Ocala Karate and Fitness

Posts Tagged ‘Okinawan Karate’

    Well its all finished!  All the stress and anxiety over last Friday’s testing is over and done with.  And I’d like to say what an excellent job all our members that tested did on Friday Night.  Everyone came out and gave 110 percent in Friday nights testing at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  www.ocalashinbukan.com

 From Ocala Karate & Fitness

We had around 23 members Test on Friday night for ranks ranging from Yellow, Orange and Green Belts in Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate.  Ocala Karate & Fitness is Ocala’s only Licensed and Certified “Seibukan” school.  We offer Ocala a chance to train in Traditional Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate.

From Ocala Karate & Fitness

 Okinawan Shorin Ryu was designed to be practiced over an entire lifetime.  The skills and lessons learned from Karate will continue to benefit our members through out the course of their life.  Not only does Okinawan Karate teach us how to defend ourselves from physical confrontations, but it also teaches problem solving and Self Motivation that can be applied to just about all aspects of life. 

    And it NEVER too late to start.  We have members that start at the age of 7, and some that start at the age of 53.  So if Karate is something that you have always wanted to try, but just never got around to it, it’s NEVER too late to start.  Our curriculum is set up to produce the ABSOLUTE BEST ! !  The only thing that is REQUIRED, is 110 Percent EFFORT !  Without constantly pushing yourself to do better- To be better- To be stronger- To be faster, you will never truly blossom into what you “Could” be.  And by teaching our members to do this very thing, it begins to spill over into life itself.  It changes the way we look at our daily lives.  If you don’t get up every morning and be the absolute best you can be, why bother doing anything.  If your not going to do it the best that you can, why do it only half as well as you could.  That’s the way you have to look at your Karate training.  Be the ABSOLUTE BEST you can be, and everything else will fall into place.  Just keep training hard everyone and one day you too will see what I am always talking about. 

 Check back in a few days and we’ll have pictures from testing posted for all to see.  Our Student of the Month Page will come online next month too.  And for those of you that have not registered for the Online curriculum don’t wait any longer.  There is so much useful information and video’s available to our website members to make training here at Ocala Karate & Fitness the absolute BEST martial arts studio in Ocala.  Once again, congratulations to everyone on a great test, and a SPECIAL congrats to our 2 members that tested in Kobudo directly after the Karate test.  You guys did great, and keep up the hard work. 

 Can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow night in class.  Get rested up, cause we have a lot to cover.

     Robby Bray

And we are officially over half way through 2010. Can you believe it? I sure can’t. This year is moving by sooo fast, but we couldn’t be happier with our members here at Ocala Karate & Fitness. www.ocalashinbukan.com We have been able to accomplish all of our goals so far this year and we are looking forward to the second half of 2010. This leads us to our topic of today. And that is ATTITUDE.
Attitude is the one element that really impacts and has serious influence over each of our lives. It has a tremendous effect over how we go through life day after day. It is key to determining how you are going to feel, day after day. Every morning when you get up, having the right attitude can change the whole day before you even get started.   Let me explain how Okinawan Karate can help.

First off.  Okinawan Karate is much more than a system of learning Self Defense.  Okinawan Karate is a way of LIFE.  Having said that, let me take it a step further.

All my members here at Ocala Karate & Fitness hear me say this over and over again in class.  Karate is a way of life.  This is due to the way that the Okinawans’  structured and cultivated this art.  You see, it all starts everyday when you walk through the door and enter the dojo.  “DOJO”  means “Place Of The Path To Enlightenment”  This should be everyone’s mindset upon entering the dojo.  This is where we make a BETTER you.

A Fresh Start

Upon entering the Dojo, and stepping out on the floor, you must focus on making yourself a little better than the last time you were here.  Every night you come in, focus should always be on making yourself a little better than before.  Not better than the person beside you, but better than YOU were.  Whether it be strength, balance, agility, is not important.  Just always, always strive to better yourself in one aspect.  If you continue to do this while training, it will have a positive effect on how you start approaching everything else in life.  You begin to take it from the moment you get up out of bed every morning.  Try to make your life a little better than it was yesterday.

Remember that the beautiful thing about life is that “EVERY” morning when we get up, we control our OWN destinies.  Every second of every day, we make decisions that effect what happens to us.  This is just ONE small example of how Okinawan Karate can change your life forever.  It creates a new “Positive” mindset on the dojo floor, which over time can be carried off the floor with you and into your life 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.  The first of our Dojo kun says what?  “To strive for the Perfection of character”   Think this through carefully, and start putting it to use today.   Stop back by in a few days and I will expand further on this Subject.  Everyone have a safe holiday, and we look forward to seeing everyone next week.  

