Isshin-Ryu, What is it?

Isshin-Ryu was taught to me by a few sensei. The dojo I was in had run through some rough times and transformations. I had the privilege to train with many different people. The individual skill sets from them all varied greatly, as they would. 

I remember very clearly the differences between them all and what were their major strengths. In my eyes, especially being as young and impressionable as I was, they had no weaknesses. And in almost all cases I still believe there aren't so much as weaknesses as more focused strengths between the people I trained with and that I currently train with. Am I just being polite? I don't know. Either way, with anyone I trained or am training with, I have respect for every aspect of their skills. Everyone brings something to the table be it big or small. 

I had Sensei that focused solely on the Kihon (basics) and made sure that repetition was adhered to. This was physically challenging as 2 hours of straight 25 Kihon over and over and over takes a toll. 

I had Sensei that focused on sparring. This taught the basic applications in our stand-up kick-punch trade-offs. In my earlier training, we stayed upright the entire time, with no tripping, takedowns or throws. All techniques above the belt. It was a good way to ensure we understood how the Kihon worked in application. 

I had Sensei that trained in ground fighting for when the fight almost inevitably went to the ground. I personally found this fun as I was, when I was younger, a quick, wiry, and hard-to-trap, bean pole. This seemed to be a trait I would expand on to the point where I could comfortably incorporate it into my regular training. 

I had Sensei that focused on Kata. We would train for hours, all the kata we had up to that rank. Over and over until it was second nature. 

I found that with all these Sensei and their amazing skill sets, I was able to understand the benefit of the three Rs of Karate. Repetition, Repetition, Repetition. Most of everything I have learned over the past (at this point) 35 years I have been able to retain. 

The secret here is to stick to it. No matter what shape, size, or ability you have or don't repetition is literally the answer. In time you can accomplish anything. I never thought I would be still doing karate, even with all my decisions in life, for this long in my life. It seems there is a way of living that comes from training in Karate. I did take some years away from the dojo as my family began, I was working full time and training up to 6 days a week. I was teaching in 2 dojos and travelled up and down the Valley where I live to make this happen. I made some immature life decisions that I had to deal with, but while I may not have been in the dojo full time, I still trained myself. I kept up my knowledge and began to understand what I felt I was too young to understand before. Living the life of a Martial Artist doesn't mean I train every waking hour sun up to sundown, I doesn't mean I preach the Karate gospel every chance I get to every walking creature, though I do because I am so proud of it. Living the Martial life (to me) means living Whole Hearted. Living life and approaching everything I do with everything I got. 

When I teach and train with my amazing Karate Club at the dojo, I don't grill importance of obedience to the Sensei like they are some kind of entity above the students. I set the bar by training my hardest. every punch is thrown with purpose, every stance is set proper and true. I focus on trying to achieve perfection through repetition and encouragement. Every student at every level learns differently but i have found the tru Karate Ka stay with the dojo through the shared mutual respect. Respect foremost for themselves and others, respect for the dojo and respect to the Martial Art. This Respect creates life long relationships built through not the Martial Art itself, but through the journey into the Martial Life together. It is truly an amazing thing to realize and be a part of.

You may not agree with anything I have said regarding this, but this is what drives me to train with my Club every chance I get, The clowny under 7 groups, the kids, the adults. 

We have had the amazing fortune to hear a student say that this is where they feel comfortable in their own skin. 

Do you end the class and not say anything just leave? Do you start the class and not ask how everyone is? The students you train with come to learn Karate for their own reasons, but are they now staying because of the atmosphere? 

Karate has set me into a lifestyle I am so happy and proud of. It has given me so much more than kick-punch ability. It has given me focus, integrity, pride, family, friends, community, happiness and amazing memories. It is my duty, and I love it, to pass on what I have been taught. Pass on what my Sensei, peers, students, friends and professionals have taught me over the past 35 years and counting. They passed their knowledge to me and in a way, they passed on life skills and a way of living i can't think of being without. 

The students at our Club know what is expected. Hard work, dedication to bettering themselves, repetition, repetition, repetition, and smiles. I also know what is expected of me and the other amazing Sensei we have at the dojo. We are expected to teach Karate. That is actually the easy part. What we expect from ourselves to give them is a club they can call home, even long after they leave. We expect ourselves to give them the safe, zero judgement, individual devotion to them as they have given to us. We expect ourselves to keep these most amazing people from losing confidence in themselves. The hardest thing to bounce back from is failure. Failure happens all the time in some form, this we all know. The byproduct is lost confidence in oneself. Anyone who has trained in Karate or anything for that matter has dealt with this. It is a reality that is hard to avoid. We are there to build confidence. Show them they can do it. Show them error is normal, I make errors and the students know it, but through fear of Sensei and a large amount of respect for black belts, they usually keep their mouths shut. I had to tell them I'm human, if I make a mistake don't be afraid to tell me. I have nothing to hide. Sometimes I make an error on purpose to see who's watching. I gotta say they are onto me. I am so proud that I can have this relationship with the club. 

I agree, the club is one of the places outside my professional life I can be in my own skin. I can spend time with amazing people and do amazing things. 

What Is Isshin-Ryu? The Whole Heart Way

Family, home and Karate, the rest is just that, the rest.