Lost or Forgotten Karate Techniques - Part 1

I wanted to touch on a topic that I don't find many people discussing often. THE LOST or FORGOTTEN techniques of Karate-do.

Most dojos teach a very similar way and for the most part all offer the same curriculum, especially if they are of a Shotokan background.  What I like the most about Karate in general is that no one style of karate is limited in its vastness yet they are all so different and very compatible to each other at the same time. This leaves a lot of room for growth and learning within Karate as a whole.
The founder of Shotokan Karate - Gichin Funakoshi once said there is no style in karate.

No matter the style you are studying, all karate styles are considered very versatile and offer many types of techniques and principles.  Karate in its crude form is very diverse and complete.  It was originally intended and developed as a martial art for self defense and survival, not for sport and competition.

Unfortunately, most dojos today only focus on sport competition and or make their claim to fame for offering a JKA style of karate which is very limited to striking and kicking and not much else.

Modern Karate schools don't typically offer the type of training that will directly enhance a student's ability to defend themselves as quickly as many people think. BUT WHY?

-Whatever happened to falling techniques, grappling, low kicks, round punches/strikes, choke holds,  joint manipulation and all the other techniques that karate originally consisted of in its arsenal of techniques to be taught?    

-WHY is it that many dojos don't study or practice Karate like this.
-Why does Traditional Karate appear to be limited to only punching, kicking and blocking?
-Why is Kata practiced for tournament competition but not always studied for its practical application of techniques?
-Why isn't Karate as popular as it used to be?
-Why do many students give up their karate training long before "black belt" most of the time?
-Why do so many people deem Karate as not as effective as other arts anymore?
-Why are so many people gravitating to MMA Gyms or BJJ schools instead of traditional karate dojos?

I believe these things are both directly and indirectly related to the fact that many karate techniques have been LOST or FORGOTTEN.  OR in a nutshell just don't exist anymore. OR the average Karate instructor does not teach or does not know these so called forgotten techniques.

EXAMPLE: When asked where to go if to improve your grappling skills? What is the answer? Almost always a person will reply with: Go to a BJJ school or a wrestling gym.
OR
What is the best style to train under for developing powerful punching skills?
The general answer is typically a Muay Thai or Boxing Gym.

THE GENERAL REPUTATION of a Karate dojo today is that is teaches mainly kids and that it is not really the best for self defense anymore but more for discipline, confidence and respect.

 Self esteem and exercise for kids is the general reputation nowadays.

-What do we need to do to change and improve on this stereo-type?
-What do we as Karate enthusiasts need to do in order to re-educate the masses about the effectiveness and completeness of Karate?
-What do we need to do to improve the image of Karate and its perceived value?

My goal as a Sensei and Dojo Owner is to promote REAL Karate-do not only in a light that is ideal for all ages but also as an effective and complete form of self defense.

TEACHING effective grappling, Joint locks, throws and Take downs are all part of the big picture for Karate. FOR MANY unfortunately these essential techniques are either LOST or FORGOTTEN. 

Please feel free to leave a comment below

Part 2 coming soon.....

 

 

Tournament Season and Team Jackets

ARE YOU READY FOR 2011??

The upcoming Tournament season is upon us and our TEAM Jackets will be arriving right in time!!
There are several events AOK will be attending, To name a few:

TMAI Championships
Nikkei Games
Kabota Cup
Disney Martial Arts Festival
US OPEN
Ozawa Cup
Fontana Karate Dojo Championships
Adlawan Karate Championships

We will have an updated list of all the events we will be attending in 2011 with dates and venues.

We will be hosting TEAM TRYOUTS in JANUARY, So Get ready, Only the Best of the BEST from our Academy will be on the team.. ARE YOU READY?

See you all after the holidays,

Oss!

Nikkei Games Success!!

The 2010 Nikkei Games at Cal State Long Beach was a total Success for students of the academy of Karate as AOK earned an amazing tally of 13 medals. 

Many of the athletes were not seasoned competitors but with some good training sessions at the dojo and lots of tournament preparation, the results were more than tremendous.

AOK's final medal count was 2 GOLD, 4 SILVER, 7 BRONZE!

Congratulations to all who participated and to all of our loyal supporters who came out to cheer our team on as many competitors they made their competition debut.

AOK west hills also participated in the Games earning 3 bronze medals all for the Hojati Family.

What makes this even more special was the SURPRISE participation of Shihan Bruce Hojati.

Shihan Hojati just coming off a gastric bi-pass surgery less than 9 months ago and 120 pounds lighter stepped into the ring after 12 years of absence from competition.

Shihan Hojati performed the Kata Goju Shiho Sho and did very well considering the odds were against him.  Shihan Hojati also demonstrated some vigor and courage by stepping it up in the Kumite division by winning his first 2 matches and placing 3rd in what was a very challenging group of
talented and tough participants.

Congratulations Shihan! For your display of leadership and spirit. You are not only a true Karate-ka but an huge inspiration to myself and all those who know you well and understand the challenges you have been through in recent years.

Oss!

Shihan Hojati's Kata Performance
Goju Shiho Sho

  

New Facility for AOK!!!

The Academy of Karate in Duarte has moved to a NEW bigger and better Facility! The new Academy is located on 2310 Central Ave. Suite # 1 and is right across from Gordon Sports Park which hosts many softball and soccer events throughout the week.  Needless to say, you will like the new look.

The new dojo features TWO fully matted training areas, a reception area with a pro-shop, an extra changing room for convenience and a staged seating for observers to enjoy the classes to go all the heavy  bags and training tools one could ever wish for in a martial arts experience.

The main training area is designed for Karate training and lagers groups and is covered with a 1 inch thick padded flooring while the slightly smaller mat is a 2 inch thick Tatami mat that is softer and ideal for our judo, grappling and MMA classes.

Come by to take a free tour of our facility and see what all the hype is about!!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

After School Program at Andres Duarte

The Academy of Karate is proud to announce a new Karate after school program starting on Wednesday March 24th at the Andres Duarte School in Duarte California.

Classes are scheduled for Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:45 - 3:30 pm on school grounds.

Class rates are $60 per 8 sessions.

OR $50 per 8 sessions when you choose our Automatic renewal option.

If you would like to enroll in this fantastic program, give us a call at 626-599-1633.

You may also go the the office at Andres Duarte and submit your registration on site or you may visit us at our main academy at 2163 Huntington Dr. in Duarte.

CALL NOW, Space is limited!

After school Program at Royal Oaks.

We are proud to announce that starting February 2nd, 2010, Shihan Joseph Claycomb and the Academy of Karate are starting a new after school program that will teach kids the benefits of exercise and life skills through Karate.

The Program is expected to have a high turnout and AOK will be hosting a Graduation Party for all participants.

The course will be 6-weeks in total and will include a Karate belt, t-shirt and sports bottle for the first twenty enrollments.

For more information about our program visit us on the web at www.duartekarate.com or contact Shihan Claycomb at 626-599-1633.