Karate (Empty Hand)
Shorinryu karate is recognizable for its upright natural stances, evasive body posturing to avoid attacks, and quick powerful strikes to vital areas.
A synthesis of ancient Chinese white crane gungfu and Okinawa's native 'Te' arts, karate is know throughout the world as the weaponless art of self-defense, however a more accurate description would be that traditional karate is the art of turning your entire self, body and mind, into a weapon. Whether it be practiced for self-defense, self-improvement, or as a form of exercise, traditional karate has something to benefit everyone, and in fact many modern combative arts can trace their influences back to both Okinawan karate in general and Shorinryu specifically;notably Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, and Bruce Lee's Jeet Kun Do.
The Shorinryu practiced at the Tyler Karate Academy is a specific style known as Matsumura Seito, and is the family tradition of the founder of all Shorinryu, and king's bodyguard, Sokon "Bush" Matsumura (1797 - 1889).
A synthesis of ancient Chinese white crane gungfu and Okinawa's native 'Te' arts, karate is know throughout the world as the weaponless art of self-defense, however a more accurate description would be that traditional karate is the art of turning your entire self, body and mind, into a weapon. Whether it be practiced for self-defense, self-improvement, or as a form of exercise, traditional karate has something to benefit everyone, and in fact many modern combative arts can trace their influences back to both Okinawan karate in general and Shorinryu specifically;notably Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, and Bruce Lee's Jeet Kun Do.
The Shorinryu practiced at the Tyler Karate Academy is a specific style known as Matsumura Seito, and is the family tradition of the founder of all Shorinryu, and king's bodyguard, Sokon "Bush" Matsumura (1797 - 1889).
Kobudo (Old Martial Way)
The traditional Okinawan art of weapons, kobudo was developed as a means of defense in response to the ruling class banning the possession of weapons. In order to protect themselves and their families, the people developed ways of fighting using everyday objects such as the stick used for carrying water buckets (bo or kon), farming tools (sai), small gardening sickles (kama), grist mill handles (tunfa), wood and rope horse bridles (nunchaku), saddle stirrups (tekko), and boat oars (eku). With their constant use of these objects in their daily lives, it's easy to see how these men could become proficient with these tools and their uses as weapons.
Tuite-Jitsu (Taking/Grasping Hand)
With a combination of Chinese kung-fu's grappling art of chin na and Okinawa's native wrestling art known as tegume, tuite focuses on controlling one's opponent by applying any of a number of joint locks/compressions, pressure points, strangle holds or chokes, throws, and holds. The techniques are practiced individually at first, to provide an understanding of each technique, and the built into "flows" to mimic a more real world application so that the practitioner develops a feel for his opponent's reactions and can flow seamlessly from one technique to the next.
Aerobic Kickboxing
Our aerobic kickboxing class combines techniques from Muay Thai, Western Boxing, and Okinawan Karate with upbeat music and a fun atmosphere to trim and tone your body. Designed to melt away the fat and tone the body while learning good foundations for self-defense, this class is ideal for anyone looking to get into shape.
Judo / Ju-jitsu (Gentle Way)
Meaning "gentle way", Judo is a modern combat sport based on a synthesis of various classic ju-jitsu techniques and more modern interpretations created by Judo's founder Dr. Kano Jigoro. With it's emphasis on the competitive element, where the object is to either throw one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force and opponent to submit by joint locking or executing a strangle hold or choke.
The philosophy and subsequent pedagogy, developed for judo by Dr. Kano, became the model for other modern Japanese martial arts that developed from traditional schools. Even karate takes both it's uniform and ranking system from those developed by Dr. Kano. The worldwide spread of judo has led to the development of a number of offshoots such as Russian Sambo, and Brazilian ju-jitsu.
The philosophy and subsequent pedagogy, developed for judo by Dr. Kano, became the model for other modern Japanese martial arts that developed from traditional schools. Even karate takes both it's uniform and ranking system from those developed by Dr. Kano. The worldwide spread of judo has led to the development of a number of offshoots such as Russian Sambo, and Brazilian ju-jitsu.
