TRAINING <> אימונים

Sensei David Tamir

Shichi-Dan [7th Degree Black Belt] 

Denshi-Shihan [ Dojo Director]

Tel. 054.283.3777

tamirsensei@gmail.com

Sensei Nir Zamir

Go-Dan [5th Degree Black Belt] 

Denshi-Shihan

Tel. 054.430.0429

nirzamir1@gmail.com

Sensei Shlomo Dadon

Go-Dan [5th Degree Black Belt] 

Denshi-Shihan

Tel. 054.551.1111

slmhddwn54@gmail.com

Onegai-shimasu -- Please Teach Me

Arigato -- Thank You

Dojo -- Sacred Hall of Learning (Training Room)

Deshi -- Student

Sempai -- Senior Student

Sensei -- Teacher (3rd Degree Blackbelt or higher)

Karateka -- Karate Practitioner

Gi -- Karate Uniform

Kata -- Form; an organized series of prearranged defensive and offensive movements symbolizing an imaginary fight between several opponents and performed in a geometrical pattern; handed down and perfected by masters of a system of karate

An extensive terminology dictionary is available in the Shorin-Ryu Okinawan Karate Question and Answer Book (a.k.a., the Red Book)

When it's your turn to count in class:

• Count loud as listed below
• Perform the exercise after each count (i.e., not with the count)
• Pause 2 seconds before the next count; do not rush the count (we strive for quality over quantity)
• Count with cadence, generating the count from your abdomen rather than from the back of your throat

1. Ichi
2. Ni
3. San
4. Shi
5. Go
6. Roku
7. Shichi
8. Hachi
9. Ku
10. Ju

We begin and end with courtesy.  Upon stepping on or off the training deck, you need to bow to show courtesy.

We also begin and end our karate workouts with a bow, showing courtesy to one another.

When receiving a correction from our karate teacher, we need to reply "Arigato Sensei".  This helps us shed unhealthy ego, allowing us to empty our "cup of knowledge", so that we may learn more and polish our understanding and proficiency to higher levels.

When asking our Sensei a question, we start the question with "Onegai-Shimasu" [please teach me].   This is a courtesy, which is commonly used to ask a question of  any teacher, supervisor, shop keeper, tradesman, waiter, etc... and even our opponent.  This courteous statement empowers us to grow with knowledge and overcome the challenges of life with respect.

1. Always show courtesy to all.
2. Address instructor as Sensei or Sempai accordingly.
3. Bow to the Sensei when entering or leaving the school.  
4. When a Sensei enters or leaves the deck in uniform for the first time, the senior student stops the activity on the deck and orders the students to attention.
5. No smoking in the school.
6. No wearing of jewelry or other ornaments on the deck during class.
7. No food or drink allowed on the deck.
8. No talking or laughing while class is in session.
9. No profanity.
10. Keep your uniform clean.
11. Keep your fingernails and toenails short.
12. Refrain from misusing your knowledge.
13. Do not consume alcoholic beverages before class; your timing could be affected and cause injury.
14. Do not leave the deck during class without your instructor's permission.
15. Students bow to each other before and after each practice.
16. Strive to promote the true spirit of the martial arts through:  character --mental development, health -- physical development, skill -- proficiency in karate, respect -- courtesy to others, humility -- be aware of your shortcomings.
17. Each student is responsible for signing the attendance book.
18. Always show courtesy to all.

We practice 19 kata[s] at Ueshiro SRKUSA:

1. Fukyugata Ichi
2. Fukyugata Nidan
3. Fukyugata Sandan
4. Pinan Shodan
5. Pinan Nidan
6. Pinan Sandan
7. Pinan Yondan
8. Pinan Godan
9. Naihanchi Shodan
10. Naihanchi Nidan
11. Naihanchi Sandan
12. Ananku
13. Wankan
14. Rohai
15. Wanshu
16. Passai
17. Chinto
18. Gojushiho
19. Kusanku

We also practice traditional Okinawan karate weapons (e.g., Bo, Sai, Kama, Nunchaku, and Tuifa) and their corresponding kata[s].

Kata[s] are learned gradually, one at a time, and continuously polished thereafter.  Introduction of a new kata to a deshi is only done by the deshi's Sensei, at a time commensurate with the deshi's rank and proficiency attained with the previous kata.  

