Learn more about our style
	Kata: Moving from Form to Freedom

Karate-do ("empty hand way") is part of a more than 600-year-old cultural tradition from the islands of Okinawa, Japan. Shorin-ryu is descended from Shuri-te which originated around Shuri, the ancient capitol of the Ryukyu kingdom. Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te are the three major historical branches of karate-do. The most recent recorded teaching lineage of the Shido-kan style includes master teachers (sensei) Sokon Matsumura (1809-99); Anko Itosu (1831-1915); Shinpan Gusukuma (1890-1954); Choshin Chibana (1886-1969); Katsuya Miyahira, Hanshi, 10th Dan. Seikichi Iha, Hanshi, 10th Dan became part of this great lineage through his early training with Sensei Gusukuma and ongoing training with Sensei Miyahira.

Major Characteristics

The distinctive physical characteristics of Shorin-ryu karate-do include:

• Relaxed, natural breathing with minimal facial expression.
• Controlled, circular movements with concentrated force flowing from inside to outside.
• Training of the toes, fingertips, fists, legs and arms to develop the strength necessary to stop an opponent with one move.

Our Philosophy

At the heart of traditional Okinawan karate-do are the principles of peace, harmony, and respect for others. Sensei Iha actively promotes the concepts of friendship, cooperation and learning among his students worldwide. One of the primary goals of training at Original Okinawa Karate is the perfection of character. Learning self-control is of the utmost importance in learning self defense.

Sensei Iha stresses that students must learn to work effectively with a variety of partners to advance in their studies. This requires a mutual attitude of cooperation and partnership. Participation in competitive events is not emphasized.

What We Study

Shido-kan karate-do teaches self-defense through the practice of:

• Kata — individually performed sequences that combine a variety of kicking, punching and blocking techniques.
• Kumite — two-person exercises for practicing basic punching, kicking and blocking movement techniques as well as prearranged, controlled sparring drills that include a variety of throwing techniques.
• Bunkai —applications of the kata forms practiced in a group of four to five people.

Progressively more complex kata, kumite and bunkai are taught as a student advances through the belt levels. Each training session includes warm-ups, stretching and conditioning.

What We Wear and Why

Shido-kan practitioners wear the traditional white karate gi (uniform) with an obi (belt) whose color indicates a person’s rank within the Shido-kan system. Rank promotions are achieved when students are able to formally demonstrate the skills required for their learning level. Belt colors begin with beginning ranks or kyu (white, yellow, green, brown), then progress to advanced dan ranks (black, red). There are 10 levels within the dan ranks. A person who has achieved seventh and eighth dan rank wears a red and white striped belt. Ninth and tenth dan recipients wear a solid red belt. Tenth dan is only granted to a director of the style worldwide—a person (such as Sensei Iha) who has dedicated their entire life to the study of the Shorin-ryu Karate-do.