The Karate Gi and How to Tie Your Belt

Karate gi, or uniform is worn by all students during their training and consists of a jacket, pants and belt. Someone wearing a karate gi is immediately recognized as a student of karate, and most if not all dojos require use during training. Its sense of lightness and comfort allow for greater mobility when running different techniques which makes it perfect for sparring. As a result of alterations on the sleeves and pants making them a little shorter than normal, preventing anyone's feet or hands being caught in the sleeves. Another thing is its durability; a person wearing karate gi can be thrown, dropped, broken and can withstand strong contact with the ground. Karate gi also serves a psychological purpose. It is designed to place students in a more "real" state of mind during training, specifically.

Most schools allow you to wear any white gi, but usually request that the school badge be attached to it. Most of the uniforms can be purchased through the school, and some are free when a person registers. In the event that the school has stopped giving them out, there are many places online where you can buy one, leaving the task of sewing the ID of the school on.

Although your instructor should and probably will teach you how to tie a karate belt, if you want to learn how to do it yourself, then it is very simple. Learning to tie a karate belt is something most people learn in a day of training, but I always see people with their belts fastened incorrectly. Whenever you put a uniform on you will be asked to attach your belt correctly, so you can see why it is an important thing to know. Your karate belt is a symbol of the skills and knowledge you have in your respective style.

First, take the belt in your hands and divide into two halves. Take the middle section of the belt and place it on top of your hips just below the navel. Continue to wrap the belt around you at once. Make sure the ends are still equal. Take the part of the belt in your right hand and cross it over the left, then slide it under both layers of the belt through the bottom and come out on top. This should now be the left side of the belt. Take this piece and cross the right side, then put it in the hole you just created. Pull the belt tight and there you go! You have now learned how to tie a karate belt.