I just want to be able to protect myself
Then you need self defense training not karate. Karate is martial art art being the key word here, it's useful for self-defense but often is more of a hobby, way of keeping fit.
you don't want a jogging buddy to help you prepare for a marathon.
Most karate styles will be thought for months before you'll be allowed to fight, sparring will not provide you with real life situations that you may want to protect yourself in and you'll not be able to aim to cause harm, to another student wearing single layer of thick cotton.
SOURCE: How do I tie my Martial Arts Belt?
I found this site that includes a step
by step tutorial video on how to tie your belt properly. http://www.all-karate.com/128/tie-karate-belt-photo-guide
SOURCE: What does the green-colored martial arts belt signify?
At a green belt level, students learn to strengthen and refine their technique. In Japanese culture, this color represents the growth of a seed (the student) as it sprouts from the earth and begins to grow into a plant.
SOURCE: What was the first martial art to use the belt ranking system?
The first martial art to use the belt ranking system is the Japanese Judo.
SOURCE: Where can I buy martial art belts online?
There are many websites that sell martial art belts. Here are some of the popular ones: http://www.kataaro.com/Departments/Belts.aspx, http://www.eosinpanther.com/black-belt-c-21.html, and http://www.blackbeltshop.com/belts.htm.
Tying a martial arts belt properly is a sign of
respect. It is very important that you
master the art of tying the belt properly.
I have found you a very helpful video tutorial on tying a martial arts
belt that should be very useful.
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Look up your local martial arts training centers in the phone book or Internet. Also you can go on YouTube but make sure to do the moves of the martial arts that you want to do correctly.
Yes you can usually sit and watch most martial arts while they go through that particular nights training keeping in mind if that style suits you . the variety in the different styles and teaching methods varies greatly , so I suggest do a bit of searching on line youtube is a start and it has many many vids to watch and can help you with the sort of system that you favor , next will be looking in you area for someone that offers that style and thats where you can sit in and watch .here is some things to consider......is the training method a realistic one ? just doing carters or the form behind the system will bore you and not give you the opportunity to have a person attack you and defend and counter , you will have to train for at least one to two years before you can get street effective depending on the teaching and style and most people on average dont last 6 months before quitting , I am also of the opinion that its not so much as one style is better than the other but more of who can execute their style more correct therefore making them the better martial artist ,I picked Ninjutsu to train in ( Togakure Ryu under Grandmaster Hatsumi ) and enjoyed it very much reaching 4TH degree Black Belt and also instructing , while many of my other friends were involved in other styles, we were all working in security and clubs etc and had respect for each other regarding what martial art we trained in .You do need a intelligent school owner to train under not just a sheep , one that has their pupils best interests at heart ,meaning realistic training , giving you value for your dollars spent ,keeping training as safe as possible ,sharing all knowledge when appropriate and not with holding particular aspects of the style or keeping you in the dark ,If your instructors have a open mind then they to will see that other systems also have merit, these things are not the technical side of martial arts but can make for a great instructor or a poor one . the rest is up to you go and find one enjoy the journey and spiritual growth and empowerment ! best of luck
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