KARATE-DO - The Way of the Fist

We teach four (4) styles of Karate: 1.) Shuri-Te/ Sui-Di, 2.) Naha-Te/ Nafa-Di, 3.) Tomari-Te/ Tumai-Di, and Sabaki.

Shuri-Te/ Sui-Di - Emphasizing fast, linear strikes from more natural and relaxed stances, this style has the least influence from Chinese Martial Arts and is the closest to the understanding of the indigenous Okinawan Martial Art of Ti/Te. Our study into Shuri-Te comes from the style of Shito Ryu, founded by Mabuni Kenwa, a renaissance man of the Karate world. He taught multiple masters such as Konishi Yasuhiro (Shindo Jinen Ryu) and Kokuba/Kuniba Kosei (Motobu ha Shito Ryu).

Naha-Te/Nafa-Di - Emphasizing strong, sometimes slow, circular movements, Naha-Te represents the schools of Karate with the most recent influence from Chinese Martial Arts. Our Naha-Te is founded in the methods of Goju-Ryu Karate-Do, founded by Miyagi Chojun, a student of Higaonna Kanryo, under whom Mabuni Kenwa also studied.

Tomari-Te/ Tumai-Di - An often mythological and misunderstood style of old Karate. Many Kata in this style are known for being fast, upright, and close-in. Our training in this style comes from both the Tomari Kata taught by Mabuni Kenwa (Shito Ryu) and subsequently Kuniba Shogo (Motobu ha Shito Ryu), but also Motobu Choki (Motobu Ryu Kempo) who taught both Kokuba/Kuniba Kosei and Shogo.

Sabaki - Sabaki is a methodology based in the Full-Contact/ Knockdown styles of Karate, such as Kyokushinkai, Ashihara Kaikan, Daidojuku/Kudo, Shidokan, and Enshin Kai. Sabaki as a method is designed to eliminate much of the battle of attrition by allowing practitioners to grab, sweep, and throw opponents to the mat instead of winning by Knock-Out or TKO.

Kihon, Kata, Kumite

Daily training consists of Warm-Ups: Stretching and Kihon (Fundamentals).

Kihon takes the form of 1.) Basic Punches and Kicks to reinforce structural connections, power-generation, and flexibility 2.) Shadowboxing - Practicing sparring techniques in the air working on visualization and flow, and 3.) Ukemi - Rolls, breakfalls, and learning to throw and be thrown safely.

Kata (Forms)

We teach many Kata from White Belt to Black Belt (and beyond). These are methods of memorizing techniques, body movements, and mind-breath coordination. Our Kata can be divided into several groups based on origin, style, and design.

• Kihon Kata
  • Kihon Kata Ichi/ Taikyoku Shodan
  • Kihon Kata Ni/ Taikyoku Nidan
  • Kihon Kata San
  • Kihon Kata Yon
  • Kihon Kata Go
• Shuri Te Kata
  • Ten no Kata/ Fukyu Ichi
  • Pinan Nidan
  • Pinan Shodan
  • Pinan Sandan
  • Pinan Yondan
  • Pinan Godan
  • Kusanku Dai
  • Passai Dai
  • Chinto
• Naha Te Kata
  • Sanchin
  • Tensho
  • Gekisai Dai Ichi/ Chi no Kata/ Fukyu Kata Ni
  • Gekisai Dai Ni
  • Saifa
  • Seiyunchin
  • Shisochin
  • Seisan
• Tomari Te Kata
  • Naihanchi Shodan
  • Naihanchi Nidan
  • Wankan/ Matsukaze
• Gokenki Kata (White Crane Kata)
  • Hakkaku
  • Nipaipo
• Mabuni Kata (Kata created by Mabuni Kenwa)
  • Shinsei
  • Juroku
• Sabaki Kata
  • Sabaki Kata Shodan
  • Sabaki Kata Nidan
  • Sabaki Kata Sandan
  • Sabaki Kata Yondan

Kumite (Sparring/ Fighting)

Kumite training takes several forms: Kickboxing (Gloves and Shinguards), Sabaki (Grabs, Throws, and Takedowns), Knockdown (Punches and Kicks only, no hand-to-head contact), and Sundomei (Stopping before Contact/ Points).

Sparring training is differentiated by age-groups and training intensity.