Okay, so I’ve been getting into martial arts lately, and I wanted to try out different styles. I’ve always been fascinated by karate, so I decided to check out both Kyokushin and Shotokan. Let me tell you, it was quite an experience!
Getting Started
First, I looked up local dojos for both styles. It turned out there was a Kyokushin dojo not too far from my place, and a Shotokan one a bit further out, but still manageable. I decided to try a class at each.
Kyokushin – The Full-Contact Experience
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The Kyokushin class was intense, from beginning from end!
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We started with a rigorous warm-up: lots of push-ups, sit-ups, and stretching. It felt more like a boot camp than anything I’d done before.
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Then we moved on to basics (kihon). The stances were deep, and the instructor emphasized power in every technique. I was sweating buckets just trying to keep up.
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Sparring (kumite) was full-contact. No pads, just straight-up hitting. To be honest, I was pretty nervous, but I gave it my best shot. I definitely took a few hits, but it was exhilarating. I felt every punch and kick, it was super tiring.
Shotokan – Focus on Form
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My Shotokan class was a completely different vibe.
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The warm-up was still challenging, but much more focused on flexibility and controlled movements.
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Kihon was a huge part of the class. The instructor was meticulous about proper form. Every punch, block, and kick had to be precise. It was less about raw power and more about technique and control.
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We did some sparring, but it was light-contact or no-contact. The emphasis was on control and precision, not knocking your opponent down. It was more about demonstrating your technique than actually landing blows.
My Takeaways
After trying both, I realized they’re vastly different styles, even though they’re both karate.
Kyokushin is all about power, endurance, and full-contact sparring. It’s tough, physically demanding, and definitely builds resilience. I felt like I could break through a wall after that class, and I had a lot of fun.
Shotokan, on the other hand, emphasizes precision, form, and control. It’s more about mastering the techniques and demonstrating them perfectly. I felt more skilled and light, it didn’t have the same “power” as kyokushin.
Honestly, I enjoyed both for different reasons. I like the raw power and intensity of Kyokushin, but I also appreciate the technical focus and discipline of Shotokan. I think, for now, I might try to continue with both and see where it takes me. It’s a great way to challenge myself and learn different aspects of martial arts!