Gambatte

Robby Bray

So here they come. I just got all the pictures loaded from this weekends training session with Sensei Smith here at Ocala Karate & Fitness. www.ocalashinbukan.com Special thanks again to Sensei Smith for taking the time to come and share with us all that he did. Everyone had a great time and got the chance to learn about Okinawan karate and Seibukan history from an expert. Having been training is Seibukan karate for over 43 years, Sensei Dan Smith is one of the highest ranking men in Seibukan karate holding the rank of 9th dan or 9th degree black belt. Below are a few of the pictures taken during training. I will continue to post more pictured throughout the week. Thanks again to everyone who came and got to experience something truly special.

Training to get it right!

I would also like to add that all those that attended I think have a better understanding now of what Okinawan Karate can mean to an individual.  It is not only practicing self defense, but it is changing your entire out look on life in general.   Through all the drills and training, Okinawan Karate will start to not only change the way others view you, but begin to actually change the way you view yourself.  You see all these drills have a unique way of not only building stronger muscles, toning muscles, building cardio, and flexibility, but it also builds self esteem and confidence.  This is where the big changes begin to happen.  By building mental strength and confidence,  our members begin to carry themselves better.  They begin to change all the little things.  Walk with confidence.  Talk with confidence.  Move with direction and focus. And just as importantly, they begin to take pride in their art.  This is what Seibukan Karate also is about.  Making ourselves stronger from the “INSIDE” out.   I hope everyone is having as much fun in their training as I am.  I’m also excited to to say that here over the next 60 days we will be launching our Intermediate/advanced Karate Classes.

Can’t wait to see everyone on the floor tonight!

It's all about the PUNCH !

Gambatte    

Robby Bray

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

To reach the top . . . you have got to climb.

You know I get members asking me all the time how I make all this stuff that we do up here at Ocala Karate and Fitness look so easy. I really think that some believe it just came naturally to me. Well I think tonight that I’m going to spill the beans and let the cat out of the bag.
Okay, so I’m going to tell everyone my secret. Here it is in a nutshell, so read it all very close and try to unlock the secret that I’ve kept hidden for so many years. Here we go.
It all starts and is fueled by this one little element that each one of us is born with and ALL can use if we are capable of reaching it.

But to do so takes a great deal of courage and discipline. It takes pride and the desire to do something positive about not only yourself, but to those around you as well.
To make not a change in just the way you walk or carry yourself. But to make a change in the way you approach things.   The way you look at things, and go about daily life. Most people don’t realize how good positive, and confident people make OTHER people feel.  All these and more can be accomplished through Okinawan Karate.
All the secrets are right there in front of you the entire journey. Waiting for you to discover them one by one. And make no mistake, that there is no greater feeling than to discover one if these little treasures all by yourself. You see, Karate teaches us more about ourselves than anything else. It is the key to all your hidden strengths, ideas, and  talents.
It is also however, the key to all your hidden or unrecognized weaknesses. So how does Karate produce these truly amazing attributes and mental discipline.   It does so in a way that limits the amount people that will ever be able to see and experience these truly amazing things.
So many people come to me, and really want to find the secret. And it really is frustrating for me to have to sit back and watch them slowly fade away. So why is it only 1 in every 5000 will make it to Black Belt?
The secret to it all is called Dorrokyu. This is a Japanese word that does not really translate exactly to English, but the closest meaning we have to it is this.   Effort ! !
That’s the secret ladies and gentleman. If you want to experience a level of understanding that cannot be fully expressed in words,  you simply have to Want It!  To Believe in yourself. You have got to make an effort to reach it. Not just showing up a few times a month. Not just trying to remember a few punches or kicks. Or to count to 10 in Japanese.  Don’t get me wrong.  All that stuff is fun too, but . .
You have to walk out on the floor every night and push yourself a little harder than the night before. Think about why your foot needs to be right there. I promise you it does not need to be there because that’s where Sensei told me to put mine. It’s there for a reason. A purpose. And every time you push yourself to figure out why,  you will suddenly find yourself trying to understand a few more things that you never noticed before.
This is what Okinawan Karate teaches us. Look at what you don’t see, and try to see it. Then try to figure out why you never saw it before. And  Dorrokyu is the key that fits the lock. We all have it with us. We all CAN  utilize what makes us the dominant species on our planet.   But unfortunately, only a small group of people have the spirit to use it. And the ones that do, will hopefully read this one day and smile. Because they too will at that time have found “The Way”. And for those of you that didn’t know this, Dojo means   Place of The Way.
Hope to see everyone in class tomorrow. And for those of you that have not started remember, the hardest step forward is always the first.
Robby Bray

I was talking some of my members the other night in class and they were all asking me different questions of how Karate has helped change me over the last several years.