Ueshiro SRKUSA has specific guidelines per rank, which require a minimum period of training at each kata, prior to being introduced to the next kata.  Testing requirements below summarize kata to be learned per rank.

Training is barefoot on hard floor in traditional white karate uniform.  Uniforms may be purchased from the instructor after signing-up.  

Our karate style uses light-weight uniforms that do not impede natural body movements nor induce theatrical striking sounds.

The uniform should be hemmed such that the sleeve length is half-way between your elbow and the outer edge of your fist, and similarly the pant length is half-way between your knee and the bottom of your foot.

A patch of the Ueshiro SRKUSA  emblem is to be attached on the left side of the chest.  Other SRKUSA approved patches may be added such as the flags of USA/Israel on the left upper sleeve, the Okinawan warrior symbol on the right upper sleeve, and the Shorin-Ryu kanji on the left side of the chest under our main emblem.  These patches are available for purchase from Sensei Tamir.

The uniform must be washed after each workout.  After our standard sweaty workouts, the uniform will develop a foul smell if not washed.  It is recommended that a karateka have more than one uniform to cover the multiple workouts per week.

Itosu Anko (1831 – 1915) is seen by many as the grandfather of modern kata because he was the one who first formalized the method of teaching karate techniques and introduced karate to the general public for the first time.

Master Itosu developed our 5 Pinan Kata[s] to help teach simpler karate forms in the public schools; deriving them from portions of our highest kata -- Kusanku.

The Ten Precepts of Karate were written by Master Itosu in 1908 as part of his letter to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of War in Japan, petitioning for the introduction of karate into the general public school curriculum beyond Okinawan shores (i.e., across Japan). The following is a translation by Master Shoshin Nagamine of  these precepts:

Karate does not endeavor only to discipline one’s physique. If and when the necessity arises to fight for a just cause, karate provides the fortitude with which to risk one’s own life in support of that campaign. It is not meant to be employed against a single adversary but rather as a means of avoiding the use of one’s hands and feet in the event of a potentially dangerous encounter with a ruffian or a villain.

The primary purpose of karate training is to strengthen the muscles, making the physique strong like iron and stone so that one can use the hands and feet to approximate such weapons as a spear or halberd. In doing so, karate training cultivates bravery and valor in children and it should be encouraged in our elementary schools. Don’t forget what the Duke of Wellington said after defeating Emperor Napoleon: “The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.”

Karate cannot be adequately learned in a short period of time. Like a sluggish bull, regardless of how slowly it moves it will eventually cover a thousand miles. So too, for one who resolves to study diligently for two or three hours every day, after three or four years of unremitting effort, one’s body will undergo a great transformation, revealing the very essence of karate.

One of the most important issues in karate is the importance of training the hands and the feet. Therefore, one must always make use of the makiwara in order to develop them thoroughly. In order to do this effectively, lower the shoulders, open the lungs, focus your energy, firmly grip the ground to root your posture, and sink your ki (the life force or intrinsic energy), forcing it into your tanden (the area just below the navel). Following this procedure, perform one to two hundred tsuki (punches) with each hand every day.

One must maintain an upright position in the training postures of karate. The back should be straight, loins pointing upward with the shoulders down, while maintaining a pliable power in your legs. Relax and bring together the upper and lower parts of the body with the ki force focused in your tanden.

Handed down by word of mouth, karate is comprised of a myriad of techniques and corresponding meanings. Resolve to independently explore the context of these techniques, observing the principles of torite (theory of usage), and the practical applications will be more easily understood.

In karate training, one must determine whether the interpretation of a movement is suitable for defense or for cultivating the body.

Intensity is an important issue in karate training. To visualize that one is actually engaged on the battlefield during training does much to enhance progression. Therefore, the eyes should dispatch fierceness while lowering the shoulders and contracting the body when delivering a blow. Training in this spirit prepares one for actual combat.

The amount of training must be in proportion to one’s physical reservoir of strength and conditioning. Excessive practice is harmful to one’s body and can be recognized when the face and eyes become red.

