercise and keeping your heart rate at the right level.

If it’s overall fitness you’re after, you need to get your head around both aerobic and anaerobic exercise present in boxing estimated to be 70-80% anaerobic and 20-30% aerobic. Boxing as a workout helps maintain the heart rate at 75%-85% regular heartbeat which is the recommended range if you are exercising to burn body fat and tone your muscles.

Championship Boxing is a high-intensity workout that burns a LOT of calories. You are looking at up to 1 000 calories through workouts that will challenge every muscle in your body, especially the core, shoulders, abs, and obliques.

Championship Boxing workouts will strengthen and tone your legs, arms, chest, shoulder, and back – pretty much everything while you get a massive endorphin release in your body from hitting a heavy bag, doing pad work with your personal trainer or going through our signature strength and conditioning routines.

Finding a gym or a great workout in Sandton City can be just as overwhelming as seeking out a new restaurant or bar in the City of Gold, here, you’re seemingly spoiled for choice. Tiger Athletic is modern, private, and strictly by appointment. Whether you’re looking to diversify your workout regime or find a new way to sweat, we have you covered.

Together Changes Everything. Let’s Workout.

A Modern Approach To Fitness

Tiger Athletic is the future of fitness. A modern approach to fitness, a private gym where sessions are strictly by appointment. You never share equipment, workout space, or your trainer. Sessions are completely private, in fact, it’s just you and your trainer on the floor during your appointment.
 
Training equipment is sanitized before and after every workout, that’s every hour! Tiger Athletic is a modern, science-based exercise experience, unrivaled in workout quality, strength & conditioning equipment, and coaching. We ensure the highest training and hygiene standards with no joining or cancellation fees.
 
Tiger Athletic
Tiger Athetic. Sandton, Johannesburg.
 
Founder Aubrey’s rigorous, results-focused methodology has attracted an exclusive, high-powered membership. Tiger Athletic is a ground-floor facility, in an office park in Sandton Johannesburg, combining privacy and relaxing surroundings. Members can relax with an espresso or beverage of choice before and after workouts or take a walk through our private urban short golf course. The change rooms feature absolute privacy without a soul in sight for added peace of mind.

 

Our Philosophy

Joining Tiger Athletic is a two-way commitment. Membership is capped so all applicants are interviewed and undergo a consultation and health appraisal with Aubrey must to both assess for contraindications to exercise requiring referral to other healthcare professionals and to provide the data around which your custom workout and nutrition plan is designed.

You must commit to working out at the gym at least twice a week, however, special arrangements are available for qualified candidates who routinely travel for business, reside between Johannesburg and elsewhere, and non Residents.

Master Tiger

The consultation and health assessment last an hour. We assess flexibility, cardio-respiratory fitness, strength, endurance, and body fat to zero in on the unique musculature of each client, isolating differences between right and left sides of the body, different parts of each muscle, and the two major muscle fiber types (those for strength, and those for endurance), in order to design a workout tailored to each member’s genetic aptitude, level of fitness, health conditions, and goals. Members are welcomed to book an hour to use the gym anytime in an available slot in addition to their personal training sessions.

Your personal trainer Aubrey approaches fitness scientifically, he graduated in coaching science with merit, is a former boxer, rugby player, and holds senior black belts in Karate.  “You can’t fail,” Aubrey likes to say. “We’re just gathering data to design the best possible workout experience for you”

Abs

Tiger Athletic Fitness & Conditioning is a private, appointment only strength & conditioning gym in the heart of Sandton. Our personal trainers are health and fitness professionals who use an individualized approach to assess, motivate, educate, and train clients. We design safe, effective, fun exercise solutions for in-person and online personal training clients.

Our ‘Fit for Life’, health first approach helps us to help you reach your goals safely and effectively through health and fitness assessment, best in class coaching, modern resistance, and cardio equipment, calisthenics, and boxing to provide a pragmatic, extraordinary 50-minute workout that is simple, efficient and effective.

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Calisthenics. Legs & Glutes.

Body weight exercises that work the thigh, calf and glute muscles are generally performed in the upright, seated, and all-fours positions. Increasing the difficulty of exercises in this class is usually accomplished through unilateral modifications (performed on one leg) or providing additional weight over and above the individual’s own body weight.

The word calisthenics comes from the ancient Greek words kálos (κάλλος), which means “beauty”, and sthénos (σθένος), meaning “strength”. It is the art of using one’s body weight and qualities of inertia to develop one’s physique. A longstanding urban legend has claimed that the exercise was named after one of its earliest promotors, the Greek historian Callisthenes.

Calisthenics is a smart, scientific approach to weight loss, strength gain and living a more active, fulfilling life. This is the fifth resource in our series on calisthenics, designed so you can workout in privacy of your home or on location when travelling and can’t attend your sessions with your Tiger Athletic personal trainer without the aid of equipment, a trainer or supplements and begin to understand that you too can get healthy using just your body, the physical environment and a little imagination.

Calf Raises

Start with both feet on the edge of a raised surface, with the toes on the surface and the heels lower than the toes. The heels are raised as high as possible, then returned to the starting position. The difficulty may be increased by performing the exercise on one leg.

Variation

  • The Cliff Hanger – place on foot on the surface and hold the position held to failure in isometric tension.
  • Donkey Calf Raises – bend the waist to about 90 degrees and rest the arms on a stable surface.
  • Little Piggies – heels on the surface, moves the toes foot upwards (dorsi flexion)

Muscle Groups

  • Calves

Squat

Start in a standing position with feet shoulder width apart. The legs are bent at the knees and hips, and the torso is lowered between the legs. Hold this position for a count of 1 and stand return to the start position. The knees should remain behind the toes always.

