Welcome

Please take some time to look at the items contained within this blog, hopefully you will find something of interest to you even if it is only our contact information.

Our Teachers

With a combined 100 years of martial arts training our sensei are able to help you and your family fulfill all your training needs. While the club practices the Shoryn Ryu and Small Circle Jiu Jitsu styles our teachers also bring their experiences in other styles such as Goju Ryu, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing and Wrestling to the club .

Sensei Trevor Kirk, Yondan has been training in the martial arts of Karate, Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do for over 24 years. In his 15 years as a teacher, Sensei Kirk has shared his knowledge with many children and adults alike. He has an extensive volunteering career and has worked with children with disabilities, the Big Brothers organization and currently serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Southwold Township Fire Department. His humble demeanor and strong family values make him a patient yet driven teacher.

Sensei Mike Curchin, Nidan has been a member of the Elite Karate Club family for many years. As a child he started training here and has achieved the Black Belt rank of Nidan. Sensei Curchin has also studied the art of Tae Kwon Do.

Sensei Nicole Kirk, Shodan has been at the club since it's inception. As one of the founding members she has many years experience teaching Shoryn Ryu Karate and Small Circle Jiu Jitsu. Sensei Kirk also runs children's and women's self defense clinics.

Sensei Andrew Holmes, Shodan has competed in many aspects of the martial arts including Shoryn Ryu Karate, Small Circle Jiu Jitsu, Kobudo, Tae Kwon Do, and Wrestling. Sensei Holmes is a patient and gifted teacher and brings his years of experience to share with our students.

Sensei Dawn Holmes, Shodan is a former Canadian National Team Karate champion and has spent most of her life training in the styles of Goju Ryu Karate and Shoryn Ryu Karate and Kobudo. Sensei Holmes' experience and attention to detail makes her a great asset to our students that strive to reach their full potential in the martial arts.

Sensei Geoff Nace, Shodan brings his many years experience in martial arts to our club. Sensei Nace is a patient and knowledgeable teacher who is always keen to pass on his knowledge.


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Extreme Makeover Dojo Edition

It is time to give the dojo a face-lift in the form of some fresh paint. We will be starting this Saturday and continuing until the job is done. If you would like to help out give the club a call or talk to Sensei Nicole Kirk this week.


On an unrelated note here is some interesting reading regarding the history of Shoryn Ryu Karate.

Pinan Kata

Most historians believe that the Pinan kata were composed and introduced after 1902 by AnkoItosu (1813-1915). Itosu was one of the most accomplished student of Soken Matsumura. and a teacher to Chotoku Kyan and Choki Motobu, two of Grandmaster Nagamine's most prominent instructors. Pinan kata clearly has many similar techniques and sequences as the Matsubayashi-shorin-ryu version of the kusanku kata. Therefore many believe Itoshu derived Pinan from this form. When Karate was first introduced publicly in the high school in okinawa. Itosu did not want to give the impression that Karate -do was about violence or aggression. Consequently, he introduced Pinan kata, which translated means "Peaceful". There are many school that often erroneously calls Pinan as "Peaceful Mind". Pinan kata strives to develop a mental state in the practitioner similar to the state of awareness in Zen Buddhism. That is, where the mind is completely relaxed, yet completely alert at the same time. In Pinan kata, the practitioner is surrounded on all sides by several imaginary opponents, but does not know in which direction the first attack will be unable to react to an attack by multiple opponents. It is essential to clear your mind of all distractions in order to change direction and prepare for the next attack. All five Pinan kata begin with an imaginary opponent attacking from the left. In Matsubayashi shorin-ryu it was decided for the first move of each Pinan kata that the practitioner should move away from the attack by stepping back with the right foot and twisting into a cat stance. In other Shorin-ryu styles the practitioner, however, moves into the oncoming attack by moving the left foot first. Psychologically this is an enormous difference. The way this technique is performed can change the entire nature and philosophy of the Pinan form. Pinan kata is about developing the skill to move out of the way of harm by stepping at an angle in the cat stance. The practitioner must land with the weight down so that the spring is already tightly compressed once the practitioner's leg touches the ground. In Pinan, the practitioner learns to move away which is a basic for beginner and intermediate Level practitioners. In more advanced kata, the practitioner develops the skill to move in when being attacked. The first time in the Matsubayashi shorin- ryu curriculum that this technique is used is at the begining of Wankan kata. In pinan, step at an angle, away from the attacker so that it is advantageous to deliver the counter attack. As soon as the toes of the right foot touch the ground, use the legs to snap the hips and generate power on the blocks, When the practitioner steps back to avoid the attack they must land with their weight already dropped, so that the coil is already compressed. This creates greater speed and power on the subsequent counter attack. Before turning or changing direction in pinan, the practitioner must remember to look in the direction of the attack before moving their bodies.

For some more info check out these links

History of Shorin Ryu Karate
Wikipedia History of Shorin Ryu Karate

Family Day

Classes will be cancelled for Monday night as we will be enjoying Family Day. We hope that you enjoy this day with your family as well.
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