Tenafly Shukokai Karate - Sensei Gavin Armstrong

<body> <font id="role_document" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="role_document0" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document0" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="role_document3" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <div> <font id="rolx_document3" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <div> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%" border="0" id="table9"> <tr> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 20px; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; "> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">This section is for browsers without frames support. It includes most information included on the framed site, in one long page.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><b> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Welcome to our website.  Sensei Gavin Armstrong, 5th Dan, invites you to join us in our new Tenafly dojo where you can learn the art of Karate-do as perfected by Shihan Shigeru Kimura, 9th Dan.  </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><b> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><b> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Sensei Gavin taught classes under Shihan Kimura for many years and developed a mastery of his style to a degree that few in this country had attained before Kimura's untimely death in 1995.   Sensei Armstrong continues the tradition of this strong and effective martial arts style that has been recognized around the world and is practiced in over twenty countries.</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><b> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><b> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Please join us in our beautiful new space and become part of the Kimura Shukokai Family!</span></b></td> </tr> </table> </div> </font> </div> </font> <p align="center"><img border="0" src="MainImages/GavinSA400.jpg"><hr> <font id="role_document4" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document4" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="role_document5" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document5" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <p align="justify"> <font id="role_document2" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document2" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; "> <font size="2"><b>The Tenafly Dojo</b></font></span></font></font></p> <p align="justify"><b><font size="2">Our beautiful new dojo at 83 North Summit Street is active all day long! From early morning KardioKickboxing and Yoga classes to evening training sessions for Karate students, there is something for everyone. You’ll instantly recognize that our warm and friendly environment is different than most martial arts schools. Our goal is not only to make you feel at home in our tranquil space, but also to make you feel like part of our family from the very first class you attend. </font></b></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"><b><font size="2">The facility is approximately 3200 square feet, with generous mat space to accommodate classes of all sizes and air conditioning to stay comfortable through the warm months. We have an inviting waiting area with video link to the class in session, and complimentary fresh coffee is always available so parents can relax and enjoy watching their children’s lessons without distraction. Inside the dojo, we maintain a strict “no shoes” policy, a traditional Japanese custom. </font></b></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"><b><font size="2">Roughly 300 students ranging in age from 3½ years old to Senior Citizens train with us. New students are always welcome, and will benefit from the range of experience found in each class. We are privileged to have many third and fourth Dans, who attend classes regularly and train alongside lower belts as well as share the responsibility of teaching classes with Sensei Gavin. All of our upper level black belts have spent many years studying with Sensei Kimura, and their experience is an immeasurable asset to the dojo and all who train here. A variety of classes are offered seven days a week: check our schedule links to find the classes that are right for you! </font></b> </font> </font> </font> </font> <font id="role_document21" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document17" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="role_document22" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document18" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <p align="justify"> </p> <hr> </font> </font> </font> </font> <font id="role_document20" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document16" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <p align="justify"> <b><font size="2">What is Shukokai? </font></b> </p> <p align="justify"><b><font size="2">Shukokai is derived from one of the original styles of Karate, Shito Ryu, with roots that date back over three hundred years to Okinawa. Using Shito Ryu as a foundation for his style, Sensei Kimura spent the last forty years of his life developing a technique that was second to none, and he perfected  the ability to attack with devastating power and speed. Students of Kimura Shukokai  learn how to use the biggest muscles of the body to generate this power and speed, and when the technique is mastered, they will be able to overcome their opponents with what Sensei Kimura referred to as “One hit, one kill.” Along with this tremendous ability comes the responsibility of control: students must practice with control in mind, and safety is paramount in the practice, both in and out of the dojo. </font></b></p> <p align="justify"><b><font size="2">Shukokai, above all, is an education in body mechanics, and students find their ability in other sports improves greatly through this practice. Whether it is golf, soccer, tennis or gymnastics, understanding how to use the entire body to create force is the core of all athletic endeavors, and nowhere is this point more dramatically revealed than when learning the proper technique to throw a punch or kick. Anyone can fight, but fighting efficiently is the groundwork on which Kimura Shukokai is based. As students learn how to use the body with this efficiency and understand the importance of self-control, they have gained invaluable  knowledge that can be applied to every aspect of their lives.</font></b></p> </font> </font> <hr> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" width="100%" id="table10" height="100%"> <tr> <td height="10" width="85%" align="justify" valign="top" style="padding-right: 20px"> <p align="justify"> <font style="font-size: 1pt"> </font><b><font face="Arial" size="2">Sensei Kimura </font></b> <p align="justify"><b><font face="Arial" size="2">Those who were privileged to know and train with Shihan Shigeru Kimura knew they were in the presence of a great man. Through his spirit, intelligence, guidance and ability he galvanized his students to work harder and learn more than they ever thought possible. His leadership helped create a worldwide association that to this day remains a cogent organization dedicated to training in the spirit of a man  regarded as both a warrior and a philosopher. </font></b></p> <p align="justify"><b><font face="Arial" size="2">The following memories by those who knew Sensei Kimura personally will help keep his spirit alive in all who knew him and all who are touched by him through the study of Kimura Shukokai Karate.  (If you have memories you would like to share on this website please e-mail to: <a href="mailto:linda@shukokai.com"><font color="#000000">contact</font></a><u><a href="mailto:linda@shukokai.com"><font color="#000000">@shukokai.com</font></a></u> </font></b></p> <p align="justify"><u><b><font face="Arial" size="2">Memories of Kimura, by his students</font></b></u></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="100%" width="85%" align="justify" valign="top" style="padding-right: 0.2in"> <table border="0" width="100%" id="table11" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="text-align: justify"> <tr> <td style="border-left-color: #FFFFFF; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #FFFFFF; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #FFFFFF; border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom: 2px solid #C0C0C0; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 8px" align="justify" valign="top"> <address> <span style="font-style: normal"> <font face="Arial" size="2">Anyone who knew Sensei Kimura, would tell you that he was the kindest, most generous man you'd ever meet but he could also be very tough. He had a way of getting inside your head and seeing what you were thinking. The tougher the person, the harder he would be on them. If they were more timid he would be softer and gradually toughen them up. He would always push you as hard as you needed, in order to get the most out of you. But with those closest to him he didn't pull any punches (verbally), if you weren't living up to your full potential he'd let you know. You'd better hope that you never had to fight him, his control was impeccable but there was no doubt that you got a beating, you usually ended up on your back looking up at him.</font></span></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal"> There was a time back in 1981, I was living in the dojo and training full time. We had all been sparring one night and I didn't do so well. I felt bad but cheered myself up by thinking that I just had an off night and would do better next time. Well, later that night I was over at Sensei Kimura's apartment, he was cooking and I was cleaning. He turned to me and said, "you fight like $@#& tonight, you think you just had a bad night. Never have a bad night in my dojo!. You better always do your best, what if you fight for real? You'd be dead now!</span> I think I have to fight you!