Thursday, October 8, 2020

KARATE, KOBUDO, SELF-DEFENSE, SAMURAI ARTS for SENIORS, ADULTS & FAMILIES


Seniors
and some other adults assume they are too old for martial arts, and no schools are available to teach senior and adult martial arts. In traditional (non-sport) martial arts, schools that follow the old Okinawa traditions do not accept kids under the age of 16. At the Arizona Hombu Karate Dojo in Mesa, Arizona, the number 1 school in the Phoenix Valley, Soke (grandmaster) Hausel, the principal instructor, taught Okinawa Karate and Kobudo, as well as Japanese Jujutsu and Samurai arts (sword, spear, halbert, walking stick, cane, etc), and Self-Defense for some decades at Arizona State, UNM, U of U, and the University of Wyoming to adult students, staff and faculty. Only recently did he decide to accept teens as young as 13 to 16 years of age, as long as they train with a family guardian. One great advantage of this is adults train with other adults, while teens train in the same class with a family member - it develops strong bonds in families, and good technique in adults who do not have to be concerned about a 5-year old kicking them in the shin.

Grandmaster Hausel, a senior citizen, indicates all people should take up martial arts - not only for self-defense, but also for physical fitness. His students range from 10 to more than 80 years in age, and his personal instructor, one of the greatest martial artists in the world, is now in his 80s and is even more formable that at an earlier age. 

Daughter-daddy night at the Hombu. Soke Hausel taught 
his own daughter self-defense years ago, and she successfully 
used it on an male attacker twice her height and weight. 
Watch as two of our favorite family members train at the Hombu. 
Years ago, one young boy trained with his grandfather at the Hombu, and was so 
quick and fast, that his dad, a Mesa cop, periodically tested his son by attacking 
him without warning. This continued for a short time until his son (about a 4th mass 
of his dad) caught him with a perfect front kick to the groin. The test ended.

Traditional martial arts improve a person's outlook in life by staying healthy through physical and mental conditioning. The intense training of martial arts often burns calories and should result in weight loss, a good circulatory system, better balance, flexibility, good immune system, improved reflexes, focus, memory and more. Karate, in particular, is unique, in that the explosive starts of punches, blocks and kicks are well known for burning more calories than just about any other form of exercise. Kata (Okinawan forms), are like dances, but these forms contain many explosive strikes, etc, and work on balance by using periodic, one-legged stances, teach ambidexterity, proper breathing, stretching, meditation and typically lead to good diet and positive thinking. Just take a look at the Okinawa people who train in karate, kobudo, toide and other similar martial arts. Okinawa has many centurions, actually more per capita than any other group in the world. No matter where you are in the world, there is likely a school in your region that teaches adults the traditional martial arts. In the Phoenix valley, contact the Arizona Hombu Karate dojo, and start learning one of the best forms of exercise known to mankind. 

Soke Hausel indicated that he has received many comments from his senior citizen students who describe that they feel much better, have much improved balance and lower blood pressure, greater confidence, better memory and focus, faster reflexes, greater flexibility, and improved confidence. One of his 60+ students even said that his sleep has greatly improved as has his dreams. In his dreams, he now, for the first time, defeats aggressors and chases away other monsters. In addition to have a great group of adults and seniors, he also has a well-educated group due to his background. Some of his students are university faculty in the Phoenix Valley, others are school teachers, some are accountants, engineers, soldiers, scientists, handymen, and even ministers, lawyers and computer techs.

Grandmaster (Soke) Hausel demonstrates Nunchaku nidan no kata at the Arizona Hombu Dojo in Mesa. Soke may be a father, grandfather and even great-grandfather, but he can still practice karate and kobudo.
Naihanchi shodan kata performed at the Arizona 
Hombu Karate Dojo in Mesa, Arizona in 2021




Thursday, February 20, 2020

Karate, Kids, Legitimacy, and Dojo Language



Before moving to Arizona, our Soke taught his son and daughter karate at the University of Wyoming, and both are now legitimate black belts. His daughter even had to use her training in self-defense from her Ex, who is twice her height and mass. He ended up calling the Cheyenne police for help after Soke's daughter beat him up. 

