What is KDS Karate?
Karate, generally, is a system of blocking, striking, kicking, and evading techniques. It was developed in Okinawa (a group of islands controlled by Japan) as a system of self-defense. Unlike judo, ju-jitsu and aikido, karate does not use a lot of throws or grappling techniques (although they do exist). Taekwondo (which originated in Korea) like karate is not a grappling art, but unlike karate it relies mostly upon kicks and tends to more sport-oriented than karate. Many of these Asian martial arts have at least some basic belief in the martial arts ideals ideals of self-improvement through training, although many or most have made sport and tournaments their main focus. Then there is MMA which can provide very good physical training, but pays little or no attention to the traditional "values" found in more traditional martial arts and also comes with a high risk of injury, including life-changing brain injuries.
In KDS Karate we practice many of the same techniques and kata that are found in many other karate schools. However, there are several significant differences. The first is that to an observer KDS will appear more flowing and relaxed than most styles of karate, generating power through the use of appropriate muscle-chains and the use of bio-mechanics without stopping our techniques artificially. We find that we can respond to an attack much more quickly and effectively if we can maintain a proper "body condition", without tensing up unnecessarily.
Another difference is that we are non-competitive and do not enter tournaments. There are pros and cons to tournaments and sport karate, but we feel that, for us, the negatives outweigh the positives. For us karate is about self-improvement, not about fighting (which is different again than self-defence). Our goal is to to continue to study to improve ourselves AND our partners, not to win trophies.
In KDS we spend a great deal of time practicing with partners, with one person attacking and the other defending. We strive to be analytical in our approach, breaking down techniques into core components. it is not enough to just tell people to block "harder" or "faster"; we must understand how the techniques and our bodies work together. One of the great things about the approach is that we can continue to improve as we get older. It is inevitable that we will get slower and lose muscle strength as we age, but we can continue to improve in other areas through training.
Our teaching philosophy is that all students have value. We are not just interested in the most physically talented students. In fact, we often get the most satisfaction from seeing improvement in students who are not naturally gifted.
KDS teachers are also students; we are all interested in continuing to improve and develop our karate - even our most senior instructors. You will not usually find us standing in front of a group of students giving commands (other than in our children's classes), but rather we practice directly with our students, regardless of their level.
In KDS Karate we practice many of the same techniques and kata that are found in many other karate schools. However, there are several significant differences. The first is that to an observer KDS will appear more flowing and relaxed than most styles of karate, generating power through the use of appropriate muscle-chains and the use of bio-mechanics without stopping our techniques artificially. We find that we can respond to an attack much more quickly and effectively if we can maintain a proper "body condition", without tensing up unnecessarily.
Another difference is that we are non-competitive and do not enter tournaments. There are pros and cons to tournaments and sport karate, but we feel that, for us, the negatives outweigh the positives. For us karate is about self-improvement, not about fighting (which is different again than self-defence). Our goal is to to continue to study to improve ourselves AND our partners, not to win trophies.
In KDS we spend a great deal of time practicing with partners, with one person attacking and the other defending. We strive to be analytical in our approach, breaking down techniques into core components. it is not enough to just tell people to block "harder" or "faster"; we must understand how the techniques and our bodies work together. One of the great things about the approach is that we can continue to improve as we get older. It is inevitable that we will get slower and lose muscle strength as we age, but we can continue to improve in other areas through training.
Our teaching philosophy is that all students have value. We are not just interested in the most physically talented students. In fact, we often get the most satisfaction from seeing improvement in students who are not naturally gifted.
KDS teachers are also students; we are all interested in continuing to improve and develop our karate - even our most senior instructors. You will not usually find us standing in front of a group of students giving commands (other than in our children's classes), but rather we practice directly with our students, regardless of their level.
The international organization was lead by Master Mitsusuke Harada, MBE, until his death in 2021. Master Harada started his training in 1943 in Tokyo, Japan, at the famous Shotokan dojo and was awarded his 5th Dan (the highest grade possible) in 1956 directly by Gichen Funikoshi, the founder of Shotokan/Shotokai Karate. Master Harada continued to actively practice and teach even into his 90s. We continue to follow his method to the best of our ability.
For more information on Master Harada and his organization follow the links:
www.karatedoshotokai.com/index.php
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsusuke_Harada
For more information on Master Harada and his organization follow the links:
www.karatedoshotokai.com/index.php
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsusuke_Harada
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"Non-competitive karate classes for adults and children".