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The Comedy Dojo offers other classes separate from the acting, such as
Karate and Yoga.
Welcome to Shorin-Ryu Okinawan Karate at Chris Barnes' "Bushi Dojo"
To help you better understand what our school has to offer, please read the
following information.
What Is Karate?
In modern usage the word Karate refers to any empty handed martial arts
system that traces its origins to the island of Okinawa, Since there is no
indigenous Japanese Karate style, all modern Japanese Karate styles owe their
existence to Okinawan Karate which was introduced to Japan in 1922.
What Is Shorin-Ryu?
Okinawan Karate developed over the last four centuries in and around the
cities if Shuri and Naha. In 1820, for the first time anywhere, Sokun
Matsumara (1796-1882), a resident of Shuri, began to codify and systematize
the Karate of his region which was partially indigenous and partially Chinese
in origin. The result was Shorin-Ryu which in Eng[ish means "pine tree forest
way". "Shorin" is how an Okinawan would pronounce the Chinese words "Shao
Lin".
How Is Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Different Than Other Karate Styles?
The most important difference is in the area of philosophy. By the time it
was introduced to the Okinawan public school system in 1901, Karate was
basically a secret art form that had been handed down by father to son, or by
teachers that selectively only one or two students. Over many centuries
Karate evolved from being a highly lethal fighting system (that proved itself
again and again, often in fights that ended in death) to being a much loved,
noncompetitive art form that could be credited for simultaneously bringing
about great physical and spiritual self-improvement as well as self defense.
Karate was introduced to mainland Japan from Okinawa in 1922. In an effort to
better market it for a people already immersed in competitive martial arts
forms such as Kendo and Judo, the Japanese began to emphasize competition and
fighting as opposed to, the traditional Okinawan vehicle for self
development: Kata.
What Is Kata?
A Kata is a series of defensive and offensive techniques that are executed
against one or more imaginary opponents. There are elementary, intermediate,
and advanced levels and a Kata can range in length from approximately 20 to
60 moves. A Kata is performed repeatedly, each repetition building towards
the goal of perfection. When a Kata is executed property the body and mind
become one, and the Kata practitioner enters a state of moving meditation. We
strive to attain this state of being, for through it we improve ourselves
physically and spiritually. Kata is the essence of Karate. All that there is to be
learned in Karate can be learned from Kata.
This of course is separate from the comedy but many students enjoy both
Art forms, for mind/ body exercise. Classes are before the comedy and on
week-ends. Yoga Wed. 6pm and Sunday 10am. Arigato, Chris Barnes,
3rd degree blackbelt. Bushi Dojo
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