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Shorin Ryu at the U of A

What to Expect in Class
Training to Fight
Why Practice Karate?
Success with Training
What Will it Cost Me?

What to expect in Class:

We practice a very old, and traditional form of Okinawan Karate called Shorin Ryu. Because of this you'll notice that our class maintains a somewhat formal atmosphere. We bow at the door when entering and leaving class. Our counts, as well as many of our instructions are delivered in Japanese (which you'll more or less have learned within a week or two of class). The purpose of these seemingly awkward formalities is to maintain the traditions of our style. Basically, if we practice the way we were taught, we're more likely to hand down the style unchanged, and just as strong as it was given to us. The formalities also help to maintain a level of respect and focus throughout class. Anyone who has had the experience of teaching a class or sport can understand that in order to make the most of time spent training or studying, its important that things are run in an organized manner.

Our style began in Okinawa in the 16th century as a form of empty-handed street-fighting. As such, we train for the purpose of self-defense. We emphasize technique, strength, and balance while training. In class we spend a great deal of time practicing our "basics" which are a set of punching, kicking, and blocking techniques done in repetition. This is done at each practice, and usually takes around 45 minutes to an hour, and is a very good work out. Our basics are preceded by a warmup of calisthenics and stretching, and are followed by a series of push-ups and sit-ups designed to strengthen your body and increase your endurance.

After the basics we practice a variety of other techniques and exercises. These range from wrist locks and manipulations (also known as "Tuide"), to one-step sparring, special defensive/offensive moves, focus exercises, full kumite (sparring), and weapons exercises. That's right, weapons. The traditional Okinawan weapons we practice include the Bo, Sai and Kama, however a great deal of training in the empty-hand techniques is required before weapons are introduced. Though, once you get to begin learning them, they are a great deal of fun, and very usefull aswell. We also practice Kata, which are choreographed motions designed to represent fights, and help to encourage focus and concentration while training various offensive and defensive techniques. It's almost like learning to play a piece of music, but instead of getting a song, you get the re-enactment of a fight or set of important techniques that have been handed down through centuries by the great masters of our style.

Training to Fight, But Encouraging Friendship...Ironic, Huh?

Once a week we practice sparring, which is a form of controlled fighting. The goals of sparring highlight some of the our style's emphasize of control, and technique. We do not practice to injure the people we are training with. Many of the individuals you will be with in class are similar to yourself, in that they simply want to learn, and want to do so in an environment which both challenges them, and makes them feel welcome. All of the people in class are there to help one another learn, and grow as a martial artist. It is important to remember that at one time, everyone was new to Karate, and that the only way they became better was through personal strength, and the help of their teacher, and fellow students. Therefore, behavior which discourages this sort of friendly environment is not tolerated. Bragging and teasing are antiproductive, as is the use of unnecessary force against a partner while training. Basically, it is positive to train hard WITH eachother, but negative to train hard AGAINST eachother. The line between these two methods becomes evident in class and in practice.

Are you nuts? Why practice Karate?

Hours of repetitive training, lots of sweat and occasional pain...and dressing in somewhat goofy-looking white outfits...why practice Karate? This question could be asked of just about any learned skill or art. And the answer is different for every person. A multitude of benefits arise from consistent training. Self confidence, strength, focus, and self-reliance are a few among an innumerable list of rewards obtained through practicing a martial art. The feeling of improvement is one that drives a person to achieve, and can change a person in ways that they never felt possible. If you want to learn why people practice Karate, despite the time commitment and occassional bruise, come to class and learn for yourself!

Success with training

As with many martial arts, success in training depends more upon the student than on the teacher. This means that the rate at which you improve will depend more upon how often you attend class, and how focused you are while you attend than how hard the teacher pushes you. Essentially, all that is required of the student is a desire to achieve, and all that is required of the teacher is to challenge their student, and to give them the tools to overcome their difficulties. Our sensei is good at what he does, and goes above and beyond his role as an instructor to ensure that people feel comfortable making mistakes in training, so that they can overcome their difficulties and succeed.

So, success relies upon the student. Basically, if you come to class, you will get better. If you try when you're in class, you will get better even faster. All that is required is for you to show up, and try, and you will succeed in ways you never thought possible.

So...what is everyone else getting out of Karate? And what will it cost me?

The people that come to class are getting the same thing you will. Our instructor has a full-time job, and a family, and still manages to train our class 3 times a week, for FREE. The only cost for class is a $5 per month charge which pays for our membership in our federation and also goes to pay for club events like Cheesy Kung Fu Movie Night, and the occasional guest appearance of our Shihan, Greg Lazarus, from the main US dojo in Dover, New Hampshire.

BTW - You're first month's dues are waived, so you're not out any money if you decide not to stick with the club.