Participants of karate usually enjoy a long and healthy life, thanks to the benefits of unremitting training. Practice strengthens muscle and bone, improves the digestive organs, and regulates blood circulation. Therefore, if the study of karate were introduced into our (athletic) curricula from elementary school and practiced extensively we could more easily produce men of immeasurable defense capabilities.

Our ranks and belt colors, below Black Belt, are as follows:

• Beginner (White Belt) 
• Ro-Kyu (White Belt with One Green Tip)
• Go-Kyu (White Belt with Two Green Tips)
• Yon-Kyu (Green Belt)
• San-Kyu (Green Belt with Brown Tips)
• Ni-Kyu (Brown Belt)
• Ik-Kyu (Brown Belt with Black Tips)

Our Black Belt ranks are as follows:

1. Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt)
2. Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt)
3. Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt)
4. Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt)
5. Godan (5th Degree Black Belt)
6. Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt)
7. Shichidan (7th Degree Black Belt)
8. Hachidan (8th Degree Black Belt)
9. Kudan (9th Degree Black Belt) 
10. Judan (10th Degree Red Belt)

A Yellow Belt may be awarded to students under 18 years of age, as an intermediate step between the ranks of Go-Kyu and Yon-Kyu.  

Orange Belts may be awarded to students under 18 years of age, as an intermediate step between the ranks of San-Kyu and Ni-Kyu.  

These intermediate steps help the young student mature further prior to their next rank.  

All students under 18 years of age are required to have colored belts with a white stripe along the belt (including Shodan), to denote their relative young age.   Upon their 18th birthday, they change the belt to a solid color belt.

Review and permission to test from your Sensei/Shihan is required in advance of testing day.  

Normally, the requirements below need to be fulfilled at least one week in advance of testing, after receiving permission to test.

Training frequency is to be demonstrated at least two months prior to testing.

Similar to a pilot, who has to maintain a certain number of hours per month in the cockpit flying an aircraft, the Karateka has to train on a regular basis, several times per week in the dojo.  

Practicing in the Dojo:

1. Once per week or less results in deterioration
2. Twice per week results in maintaining current capability
3. Three times per week or more results in improvement / advancement

Master Ueshiro said that in addition to regular training in the dojo, the Karateka should practice ten (10) kata[s] per day to achieve optimum abilities.

If you stayed in bed for a day or more, you would gradually lose your ability to walk.  Hence, in order to maintain and develop a capability, you must exercise it daily.

When removing a pot of hot water from the heating flame, it immediately starts to cool off.  The same applies to Karate.  

Keep training!

The Shihan/Sensei determines when a deshi [student] is ready for testing, based on the deshi's proficiency demonstrated in the dojo during routine training classes.  Our objective is to not fail testing candidates; hence, we only test those already demonstrating the capability to pass the test.  Proficiency is attained through training frequency and sufficient duration at the current level /rank.  

Guidelines are listed below for MINIMUM duration required at a deshi's current rank prior to testing for the next rank:

• 2-4 months as Beginner White Belt
• 4-6 months as Ro-Kyu [1 Green Tip]
• 6-12 months as Go-Kyu [2 Green Tips]
• 6-24 months as Yon-Kyu [Green Belt]
• 1-2 years as San-Kyu [Brown Tips]
• 1-3 years as Ni-Kyu {Brown Belt
• 1-3 years as Ik-Kyu [Black Tips]
• 2+ years as Dan [Black Belt] rank

Any exceptions to the above guidelines for Kyu ranks (i.e., below Black Belt) are at the discretion of the dojo's shihan [director].  Any exceptions to the above guidelines for Dan [Black Belt] ranks are at the discretion of Hanshi.  

All those testing must submit a paragraph or essay to their Sensei/Shihan describing their thoughts on karate.  Copying text from websites, describing karate, history, etc. will not be accepted.  The Sensei/Shihan needs to evaluate the thoughts expressed in writing by the testing candidate.

The length of the written submission is at least five (5) sentences for initial ranks.  

The submission is to be titled with the name of the candidate and dated.

Submission may be typed or clearly handwritten.

A testing fee must be paid in advance of the test.

