In France, karate is administered by the:

French Federation of Karate
and Associated Disciplines
122, rue de la Tombe Issoire
75014 Paris
Tel. 01 43 95 42 00
Fax. 01 45 43 89 84
Web : www.ffkama.fr

Licence holders in France: 178 781 (in 2004)

The Karate Academy of Cap d’Ail is affiliated to the French Federation of Karate and Affiliated Martial Arts : pour pratiquer à l'Académie de Karaté de Cap d'Ail ("go")

What is karate?

Karate-do (the road of the empty hand) is a Japanese martial art created in 1922 by Master Gichin FUNAKOSHI.
Originally conceived as a defensive art, the qualities developed by its practice help take confidence in one’s physical and psychological qualities and to obtain success both in this art and in life in general.

Advantages of karate for children
(from the age of 3)

Thanks to a simple and recreational modern teaching method, as practices at the Academy, young pupils can discover the advantages of karate with a content adapted to their needs:

- coordination in the movements;
- development of body control whilst moving;
- balanced growth (exercises of both the arms and legs, sometimes together);
- overcoming of shyness and focus of energy;
- respect of moral values (politeness, respect of others etc.)

Leisure or competition?

Two types of lessons are organised by our academies:
- “leisure”
- “competition” (from the age of 7) with joint consent from the child, the guardians and the technical director.

France has a great deal of experts and champions:

The children from our associations have enjoyed free training courses organised by world champions and world famous experts: masters Dominique VALERA and Jean-Pierre LAVORATO, 8th dan federal experts, world champions Christophe PINNA and Michaël MILON.
A course organised by an expert or a world champion is soon to be organised.

Introduction to karate (excerpts),

by Yann BAILLON, 2002 world champion and triple squad world champion in 1998, 2000 and 2004 (excerpt from the French monthly magazine “KARATE BUSHIDO, September 2005, edited by Européenne de Magazines, Paris).

“… Karate is also technically very varied, through the use of punching, kicking and sweeping. It teaches an essential amount of control over oneself and its techniques. Like the samurais, one must hit first, without being hit beforehand. One must give 100% whilst control the attack, in other words be capable of holding back just before hitting the target at full power. Karate leads to a search of coordination, speed, distance and precision.

In addition, it brings a great deal of suppleness, both in the movements and in the techniques, as well as in the hips. Practicing karate leads to a stronger degree of self-confidence and control. It also enables to channel the youngest pupils and improving concentration through work undertaken so as not to hit the opponent whilst remaining technically efficient.

Even though karate seems to be extremely regulated for beginners, it conveys interesting values, such as respect, which is very important in this traditional discipline. It is a good school of life, with a spirit found in all clubs, even those that emphasise the sporting side.”