Shorin Ryu

Shorin Ryu Karate is a style of Okinawan Karate (Shuri-te) descending from Soken “Bushi” Matsumura.  Shorin Ryu Karate is recognizable by its dodging (change body) from oncoming strikes, and direct counter attacks using punching and kicking
techniques from higher (more mobile) stances than many other styles.  Shorin Ryu  is a martial art (method of combat), which employs a variety of techniques, including punches, kicks, blocks, vital point strikes, throws, chokes, joint locks, and bonebreaking.   Karate practice is divided into three aspects: Kihon (basics), Kata (forms), and Kumite (fighting).

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The word Karate is a combination of two kanji characters: “KARA”, meaning empty, and “TE”, meaning hand. So the literal modern translation of the word Karate means “empty
hand.”  Much earlier the kanji character “KARA”  was frequently translated as Chinese, and karate was known as “Chinese Hand” in reference to karate’s heavy influence from Chinese Kempo and Chinese Boxing. Adding the suffix “-Do” (pronounced “doe”), meaning “way,” differentiates the meremastery of physical techniques (“Karate”) and puts the emphasis on the acquisition of
spiritual insight and development. “Karate-Do,” implies Karate as a total way of life that goes well beyond the fighting applications. 

In traditional Karate-Do, we always keep in
mind that the true opponent is oneself and the ultimate goals are to seek perfection of one’s character and to touch the lives of others in a positive way. Shorin Ryu Karate emphasizes correct posture, correct joint alignment, and basic technique above all else. The Shorin Ryu expert is expected to perform using strictly
defined basic techniques even under harsh conditions.  Basic techniques are refined tothe minutest detail, and performing them with absolute perfection is given the highest priority.  The intrinsic mastery of one’s body dynamics to generate fantastic amounts of
speed and power is really what sets Shorin Ryu Karate apart from so many other styles. Even in today’s new world of science the “Old Okinawan Training Methods” still produce one of the most powerful Martial Arts in Human history…. SHORIN RYU KARATE!

The Shorin Ryu philosophy is that purity of raw technique is most important. The idea behind this is that one elegant technique mastered so completely that it is as natural as flipping a light switch will finish off the opponent quickly and efficiently. In situations where there are multiple opponents, such an ability is believed essential because there may not be time to throw more than one or two techniques per opponent, and grappling or getting tangled up with your adversary, when two others are also trying to harm you is probably unwise. Therefore, each Karate technique is maximized at the expense of learning more complicated defenses.  In combat, less is usually more! Simple techniques win (physical, mental and emotional) engagements.

The Shorin Ryu belief is that nothing is more important than strong basic technique. When attacked, the Shorin Ryu expert will usually dodge at an angle to one side or the other to avoid the oncoming attack and then drive directly forward through the adversary from the same angle, flanking the attacker, with straight punches and kicks while sweeping at the ankles, and legs, to unbalance the retreating opponent. Shorin Ryu experts are familiar with other types of more complex techniques, but they generally avoid them, as I previously mentioned that in combat the simpler the technique the better…it leaves less room for error. While Shorin Ryu may be seen as “simple,” as it does not appear to employ a wide variety of motions, the techniques are designed to be mastered to such a high degree of precision and ease of use that they “truly” become extremely effective weapons.