めんそーれー
(mensooree)!
Welcome!
Shidokan's theme:
Friendship, Cooperation and Learning
Discover the natural and simple self defense techniques Okinawan karate masters teach other Okinawans! Many people call them secrets. You will just call them easy to learn techniques that everyone should know to defend themselves! You can learn these traditional, adult-oriented, black belt self-defense techniques in Alexandria, DC and Maryland while getting into shape and having a good time, too!
Okinawan Karate focuses on: Kata, Kumite and Bunkai.
Kareteka from others styles are welcome!
Our instructor in Virginia and DC is a 7th degree master (Kyoshi) with over 40 years of martial arts experience who has been a student of Grand Master Seikichi Iha, 10th Degree since 1979.
(Visit Iha Hombu Dojo Homepage)
Small hour-long group classes.
No previous karate experience required.
Sensei Iha recommends:
"Make friends through karate!"
Northern Virginia Class Schedule:
Monday: 7:00 - 8:00 pm all students
Tuesday: 7:00 - 8:00 pm Black & Brown belts
Wednesday: Private Instruction
Thursday: 7:00 - 8:00 pm all students
Friday: Private Instruction
Saturday: 9:30 - 10:45 am all students
Sunday: Private Instruction
Christian Center School gym
5411 Franconia Road
Alexandria, VA 22310
(use left entrance, back of parking lot)
** Corporate Self DefenseTraining Available! **
See Links & Contacts page for classes in Prince Frederick, MD.
Kata remains the focus of Beikoku Shidokan Karate.
Kata are attack responses put into choreography so you remember them.
Bunkai reenforces Kata self defense technique application.
Oyo Bunkai teaches quick efficient street-oriented Kata applications.
The 16 Kumites teach self defense applications found in the Kata.
Partner drills teach Kata technique application.
Through Kata, Bunkai and Kumites we explore percussion, joint
manipulation and pressure point responses.
This all leads to the exploration of:
a strike being a block being a throw being a strike!
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR FIRST CLASS:
You can start from scratch learning these techniques and getting into shape. There is no expectation that you have prior karate or martial arts experience nor that you are in top notch physical condition. You will participate in the same class with Black Belts and other students arriving for their first class, just like in Okinawa. Participating with Black Belt and Brown Belt students provides you constant personal visual feedback on your techniques and provides you technique models to emulate. When the Black Belts and Brown Belts work out with each other it may seem intimidating as punches, kicks, blocks and throws happen so quickly. No stress! (Notice they are smiling and laughing a lot?) They will be gentle with you as you learn the techniques so you quickly get to a higher rank and begin to do these same techniques, albeit slowly at first. As you develop more skill and become more comfortable with the techniques new students will soon marvel at your skill.
Classes begin with practicing basic techniques. Then we begin Kata training, followed by partner drills or Kumite followed by Bunkai. Kata remains the focus of your entire karate career as it provides the key to self defense. Partner drills, Kumite and Bunkai provide greater in-depth understanding of proper technique application that are then found in the Kata. (See next page for examples.)
In order to learn karate techniques properly students must help each other and cooperate with the techniques. A strong competitive nature, or desire to dominate others, will frustratingly quickly impede your progress. Just come willing to learn. Leave your ego at the door! Have a smile ready!
If you have had prior karate training, and/or are already in good shape, GREAT! If not, no worries! Just come to class wearing loose clothing. You decide for yourself when you will purchase a karate gi (uniform).
Seikichi Iha, Hanshi
10th Degree, Grand Master
Beikoku (American) Shidokan is led by Seikichi Iha, Hanshi, 10th Dan.
Sensei Iha first learned karate from Shinpan Gusukuma (aka Shinpan Shiroma) until his death in 1954. Then his friend, Shoei Miyazato, now a 10th Dan in Argentina, introduced him to Sensei Katsuya Miyahira, 10th Dan, Grand Master of Okinawan Shidokan Karate.
Sensei Miyahira was the senior student of Grand Master Chosin Chibana. While Chibana named his school Kobayashi (small pine forest) Miyahira named his school Shidokan (roughly translated as "Gentleman's Way"). Sensei Iha added Beikoku (signifying "American") before Shidokan for his school.
The best information on Sensei Iha and the Beikoku Shidokan style of Shorin-ryu Karate, and other Beikoku Shidokan dojos can be found at the Hombu Dojo webpage: www.ihadojo.com. Or you can visit the Hombu Dojo in Lansing, Michigan and experience for yourself. You can also come practice with us in Alexandria or DC to prepare for your visit to Lansing!
Sensei Iha states that at the heart of traditional Okinawan karate-do are the principles of peace, harmony, and respect for others. Sensei Iha actively promotes the concepts of friendship, cooperation and learning among his students worldwide. One of the primary goals of training is perfection of character. Self-control is of the utmost importance in learning self-defense. Sensei Iha stresses that students must learn to work effectively with a variety of partners to advance in their studies. This requires a mutual attitude of cooperation and partnership.
One night after class, Spring 2011
Front L to R: Jasmine O'Reagan Sinclair, Salma Sandoval, Christy McFarland, Roberto
Back: Connor O'Reagan Sinclair, Harold Williams, Pat Hughes, Bob McFarland
L to R: Paula Underwood, Jasmin and Connor O'Reagan (Sinclair),
JJ Martinez, Dave King, Yoshi Beard, Mike Bethuy, and Roberto July 2011
Early Summer 2011
L to R: Front Row: Timmy, Christy and Bobby MacFarland, Devin Williams and Salma Sandoval
Back Row: Bob MacFarland, Pat Hughes, Mike Bethuy, Harold Williams, and Roberto
Alwin Henderson, 8th Degree, Roberto, 7th Degree and Harold Armour, our karate instructor from 1974
July 2011 in Hombu Dojo, Lansing, MI
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Roberto; Seikichi Iha, Hanshi, 10th Dan; Yoshi Beard, ShoDan; JJ Martinez, 2nd Dan; Paula Underwood, ShoDan;
2011 National Training Seminar, Lansing, MI