 Over the years, Soke taught more than a thousand martial artists at four major universities, Gold's Gym, at the Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Hombu in Laramie, and later in Mesa. He is a member of the black belt hall of fame, a Who's Who in Martial Arts Legend, and certified in several martial arts.

Soke suggests to watch out for MMA - a dead giveaway since most lack legitimacy. MMA does NOT have values of traditional karate or any traditional budo, and anyone can claim to be yudansha (black belt) or instructor (sensei) in MMA, even though there only experience may be wrestling in high school. Remember, any one can walk into a martial arts supply house and buy a black belt for $5 or $10. 

Too bad parents have no idea what martial arts are? But this isn't surprising, as many North American martial artists don't know either. Soke's own personal instructor, told him over the years that he receives requests from questionable martial arts instructors asking to join  his Japanese/Okinawan/US association. At least 85% of the people who apply have NO legitimacy. 

For kids training in martial arts, their parents need to be aware of  growth plates; and fractures. These  can result in serious problems later in life. In particular, joint locks should not be applied to kids. Not so long ago, the author witnessed a kids class at the Chandler community center training in aikido. Aikido is all about joint manipulation! 

When kids are taught basic karate punches known as tsuki, they have to be closely monitored, to keep their wrists straight, otherwise, they can easily fracture their wrists just by punching a bag. PARENTS - you need to be aware of this!!!

So, the next time you check your dojo or instructor, do a search on the internet of his/hers dojo or of his/hers name. Next, look inside the dojo for a dojo license (this should be provided by a legitimate international martial arts association), and look for copies of his/hers diplomas. This is where it gets a challenging, knowing what is a legitimate and what is not. Take a few notes and do some internet research, and look to see if the diploma includes mostly kanji. For example, some years ago, a German martial arts association gave our Soke a diploma for the rank of judan (10th dan) in jujutsu. He now keeps the diploma to show students what phony diplomas look like.

Soke Hausel, the world head of Seiyo no Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai has been training and teaching martial arts for his entire life. He is not only a hall-of-fame martial arts instructor and Who's Who martial arts Legend, but also a hall-of-fame geoscientist. 

Prior to moving to Arizona and opening the Hombu dojo in Mesa in 2006, Soke taught classes, clinics, and seminars in karatekobudo, self-defense, women's self-defense, samurai arts and more at the University of Wyoming for more than three decades, along with researching mineral deposits. In 2013, he was awarded one of the highest honors for a westerner in martial arts - that of Meijin Wajutsu which translates as martial arts genius.


I like my students to learn karate, kobudo and other traditional martial arts as well as learn as much as possible about the culture related to Okinawa and Japanese martial arts including some Japanese and Okinawan dialect. Here are some of the terms I expect them to learn over time.

Here's some Japanese used in karate.

Opening-Closing Classes

Kiotsuke (or) Seiretsu -      Line up (or) Attention
Otaga ni rei -                      Bow to one another
Shomen ni rei                     Bow to Shomen (front)
Soke/Sensei ni rei              Bow to Head Founder/or Instructor
Mokuso -                           Meditate
Domo arigoto                    Thank you very much



Exercises

Applications                   Bunkai
Basics                             Kihon
Body hardening              Shitai Kori
Calisthenic exercises      Undo
Forms                             Kata
Preparation exercises     Junbi undo
Throwing Technique     Nagewaza

Counting

Ichi, Ni, San, Shi (Yo or Yon), Go Roku, Shichi (Nanna), Hachi, Ku, Ju (counting to 10)
10 to 19 - add Ju as a prefix. Thus 11 is Juichi.
Time - add ji as suffix thus one o'clock is Ichiji.