<span style="font-style: normal">" You can imagine how much worse I felt after that, it's as if he read my mind. This was his way of saying that you always try your hardest and if things aren't going your way, you'd better reach deep down inside yourself and find what is needed to turn the tables. A valuable lesson, one that would serve me well later in life. </span></font> </address> <address> <span style="font-style: normal"> <font face="Arial" size="2">– Gavin Armstrong</font></span></address> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-left-color: #FFFFFF; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #FFFFFF; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #FFFFFF; border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom: 2px solid #C0C0C0; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 8px" align="justify" valign="top"> <font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: normal">I started training with Sensei Kimura around 1973 or 74. Even at that time he displayed a truly awesome technique, and I knew almost immediately I was hooked. Over the next twenty years I was in and out of the dojo as I was busy dealing with one’s usual life obstacles (school, work, marriage, kids…). I always remember Sensei saying “Gerry’s back”, and was always welcomed back into the fold. As such, it took me many years to earn my Shodan, but as they say, “it’s not the destination, but the journey that counts”. Thursday nights were always spent with additional focus on advanced technique, or a full night of sparring, followed of course by an evening at Miyoshi’s with Sensei and his advanced students. I remember one particular Thursday shortly before I got my Shodan. My technique was off and I was doing terrible. I think I even low-kicked a future world instructor. After class I went right home feeling like “you know what”. Around 10:00, already in bed, I get a phone call from Sensei. He wanted me to come to Miyoshi’s. When I got there he sat me next to him and gave me a short but effective lecture, sort of a pep talk. Well that little talk is something I will never forget. It’s the sum of little things like that which forever keep Sensei’s spirit alive, and Shukokai in your blood.<br> - Gerry Wollner</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-left-color: #FFFFFF; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #FFFFFF; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #FFFFFF; border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom: 2px solid #C0C0C0; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 8px" align="justify" valign="top"> <span style="font-style: normal"> <font face="Arial" size="2">I once had a conversation with Sensei - we were discussing how hard it is to be a leader. At that time, I was CEO of my fledgling company and was lamenting how the future of the company depends on vision and commitment. He said that for him, he always looked at it like mountain climbing. Ordinary climbers struggle all their lives to try to get to the top of the mountain. His job, as he saw it, was to make sure that there never was a top. He had to invent a new one. This explains his reticence to have himself captured on tape doing the katas and techniques because he felt that it would freeze the style. He thought Karate should be a work in progress - always adapting and changing. We still all follow this philosophy today and it's probably the main reason why such strong personalities gravitate to our style.<br> - Ernie DeSalvo.</font></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-left-color: #FFFFFF; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #FFFFFF; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #FFFFFF; border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom: 2px solid #C0C0C0; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 8px" align="justify" valign="top"> <span style="font-style: normal"><font face="Arial" size="2">In the first Tenafly dojo, my only chance to learn directly from Sensei Kimura was at training sessions. (Later I've learned that he had fun teaching kids once a month, but couldn't handle more than that.) Anyway, in trying to come up with a good story, I've found it somewhat difficult to separate my actual childhood memories from the countless stories others have passed on about him. One of the few things I do clearly remember, which unfortunately doesn't seem particularly significant, is something he told us when working on front kick in a training session. Driving home after a night out, he said, a cop pulled him over and, to prove he was okay to drive, asked him to stand on one leg for a few seconds. Obviously he passed his test. He laughed to us about it- "I can do this all day," he said. Now while the real purpose of the story was probably to teach some technique that went over my head, what I took away from it at the time is that karate really is useful for more than fighting. And of course, I was impressed by how cool he was.<br> - Sean Grundy</font></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-left-color: #FFFFFF; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #FFFFFF; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #FFFFFF; border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom: 2px solid #C0C0C0; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 8px" align="justify" valign="top"> <font face="Arial" size="2">One thing that really stuck with me is hearing Sensei Kimura refer to Gavin as his "skin". He had told this to people on a number of occasions some that I witnessed and some that others told me about. Sensei and Gavin would be together in the office in between classes and Sensei would have Gavin duplicate the technique that he was working on, Gavin would be able to take what Sensei said and show it, as if Gavin was in his skin moving as he would, this made Sensei happy. It choked me up every time I heard it. He also referred to Gavin as the son he never had, and he referred to my son Steele as his grandson. This meant a lot. Everyone of the guys who spent so much time with Sensei Kimura thought of him as a second father, and I’m sure he thought of each one of them as his son. Oh, and I’ll add, that on the second class I ever took, along with my friend Tara O’Leary, not knowing any better, and having no clue about etiquette, we asked Sensei to come out dancing with us. He told us, with a big smile on his face, “maybe next time”.<span style="font-style: normal"><br> - Linda Armstrong</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-left-color: #FFFFFF; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #FFFFFF; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #FFFFFF; border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom: 2px solid #C0C0C0; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 8px" align="justify" valign="top"> <font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: normal">As you mature through life you realize that certain people have had an influence on your development. This realization may take years for these people to be defined as "gifts". The first time I was introduced to Sensei Kimura I immediately knew I was granted a "gift".<br> I began my training with Sensei Kimura in 1986. I was determined to become a black belt, something I had dreamed of for years. Sensei Kimura always preached that if you really want to pursue anything in life you must have the courage of total commitment. I still can remember him telling me "Carl you have to want it".<br> That day came to me in 1989. We had a training session for an upcoming weekend. That prior Thursday I was talking to Orlando in front of the office in the Hackensack Dojo. Orlando asked me if I was going for the promotion test for black belt. Without having the time to answer Sensei Kimura looked at me and said, "yes go for it". Those four words gave me all the confidence I would need. I received the black belt on the Sunday training session. I still have a vivid image of Sensei Kimura looking at me with his grading tablet in his hands telling me "you pass - you black belt".<br> - Carl Gulino </span></font> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-left-color: #FFFFFF; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #FFFFFF; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #FFFFFF; border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom: 2px solid #C0C0C0; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 8px" align="justify" valign="top"> <font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: normal">I was young between the ages of 4 and 15 training with Kimura.  Even as a child, I knew that I was in the presence of a great man.  He had an all encompassing passion for his art and a supreme love for those that struggled with him to recapture the essence of Budo.  Some say the samurai era came and went in the 1800's but being with Kimura you knew it was still very much alive.  To me, he was the true last samurai.  He lives on at our world tournaments and gashuku's and will be forever an inspiration to all of us as we pursue his fine art.<br> - Justin DeSalvo</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-left-color: #FFFFFF; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #FFFFFF; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #FFFFFF; border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom: 2px solid #C0C0C0; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 8px" align="justify" valign="top"> <font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: normal">I took Sensei trap shooting back in the early 90's. His nephew was here from Japan and so desperately wanted to shoot a firearm. We went shooting and Sensei's nephew shot very well considering he never shot a firearm before. However, Sensei did not hit one single target! <br> Afterwards, we went to my house for dinner. My wife Donna cooked a big meal complete with lasagna and fried chicken. Sensei was so happy to sit down to such a great meal. However, in commenting on the chicken, he mistakenly asked Donna how she made the chicken to come out so "dry". Without question, Sensei's translation from Japanese to English caused him to use the wrong term. Immediately, Sensei realized he should have said "crispy" instead of dry. Sensei's face was that of horror when he realized his unintended slip. He must have said "crispy" <br> ten times in a row after the slip. We all got a good laugh out of that one. Sensei asked if he could take some fried chicken home to his wife.<br> - Jeff Grabowski</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-left-color: #FFFFFF; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #FFFFFF; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #FFFFFF; border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom: 2px solid #C0C0C0; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 8px" align="justify" valign="top"> <font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: normal">I remember one thursday night after class he asked Sensei Gavin to invite me to join the black belts after class and join him and them for a beer the traditional thursday which we still try to carry on. But I had another engagement to attend so I didn’t go. Sensei Kimura passed away that July. I just think back about that from time to time.