Ocala Karate and Fitness

Posts Tagged ‘Karate Training’

Seibukan Shorin Ryu Karate

What a Great day we all had training this Saturday with Sensei Dan Smith here at Ocala Karate and Fitness. Www.ocalashinbukan.com. I think all the lucky ones that attended would agree with me on how truly exciting it is to listen and learn from a real Karate Legend.
Our training day started out with a basic introduction to Seibukan karate. Seibukan karate is a lineage of Chotoku Kyan’s Shorin Ryu Karate. A devastating form of Okinawan Karate that can be traced back to over 700 years ago to its roots.
The day started out with some quick basic stretching, and then we jumped in to it. With most the focus being on the Seibukan punch. The punch was something that Kyan Sensei held great value in. He had a saying that the punch should always be gaurded like a treasure. And that was a part of his legacy that is still being taught today in Seibukan Karate.
So having said this, that is what we did for the first hour and a half of training. We punched. We punched, and we punched some more. Smith Sensei was very careful and focused as he walked around and fine tuned everyone on the floor. And by the end of the first phase of training, I witnessed an amazing change in everyone on the floor. Yes, they were all covered in sweat and very fatigued, but I saw something else happening to them. They were all changing. Their punches were now starting to take on a whole new look, and the power in them was noticeably increasing.   By the end of the training session, all the fortunate members that got the chance for Sensei Smith to personally critique and shape, had moved a mile in their Karate Training.

This is why I really push for our members to take the opportunity to attend these workshops so they can take full advantage of all the tools that are available here at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  We are striving to bring Ocala the Absolute BEST in Okinawan Karate and Ryukyu Kobudo.  And it doesn’t get any better than Sensei Dan Smith.  With over 43 years of Direct Training with Zenpo Shimabukuro, Sensei Smith is one of, if not “THE MOST”, knowledgeable men on Okinawan Karate.  To get the chance to train with him directly, is one of those once in a lifetime chances.  And through Ocala Karate & Fitness, our serious members will get to do this several times through out the year.  If you missed out last Saturday, Smith Sensei will be doing another Seminar soon, so stay on the lookout for more information.

We will be posting pictures up here shortly on the event.  Once again, congratulations to all those that attended and really make an effort to start applying all that you learned from the Seminar into your daily class training.

Beginning TODAY !!

Keep up the great work.

Robby Bray

Here we go rolling into the month of May and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s in store for our members here at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  Not only are most of our members taking advantage of the Cardio Fitness class along with their Karate training, but several have jumped into the Ryukyu Kobudo Class as well.

Ryukyu Kobudo is the ancient form of Okinawan Weapons that can be traced back over 400 years.  The system is centered around the Kun, or Bo, which is roughly a 6 foot wooden staff.  I tell all of our students that Okinawan Kobudo is for the serious person that is really wanting to push themselves to their limit.  Not only does Kobudo build rock solid stances through leg and Core strength, but begins to really expand on the students understanding of body dynamics and power generation.

Tamayose Sensei is VERY Particular

And the DETAIL ! !  One of the reasons that Kobudo is much more difficult to learn is the fact that you are trying to utilize and make your body one with an object that is NOT a part of you.  It takes so much concentration on the small things that will eventually add up to something so amazing that only the Kobudo Practitioner is even aware exists!

Ocala Karate & Fitness is a Licensed and Recognized Tesshinkan School.  The Tesshinkan, is the Ryukyu Kobudo organization that was created by Sensei Tamayose Hidemi of Okinawa Japan.  In fact, we are one of only two, recognized Tesshinkan Schools currently in the United States.  (The other is located North of Ocala in Anthony Fl)

We are always looking to add members to our small group of Tesshinkan members, but need to remind all that are interested how serious our training is.  I remind everyone, every class, how important it is to give 110% every time you are on the floor.  Yes it is hard, and exhausting, but one day you will look back at all the time you put in on the floor, doing the drills and trying to get to where you can do the technique correctly.  We all want to look back and KNOW that we did our BEST, every minute we were on the floor.   Every Kihon, every Kata, and every Kumite drill.

There is no greater feeling than at the end of class, looking around and knowing that you just gave everything you had.  This is what makes a dojo special.  All walks of life, all trades, come together for one thing.  To be the BEST we can be at something special.

At the end of the day, it feels great! !

Well last weekend was an Awesome time up in Atlanta Ga.  April 16-18th was the annual Seibukan Winter Training Camp and what a great experience it was.  With close to 100 participants from all over the U.S., one can see the true value of holding these annual events.  Every year I attend, we as instructors, learn and benefit so much from these events, and it allows us to continue to grow and evolve in our Karate training.  This years main focus was on Renzoku Kumite and Ikkyo No Renshu.

Flowing from one technique to another

So much to practice !

Renzoku Kumite, or continuous attack, is a key element to Seibukan training.  These two man drills, as taught by Zempo Shimabukuro use multiple attacks, defenses, counter attacks, and counter defenses between training partners.

The main focus of the drill is to begin developing the ability for the student to transition from defense to offense in the moment that a continuous attack cannot be interrupted or eliminated.

By utilizing these two man set drills, the karateka learns to develop and sense or “flow” that enables an “instinctive” action without conscious thought.

Learning to change on the "fly"

These pre arranged sets for Renzoku Kumite are based on the traditional Okinawan Kata movements, or as the students advance, can be based literally on  ANY particular offensive or defensive sequences that the individual student has learned and feels comfortable doing.

One of the most important and misunderstood concepts behind Traditional Karate Kihon training, is that repetition builds muscle memory, and muscle memory builds reflexive response.  And reflexive response is the path to “Mu Shin”  or “No Mind” .  Much more on this subject to come.

On top of all the drills and Valuable Oral presentations by Sensei Dan Smith, 9th Dan and 1 of only 2 9th Dans ever presented to a foreigner on Okinawa, testing and a beautiful awards banquet and ceremony was conducted Saturday night.  A few Senior Seibukan Members were honored and entered the Seibukan Hall of Fame.

Smith Sensei and I after Black Belt Promotions

I would also like to take the time to thank my wonderful family for all the support that they have shown me over the last 10 years.  Without their blessings and support, none of these things would have ever happened, and Ocala Karate & Fitness would never have been possible.  They are my world.

This is my motivation!

   I just wanted to remind everyone of our upcoming events for the rest of the month.  First off, testing is scheduled for Friday, November 20th from 5:00-7:00.  All members that have met all their requirements, including class time, are eligible to test on Friday for their next rank. 

    Class time is a crucial element in training.  Karate is a very intricate and complicated system to learn, and putting in the hours on the dojo floor is a must !  In order to really get the most out of your Karate training, its essential that you put the class time in.  Its the only way that you will truly develop an understanding for the techniques. 

     Have you ever wondered how when watching a black belt move on the floor, they seem to generate so much power?  Or they just have that fluid movement that gives off the aura of total control over their body? 

   These are the foundations or Kihon that Okinawan Karate is built upon.  Proper foot placement leads to proper weight distribution, which in turn leads to proper balance and body control.  It’s a feeling that can only be appreciated by those that have achieved it.

     How is this learned?  Through hours of practice on the dojo floor. 

   Really want a challenge?  Schedule an appointment so we can get you on the floor, and show you all the benefits of learning how to properly control your body weight distribution.  Not only does it build balance and agility, but it gives you a new sense of confidence that can only be described as mastering yourself.  Click here to learn more. www.ocalakaratefitness.com

     Also the Dojo will be closed next week from the 26th through the 27th for Thanksgiving.  There will be no classes open on these two days.  Class schedule will resume on Monday.