Ocala Karate and Fitness

Posts Tagged ‘Okinawan Weapons’

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! !

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 

Hello everybody,

We just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and hopefully everyone had a great Christmas.  We’re all excited here, and can’t wait to get 2010 started!  We have big plans for this year with some NEW awesome programs that we’re getting started next week including our Self Defense Black Belt Program. www.ocalaselfdefense.com

Ocala Karate & Fitness is pushing into 2010 and will be once again showing why we are Ocala’s Premier Karate & Martial Arts Fitness training facility.  Our Cardio  class will break out first on Monday morning at 9:30 with 15 NEW calorie smoking, muscle toning exercises.

Kicking off 2010

So if your needing to get some of those holiday pounds off, and really need something to KICK your body back into over drive, this fast paced cardio frenzy is your ticket.  By switching out these different station on a regular basis, your muscles are forced to stay ramped up and in a high calorie burning state to ensure that your getting the most out of your work out.

This is why we strive every day, every month of the year to provide all of our members with the maximum benefits from their work outs.  Combine this class with our Shorin Ryu Karate class or Self Defense class, and now your giving your body and mind the best form of work out available.  www.ocalakaratefitness.com.

The New Year will be bringing in a ton of new material and drills for our Ryukyu Kobudo class too.  With several of our members training with us for almost a Year now, the Okinawan weapons class will begin seeing a fresh new variety of drills and applications to help push their understanding and knowledge of the “Bo” or staff to a whole new level.

"Kihon" or Basics

So anyone looking for a NEW challenge in 2010, this class is just what you have been waiting for.  The technical, physical, and mental difficulty that the Okinawan’s weapons class pushes on its members, deepens and broadens not only their understanding of this Okinawan puzzle, but teaches each one of its members so many important life altering lessons about their own personal development.

So many lessons can be learned and realized about: balance, flexibility, patience, discipline, and self esteem.  All KEY traits and self learned gifts that can help each member as a person, not only be a “better” person, but a “Valuable”  member of Society.

Stop by today or call us at 352-694-6304 and schedule an appointment to see how we can help you or a loved one, get ALL they can out of themselves.

Remember: “Effort is Everything”

Robby and Jaime Bray

     Well tonight was Ocala Karate & Fitness’s last Kids Karate Class and Our last Adults Karate and Okinawan Weapons class until Jan 3rd.  I would like to start off by saying  just how proud of everyone I am right now.  The accomplishments and personal achievements that our members have made this year is something to really take pride in. 

    All the hard work and drills are really starting to pay off now.  I am watching our members in class do things now that 3 and 4 months ago were totally unobtainable.  This is when you know that we’re doing something right.  The combination of our Shorin Ryu Karate classes, accompanied by the Cardio Fitness classes is not only getting our members in shape, but strengthening all the areas that matter most.  In the last week I have had two separate members come up to me after class and say that they no longer have any back pain. 

    I’ve had another tell me that over the last 10 years they have had terrible chronic neck pain and limited range of motion.  Now, she says that for the first time in as long as she can remember her neck does not hurt or feels stiff when she turns.  This is what Okinawan Karate is all about.  It’s about not only strengthening our bodies, but building strong posture and alignment.  The motions and postures or stances that our Karate was built around was designed for this very purpose. 

To allow us as practitioners to live long and healthy lives.  By building strength around our spine and core, it develops or re-develops our bodies in ways that allows us to benefit the most.  And these are just the things our members are noticing over the SHORT term.  We have not even been open a year yet, so these our members that have only been training for less than 12 months.  Imagine what you would feel like if you practice for say 3 years.  Or 5 years.  Or better yet, an entire LIFETIME. 

    This is what Karate is really about.  Not only learning how to defend yourself against physical attacks, but to defend yourself against life itself.  The longer you train and practice, the more you realize you need to practice.  It is a very humbling but at the same time enlightening experience.  So start your NEW YEAR off right and give us a call at Ocala Karate & Fitness or check us out on the web at www.ocalakaratefitness.com  and see for yourself why everyone is saying that we are Ocala’s Premier martial arts studio.  

  Stop by and see for yourself what we can do to help you.

    Happy Holidays from all of us.

   Sincerely

  Robby and Jaime Bray

Stop by and see us!

Well here we are winding up the year 2009 and man are we still having fun. Monday nights Karate class, I think all the members will agree was a blast! We got to focus on doing several of our 2 man self defense drills that really start getting our students used to body movements. This is just one more reason why Ocala Karate & Fitness is Ocala’s Premier Martial Arts Training Facility. www.ocalaselfdefense.com
What we mean by body movement is the ability to recognize a particular motion, detect which direction it is going, and react by moving away or around that motion in a defensive posture. After all, that’s what Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate is all about.
Moving the target, (you) and disrupting a continous attack. The only way to get where we can recognize this action and react to it effectivlely, is to practice, practice, and practice. This too is the foundation on which Okinawan Karate was built upon.
By teaching our bodies, or more specifically our muscles to repond with out thought is what makes our Karate effective. The Okinawans figured this out a long, long time ago. By creating a reflexsive action, you can defend yourself with out thought.
This is just one of the many, many things we train to be able to perform here at Ocala Karate & Fitness. www.ocalakaratefitness.com

      We’re happy to see that 4 NEW members have enrolled this week and have taken advantage of our Christmas Special.  These new members have saved 160 bucks in total savings by enrolling this week.  Combine that with the FREE uniform, Free sparring gear set, Free carrying bag, Free T shirt, and Free boxing gloves, you can see why this is SUCH a great deal ! ! 

