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Karate Styles
Although there are many Karate
styles being practiced around the globe, none are considered overall to be
superior to any other. They may have variances in methodology or training, and
each may have strengths in a variety of different areas but all
remain fundamentally similar.
The Maccabi Karate Guild is
limited neither to a single style of Karate, nor a single organisation within
any style. That means we're open to all Jewish Karate-ka no matter which style
or organisation they belong to, and any Dojo or club that has Jewish students or
instructors is welcome to apply for membership to the guild.
Some of the styles currently
represented within the Guild are...
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Kyokushin
Kyokushin is a style of full contact karate, which was founded in
1964 by Masutatsu Oyama.. A very practical method of self defence,
Kyokushin is deep rooted in the philosophies of self-improvement,
discipline and hard training. Its full contact style which is
considered one of the most challenging and toughest forms of Karate
.
Kyokushin Karate is characterized by requiring of its participants,
tenuous training, conditioning and realistic contact while sparing.
Kyokushin karate-ka believe this contact is necessary in order to
fully appreciate the resiliency of the human body and spirit and to
prepare for any serious confrontation.
The
Kyokushin philosophy is based on the rigid discipline of the
practitioner’s acts, on the understanding of the limitations of
companions and opponents, on the respect to parents and superiors,
and on the loyalty to its ideals.
The
practitioner of Kyokushin must not measure efforts to improve
him/herself and must not compare him/herself with the less favoured
to justify his/her failings. He/she must not only know, but also
practice all his/her knowledge. Learning Kyokushin requires 1000
days, but to understand all its essence, at least 10,000 days are
required.
Who
opts for Kyokushin must have the strength to surpass any obstacle,
without change of mind, until he/she reaches his/her objective.
A
good example for the practitioner to follow is that of the
tea-kettle with water: When the fire heats the water to the boiling
point, we have to keep it lighted with the same intensity, because
if we reduce its flame, the water gets cold. It is not enough to
boil the water, we have to keep it boiling all the time.
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Shotokan
Shotokan Karate is one of
the oldest and most popular styles of Karate. It was developed at the
beginning of the last century by Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957)
from the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.
Two
relatively different styles - in spirit as well as in mechanics - used
to exist in Okinawa in late 19th Century: Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu The
former was designed for well built people, placed emphasis on developing
physical strength and was impressive in its shear power. The latter was
light and quick, with fast strikes and counterattacks, designed for
people who were small in size and very agile.
After
years of intense study of both styles, Master Funakoshi arrived at a new
understanding of martial arts, and a novel style was created, that
combined the ideals of Shorei and Shorin.
As in all
Karate styles it is Katas, formal sequences of basic techniques, that
form the backbone of the tradition. The traditional Japanese martial
arts, Judo and Kendo, two of the seven traditional paths to
enlightenment in Japanese classical culture, were heavily centred around
combat (Kumite). Master Funakoshi instead, in the centuries old Okinawa
tradition, sought a path to spiritual depth through individual
technique. Thus, Shotokan initially developed as a formal style with
little Kumite application, instead focusing on breathing, releasing
energy and outstanding mind and body control. |
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Shukokai
The Shukokai style was
founded in 1950 by Chojiro Tani who studied Shito-ryu under Kenwa Mabuni.
It is a style famous for its hard hitting techniques and scientific
approach to body kinetics.
Shukokai
means "Way for All" and this reflects how the style has developed
although it keeps its purity. The style is very fast using a relatively
high stance to aid mobility.
Shukokai
enhances the traditional styles of karate by blending it with the
logical principles behind modern sporting dynamics. The theories behind
Shukokai are somewhat complex and it takes a lifetime of study to truly
understand the art. It is a system of combat which seeks
perfection and therefore demands continuous study. |
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