Variation

  • Invisible Chair – back against the wall, feet one step away from the wall, knees bent at 90 degrees. Hold position to failure.
  • Wall Squat – back against the wall, feet one step forward from the wall. Slides down the wall until your knees are bent to a 90-degree angle then slide up to the start position.
  • Sumo Squat – performed with a wide stance, the body is lowered until the thighs are parallel to the ground.
  • One-Legged Squat – performed with one leg held out straight in front of the body while the other leg bears your full weight during the squat.
  • Pistol Squat – builds on the One-Legged Squat and brings the buttocks all the way down to the heel of the foot on the ground. This variety of squats is made to challenge your balance.
  • Bulgarian Split Squat – Put the rear leg on a bench, drop straight down, and make sure that the front heel always stays in contact with the ground to avoid any excess stress on the knees. Retain a tall posture throughout the whole exercise. These can work the abs, quads and glutes, as well as the ability to stabilize. Moreover, 3 sets of 6-10 reps do the job to satisfaction.
  • Sissy Squat – uses a pole or other support to hold with one hand, while the body leans backward through the squat until the buttocks are resting on the heels.

Good Mornings

Start in a standing position, hands behind the head. The body is bent at the waist and the back is kept straight until the legs and torso form a 90-degree angle. The torso is returned slowly to the starting position.

Muscle Groups

  • Glutes
  • Hamstrings
  • Lower back

Dirty Dogs

Start in an all-fours position, then lifts one knee off the ground and swings the knee out to the side as far as possible, maintaining the bent knee at a 90-degree angle. The leg is then returned to the starting position and the exercise is then performed with the other leg.

Variation

  • Mule Kick variant is performed by straightening the leg as it is lifted away from the body as high as possible.

Muscle Groups

  • Glutes
  • Lower back
  • Hip flexors

Standing Side Leg Lift

Stand with their feet hip-width apart. The leg is lifted to the side in a slow, controlled manner until it forms a 45-degree angle with the stationary leg. The leg is then returned to the starting position and the exercise performed on the other side. One hand may be rested on a chair or other stable surface for support.

Muscle Groups

  • Glutes
  • Hip flexors
  • Lower back

Standing Leg Curls

Start with the feet shoulder-width apart. The leg is lifted from the ground, with the knee bent, and the foot curled in toward the buttocks. The leg is returned to the starting position and the exercise performed on the other side. One or two hands may be rested on a chair or other stable surface for support.

Muscle Groups

  • Glutes
  • Hamstrings

One-Legged Romanian Dead Lifts

Start in a standing position with the feet together. Bending at the waist, one leg is raised in the air while the hand reaches for the floor. The leg is lowered to the starting position and the body returned to the upright position. The leg and back should stay straight always during the exercise.

Muscle Groups

  • Hamstrings
  • Lower back
  • Core

Hip Extensions

Start with the back resting on the ground, and the legs bent at 90 degrees with the feet resting on an elevated surface such as a chair. Using only the legs, the hips are pushed up as high as possible, held in contraction for a moment, then lowered to the starting position.

Muscle Groups

  • Glutes
  • Hamstrings
  • Lower back

King of the Klutz

Stand on one leg, body held vertically, closes the eyes, then holds the position for as long as possible. The difficulty may be increased by performing the exercise on a soft or unstable surface.

Muscle Groups

  • Calves
  • Quadriceps
  • Hamstrings
  • Hip flexors

Bam Bams

Lie in a prone position on a raised, horizontal surface so the legs may project freely beyond the edge of the surface and the toes rest on the ground. The legs are then spread as wide as possible, then raised slowly and brought together until the heels touch. The feet are then returned to the ground. The legs are held as straight as possible throughout the exercise.

Muscle Groups

  • Glutes

Ham Sandwich

Kneel on the ground, with the feet anchored under a solid surface, or held to the ground by another person. The body is then lowered until the chest is touching the ground. The individual then uses a plyometric movement with the arms to return to the starting position.

Muscle Groups

  • Hamstrings
  • Pectorals
  • Shoulders

Beat Your Boots

The feet are placed together on the ground and the individual bends at the waist to grab the ankles, with the legs kept straight. The knees are then bent until the buttocks touch the ankles. The body is then returned to the starting position.

Muscle Groups

  • Hamstrings
  • Quadriceps

The Arabesque

The arabesque is a technique that is borrowed from the ballet moves. It works excellently for the butt muscles and does not even make the use of free weights. However, if you want to add cuffs or ankle weights, you need to follow the following procedure. Place your hands on the back of the chair or on a railing and lift one leg behind you as high as possible, while holding your glutes and squeezing them for a count of about 4 or 5. Make sure to maintain an upright position so that you do not stress your lower back instead of the glutes.

Muscle Groups

  • Hamstrings
  • Glutes

The Duck Walk

Duck walks shape your butt. The procedure to do this exercise is to assume and hold a squatting position while walking forward for the repetitions and then walk backwards in the same positions for the repetitions.

Muscle Groups

  • Quadriceps
  • Hamstrings
  • Glutes

Tiger Athletic Fitness & Conditioning uses personal training to assess, motivate, educate and train you in a private, modern appointment only strength and conditioning in the heart of Sandton. Our rigorous pre-participation health appraisal screening process ensures that we design and deliver comprehensive exercise programs that safely and effectively meet your goals. Start your own Tiger Athletic fitness program by booking your initial interview.

Together changes everything. Let’s workout!