    Nothing makes us happier than to be able to get our new Members up and going with all their gear provided for them so they don’t have to keep spending more and more money every month.  One price includes all.  Your not going to find this deal anywhere else. 

   One more reason why Ocala Karte & Fitness is Ocala’s best Martial Arts Training Facility.  We are here to take care of our members.  So if your interested in enrolling hurry up and don’t miss out on this deal.  Because after Friday, it won’t be available again until December 2010.

     Don’t forget January is our launch date for our NEW Self Defense program too.  We can’t stress how excited we are about this class.  We are Ocala’s ONLY Licensed and Certified Self Defense Black Belt Program.  Spots on the floor our already begining to fill as we have spread the word around about this PURE Street Self Defense class that is going to give you the confidense and ability to feel safe no matter where you are. 

     Well we sure hope everyone has a Happy Holiday and lood forward to hearing from you soon.  Contact either Jaime or Robby Bray at 352-694-6304 for more information on anyone of our programs.

                                                                     Happy Holidays

                                                             Robby and Jaime Bray

Hello everyone,

With the end of the year approaching quickly, and the New Year right around the corner, Ocala Karate and Fitness is trying to make it a little easier for those that have been trying to decide to join our program this month or next month.  We’re happy to announce that anyone joining between December 9th and December 31st 2009, will have their membership and registration fee waived.

That’s right !  Between now and the end of the year, we are waiving the 40 dollar registration/membership fee.  Now I know that’s not a whole lot of money, but during the Holidays 40 bucks can make a difference.  AND all new members will still get their Karate Uniform’s Sparring gear, Gear Bag, and T Shirt Free by enrolling in our Black Belt Program.

This program is just what the doctor has ordered for anyone and everyone trying to get fit, lose weight, and get themselves back to where they used to be.

Getting Fit has never been easier

This program is really a win, win situation, so don’t waist time and miss this awesome deal.  Check us out on line at www.ocalakaratefitness.com and see why everyone is saying that Ocala Karate & Fitness is Ocala’s #1 choice in Martial Arts.

It features classes in Shorin Ryu Karate, Ryukyu Kobudo,(Okinawan Weapons) and our Calorie ripping Cardio Kickboxing Circuit Fitness Class.  This membership will not only have you ready for DUAL Certifications, a BLACK BELT in Shorin Ryu Karate and a BLACK BELT in Okinawan Weapons, but will also have you in the absolute best shape of your life.  Both physically and mentally.  You’ll have strength, balance, flexibility, and be Cardio fit.  This is what separates our programs at Ocala Karate & Fitness from everyone else.

Don’t forget to ask about our NEW SELF-DEFENSE BLACK BELT PROGRAM that is launching in January.  This class is just one more reason why we are Ocala’s leader in the martial arts.  www.ocalaselfdefense.com

So don’t make the same mistake by saying you’ll get around to it.  Make the decision now, and come on down and get registered.  Even if you don’t start until after the New Year, register so you can take advantage of this smoking end of the year deal.

Everyone have a safe Holiday and we look forward to seeing you soon !

Merry Christmas

Robby & Jaime Bray

        I just wanted to say how great everything here is going at the dojo.  We couldn’t ask for a better group of people that have come in looking to make real changes in themselves and already seeing it happening.  Nothing makes us smile wider, than to see our members progressing through their training the way everyone is right now.  I was looking around in class last night and watching how far everyone has come in such a small amount of time.  This is what being an instructor is all about.  Seeing every one’s hard work and time on the floor training beginning to show itself.  Our classes are very fast paced and filled with energy.  These are the classes that really allows our members to absorb their material and see how it applies to real life situations.  Whether it be self defense, or just basics.  The way everyone is starting to move with speed and direction now shows me that balance, and coordination is being developed within the class.  Combine that with the strength and accuracy our members are demonstrating with their techniques is the perfect combination for true physical, and mental strengthening here at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  I know in the beginning it can really be confusing and overwhelming for most, but this is just a small taste of the many, many rewards that are already being earned. 

     With all the new drills and classes that we are now moving into, I only see brighter days ahead for everyone.  Between the Karate, and Kobudo, (Okinawan Weapons) our members are finishing the year out with their heads held high.  A feeling of accomplishment that can only be understood by those that have gone before, and taken the same path.  It is great to see our new advancements this month: Daniel, Josh, Codie, Luke, and James take their new belts and proudly move forward.  All the sweat and hard work is paying off everyone, so keep it up.  Remember that this is all being done for no one but yourselves.  The hard work that you put in IS and WILL continue to be rewarded with all the skills that you continue to build upon.  So continue to push yourselves, and when given the chance, help your fellow members.  If you see someone looking discouraged or confused, reach out to them and let them know that not too long ago you too were standing right where they are.  Walking the same path, and just as you had, they too have someone to lend a helping hand.  Pat them on the back or shoulder and let them know what a good job they are doing.  One of the most rewarding things in any martial art is to know that you helped someone get better.  Always Remember: It’s not about who gets there first.  Its about who gets there with the most.   Think about that carefully.