Dojo Kun

Karate ni sente nashi                                 There is no first attack in karate
Makoto no michi o mamoru koto              Have devotion in seeking a true way 
Reigi o omonjiru koto                               Always act with good manners.
Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto         Cultivate a spirit of effort and perseverance.
Kekki no yu o imashimeru koto                Refrain from violent and uncontrolled behavior 
Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomeru koto              Work to perfect your character.

Dachi (Stances)

Back Stance - Kokutsu-dachi
Cat Stance - Neko-ashi-dachi
Crane Stance -Genkanku (Tsuri) dachi
Cross-leg - Kosa (juji) dachi
Front Stance - Zenkutsu dachi
Fighting Posture - Kamae (kumite) dachi
Horse Riding - Kiba Dachi
Heels Together - Musubi Dachi
Immovable Stance - Sochin (Fudo) dachi
Kneeling Stance - Iaigoshi dachi
Left Stance - Hidari dachi
Natural Stance - Soto hachiji (yoi) dachi
Pigeon-Toe Stance - Hachi (hangetsu) dachi
Right Stance - Migi Dachi
Side Stance - Yoko dachi
Sumo Stance - Shiko Dachi
T-stance - Tobuku dachi

Uke (Blocks)

Cross Block - Juji-uke
Downward block - Gedan Barai
Elbow block - Hiji uke
Grasping block  Torite-uke
High block - Jodan uke
Inward block - Uchi uke
Leg block - Ashi uke
Open (knife) hand - Shuto-uke
Outward block - Ude (Shoto)-uke
Palm Heel block - Teisho-uke
Rising block - Age uke
Sweep block - Hari uke

Keri (Kicks)

Back Kick - Ushiro-geri
Back Roundhouse - Ura-maewashi-geri
Crescent Kick - Kozumi-geri
Front Kick - Mae-geri
Flying Front Kick - Mae-tobi-geri
Flying Side Kick - Yoko-tobi-geri
Knee Kick - Hiza-geri
Leg Sweep - Ashi-barai
Rising Roundhouse - Age-Maewashi-geri
Roundhouse - Maewashi-geri
Side Kick - Yoko-geri
Snap Kick - Keage-geri
Thrust Kick - Kekomi-geri
Toe Kick - Tsumasaki-geri

Uchi (Strikes)

Augmented Punch - Morote-zuki (tsuki)
Backfist - Uraken (Reiken)-uchi
Chicken Hand Strike - Toride-uchi
Double (Over-Under) - Yama uchi
Elbow Strike - Hiji (empi)-uchi
Finger or Thumb - Yubi-uchi
Hammer-fist Strike - Kentsui-uchi
High Punch - Jodan-zuki
Hook Punch - Kaku-zuki
Knife-Hand Strike - Shuto-uchi
Low-Level Punch - Gedan-zuki
Middle Level Punch - Chudan-zuki
One-Knuckle Punch - Ippon Ken-uchi
Opposite Hand - Gyaku-zuki
Palm-Heel Punch - Teisho-uchi
Ridge Hand Strike - Haito-uchi
Rising Punch - Age-uchi
Rising Elbow Strike - Age-Hiji (Empi)-uchi
Spear Hand Strike - Nukite-uchi
Vital Point Strike - Atemi-uchi 

Martial Arts Titles

Sensei - instructor
Shihan - Master Instructor
Soke - Grandmaster, president
Sokeshodai - First generation grandmaster.
Soke-Dai - Vice President
Kyoju - Professor.
Hanshi - refers to a senior expert considered as "teacher of teachers." 
Kyoshi - refers to an advanced teacher. 
Renshi - "one who has mastered himself."
Senpai - senior student
Yudansha - black belt members
Mudansha - lower rank (kyu) members
Okuden - refers to entrance to the secret ways 

Kumite (Sparring)

