Combining art and fitness
Are you tired of lifting weights? Are those 10 kg annoyances getting to you? Do you feel like your gym workouts are super repetitive and don't entice your mind? If you do, then you are definitely not alone. Health and fitness is important. In fact, staying healthy and fit should be one of your priorities in life. So why doesn't everyone go to the gym and do the workouts? Some just don't have the time while for others the same exercises just don't cut it so they are reluctant to put in that time. The good news is that there are other ways to stay fit other than going to a gym to lift weights and run on a treadmill!
BANGLADESH KARATE-DO
First on the list is Bangladesh Karate-Do. Established in 1995, Bangladesh Karate-Do is one of the oldest karate facilities in Dhaka. It is home to Sensei Awlad Hossain who, with the help of his Assistant Coach Maya Mondal, teaches a very diverse group of karatekas (karate performers) out of a small studio in Elephant Road. As soon as you register, your karate experience starts off with not a roundhouse kick but an evaluation of your weight and height. "Depending on the ratio of your height and weight, we make adjustments to your initial workouts to prepare your body for karate exercises and techniques," said Awlad Hossain when talking about new arrivals. The sensei teaches the Shotokan style of karate to his students. The style, which has developed from various forms of martial arts over many years, is divided into three major parts.
The first is the kihon (basics) which is followed by the kata (forms or pattern of moves) and then the kumite (sparring). Known for being a dynamic martial art, Shotokan helps develop speed and strength. The technique used in Shotokan strengthens the legs, provides stability and improves precision.
The institution is run much like a school and follows the Bangladesh Karate Federation as well as its rules and regulations. There are different classes for children and adults. The kids are taught separately in a more playful learning environment. As for the adults, there are fixed timings for classes and exams are taken every few months to monitor progress. Passing the exam is the only way for karatekas to advance to the next level.
Despite the school-like approach to teaching karate, the students seem to have taken it in full swing. Zarif Hossain, a student of the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Department, the University of Dhaka said "It is true that Karate teaches me self defence but people forget that the essence of karate is that ideally a karateka should never fight outside his dojo. It is not militarism but a practice to find ones true self."
Bangladesh Karate-Do has been around for quite a while and with a master teacher to teach them and with students getting invited to participate in regional and global competitions, Karate-Do seems as impressive as ever. So, if you are looking to work on your fitness and want some discipline in your life, then take up some Shotokan karate. Who knows? It just might be right for you!
Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/Bangladesh-Karate-Do-1424740504463803/?fref=ts
KO FIGHT STUDIO
KO Fight Studio is a full-contact fighting gym that offers a combination of stand up (kyokushin) and ground fighting (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) techniques. Founded by two-time Bangladesh full-contact champion, Abdullah Mohammad Hossain, the fighting gym is known for its offensive approach to contact sports and teaches its students knockout as well as street fighting.
KO Fight Studio offers kyokushin, taught by Chief Instructor Abdullah as well as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, taught by two of Abdullah's most trusted students, Sawasdee and Tanvir. The curriculum consists of four month slots where every four months, the students sit for a belt test.
When asked what a newcomer would learn in his first class with the studio, Abdullah said, "As a newcomer, at first you will learn the basic punch, block, knife-in-hand and the kick while standing still.
After that, you will learn all of the above again but this time using movement. After this comes the fighting stance training. You will be taught kata (form) and you will also be taught breaking (breaking wooden boards with the elbow, punch or a kick) which is how we measure a student's strength. There will also be a full day dedicated to cardio and fitness so that you can be in shape to perform all the exercises mentioned above."
The studio is currently taking classes three times a week with each class going for about two hours. Because of their popularity, they are however now relocating to a bigger dojo so naturally things are picking up. "Once our new studio is furnished and ready, we will be increasing the number of classes per week and we will also be adding classes for children," added Abdullah.
"Some students pick things up quickly while others take more time and need to be shown how to do certain things. That's why it's even more important for us instructors to give those students that extra support and keep telling them to practice and pay attention in class," he said. If you want to learn a more offensive martial art, then visit the KO Fight Studio and sign up for a class of kyokushin or Brazilian jiu jitsu. You will not be disappointed.
Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/KO-Fight-Studio-513827285395489/?fref=ts
COMBAT GYM
If you want to give something else a try then you can go all out with some Krav Maga classes! Krav Maga is taught at the Combat Gym and is known to be one of the deadliest self-defence systems developed for the Israel Defence Forces.
The Krav Maga classes are taught by Khosru Parvez, a trained boxer who also learned judo, karate, kung fu and taekwondo over the years. A black belt at taekwondo and a certified tactical Krav Maga instructor, Khosru now teaches his own class.
"I started Combat Gym in 2001 because I wanted to share my experiences in fitness, nutrition and self defence ideas. Both my wife and I follow the same lifestyle so she gave me the idea of opening and teaching a class. She now looks after the ladies section of combat gym," said Khosru.
The philosophy of Krav Maga is threat neutralisation through simultaneous defensive and offensive manoeuvres as well as aggression. There are separate classes for children and adults and most of the classes are taught by Koshru himself, although there are senior instructors who sometimes help out.
"We try to change the mental state and physical fitness of the students. As their course progresses, they will become more fit and confident and will also improve their technical ability," added Khosru.
Krav Maga is a realistic defence system but Combat Gym also has weight training programmes, cardio, yoga, pilates and meditation that students can pick up. There are no separate beginners or advanced classes. Krav Maga is mostly basics so anyone can try to learn!
To check out Krav Maga, visit: https://www.facebook.com/combatgymbd/?fref=ts
By Naveed Naushad
Photo credits:
1. S Archive/Sazzad Ibne Sayed
2. Bangladesh Karate-Do
3. KO Fight Studio
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