Testing fees are as follows:

• $10 for Ro-Kyu (White Belt with One Green Tip)
• $20 for Go-Kyu (White Belt with Two Green Tips)
• $25 for Yellow Belt (optional intermediate level for youth)
• $60 for Yon-Kyu (Green Belt)
• $30 for San-Kyu (Green Belt with Brown Tips)
• $35 for Orange Belt (optional intermediate lev’l for youth)
• $80 for Ni-Kyu (Brown Belt)
• $40 for Ik-Kyu (Brown Belt with Black Tips)
• $200 for Dan (Black Belt) Levels

Adult Yon-kyu and above must also have their annual membership fee paid in full (annual membership fees are due in November).  This  fee is separate from the Dojo fee required for the facility operation & maintenance costs, which are specific to each location.

Annual Ueshiro SRKUSA Membership Fee:

• Kyu-Level: $25 USD
• Dan-Level: $145 USD

The annual fee is optional for students under 18 years of age.

Those paying the membership fee receive a membership card and weekly e-mails from Ueshiro SRKUSA describing the Technique for the Week (TFTW) and other important training information.

Testing for One Green Tip (Ro-kyu)

or Two Green Tips (Go-kyu):

• Fukyugata Ichi (for Ro-Kyu)
• Fukyugata Ni (for Go-Kyu)

Basic Techniques: 

• Natural walking stance (shizentai-dachi) with high bock (jodan-uke) and chest block (chudan-uke)
• Forward leaning stance (enkutsu-dachi) low block (gedan-barai-uke)
• Side-squat stance (jigotai-dachi) chasing punch (oi-zuki)
• Natural walking stance (shizentai-dachi) front snap kick (mae geri), 

Fist Form:

• 10 fist pushups (men), 5 fist pushups (women)
• 10 punches from squatting position (jigotai-dachi)

Few oral questions to test basic knowledge; based on "Red Book" (see recommended books above)

Testing for Green Belt (Yon-Kyu): 

• Fukyugata 1-3
• Oyo-Tanren
• Yakusoku kumite 1
• Breaking technique

Testing for Brown Tips (San-Kyu):

• Fukyugata 1-3
• Pinan 1-2
• Yakusoku kumite 1-2

Few oral questions to test intermediate knowledge; based on "Red Book" and Nagamine's Book  (see recommended books above)

Testing for Brown Belt (Ni-Kyu):

• Fukyugata 1-3
• Pinan 1-5
• Yakusoku kumite 1-3
• Breaking technique

Testing for Black Tips (Ik-kyu):

• Fukyugata 1-3
• Pinan 1-5
• Naihanchi 1
• Yakusoku kumite 1-3

Few oral questions to test advancing knowledge; based on "Red Book"and "Green Book" and  Nagamine's Book  (see recommended books above)

The following are the minimum time requirements for each Black Belt kata.  

In addition to these, each Black Belt must receive permission in advance from Hanshi or his/her Shihan to begin a new kata.  In most cases Hanshi or the Shihan will encourage a Black Belt to wait.

Ik-Kyu

• May begin learning a weapon kata (optional).
• Must learn Naihanchi nidan, Nihanchi sandan, and Ananku to test for Sho-Dan.

Sho-Dan

• May learn Wankan a couple of months after attaining rank. 
• May learn Rohai approximately 1-2 years after Wankan.
• May learn Wanshu approximately 1- 2 years after Rohai.
• Must demonstrate all kata up to and including Wankan to test for Ni-Dan.

Ni-Dan

• May learn Passai approximately 1 -2 years after Wanshu.
• Must demonstrate all kata up to and including Wanshu to test for San-Dan.

San-Dan

• May learn Chinto approximately 2 -3 years after Passai.
• Must demonstrate one Fukyugata, Pinan and Naihanchi kata and all Black Belt kata up to and including Passai to test for Yon-Dan.

Yon-Dan

• May learn Gojushiho approximately 3 years after Chinto.
• Must demonstrate one Fukyugata, Pinan and Naihanchi kata and all Black Belt kata up to and including Chinto to test for Go-Dan.

Go-Dan

• Must demonstrate one Fukyugata, Pinan and Naihanchi kata and all Black Belt kata up to and including Gojushiho to test for Roku-Dan.

Roku-Dan

• May learn Kusanku after receiving permission from Hanshi.
• Must demonstrate one Fukyugata, Pinan and Naihanchi kata and all Black Belt kata up to and including Kusanku to test for Shichi-Dan.