What's the difference between Shotokan Karate and Shindo Jinen Ryu?

Shotokan Karate
Shotokan Karate training is usually divided into three parts: kihon (basics), kata (forms or patterns of moves), and kumite (sparring). Techniques in kihon and kata are characterized by deep, long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs.

Shotokan is regarded as a dynamic martial art as it develops anaerobic, powerful techniques as well as developing speed. Initially strength and power are demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions. Those who progress to brown and black belt level develop a much more fluid style that incorporates grappling and some aikido-like techniques, which can be found in the black belt kata. Kumite (fighting) techniques are practised in the kihon and kata and developed from basic to advanced levels with an opponent.

Shindo Jinen Ryu
Karate training in JKR is life-long, and can be continued regardless of age.  Shindo Jinen Ryu has elements of Aikijitsu, Kenjitsu, Jujitsu and also has a complete Kobujitsu syllabus in the formal curriculum, with an emphasis on philosophy and education. The curriculum also emphasizes Zanshin (the ability of an exponent to gain dominance over an opponent through an alert state of mind) and maintenance of proper physical posture.

The purpose of training in Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate-Do is to develop the whole human being, physically and mentally. Through long-term dedicated training the student learns to develop and unite Shin (mind), Gi (technique) and Tai (body) in proper proportions. The end result is awareness of one’s moral obligations and place in society.


The syallabus
I started my transition from Shotokan Karate to Shindo Jinen Ryu Karate-Do nearly a year ago.  The syllabus has elements of weapons training from Green belt (7th Kyu) onwards, as well as elements of unarmed combat as described above, as well as some older kata that aren't taught in Shotokan schools.

There is more emphasis on self defence than sport which becomes more evident as students progress through their gradings.

Free lesson
If you're interested in giving our style of training a go, please come along and try a free lesson on Sunday mornings:

The Dojo is opened 15 minutes early - so please arrive before the class starts at 09:45 am.
Beginners & children (aged 5 upwards) 9:45am - 10:30am
Regulars 10:30am - 11:30am
Remedial class 11:30am - 12:00pm
Bestwood Estate Community Centre
Gainsford Crescent
Bestwood Estate
Nottingham
NG5 5HT

Just wear loose fitting track suit bottoms and a full neck T-shirt.


The cost of training
1 single session £5
1 Single session under 16s £3
Single session discounts available for OAP, Students & disabled people. £4

Your first lesson is free.

Family discount: If three members of the same family train together, the youngest trains free (eg 1 parent and 2 children or 2 parents and 1 child).


The cost of an annual licence is £32 for the first year and £27 for year two onwards.  You must have applied for your licence by the third lesson.




Returners or Transfers
If you are either returning to Karate after a long break or wish to transfer to the JKR-UK, you will keep the grade that you have achieved with the other organisation, providing you can produce a signed grading record and/or signed certificate.




People with long standing injuries or mental health problems
It's important that we don't give up on our training as a result of physical and/or mental health problems.  I have long standing physical injuries and I also suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  I have no doubt that my Karate training allows me to cope with my difficulties and to continue to contribute something towards the greater good of the community I am a part of.

Not for Profit
Meiyo Karate Club is a 'Not-for-Profit' organisation.  The instructors are unpaid volunteers that provide a service to make Karate accessible and to foster the spirit of Karate-Do in the individual.

If you would like to discuss anything before attending a training session, please feel to either email me on meiyo (at) wolf-photography.com or phone me on 07971 99 77 10.

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

Core conditioning ...

We don't need expensive equipment or gadgets to strengthen our core muscles.  We just have to use basic exercises and do them well, paying attention to form and technique.

The first basic exercise for core strength is a press-up or push-up.  Follow the advice in this video and do them properly and you will feel the benefits in the dojo.

Crunches are another good exercise for hard dojo floors.  Sit-ups can cause problems if you're not careful.  Here's a video demonstrating correct form for crunches.

 

 

Do these exercises first thing in the morning and in the evening.  Start by doing 5 of each correctly and slowly, paying attention to maintaining good form.  Then build upon the number you can do in
increments of 5.

You'll notice the difference in yourself within a week ... so will your sensei!

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

Karateka Profile - Lloyd Birt

Shotokan Karateka Lloyd Birt, winner of two World medals, one European medal, fifteen British medals and twenty Welsh medals, can only be described as an inspirational figure and a positive role model for our younger generation.

Lloyd Birt

Would it surprise you to know that he started training in 2003 at the age of eight; achieved Shodan (1st Dan) at the age of eleven and Nidan (2nd Dan) at the age of thirteen?  He's currently working hard towards his Sandan (3rd Dan).

Why did you start training in Shotokan Karate?
'I started participating in Karate because of being bullied at school.  My parents thought it would help develop my character and improve my confidence levels to enable me to handle my problems at school.'