<br> - Paul Manchess</span></font></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <address align="justify">  </address> </font> </font> </font> </font> <font id="rolx_document0" face="Arial" size="2"> <font id="role_document0" face="Arial" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document" face="Arial" size="2"> <font id="role_document" face="Arial" color="#F5F5F5" size="1"> <address align="justify"> <a href="http://www.shukokai.com"><font color="#D8D8D8">Matsumura Bassai</font></a></address> </font> </font> </font> </font> <font id="rolx_document0" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="role_document0" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="role_document" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <hr> <font id="role_document6" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document6" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="role_document7" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document7" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <p align="justify"> <font id="role_document8" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document8" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; "> <font size="2"><b>About Sensei Gavin Armstrong</b></font></span></font></font><p align="justify"> <b><font size="2">Sensei Gavin Armstrong, 5th <i>Dan</i>, began his training in 1974 in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where he was born. His first instructor, Des Botes (5th Dan), was one of Sensei Kimura’s top students. Sensei Gavin was awarded <i> Shodan</i> in 1977, winning the Rhodesian Shukokai Championships in 1977 as well as in 1978. Although still a junior, he won these tournaments in the adult divisions. He was awarded <i>Nidan</i> in 1978, and competed throughout southern Africa until 1981, when he joined Sensei Kimura at his Hackensack, New Jersey dojo. <br> <br> At this time, Sensei Kimura had developed a new, more powerful method, moving away from his double hip technique which was still being taught in Rhodesia: Sensei Gavin, who lived and worked at the dojo as an <i>Uchi Deshi</i>, began learning this new technique and was awarded <i>Nidan</i> again by Kimura himself, who subsequently selected him to be part of the team representing the USA at the first ever Shukokai World Championships. which were held in New Jersey. <br> <br> Sensei Gavin lived at Kimura’s dojo for more than 3½ years, managing the school, teaching classes, and training full time, as well as managing a satellite school in Fort Lee. During this period, he won 1st Place in Kimura’s All Styles Invitational Tournament, twice placed 1st in Kumite at the ASKU National Tournaments, and represented the USA at the World Tournament in Portugal as well as the second World Tournament held in the USA, where he took 3rd place in both Kata and Kumite and fought as part of  the Men’s Team that took 2nd place: he earned 3rd Dan in 1984.<br> <br> In 1986,Sensei Gavin joined his family’s business in California, returning periodically to train with Sensei Kimura until 1992, when he was invited by Mr. Kimura  to run the new World Headquarters in Tenafly, New Jersey as manager and Chief Instructor. After Sensei Kimura’s untimely death in 1995, he continued to run the dojo until Mrs. Kimura’s decision to close the school and return to Japan. He took this opportunity to start his own dojo in Tenafly. Sensei Gavin strictly adheres to the technique and method taught by Sensei Kimura, <?/fontfamily><?fontfamily><?param Arial> and continues in the tradition of constantly looking for ways to improve the techniques.<?/fontfamily><?fontfamily><?param Times New Roman> He continually trains with other Kimura Shukokai instructors from around the USA as well as around the World. <br> <br> Since opening his dojo, Sensei Gavin has earned 4th Dan (1998) and 5th Dan (2001), competed in Shukokai World Tournaments in Germany and South Africa, and has coached his top students to compete successfully in national and international tournaments.</font></b> </font> </font> </font> </font> <address align="justify">  </address> <address align="justify">  </address><hr> <address align="justify">  </address> <address align="justify">  </address> <font id="role_document9" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <div> <address> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">KardioKickboxing is an intense one-hour class that incorporates many different combinations of punches and kicks into a fast-paced routine done to music.</span></address> <address>  </address> <address> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">The class also includes floor conditioning for abs, arms and legs. Students of all fitness levels are encouraged to join this class: work at your own pace, and work up to a high level of cardio fitness in an exciting class that burns calories and promises to get you in shape. </span></address> </div> <div> <address> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700"> </span></address> </div> <div> <address> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">There is no initiation fee, minimum class purchase or reservations necessary for KardioKickboxing classes: drop-ins are always welcome!  For adult Karate students, KardioKickboxing classes are complementary.</span></address> <address>  </address> </font> </div> <address align="justify">  </address><hr> <address><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700"> <font id="role_document10" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2">Like Karate, Yoga builds strength, balance and flexibility. Instructor Cathy Blake encourages each student to explore yoga to harness his or her full potential. Her unique blend combines several different styles in a class that is appropriate for all levels, utilizing different postures and breath work that promote calmness and clarity, peace and serenity.</font></span></address> <address> </address> <address><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700"> <font id="role_document11" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2">The class provides excellent stretching and toning, and Cathy works with each student to develop precision of alignment and fluidity, ending each class with a deep relaxation exercise that will leave you focused and refreshed.<br> </font></span></address> <address><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700"> <font id="role_document12" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2">There is no initiation fee, minimum class purchase or reservations necessary for yoga classes: drop-ins are always welcome! </font></span> </address> <address> </address> <address align="justify">  </address> </font> </font> </font> </font> <p><font face="Arial" size="2">.</font></p><hr> <font id="role_document13" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document9" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <address> <span style="font-style: normal"><b><font size="2">The Meaning Of Shukokai<br>  </font></b></span></address> <address> <span style="font-style: normal"><b><font size="2">Over the years I have heard many different meanings for the name Shukokai. The most common translation you hear is, "Loosely translated it means Way for all". This would have to be a very loose translation.<br> <br> Many years ago I had a Japanese gentleman come up to me at a demonstration and look at the patch on my Gi, he said, " Ah - Training, Friends, Place", as he read the three Kanji symbols under the fist. This made me think, so I decided to ask Sensei Kimura what Shukokai really meant. Usually when someone asked him what a name meant he would get aggravated at the redundancy of the question and say " a name is a name, what does Joe mean or Bob". To him the name wasn't important. </font></b></span><b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font size="2">Asking the meaning, meant that you didn't get what he was all about. He would have preferred that you ask him a question about technique, than the meaning of the name. This time I was in luck, he started to break down the word into three parts.<br> <br> Depending on the context, each symbol had a different meaning. In a martial arts context, it is as follows:<br> <br> </font></span> </b></font> <b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font id="rolx_document10" face="Arial" size="2"> <font id="role_document14" face="Arial" color="#000080" size="2"> SHU</font></font><font id="rolx_document11" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"><font id="role_document15" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> - The study of the martial arts.<br> <br> </font></font> <font id="role_document16" face="Arial" size="2"> <font id="rolx_document12" face="Arial" color="#000080" size="2"> KO</font></font><font id="role_document17" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"><font id="rolx_document13" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> - People with a common cause, coming together.<br> <br> </font></font> <font id="rolx_document14" face="Arial" size="2"> <font id="role_document18" face="Arial" color="#000080" size="2"> KAI</font></font><font id="rolx_document15" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"><font id="role_document19" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> - Association.<br> <br> <br> Basically it means:<br> <br> AN ASSOCIATION WHERE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER TO STUDY THE MARTIAL ARTS<br> <br> <br> He went on to explain that in the 1950's his teacher, Sensei Tani, had wanted to create an association where the heads of all styles of Karate could come together to pool their ideas and create a standard of technique so that everyone was on the same page, instead of the variation which we see today (this could be where the "Way for all" translation may have come from). However his plan didn't work, probably due to the fact that everyone thought as they do today, that they had all the answers and they weren't going to share. So, Sensei Tani who was teaching Shito Ryu kept the name Shukokai as the name of his association.<br> <br> When Sensei Kimura began traveling overseas to teach he called the style Shukokai, before that it was not a style name. As time passed Sensei Kimura had developed his technique to a point where it was technically different to Tani Ha Shito Ryu although he never forgot his connections to Mr Tani and still supported him in any way he could.