Schools of Style in Martial Arts

To the uninitiated, most martial arts uniforms look alike. Not until you've shopped around for one will you discover the subtle and not-so-subtle differences. Not only do they differ from style to style, but even within one style uniforms differ. In karate, for example, the jacket can be styled long or short, depending on the school you attend. Some schools allow students to wear short-sleeved jackets in hot weather, while others mandate long sleeves year round.

Aside from short sleeves, most uniforms aren't designed for varying degrees of weather. You won't, for example, find uniforms with shorts as opposed to long pants. Certainly, there were many classes during which I would have preferred to wear a short-sleeved jacket with shorts. But for the same reason you rarely see air conditioners blasting on a hot day in most martial arts schools, it's done for practical reasons. (Why don't most martial arts schools blast their air conditioning? Cold air constricts muscles, increasing the possibility they might tear. Schools mat have air-conditioners usually turn them on only during the hottest days—and then only on low.

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Warm Up and Stretch Out Suggestions in Martial Arts

Martial Arts Uniform

Martial Arts Schools Uniform

Schools of Style in Martial Arts

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