Let’s see . . . how has Karate effected me over the last say . . .20 years?  This much I can tell you.  Everyone lists all the positive things that Karate can do for us.  The list always looks something like this:

-Learn Confidence

-Learn Balance

-Learn Self Defense

-Build Strength

-Learn to focus

-Build reflexive response time.

… and the list goes on and on and on.  While all these benefits are without a doubt learned and developed through a GOOD Karate Program, the reality is this.  Okinawan Karate teaches each one of its students everything they need to know about THEMSELVES.

Hard work and sweat go a long way.

A top notch Okinawan Karate Program will help build all the above mentioned AND More! !  Through a very well structured system, Okinawan Karate starts with what we call the basics.  These basics are designed to slowly build strength, Speed, coordination, Balance, and here’s a big one.  Structured Focus.

What many perceive as just punching or kicking or jumping up and down the floor, is actually a simple way of showing each one of us EXACTLY what our strengths and weakness’s are.  These drills systematically show us what, and then HOW to improve these areas.  By revealing our weak areas, we then know exactly what we need to work on.

Yes these stances make strong legs!

Okinawan Kobudo Adds a Whole New Challenge!

This is why so many people start a Karate Program and eventually drop out.  Why?  Because it is very hard for each of us to realize how unbalanced we are.  And when we are showed this . . . its really hard for some people to swallow.  That is why the ones that stay, and WANT to improve themselves both physically and mentally experience all the rewards that they hear Karate can provide for them.

Case in point.  I have a handful of members now that on a routine basis tell all my new members that start out.  “Its okay.  Don’t get frustrated or disappointed you are not able to do a particular thing as well as the senior members.”  They say this because each of my seniors are now able to see just how far they have evolved since they started.

This is the part I enjoy most as a teacher.  To be able to see these  guys and gals really begin to glow in class.  You can almost physically see there Self Esteem begin to radiate from them.  And the best part about it is this.  There is no limitation to Okinawan Karate.  The MORE you train, the better you will get at whatever that particular exercise is teaching.

I’ll have more on this next time.

-Robby Bray

To Learn REAL Karate Takes PATIENCE ! !

 EVERYONE TESTING SHOULD BE PROUD ! ! !

  I’d just like to start this out by saying I have never been MORE Proud of a group of our members during testing.  You guys, and gals, did GREAT! !

  Okinawan Karate is something that takes SO much dedication that most people don’t realize how much time and focus it takes to learn everything required to advance to the next level.  Everyone had a great test and should wear there new belts with PRIDE. 

  Testing started and 6:00 and last about 45 minutes.  We had around 14 members testing, and once again, everyone did a fantastic job.  Remember, at the early stages of our training only limited knowledge is demonstrated.  So if you mess up a little or step with the wrong foot, it’s a big concern right now.  Later on in your training as you advance to intermediate and advanced levels, it becomes a different story.  At that point in your training the foot work and technique is much more critical and REQUIRED in order to advance.  Www.ocalashinbukan.com

   Afterwards, we had 4 of our members stay and test for their next rank in Ryukyu Kobudo.  For those of you not familiar with this, Kobudo is the use of ancient weapons.  Ryukyu Kobudo is an incredibly difficult art to learn and takes many, many years of hard work and dedication in order to properly utilize these Okinawan weapons with a basic level of proficiency.    However,the rewards and benefits that a regular student of Kobudo learns from this practice are PRICELESS.  

All it takes is a little "Effort"

    Through Kobudo, the student learns more about themselves and their body than anything else.  Once one understands themselves, and how to make their own body generate these incredible levels of power, their Karate is then amplified.  It’s a feeling that only someone practicing this art is capable of understanding.  Before I started studying Kobudo, I had no idea that I could get so in tune with the way my body works “together” to generate power.  Learning to make many muscle groups work together, without exerting too much energy is the key. 

  For more information on Ryukyo Kobudo and the Ocala Tesshinkan, feel free to contact me anytime. 

    Lastly, I just want to say thanks to everyone in our Self Defense Program for really turning this class into what it is becoming.  For those of you that have not seen it yet check out the video.  This Class is AWESOME ! ! www.ocalaselfdefense.com 

  Well here we are finishing up week #8 of 2010 at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  www.ocalashinbukan.com   This year has already started out on a pace that I think all of our members can verify is nothing short from to be expected.   Our classes this year are out of the gate and running.  We want to say thanks to every0ne of our members that come out to class 2-3 nights per week and give us exactly what we give them.  100% ! !   Anything less than 100% at Ocala Karate & Fitness just is not accepted. 

  We are here to give Ocala its absolute BEST in Okinawan Shorin Karate and Self Defense.  Our programs are structured and designed for beginner students and build them up with all the basic skills needed to allow for the progression to an advanced level.  We never rush our members for advancement or pre-mature rank recognition.  At Ocala Karate & Fitness all rank is earned.  Not purchased.  By strictly enforcing these principles, our members become some of the best trained martial artist in our area.