Ippon kumite - one step sparring, typically used for self defense drills 
Sanbon kumite - three step sparring 
Kiso kumite - structured sparring drawn from a kata (bunkai). 
Jiyu kumite - free sparring 
Randori- Free sparring (Judo) 
Kachinuki - old style contests

Greetings/Responses

Hai - affirmation, as in 'yes' (should be used whenever you are corrected by your sensei)
iie - no
Domo - thanks
Gomen nasai - Excuse me
Onegiashimasu - Please
Wakarimasu - I understand.
Wakarimasen - I don't understand
Sumimasen - apology, sorry

Uniform

Obi - belt
Gi - training uniform
Karategi - karate uniform
Judogi - judo uniform
Hakama - traditional pleated and bloused pant

Dojo

Kamiza- Front of dojo. 
Shomen - front, same as the Kamaza
Kamidana - shelf or shrine at the Shomen.
Shimoza - back of dojo.
Joseki - right side of dojo as one enters - where senior students line up.
Shimoseki - Left side of dojo.
No-Geiko - training outside in the elements.
Tatami - mats

Kobudo

Hojojutsu - the art using a hojo cord (rope).
Tanto - dagger
Tonfa - rice grinder handles ? or baton with handle
Ryu fundo kusari - weighted chain
Manrikigusari - chain
Tessen - war fan
Kusarigama - kama with weighted chain
Naginata Halberd
Yari - spear
Bo - wooden staff (usually 6 feet in length).
Hanbo - half staff (3 foot in length).
Tsue - Cane 
Tanbo - short stick
Kuboton (hashi) - hand stick
Kioga - collaspable baton
Eku (Iku) - oar
Tekko - knuckle duster
Surushin - weighted chain
Katana - samurai sword
Kama - sickle
Nunchuku - nunchuks
Sai - three pronged knife
Kumade (Ra-ke) - rake
Kuwa - hoe
Sojutsu - methods of the spear
Kagi - Car Keys

Jujutsu

Nihon jujutsu - Japanese jujutsu
Tori - the practitioner who carries out the throw or technique
Uke - (Partner) the practitioner who accepts the throw or technique
Atemi - strike
Koryu jujutsu (ancient jujutsu techniques)
Edo Jujutsu (old style jujutsu)
Gendai jujutsu - modern jujutsu
Goshin jujutsu - non-traditional jujutsu lacking in lineage
Judoka- practitioner of judo (term usually reserved for those who are 4th dan or higher).
Benkyo-ka - "scholar"
kenkyu-sei - "trainees", practitioners below the rank of 4th dan
Kodokan - place for teaching the way (Institute of Judo in Tokyo)
Nage-waza - throwing techniques, 
Ne-waza - groundwork 
Kansetsu-waza - Joint locks
Te-waza - hand techniques. 
Koshi-waza - hip techniques,
Ashi-waza - foot and leg techniques.
Mae-sutemi-waza - sacrifice techniques in which the thrower falls forward. 
Ushiro-sutemi-waza - sacrifice techniques in which the thrower falls directly backwards. 
Yoko-sutemi-waza - Sacrifice techniques in which the thrower falls onto his side. 
Kansetsu-waza - Joint locks.
Shime-waza - strangle or chokeholds.
Osaekomi-waza - pinning techniques
Ukemi-waza - falling techniques 

Martial Arts Styles

Hozoin Ryu - Japanese spear system
Karate - art of the empty hand
Kobudo - art of ancient weapons
Shorin-Ryu - Pine forest style or Shaolin style of karate
Jujutsu - art of softness or way of yielding.
Judo - translates as gentle way.
Yarijutsu - spear fighting system
Sojutsu - spear martial art
Iaido - the way of sword
Kenjutsu - sword applications
Budo - martial arts ways
Bujutsu - martial arts fighting methods
Bushido - the way of the warrior
Toide - ancient Okinawan art of grappling, joint manipulation and joint separation