As early as 400 BC Buddhist Monks in India used a form of Karate to defend themselves against wild animals. Later in the 1600's karate was developed further on the island of Okinawa. Karate spread to Japan after Okinawa became a Japanese province in 1879. After World War II many servicemen returning home from the Far East brought the skills with them. Karate is a form of unarmed combat, using kicks or strikes with the hand, elbow, knees or feet. The Japanese word Karate means empty hand.

There are four basic types of Karate; Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Okinawan. All use the same basic techniques, stressing their own particular skills and style of movement. The Korean Tae Kwon Do style emphasizes kicking, the Chinese Kung Fu style uses flowing circular motions, the American Karate style is a hybrid of all styles mainly due to the various styles learned by Americans during war times.