Real Training, for REAL Self Defense

If traditional Karate is not your main interest, jump into our Self Defense class that is held every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00.  This non traditional Self Defense classes teaches everything that ANYONE really wanting to learn “Real” Self Defense will need.  This class is fully Certified and Licensed, and is quickly becoming Ocala Karate & Fitness’s most popular class.  Not only will you build Self Confidence and Self Esteem from this class, but you will also get fit and shape at the same time. 

 Ever wonder why those UFC guys look so fit?  Well its really no secret.  If you get on the floor and train with us a 2-3 times per week, you too can get into shape FAST and enjoy some of the benefits that those pro fighters are enjoying.  Remember, Ocala Karate and Fitness has so many different Programs to choose from, that we CAN and WILL get you not only in the best physical shape of your life, but mentally as well.  All it takes is for YOU to make the choice to CHANGE the way you are living now.  Once you make the choice, you will never look back again.

  Ocala Karate & Fitness is open Monday through Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00.   We are here  to help make a difference in Ocala, and look forward to hearing from you soon.  Make the call now, so we can get you started.  352-694-6304.  Or check us out online at www.ocalaselfdefense.com 

                                                                             Quit walking the fence and make your choice NOW.  You won’t be sorry.

                                                                                                        Robby Bray

  Just wanted to let everyone know how well everything is going for us here at ocala karate & fitness in 2010.  We continue to grow every month and our classes are really starting to fill up now.  I think that in today’s time this speaks loudly as to what all Ocala Karate & Fitness has to offer to its members.

  We consider ourselves to be Ocala’s leader in the Martial Arts  for several reasons:

1. We offer More for the dollar than any other school in Ocala.  Here at Ocala Karate & Fitness our members have access to not only Okinawan Karate, but many other classes including:

• Cardio Kickboxing
• Real ” Street Self Defense”
• Okinawan Weapons

 Our members have the ability to train in such a wide variety of classes that ALL focus on Fitness, balance, discipline, cardio, self confidence, and so many more positive benefits.  Ocala Karate & Fitness www.ocalashinbukan.com  is doing its best to give Ocala a true doorway into not only a healthier life, but a positive get away from life.  3-4 classes per week where once you enter the door you can leave the rest of the world outside. 

    This is why we have been able to grow and put into place all the great programs that we now have to offer.  www.ocalaselfdefense.com  Ocala Karate & Fitness provides a training atmosphere that everyone can enjoy doing what ever program they have enrolled in, and have fun too.  All of our classes are fast paced, exciting workouts that allow our members to push themselves and each other in the same direction.  And that is to a better YOU. 

  Our classes are Monday thru Thurs and begin at 5:00.  So whether you are looking to get in shape, get better control over yourself, or build more self confidence, we have the solution for you. 

Stop by and see us!

 Hello Everybody,

  I just wanted to say how excited we are here at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  www.ocalashinbukan.com  Next week marks our FIRST official Year in business and man are we growing.  Ocala Karate & Fitness is Ocala’s Premier martial arts school.  If you don’t believe it just stop by anytime and see for yourself. 

  We offer more variety in our programs and have more to offer than anyone else in town.  We teach AUTHENTIC Okinawan Karate and Kobudo, but also offer if not the best, one of the best Cardio Fitness classes available.  New this year, Ocala Karate & Fitness has introduced its Self Defense Black Belt Program and what a class this has turned out to be.  www.ocalaselfdefense.com

  This class has really turned into a popular class as it hits on “real Life” self defense skills and situations that could really make the difference between a bad situation, and a really, really bad situation.  We’ve been going for 1 month now, and everyone in this class needs to really buckle their seatbelt, because next week we really start turning it on!

Ocala karate & Fitness Self Defense Program

  Our Juniors class now has hit about 12 members and is growing at a rapid pace too.  This class is for ages 11-13 and is really a fun class.  These junior guys and girls are not only benefiting from all the core principles that Okinawan Karate and teach, but also are beginning to learn some real Self Defense skills that will always be available to them if ever needed. 

    These are some of the life building skills and benefits that can only learned at first class martial arts training facility.  At Ocala Karate & Fitness we specialize in doing just that.  Teaching Karate and Fitness.  We are NOT an after school pick up or daycare center.  We take pride in doing what we do best, and that is teaching Okinawan Karate to those who truly wish to learn some of these amazing Life Changing exercises.

  So whether your looking to learn yourself, or to put someone you care about in class, call us today at 352-694-6304 and find out for yourself just how we can help you create something special. 

                                                                                                      Until next week

                                                                                     Robby and Jaime Bray