<br> <br> Gavin Armstrong </font></font> </span> </b> </font> </address> <hr> <table border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" id="table15" width="100%"> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="3"> <address align="center"><b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font face="Arial">Shukokai Karate Terminology</font></span></b></address></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="3"> <address align="center"> </address> <address align="center"><b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"> <a href="index.htm"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" width="61" height="80"></a></font></span></b></address> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="60%"> <table border="1" id="table16" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF" width="360" style="border-style: ridge; border-width: 1px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px" bgcolor="#E3FFA4"> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> JAPANESE</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> ENGLISH</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> OSS</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> GREETING/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> YOI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> READY</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> KAMAE-TE</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> FIGHTING STANCE</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> ZANSHIN</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> AWARENESS</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> KUMITE</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SPARRING</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> JODAN</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> UPPER</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> CHUDAN</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> MIDSECTION</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> GEDAN</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> LOWER</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> GERI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> KICK</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SHUTO</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> OPEN HAND (KNIFE HAND)</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> URAKEN</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> BACK FIST</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> GYAKU ZUKI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> REVERSE PUNCH</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> OI ZUKI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> STEP OVER PUNCH</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> MAEKEN ZUKI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> FRONT HAND PUNCH</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> MAE GERI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> FRONT KICK</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> MAWASHI GERI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> ROUND HOUSE KICK</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> YOKO GERI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SIDE KICK</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> USHIRO GERI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> BACK KICK</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> ASHI BARAI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> FOOT SWEEP</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> GEDAN BARAI </span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> LOWER BLOCK</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SHUTO UKE </span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> KNIFE HAND BLOCK</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> CHUDAN UKE</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> MIDSECTION BLOCK</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> JODAN UKE</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> UPPER BLOCK</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SANCHIN DACHI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> PIGEON TOE STANCE</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SHIKO DACHI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> HORSE STANCE</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> ZENKUTSU DACHI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700">  FORWARD STANCE</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000FF"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> NEKOASHI DACHI</span></font></td> <td valign="top" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #C0C0C0; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left-style:none; border-left-color:inherit; border-right-style:solid; border-right-color:#C0C0C0; border-top-style:none; border-top-color:inherit" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#333333"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700">  CAT STANCE</span></font></td> </tr> </table> </td> <td align="left" valign="top" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <span style="font-weight: 700"><font face="Arial" size="2">    </font></span> </td> <td align="left" valign="top" width="30%"> <table border="1" id="table17" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF" width="20" style="border-style: outset; border-width: 1px"> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> KATA</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> PINAN-SHODAN</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> PINAN-NIDAN</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> PINAN-SANDAN</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> PINAN-YONDAN</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> PINAN-GODAN</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> JINN</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> MATSUKAZE</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> BASAI-DAI</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SHIHOKOSOKUN</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> ANNANKO</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SEINCHIN</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SEIPAI</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SUPAREMPA</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" bgcolor="#EBCCF2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> NIPAPO</span></font></td> </tr> </table> <address style="text-autospace: none"> <span style="font-size: 1pt">Matsumura Bassai</span></address> <address style="text-autospace: none">  </address> <table border="1" id="table18" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bordercolordark="#FFFFFF" width="120" style="border-style: outset; border-width: 1px"> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" width="107" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> COUNTING</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-left-style: none; border-left-color: inherit; border-top-style: none; border-top-color: inherit; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" width="107" bgcolor="#C4CFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> ICHI</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-left-style: none; border-left-color: inherit; border-top-style: none; border-top-color: inherit; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" width="107" bgcolor="#C4CFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> NI</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-left-style: none; border-left-color: inherit; border-top-style: none; border-top-color: inherit; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" width="107" bgcolor="#C4CFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SAN</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-left-style: none; border-left-color: inherit; border-top-style: none; border-top-color: inherit; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" width="107" bgcolor="#C4CFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SHI</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-left-style: none; border-left-color: inherit; border-top-style: none; border-top-color: inherit; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" width="107" bgcolor="#C4CFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> GO</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-left-style: none; border-left-color: inherit; border-top-style: none; border-top-color: inherit; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" width="107" bgcolor="#C4CFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> ROKU</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-right-width:1px; border-top-width:1px; border-bottom-width:1px" width="106" bgcolor="#C4CFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> SHICHI</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; border-right-width:1px; border-top-width:1px; border-bottom-width:1px" width="106" bgcolor="#C4CFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700"> HACHI</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-left-style: none; border-left-color: inherit; border-top-style: none; border-top-color: inherit; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" width="107" bgcolor="#C4CFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700">  KU</span></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-left-style: none; border-left-color: inherit; border-top-style: none; border-top-color: inherit; padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in" width="107" bgcolor="#C4CFFF"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-weight: 700">  JU</span></font></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <hr> <address align="justify"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">The Kimura Philosophy of teaching the art of Shukokai is based on a series of stages which plan for and follow a student’s physical and spiritual progress during their development.<br> </span></font></address> <address align="justify"><b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"><a href="index.htm"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" width="61" height="80"></a></font></span></b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700"><font color="#000080">FRUSTRATION</font> sends people searching for a new way to deal with the challenges of their lives.  Whether it is a child who needs discipline and motivation or an adult who lacks focus, they come to Shukokai seeking a new perspective: a different way of looking at the world. Training here not only offers an entirely new way to make your body work for you, it presents a unique way to change your outlook  as well, to overcome the frustration that might be keeping you stagnant in other areas of your life.<br> </span></font></address> <address align="justify"><b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"><a href="index.htm"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" width="61" height="80"></a></font></span></b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700"><font color="#000080">GOALS</font> must be set to help end frustration. Setting goals recognizes a desire to improve oneself.  They should be high enough to challenge, but at the same time be within reach. Shukokai provides the perfect balance of physical and mental challenge, as well as a series of  goals that are attainable through hard work and discipline.<br> </span></font></address> <address align="justify"><b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"><a href="index.htm"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" width="61" height="80"></a></font></span></b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">The proper <font color="#000080">PLAN</font> toward these Goals is essential. A proven, well-rounded system of training is the foundation of all instruction at Tenafly Shukokai Karate. </span></font></address> <address align="justify"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700"><br></span> </font><b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"><a href="index.htm"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" width="61" height="80"></a></font></span></b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">Through <font color="#000080">WORK</font>, <font color="#000080">ACTION</font> and <font color="#000080">PROGRESS</font> one truly begins to see and feel the benefits of Shukokai training, and those around you will notice a difference as well.  