Karate is a serious discipline that packs a first-rate strength and flexibility punch.

Using blocks, kicks, punches, self defense and numerous striking techniques, karate can sharpen your physical awareness and thinking, while improving your hand-eye coordination and balance.

There are many styles of karate, such as kenpo (emphasizing the hands and feet equally, popular in the United States), shotokan (stressing linear movements) and goju-ryu ("hard/soft school"). A system of colored belts reflects the student's level of mastery, starting at white and typically progressing to yellow, green, brown and black .

• The upside of karate is that it prepares you for almost any kind of attack that you could possibly imagine. With numerous self-defense moves, you have a better chance of escaping an attacker.
  
  
• Karate builds confidence, promotes flexibility and improves reflexes.
  
  
• Many children who would otherwise get little exercise enjoy these classes, but adults can take up karate too.
  

• For the most part, it is better to leave the martial arts to the classroom. Before you take on a mugger or get into a fight, make sure you know and understand the consequences of what you are prepared to do. And most importantly, never hit first.
  
  
• The quality of instruction can vary widely from one facility to another and one teacher to another. Credentials aren't standardized.
  
  
• Make sure you are taking appropriate lessons from a karate master and not just some guy off the streets trying to make a buck .