Family photo (left to right)- Lloyd, Lynne, (mother), Kathryn (sister) and Stephen (father)

Have you trained in any other martial arts?
'No, Shotokan Karate is my passion and I focus all my energy into it.'

Lloyd being coached by Sensei Andy Sherry

What do you enjoy most, Kata or Kumite - and why?
'I enjoy all aspects of Karate. Kumite, Kata and Bunkai, as I believe it is important to focus on them all equally, as each aspect compliments the other. However I prefer Kata due to  my success in early years, as this success has progressed me to achieve more.'

 

Lloyd performing a Kata

When did you win your first competition?
'The first championship I won was the Kyu Grades National Championship in 2005, I won the Pee- Wee category when I was a 1st Kyu.  I was ten years old.'



What has been your most memorable moment in Shotokan Karate so far?
'My most memorable moment was when I was selected to represent Wales at the WSKA World Championships 2011 in Chicago, where I won a Silver (Cadets) and a Bronze (Junior). I felt as though all of my hard work and determination had paid off.'

Welsh and proud!

Do you have any ambitions that you'd like to share with us?
'My ambitions are to one day become World and European Champion.  Ever since WSKA (World Shotokan Karate-do Association) 2011 these have been set as my goals, having come so close to 1st position. I work so hard to be the best I can possibly be, in order to achieve my full potential. However, other ambitions include wanting to have a successful club, and at the end of my career wanting to become an ESKA (European Shotokan Karate-do Association) and WSKA Referee.'

Coach - Sensei Paul James with Lloyd

Do you follow a particular diet?
'I produce strict diet plans myself; this may be to prepare my muscles post competition or to increase my energy levels before competition.  I use the method carbohydrate loading.  I don't drink alcohol as I have learned the effects this has on the body and the impact it can have on sporting performances.'

  
Is there anything that you would like to say to the readers?
'Karate enables both children and adults to develop their character, from developing essential qualities such as discipline and respect.'



Is there anything else that you would like to add?
'Karate has enabled me to develop my fitness levels, and teaching qualities. I'm currently studying the Bsc (Hons) Sport and Physical Education Degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC). I feel as though Karate has developed my teaching skills and confidence to pursue my career path as a Secondary School P.E Teacher.'



I'm happy to report that Sensei Lloyd Birt has opened his own Dojo.  If you'd like to train with him, please visit http://www.kugb.org/kugb-club-details.php?id=429 for more details.

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu
Meiyo SKC
www.meiyo.co.uk

For the older potential Karateka...

I've spoken with so many of you that are in your 40s and 50s now, that have tried martial arts when younger and miss it now.  Many of you have been Karateka, are older and some of you have injuries etc.  I know from listening to you that you really feel 'the call' and would like to train again.

Don't worry about what you can or can't do nowadays because of age, injury or disability.  Just do it!  Find a dojo and give yourself some free reign to do something that will make you feel better about yourself.  If you feel that your Sensei can't accommodate your disability issues, find another.

I sometimes make a wrong move or turn the wrong way because of my mental health problem ... and some moves hurt my body so badly that I literally lock up.  Some Senseis don't understand these issues and so don't understand that the act of practising Karate can be an ongoing internal battle ... on top of all the others that some of us fight on a daily basis where any kind of health problems are concerned.  Yet you'll find many Senseis that do understand disability issues and will accommodate your needs.

When teaching I have to be mindful of your safety and your training needs and balance the two. I have to have more than one style of teaching because I know about certain disabilities first hand.  In some dojos you may be shown a new kata twice and not have it broken down at all - then be expected to perform it .  This may be fine if you don't have a learning difficulty and/or a short term memory problem.

If I'm teaching a new kata, I like to break it down so that students can learn it in manageable chunks - eg do  five moves and practise them until they're firmly embedded into memory and then build onto that foundation until the whole kata can be performed to the best of that student's ability.

We have to be realistic when we train with regards to our limitations through any disability ... we also have to be clear about one other thing - as mature students of Karate with disabilities, we are the ones responsible for setting our limitations - no one else.  So we are the only ones that can push our boundaries, endure the pain or difficulties and try to improve ourselves ... but we must be realistic about it and not worsen our conditions/symptoms.

There is no upper age limit in Karate, a man in Nottingham proved that by achieving his Shodan when in his 60s.

The first lesson is free.  You will need to have purchased a licence by your third lesson.  You can train in a tracksuit and t-shirt until you can afford a 'gi' (Karate suit) ... but you must have a gi before you attempt a grading (an examination to gain a different coloured belt) - which will be about three months after you start training ... providing you're comfortable doing so.

