Karate translated means Art of the Empty Hand or Empty Hand Fighting. Karate was developed over 500 years ago as a means of self-defense and consists of blocking, kicking, and punching in a series of combinations and drills. The guiding principle of karate is that the practitioner shall make no attacks except when his/her safety is compromised by a dangerous situation.
The discipline of karate is designed to teach the student nonviolence and to inspire self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-control. A sense of well-being and life is made more meaningful as a result of studying and practicing karate. The individual who studies the art comes to understand his/her-self as silent fearless.
We teach Okinawan Shorin-Ryu of the Kobayashi system. Shorin-Ryu is a style of karate that uses the movement and flow of the natural body. Okinawan Shorin-Ryu karate is adaptable, such that it will handle boxer and street fighter techniques and can be used for tournament competition.
In addition to the traditional classic forms of Okinawan Shorin-Ryu, we teach Yakusoku Kumite (Pre-Arranged fighting), Ippon Kumite (Self Defense), Yotsu-Kado No Renshu (4-Corner Drills) and training with Bo, Nunchaku, Kama, Tonfa, Sai and Eku, which are all traditional Okinawan Weaponry. We place heavy emphasis in conditioning and stretching for all Karate activities.
The primary method of instruction is by utilization and demonstration of movements. Training aids such as focus mitts, kicking shields, makiwara stands and striking pads/bags are used to develop power, focus, speed, and control of the technique demonstrated.
The etiquette of bowing at the beginning and the end of class and in certain exercises is a Japanese custom that is retained as a valuable cultural aspect of karate. This reinforces the karate concept of harmonious unity, respect and discipline. The purpose of “Karate-Do” is to integrate the mind, body and spirit in unity that allows the individual to reach his/her fullest growth.
Although the origins of Martial Arts have a long association with Buddhism, karate as it is practiced in this class has a strong Christian foundation. It sets very high standards for moral attributes as the chief aim of the practitioner (etiquette, effort, character, self-control and sincerity). As mentioned earlier, the bow must not be confused with bowing in church, temple, etc. Bowing in karate is for “respect” not “worship”.
The discipline of karate is designed to teach the student nonviolence and to inspire self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-control. A sense of well-being and life is made more meaningful as a result of studying and practicing karate. The individual who studies the art comes to understand his/her-self as silent fearless.
We teach Okinawan Shorin-Ryu of the Kobayashi system. Shorin-Ryu is a style of karate that uses the movement and flow of the natural body. Okinawan Shorin-Ryu karate is adaptable, such that it will handle boxer and street fighter techniques and can be used for tournament competition.
In addition to the traditional classic forms of Okinawan Shorin-Ryu, we teach Yakusoku Kumite (Pre-Arranged fighting), Ippon Kumite (Self Defense), Yotsu-Kado No Renshu (4-Corner Drills) and training with Bo, Nunchaku, Kama, Tonfa, Sai and Eku, which are all traditional Okinawan Weaponry. We place heavy emphasis in conditioning and stretching for all Karate activities.
The primary method of instruction is by utilization and demonstration of movements. Training aids such as focus mitts, kicking shields, makiwara stands and striking pads/bags are used to develop power, focus, speed, and control of the technique demonstrated.
The etiquette of bowing at the beginning and the end of class and in certain exercises is a Japanese custom that is retained as a valuable cultural aspect of karate. This reinforces the karate concept of harmonious unity, respect and discipline. The purpose of “Karate-Do” is to integrate the mind, body and spirit in unity that allows the individual to reach his/her fullest growth.
Although the origins of Martial Arts have a long association with Buddhism, karate as it is practiced in this class has a strong Christian foundation. It sets very high standards for moral attributes as the chief aim of the practitioner (etiquette, effort, character, self-control and sincerity). As mentioned earlier, the bow must not be confused with bowing in church, temple, etc. Bowing in karate is for “respect” not “worship”.