The results of the sweat and effort become clear: the child will begin to show respect, exhibit discipline and display an increase in motivation. The adult will begin to gain control and focus energy responsibly.</span></font></address> <address align="justify"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700"><br></span> </font><b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"><a href="index.htm"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" width="61" height="80"></a></font></span></b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">At this stage, the most important benefit of Shukokai is achieved: <font color="#000080">SELF CONFIDENCE</font>. Not just in Karate...but in all areas of your life as well. You'll possess the skills to be confident, the power to be effective and the wisdom to do what is right.</span></font></address> <address align="justify"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700"><br></span> </font><b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"><a href="index.htm"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" width="61" height="80"></a></font></span></b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">This is what the student has worked for: <font color="#000080">SUCCESS</font>. But the journey is far from over.  New goals will be set, new plans will be made, and continued work, action and progress will lead to greater success.<br><br>Start your training today, and learn how Shukokai will make a positive difference in your life: it will never be the same.</span></font></address> <p> </p> <p> </p> <hr> <table border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-align:justify" id="table12"> <tr> <td align="center"> <address align="center"><b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font face="Arial">The Dojo Creed</font></span></b></address></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <address align="center"> </address> <address align="center"><b><span style="font-style: normal"> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"> <a href="index.htm"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" ></a></font></span></b></address> <address align="center"><span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2">RESPECT</font></b></span></address></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="justify"> <address align="justify"><span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font face="Arial" size="2">In order to learn the art of Karate, you need to show respect for those around you as well as for yourself: you need respect for the mat as well as for your instructor.  As you learn the importance of that respect, you will gain it from others.  As you earn respect inside the dojo, others will begin to show you that respect outside the dojo.</font></b></span></address> <address align="justify"><span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font face="Arial" size="2"><br> Respect is necessarily the first element of the creed -- it opens the door to the following:</font></b></span></address> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <address align="center"> </address> <address align="center"><span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" ></font></b></span></address> <address align="center"><span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2">EFFORT</font></b></span></address></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font face="Arial" size="2">The more you put into  Karate, the more you will get from it. There is no such thing as a “natural” in this practice: those who come here with more ability require more diligence  to reach their personal goals.  When you begin to see results, you’ll learn that working hard is the only way to succeed.</font></b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <address align="center"> </address> <address align="center"><span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" ></font></b></span></address> <address align="center"><span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2">PATIENCE</font></b></span></address></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font face="Arial" size="2">You won't become a master overnight, but the skills and techniques taught at Tenafly Shukokai Karate are second to none.  If something is worth learning, it is worth learning the right way. It will take time and at times seem frustrating, but as you see yourself improve you’ll understand that patience is its own reward. </font></b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <address align="center"> </address> <address align="center"><span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" ></font></b></span></address> <address align="center"><span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2">CREATIVITY</font></b></span></address></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font face="Arial" size="2">You will be encouraged to explore your own ideas and solve problems through creative thinking. You’ll be given the opportunity and valuable guidance to help you overcome obstacles in a way that feels natural and right to you. Resolving difficult situations with creativity is an asset on the mat and in all aspects of your life. </font></b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <address align="center"> </address> <address align="center"><span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="MainImages/KimurasLogo80.jpg" ></font></b></span></address> <address align="center"><span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2">TEMPERANCE</font></b></span></address></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <address> <span style="font-style: normal"><b> <font face="Arial" size="2">Karate is not just about fighting, but if self-defense is ever necessary, you’ll have the training to be confident when it matter most, and the wisdom to know when to walk away. You will understand  how not to fight and still win. </font></b></span></address> <address>  </address> </td> </tr> </table> <p> </p> <hr> <address align="justify"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700"><font face="Arial"> Good etiquette means good manners. As we practice good etiquette, we work to perfect our humanity.</font></span></address> <ul> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">Upon entering & exiting the dojo and the mat, students should bow with an oss.</span></font></address></li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">On greeting one's Sensei or training partner, Rei (bow).</span></font></address> </li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">Swearing, eating candy and chewing gum are at all times forbidden in the Dojo.</span></font></address> </li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">Students should listen carefully and not talk or leave the mat when their Sensei explains or demonstrates.</span></font></address></li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">When a student wants to show understanding or agreement, he or she should respond by saying "OSS".</span></font></address></li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">When training with an opponent, both students shall bow simultaneously before and after training.</span></font></address></li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">While training in the dojo, keep talk to a minimum and DON’T attempt to teach your partner, if you are having difficulty, get the attention of your Sensei.</span></font></address></li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">Do not fold your arms in the Dojo. This is taken as a sign of disrespect.</span></font></address> </li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">If you are ill or have an injury, inform your Sensei, before you begin to train.</span></font></address> </li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">Always make sure that your gi is clean and fresh before training.</span></font></address> </li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">If you need to leave the mat for a drink or to go to the restroom, do so quickly and return as soon as possible, don’t hang around the water cooler.</span></font></address> </li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">If you are injured during class and are unable to continue, try to stay in the dojo and bow out with the class when it is over.</span></font></address> </li> <li> <address align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 12px"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700">If you have to leave the class early be sure to tell your instructor. Do not just disappear.<br></span></font></address></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <hr> <p><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: 700"> <font face="Arial" size="2">Martial Arts is a practice that develops: Character, humility, gratitude, charity, confidence, self esteem, self control, determination, patience, temperance and a sense of obligation to pass on what is learned. No other physical discipline offers so much.<br> <br> Spiritual organizations and religions strive to impart these qualities on their members and students as well, but the art of Karate also develops and enhances physical abilities that would take a multitude of sports to develop.  Students improve balance, coordination, muscle tone, cardio-vascular conditioning, timing, rhythm, hand-eye coordination, hand-foot coordination, and flexibility.  Complex neural pathways are developed through the study of Karate that also give students an advantage in every other physical activity.<br> <br> …All that, and self defense as well.<br> <br> Boxing and wrestling may provide excellent self defense and conditioning, but they don’t stress humility, respect and gratitude. Soccer and basketball stress agility and teamwork, but will they develop a desire to help someone in need? You definitely won’t learn any of this lifting weights or running on a treadmill at a gym.<br> <br> A martial artist may, at any one time, be doing something completely different with each hand while carrying out complex combinations with his/her feet and maneuvering their body like a master contortionist. Karate is, above all, an education in body mechanics, and students find their ability in other sports improves greatly through this practice. Whether it is golf, soccer, tennis or gymnastics, understanding how to use the entire body to create force is the core of all athletic endeavors, and nowhere is this point more dramatically revealed than when learning the proper technique to throw a punch or kick. Anyone can fight, but fighting efficiently is the groundwork on which Kimura Shukokai is based. As students learn how to use the body with this efficiency and understand the importance of self-control, they have gained invaluable knowledge that can be applied to every aspect of their lives.<br> <br> Karate is something that takes a lifetime to master: it is a discipline that keeps teaching and developing an individual forever. <br> One of our instructors, a sixth degree black-belt, still trains and teaches at the age of 92: perhaps Karate has a positive affect on longevity as well.<br>  <br> Above all, Karate should be viewed not so much as a sport, but as a way of thinking, learning, and behaving: Karate is a way of life. <br> <br> - by Sensei Gavin Armstrong</font></span><font id="rolx_document19" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"><font id="role_document23" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"><br>  </font></font></p> <hr> <div align="center"> <address align="left"> <font face="Arial" style="font-style: normal; font-weight:700" size="2"> <span style="text-decoration: none"> <font color="#000000"> <a target="main" href="WhatIsShukokai.htm"> <font color="#000000"><span style="text-decoration: none">What Is Shukokai</span></font></a></font></span></a><a target="main" href="WhatIsShukokai.htm"><font color="#000000"><span style="text-decoration: none">?</span></font></a></font></address> <address align="left"> <font color="#000000" face="Arial"> <a target="main" href="AboutTEnaflyDojo.htm"> <font color="#000000" size="2"> <span style="text-decoration: none; font-weight:700; font-style:normal">About the </span></font></a></font></address> <address align="left"> <font color="#000000" face="Arial"> <a target="main" href="AboutTEnaflyDojo.htm"> <font color="#000000" size="2"> <span style="text-decoration: none; font-weight:700; font-style:normal">Tenafly Dojo</span></font></a></font></address> <address align="left"> <font color="#000000" face="Arial"> <a target="main" href="SGA.html"> <font color="#000000" size="2"> <span style="text-decoration: none; font-weight:700; font-style:normal">Sensei Gavin Armstrong</span></font></a></font></address> <address align="left"> <font color="#000000" face="Arial"> <a target="main" href="Kimura.htm"> <font color="#000000" size="2"> <span style="text-decoration: none; font-weight:700; font-style:normal">Sensei Kimura</span></font></a></font></address> <address align="left"> <span style="font-style: normal"> <font face="Arial"> <span style="text-decoration: none; font-weight:700"> <font color="#000000" size="2"> <a target="main" href="EventsAndLinks.htm"> <span style="text-decoration: none"><font color="#000000">Current Events</font></span></a></font></span></a></font></span></address> <address align="left"> <span style="font-style: normal; font-weight:700"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <a target="main" href="EventsAndLinks.htm"> <span style="text-decoration: none"><font color="#000000">& </font> </span><font color="#000000"> <span style="text-decoration: none">Links</span></font></a></font></span></address> <address align="left"> <font face="Arial"> <span style="text-decoration: none"> <font color="#000000" size="2"> <a target="main" href="Schedules.htm"> <span style="text-decoration: none; font-weight:700; font-style:normal"> <font color="#000000">Schedules</font></span></a></font></span></font></address> <address align="left"> <b> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <a target="main" href="KKB.htm"><font color="#000000"> <span style="text-decoration: none; font-style: normal">KKB</span></font></a></font></b></address> <address align="left"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <span style="font-weight:700"> <a href="Yoga.htm"> <span style="text-decoration: none; font-style: normal"> <font color="#000000">Yoga</font></span></a></span></font></address> </div> <hr> <p><b><font face="Arial" size="2">The Tenafly Dojo is located in 83 NORTH SUMMIT STREET, TENAFLY, NEW JERSEY 07670 • 201-569-5200. Cities in close proximity to the Dojo in Bergen County, NJ:</font></b></p> <p><b><font face="Arial" size="2">Englewood, Closter Cresskill, Bergenfield, </font><font class="T" face="Arial" size="2">Edgewater, Fort Lee, Harrington Park, Hillsdale, Montvale, Norwood, Northvale, Old Tappan, Paramus, ParkRidge, Rivervale, Woodcliff Lake, Westwood, Belleville, Bloomfield, Boonton, Demarest, East Hanover, Fair Lawn, Florham Park, Hackensack, Hillsdale, Livingston, Maplewood, Midland Park, Millburn, Montclair, Montvale, Morristown, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Orange, Paramus, Parsippany, Ridgewood, Teaneck, West Orange, Westwood.</font></b></p> <p><b><font face="Arial" size="2">The teaching of Martial Arts, Karate, Kardio Kick Boxing, Yoga, Shukokai, Kimura Shukokai, self-defense, Krav Maga, can fit previous students of kung-fu,  kick boxing, judo, Taekwondo, Gongfu Kung-Fu, Taijiquan Tai-Chi Chuan, Baguazhang Pa-Kua Chang, Xingyiquan Hsing-Yi Chuan, Qinna Chin-Na, Shuaijiao Shuai-Chiao, Sanshou San Shou, San-Shou.</font></b></p> <p><b><font face="Arial" size="2">Kimura Shukokai Karate.</font></b></p> <address><font face="Arial" color="#C0C0C0" size="2">Related subjects to this web site: </font> </address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#999999"> <a href="http://www.assistedweb.com"><font color="#C0C0C0">2004 South Africa Kimura Shukokai Karate World Championship</font></a></font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#999999"> <a href="http://www.assistedweb.com"><font color="#C0C0C0">2006 Finland Kimura Shukokai Karate World Championship</font></a></font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">World Instructors Gashuko</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Shukokai Kata:</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">PINAN-SHODAN </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">PINAN-NIDAN </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">PINAN-SANDAN </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">PINAN-YONDAN </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">PINAN-GODAN </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">JINN </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">MATSUKAZE </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">BASAI-DAI </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">BASSAI-DAI </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">SHIHOKOSOKUN </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">ANNANKO </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">SEINCHIN </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">SEIPAI </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">SUPAREMPA </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">NIPAPO </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Matsumura Basai</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Matsumura Bassai</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Heiku</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Heiko</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Haiko</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Haiku</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Heyko</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Heyku</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Hayko</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Hayku</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Kata</font></address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">JAPANESE ENGLISH </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">OSS GREETING/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">YOI READY </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">KAMAE-TE FIGHTING STANCE </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">ZANSHIN AWARENESS </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">KUMITE SPARRING </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">JODAN UPPER </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">CHUDAN MIDSECTION </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">GEDAN LOWER </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">GERI KICK </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">SHUTO OPEN HAND (KNIFE HAND) </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">URAKEN BACK FIST </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">GYAKU ZUKI REVERSE PUNCH </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">OI ZUKI STEP OVER PUNCH </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">MAEKEN ZUKI FRONT HAND PUNCH </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">MAE GERI FRONT KICK </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">MAWASHI GERI ROUND HOUSE KICK </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">YOKO GERI SIDE KICK </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">USHIRO GERI BACK KICK </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">ASHI BARAI FOOT SWEEP </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">GEDAN BARAI LOWER BLOCK </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">SHUTO UKE KNIFE HAND BLOCK </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">CHUDAN UKE MIDSECTION BLOCK </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">JODAN UKE UPPER BLOCK </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">SANCHIN DACHI PIGEON TOE STANCE </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">SHIKO DACHI HORSE STANCE </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">ZENKUTSU DACHI FORWARD STANCE </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">NEKOASHI DACHI CAT STANCE </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">COUNTING </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">ICHI </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">NI </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">SAN </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">SHI </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">GO </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">ROKU </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">SHICHI </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">HACHI </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">KU </font> </address> <address> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">JU </font> </address> <address>  </address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">2006 Finland Kimura Shukokai Karate World Championship</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" color="#C0C0C0" size="2">Karate NJ</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" color="#C0C0C0" size="2">UFC<br> K1<br> WWC<br> Shukokai Karate<br> Shukokai<br> Shukokai USA<br> Kimura Shukokai<br> Tenafly Shukokai<br> Karate<br> Cardio Kick Boxing<br> Kardio Kick Boxing<br> KardioKickBoxing<br> Yoga<br> Impact Kick boxing<br> Kimura<br> Shigeru<br> Shukokai<br> ASKU<br> Chris Thompson<br> Sensei<br> Tani<br> Goju<br> Tani-Ha Shito Ryu<br> 8th Dan<br> Bill Bressaw<br> George McGrath<br> Mac Albus<br> Alex Couto<br> Dan McCook<br> Gavin Armstrong<br> Linda Armstrong</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" color="#C0C0C0" size="2">Kimura Shukokai International</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" color="#C0C0C0" size="2">Lior Haramaty</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Black Belt</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Shihan</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Samurai</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Japanese</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Japan</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Self Defence</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Aikido <br> Capoeira <br> Choy Li Fut <br> Dim Mak <br> Goju Kai <br> Goju Ryu <br> Hapkido <br> Hsing <br> Iaido <br> Jeet Kune Do <br> Ju Jitsu <br> Judo <br> Jujutsu <br> Kali <br> Karate <br> Kempo <br> Kendo <br> Kickboxing <br> Krav Maga <br> Kung Fu <br> Kyokushinkai <br> Muay Thai <br> Ninjutsu <br> Pa Kua <br> Pentjak Silat <br> Sambo <br> Savate <br> Shito Ryu <br> Shorin Ryu <br> Shorinji Kempo <br> Shotokan <br> Shukokai <br> Sumo <br> Taekwondo <br> Tai Chi Chuan <br> Tang Soo Do <br> Uechi Ryu <br> Wado Ryu <br> Wing Chun <br> Yoseikan Tai hitsu</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Shaolin</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Brazilian Jiu Jitsu</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Full contact</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" color="#C0C0C0" size="2">KSI<br>  bergen county<br> bergen<br> north NJ<br> northern NJ<br> New Jersey<br> north<br> northern<br>  northern new jersey<br> north east<br> north new jersey<br> dojo<br>  training<br> Karate<br>  martial arts<br> self defense<br> NJ<br>  Englewood<br> Closter<br> Cresskill<br> Dumont<br> Teaneck<br>  Sensei Gavin Armstrong<br>  Bergenfield<br> Bergen<br> bergen county<br> bergen<br> NY<br> Aikido<br> Capoeira<br> Judo<br> Jujuitsu<br> Kendo<br> Kung Fu<br> Krav Maga<br> Shotokan<br> Shorin Ryu<br> Tae Kwon Do<br> Tai Chi<br> Tai Boxing</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Karate Gear</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Komite</font></address> <address><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#C0C0C0">Martial Arts Tenafly Shukokai Karate - Sensei Kimura Tenafly Shukokai Karate - Current Events and Links Tenafly Shukokai Karate - About the Tenafly Dojo Tenafly Shukokai Karate - KardioKickBoxing Tenafly Shukokai Karate - Schedules Tenafly Shukokai Karate - About Sensei Gavin Armstrong Tenafly Shukokai Karate - What Is Shukokai? Tenafly Shukokai Karate - Yoga</font></address> <p>If there are images in this attachment, they will not be displayed.  <a href="http://mail.google.com/mail/?realattid=f_f2tspiuu&attid=0.1&disp=attd&view=att&th=1131de8da674ca7d">Download the original attachment</a><br> Page 1<br> Everything you wanted to know about dojo etiquette, but were afraid to ask. The following is a compendium of Dojo Etiquette. Etiquette is a collection of details, some small, some not so small. Taken together though, they make a big diff e rence in our training as well as our everyday life. It is best to aim for a middle ground: don’t be blasé about etiquette, but by the same token, you don’t need to be an etiquette fascist. We all have good and bad days and how we behave follows accord i n g l y. Although at first there will be many forms of etiquette to re m e m b e r, they will become natural as you continue to train. Please do not be resentful if you are corrected on a point of etiquette. In the good old days, dojo etiquette was gained by osmosis. Quite frankly, those that didn’t get it after a while usually didn’t last too long in our dojo. These days, the martial arts have attracted a much more varied group of individuals. Osmosis is just not as good as it used to be. As you read the following, you will notice that some of the more important details are highlighted. These highlights are, in our opinion, non-negotiable. No-one is above the common courtesies expressed in this document. Always remember that all Karate-ka, whether black belt or beginner, train in the same dojo, on the same floor. All practice the same techniques and aspire toward the same ideals. There f o re, all are govern e d by the samere q u i rements of etiquette... If you have questions, concerns, or comments, ask your Sensei! Good etiquette means good manners. As we practice good etiquette, we work to perfect our humanity.<br> Page 2<br> B e g i n n i n g Upon entering & exiting the dojo students should Rei (bow). When stepping onto or off the mat, students should Rei (bow) with an Oss! (This is to show our respect for the room and what it entails, that we have come to learn and to teach.) When a student wants to show understanding or agreement, he or she should respond by saying "OSS". Upon stepping into the dojo, you should try to leave your problems behind. Training re q u i res a focused mind. Being aware and using common sense is a precursor to following p roper etiquette. Always address the Instructor as "Sensei". Never contradict your Sensei in front of others. If you are late, you should wait until Sensei signals for you to join the class. Bow as you get on the mat. It is important that you do not disrupt the class in doing so. On greeting one's Sensei you should Rei (bow). When bowing to another higher rank, be sure not to look them in the eyes. This is a sign of d i s respect. (Tr a d i t i o n a l ) When training with an opponent or training part n e r, both students shall bow simultaneously b e f o reand after training. When lining up, rank order starts with the senior-most student at the front of class, on the right hand side of the row (as viewed from the Sensei, his or her right). Rank descends to that person’s left, and then similarly through the rows. Generally, other than senior- m o s t students, there is no seniority within rank (all white belts are equal, all yellow belts, etc). Respect your training “tools”. Gi’s should be clean and presentable. It is very inconsiderate, p a rticularly in the warmer months, to forgo washing your gi after more than a few classes. Protective equipment should be functional and provide the safety you expect from them. The Obi (Belt) should always be treated with respect. While the color of the belt is not so i m p o rtant, the eff o rtto gain the belt should be re m e m b e red and cherished! Your belt should be aired dry but never washed, as it symbolically contains the spirit of your hard training. T h e re should be no eating, drinking, or gum chewing on the mat at any time. No jewelry should be worn during class.<br> Page 3<br> Excessive use of strong colognes, perfumes, cosmetics, or lotions (that can rub off on anoth- e r’s gi) should be avoided during practice. (I’m afraid this includes “Bengay” and the such). F i n g e rnails and toenails must be short, so as to avoid injury to others or oneself. Feet must be clean. Shoes or sandals are never allowed on the mat. Long hair should be tied back out of the way. B e f o re starting practice, go to the toilet. An accidental blow to a full bladder can be extre m e l y d a n g e rous. Try also to remember that it is not good for the body to train on a full stomach, so avoid eating for at least one hour before class start s . Students from time to time will be asked to help clean the dojo mat as needed. This is a g reat help to Sensei and shows humility and respect for the Dojo and for Sensei. Sensei will never ask you to do anything he has not already done many times before you! The facilities at the Dojo (re s t rooms, drink machine, locker rooms, etc.) should be left in the same, if not better, condition as they were found upon arr i v i n g . Each student should know his physical condition, stamina, and physical strength. Do not f o rce yourself to do the impossible. You may not only injure yourself but your training p a rtner as well. (In kind, the instructor should always observe the physical condition of each student, taking short breaks during the training period as may be required). Do not forget to do warm up exercises before practicing, even if you are practicing alone. T r a i n i n g A dojo where people respect each other is key to learning. The teaching and learning is bi- d i rectional: even though it may seem that Sensei is doing all the teaching, he or she is still l e a rning from their students as well. This is why we bow to each other. When an instructor calls for class to begin, line up smartly in rank ord e r. All but new white belts should know in general where they need to stand. It should take seconds to line up. When asked to proceed to a position for some reason during training, always move as quickly as possible - do not stro l l ! If you have a pre-existing medical condition, a cold, an injury or whatnot, try to work through it. Part of the challenge of any martial art is working through what you think your limits are. Listen to your body and use common sense in these instances. If you have something contagious, your fellow karate-ka will appreciate your absence. If you are i n j u red, or in pain, you need to back off and allow your body to heal. Let Sensei know beforehand if you are not up to 100% of your game.<br> Page 4<br> If you are injured during class and are unable to continue, try to stay in the dojo and bow out with the class when it is over. Questions during class should be directed to Sensei at an opportune moment. Try not to d i s rupt class in doing so. On the other hand, you may find very often that other students a rekeenly interested in the same questions you may have. If class is very busy, senior black belts can also answer questions or simply defer your question until end of class. Generally speaking, Sensei is the only person who should be instructing students unless he or she expressly directs others to do so! Just because you may outrank another student, or if you hold a rank of black belt, this does not entitle you to instruct others! When listening, unless instructed otherwise, students should stand in the Yoi (“ready”) position. Your attention should be towards the speaker. Do not fold your arms in the Dojo. This is taken as a sign of disre s p e c t . In general, a senior person should be aware of a junior person’s abilities and modify working with them accordingly to keep things safe. Executing techniques that may involve c o n t a c t re q u i res the utmost control. Good communication between you and your partner is vital. Just because you’re junior doesn’t mean that there isn’t half the burden of communicating with your partner on you. Do not leave the mat during class except in the case of injury or illness or, if permitted, to drink water. (Water is important! Do not let yourself get too dehydrated). If you need to leave the mat for a drink or to go to the re s t room, do so quickly and re t u rn as soon as possible, d o n ’t hang around the water cooler. If you must leave class early, make sure you inform your instru c t o r. Do not just disappear. When straightening your gi, always turn around and face the back of the class. When an instructor yells “YAME” (STOP), this means that you and your partner should STOP i m m e d i a t e l y ! At all times you should respect the founder’s teachings (Shihan Kimura) as interpreted and taught by your Sensei. It is necessary to respect the way in which the instructor of the class directs the training. Receive instruction and carry out suggestions for training sincerely and to the best of your a b i l i t y. There is no room for argument on the mat. Never stand around idly on the mat unless you are listening intently to instruction. Yo u should be practicing, or if necessary waiting your turn . If you have a question for Sensei during class, go to him or her, never call them over. Bow respectfully and wait for their acknowledgement.