We train on the following days:

Wednesdays 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Snape Wood Community Association
Snape Wood Road
Bulwell
Nottingham
NG6 7GH
Tel 0115 975 3299

Fridays 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Sundays 10:00am - 11:30am
Bestwood Estate Community Centre
Gainsford Crescent
Bestwood Estate
Nottingham
NG5 5HT
Tel 0115 976 2391

All of the training fees generated at these two dojos go straight to the Community Centres listed above so that they can run services for the elderly and other members of their communities. The instructors are unpaid volunteers.  Meiyo Shotokan Karate Club is a Not-for-Profit organisation.

Please feel free to pop in and try a lesson without obligation.

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

Image by Will Huggins

Basics - Foot positions for first kicks

Apart from the breakdown of the actual kicks (which will be taught to you at the dojo), you need to practise holding your feet in the right position when kicking.  You can do this while watching TV etc.  Just take your socks off and get used to moving the toes to copy the following positions:

Mae geri keage - Front snap kick

Pull all your toes back and extend your foot as shown.  The power of this kick is delivered through the ball of the foot.




Yoko Geri Kekomi - Side thrust kick
Yoko Geri Keage -  Side snap kick

The foot position for both of these kicks is the same.  Bend your big toe up and force the other four down.  This will help you to lock your foot into the correct position.  These kicks use the blade of the foot for the attack.




Mawashi Geri  Jodan -  Round house kick to the head

Keep your toes straight or bend them downward a little for this head attacking kick, as you will be attacking with the instep of the foot.



Mawashi Geri  chudan -  Round house kick to the body

This kick attacks the body - eg the ribs.  Pull all your toes back and hit the target with the ball of your foot.


Keep practising with both feet until you can hold these positions automatically ... then practise them some more.

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu
Images by Will Huggins

Basics ... making a good fist

A good fist must be tight and well formed.

Open your hand and straighten your fingers ... keep them tightly together.

Fold your fingers down to the top of your open hand.

Now fold your fingers tightly into your palm.

Now close your thumb under the closed fist.

Never close your fist around your thumb.  If you punch someone with a fist shaped as below,
you'll break your thumb.

This is how a correctly formed fist looks from the side.

Remember that when you punch in Karate, your energy and power is delivered via the first two knuckles only.  When we do press-ups on our knuckles, we only balance on those four knuckles.

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

Images by Will Huggins

Why the low stances in Shotokan Karate?

It's an exercise to build up your muscles.

I remember when I first started training ... teaching methods were more basic but they achieved results in terms of performance and discipline.

If you can manage to train successfully in a low stance, you'll find that your kicking techniques will have more speed and power in a self defence situation where it's likely that you'll be in a slightly higher stance.

It usually takes about three months to get into the habit of getting into that long, deep stance ... then you'll find that your legs will stop shaking and the stresses and strains of holding that stance will become less and less as you progress in your learning.

Remember that the work that you do in the dojo is only a part of the effort needed to progress up the grades towards a Black Belt.  You will need to practise these stances and techniques at home too in order to build up the necessary strength in your legs.

The next time you're watching your favourite TV programme, try viewing whilst standing in different stances and hold them for five minutes at a time?  I guarantee that you'll feel the benefits when you train at the dojo.

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

A new beginning?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where things sometime things just happen?  It's as if an external player is rolling the dice and you're a piece being moved on a huge board.

That's how I see the events of the last few months.  Some of it has been very stressful ... some of it painful - emotionally and physically.

After achieving Shodan (the first degree of Black Belt in Shotokan Karate) last year with the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB), I had no designs on anything other than starting a gentle journey towards Nidan (the next Dan grade).  I was being encouraged by my former Sensei to push forward in two other directions:  To gain my Instructor's Qualification and to become a Judge for KUGB Karate competitions.  I didn't object to either suggestion and followed my Sensei's recommendations.

I thought about both of the options and weighed the cost and commitment concerned to both.  Being an Instructor is beneficial because teaching helps me in a few ways:  It helps to keep the Kata and basics from 9th Kyu to 1st Dan fresh in my mind ... which will help me cope with my memory disability and it will help me to continually examine and break down those basic techniques of Karate that we should always be practising and improving upon.  As for being a judge, my former Sensei suggested it as a way of staying connected to the KUGB should my physical injuries make it impossible for me to continue training in the future.

I passed my Instructor's qualification in December 2012 and have started to train people.  I decided on a model of operation that would help local communities generate some income into local projects and cut out the pressure of meeting a financial target for myself with regards to hiring a venue.  Meiyo SKC is a Not-for-Profit company and has started operating in Bestwood Estate and Bulwell, Nottingham.  Originally we had started training at a venue that was closer to the City but the venue had heating problems that undermined Health & Safety guidelines.

Last night, on the 29 March 2013, we started our first committee meeting and we now have a ratified constitution, elected officers and warm venues.  It's a good start.

If you have an interest in Karate or are curious as to whether you'd enjoy the experience, please come along to one of our training sessions and have a go.

It's all systems go ... at Meiyo.

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu