OUR HISTORY - THE ART OF KARATE-DO
Karate is one of many Martial Arts practiced around the world today. Karate-Do is a martial way – the Way of the Empty Hand, characterised by the ideal of confronting one's own real self.
The Origins of Karate can be traced back to Okinawa Island where the art of the Empty hand was systemized and refined. Three major styles of Karate emerged from the Okinawan villages of Shuri, Tomari and Naha. Our style, Reiwaryu Ryushinkan (Ryu Kyu KarateDo) evolved and descended primarily from Shuri Te with influences from Tomari Te.
The Shorin line of Karate-do lends our style 7 classical empty hand Katas namely: Arnunku, Seisan, Wansu, Chinto, Goju Shiho, Bassai, and Kushanku. Collectively, we name these Kata 'Koryu' meaning 'old style'. Our lineage names Chotoku Kyan Sensei as the source of these Kata. Alongside the Koryu kata, the classical weapon system of Okinawa, kobudō is also studied and practiced. Although Karate as an art is constantly evolving, with each founding master adding their understandings, the training methods and philosophies have remained of immense relevance to modern day society and remain at the root of any classical school. |
REIWARYU RYUSHINKAN KARATE-DOZen Nippon Reiwaryu Ryushinkan Karate-Do, although traditional is also a very progressive style of Karate, constantly evolving around our core traditional heart and becoming relevant to the modern world. As masters of the martial arts embrace new understandings of human sciences, and theory behind learning and development, we are able to form a symbiosis of the old and new, existing in harmony and deepening the art.
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CHARACTORISTICS OF THE STYLEReiwaryu Ryushinkan can be described as an elegant, dynamic and powerful Karate style. The emphasis of this ryūha is on evasion (Sabaki). Spiralling technical moves are favoured, with deep stances in order to deliver explosive manoeuverability and agilty. When transitioning, often the entire body will move into the target as a unit, with no stepping or reaching. Large amounts of ground are covered when moving in this way.
Reverse knife hand strike (Lashen Shuto Uchi) jumping kicks (Tobi Geri) back spinning kick (ushiro Mawashigeri) form some of the favoured techniques. Interestingly, our transitions are almost silent, with footwork stealthy and smooth (Suri Ashi) sliding feet. |
Teaching Karate Classes in Brighton, London and Sussex. |
The way of Karate-Do is long and deep, with many benefits, not only for one's health but also the mind. For many this is exactly why it can become a fulfilling life-long pursuit.
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