<br> Page 5<br> When Sensei is instructing another student, you may stop your practice to watch. It is i m p o rtant for you not only to learn the technique being taught but also how your Sensei conducts the instruction. Some day you too will teach others. If you know the technique being studied and you are working with someone who does not, you may lead the person through it, but do not assume the role of the instru c t o r. You are h e re for practice, do not force your ideas on others. At the same time, respect those who a remore experienced. Always train within the ability of your part n e r. Do not practice so as to injure your part n e r. You are both responsible for each other. Be aware at all times of those around you. Train to develop awareness in all dire c t i o n s . If you are ever unsure of what to do in a particular situation ask a senior student or simply follow their lead. The strength of martial art is not just muscular force. Of equal importance is flexibility, timing, control and modesty. Be aware of your limitations as well as your shortcomings. D o n ’t say any words when you kiai. You should not shout “Kiai”. Kiai is a Japanese term that is a compound of ki meaning mind, will, or spirit and ai roughly signifying "to unite". It is a s h o rt yell that martial artists shout before or during a fight or technique. It is usually linked to the inner amassing of energy released in a single explosive focus of will. You can see how silly it is to actually shout “kiai”… Kiai is used for: ■ A psychological effect on your opponent. ■ A psychological effect on yourself, so-called "pumping yourself up". ■ To provide an escape route for exhalation of air. ■ To keep air pre s s u rein your body balanced (holding your breath while taking impact – f rom a kick, punch or the ground can cause injury. ) . ■ To rapidly contract the transverse abdominals and other core muscle to provide support for striking techniques and protection to the internal org a n s . D o n ’t be afraid to kiai! In general, people tend to kiai too softly rather than too loudly. If you have a strong kiai, it will often spur others to work harder as well. The overall tone of a class is set by the level of spirit of the class, which can be raised with better kiai. When the instructor calls for “Mokuso!” (meditation), close your eyes, breathe deeply from the lower stomach, concentrate on the tanden (lower abdomen), and try to achieve concentration. When you use the training equipment, handle it with care. Be sure to put it back in the correct place after using it.<br> Page 6<br> Never practice Kumite (sparring) unless an instructor is present. When practicing Kumite with a black belt, do your very best, but show respect for the rank. If you think you can go harder then do so, but remember that they have your lower rank in mind while they are sparring, and so will not be fighting their hard e s t . The instru c t o r, whoever it may be, should be treated with the respect that you yourself would expect as common court e s y. If you cannot find it in you to show respect to a person who is taking their time to teach you, then you do not belong in a karate dojo. Never ques- t i o n his/her direction; never speak in class unless asked by the instru c t o r. Such obedience develops a bond of trust between the instructor and student, which improves mutual re c e p t i v i t y, simplifying and speeding the learning process. Notify Sensei if you plan to miss any or all scheduled classes. Any time your Sensei or a higher rank offers to help you, always accept and listen closely with great enthusiasm and proper respect. B e f o re beginning a Kumite match it is proper to rei (bow) to your opponent. Before the match begins the student should bow to the re f e ree first, then to the opponent. When the match is over the student should bow to the opponent first then the re f e re e . It is never appropriate to look a higher ranking judge or your Sensei in the eye in a threat- ening manner, even in Kata performance. This is very rude, remember your Sensei’s skill level and strength. This is not someone you want to threaten but always treat with the utmost respect. DO NOT EVER ask when you will be promoted to a higher (belt) level. This shows great disrespect and can only add time to the length of your next promotion. Remember that you are constantly being tested. When you are ready you will receive your re w a rd and be advanced forw a rd only by your individual eff o rts and merit when your Sensei sees you are re a d y. No one takes greater pleasure in presenting you with your deserved promotion to a higher level than that of your Sensei. This also assures that you are ready to grow into this rank and obtain additional knowledge that goes with the level of achievement. T r a d i t i o n Tradition has played an important role throughout the hundreds of years that it has taken for the martial arts to develop. One of the oldest traditions is KATA. Since as early as the 600 A.D., kata has been passed down from master to student. These pre - a rranged set of movements, which are supposed to represent combat, are one of karate’s most important traditions. Another important tradition which has been passed down throughout the years is RESPECT. As karate practitioners, we show respect in the form of BOWING.<br> Page 7<br> While in the kneeling position, a person bows with the left hand first. This tradition has existed since the days of the samurai. The left hand was used first so that the right hand would be free to grasp the Samurai sword if needed. This tradition also carries over when standing. When getting up from the kneeling position the right leg is used first, so that if a Samurai was being attacked, his sword could be drawn without cutting his leg off . Though the belt systems have changed slightly, they have become an important tradition in karate. Punching, kicking, sparring, and the use of the kiai have all become important traditions that have been passed down throughout the years. Being able to punch at an opponent is easy, but to be able to use full power and be able to pull it to within just a fraction of a inch is not as easy. So, it is this tradition of using control with power that makes karate look so impressive. The use of the kiai has also become an important tradition. It is said that someone who has mastered the kiai can scare their opponent to death simply with the scream alone. Now whether these ancient stories are true or not may never been known, but the fact is that kiai has become an important part of martial arts tradition throughout the world. I N T E N T: or no intent. If you punch someone in the nose, or break a rib, it doesn’t help to s a y, “I didn’t intend to do that, sorry.” No intent, was really a lack of attention. Stay focused! R A N K : Does not confer privilege or power. It imposes re s p o n s i b i l i t y ! R U D E N E S S : Talking while your instructor is speaking, folding your arms, wearing jewelry, yawning, are all considered ru d e ! A formal dress code is maintained, and the uniform should be kept clean and complete at all times. Appearance is an essential element to portraying and projecting an image of competence and self confidence, especially when there is no opportunity for verbal com- munication. Everyone wearing the same uniform and functioning together under the same rules of etiquette is a silent but tangible and constant example of harmony. The repetition of pre-set movements during a workout are a practical form of meditation, as it f o rces the mind to focus on the task at hand until the movements become almost unconscious. The goal of every true martial artist must be to achieve this state of inner peace and harm o n y, which permits the mind to perceive, understand, and improve upon the reality inherent in l i f e ’s influences with clarity and independence of action. All other goals, including quests for material wealth, power, prestige, social status, and even love, could ultimately prove false and hollow without it, as a person can gain all of these things and still not have peace of mind. In a combat situation, preoccupation with emotions, motives like vengeance, worries about self image, fear of failure or injury or even personal survival are all paralyzing obstacles to a p p ropriate action. It is important to guard against the natural human tendency to fall victim to emotional suggestions, subjective impressions, and seeing things as you want them to be rather than as they are. Conversely, it is dangerous to focus your mind too much on the attitude your rival, or even a leader, may assume, for such posturing may be deliberately<br> Page 8<br> designed to be misleading. The goal is to train until it is possible to remain undisturbed by any situation, even one that may be life threatening, as if nothing critical is happening. 1 . Never tire of learning, anywhere, any time; this is the secret of knowledge. Be eager to ask questions and learn. Appreciate the thrill of learn i n g . 2 . Be willing to sacrifice for the art and the instru c t o r. Respect the skills you are learn i n g , and the eff o rts it took to bring them to you. 3 . Always be loyal to the instructor and the teaching methods. If you disagree with any procedure or technique, discuss it privately with the instructor. 4 . Practice what you learn and try to perfect your techniques to the best of your abilities. This includes spare time in the gym, and regularly doing conditioning exercises at home on off days. 5 . D i s c a rdany techniques you have learned from another school if your instructor d i s a p p roves of it. 6 . Always set a good example for lower belts. Be aware that they will try to emulate senior students. 7 . Help other students to learn and succeed. Recognize that you are all members of a stro n g g roup sharing common goals and intere s t s . 8 . Remember your conduct inside and outside the gym reflects upon the art and the instructor. Keep in mind that you can not discard your responsibility for the martial arts skills which you have learned, wherever you go. We hope this guide has been helpful to you and that you put it to good use. Oss!</p> </body>