About
us
| About
your
Instructor
Steve Martin holds 3rd Dan in
Wado Ryu Karate under the Shi Kon Karate as well as a 2nd Dan
in Tai Ki Karate, he was also presented with a 4th Dan under the
Classical Dimension System of Karate which was awarded to him
by Willie Chong Lee Lim. Having trained in the Martial Arts for
22 years and studied under various Instructors such as Toru Takamizawa
6th Dan and Steve Rowe 6th Dan Karate, 7th Dan Tai Chi Karate
and founder of the Shi Kon Budo Kai Association Steve went on
to form Shi Zen Do Karate System. Steve Martin is a full time
teacher and qualified NVQ coach, he also holds an NVQ skills assessors
award in Karate competence. Steve has been teaching Martial Arts
in Kent for many years, which also includes self-defence for school
children. Steve also teaches Yang Style Tai Chi as taught to him
by Malaysian Master John Ding of which Steve is a personal Student,
Steve takes regular tuition form John Ding to develop his Tai
Chi to a deeper level. Steve also studies regularly with international
American Master Willie Chong Lee Lim to develop his Karate, Willie
Lim holds a 7th Degree in RyuKyu Kempo Karate and 8th Degree in
Taekwondo (US Representative for Tae Kwon Do International and
US Representative for Sing Ong Tai Chi). Steve continuously seeks
to advance his and the students level of martial arts through
on going studies, Shi Zen Do is a learning process transforming
ourselves through the martial arts. |

|
find out more about these exceptional martial artists and the systems
they employ visit their web sites. Go to links
| Shi
Zen Do The
meaning of Shi Zen is "to remain natural and in accordance
with Nature's intended way". At first movements will be stiff
and awkward, but with a dedicated heart and spirit the body will
find its natural way of moving. Everyone's body has a different
range of movement. The Shi Zen system aims to help overcome difficulties
whilst developing your natural abilities.
Our bodies move
best in a relaxed state, when they are more able to respond to
changing circumstances, for example attacks from differing angles,
combinations and distances. Our minds can function with greater
clarity when in this natural state, helping us to see things clearer
and giving us better choices to make decisions.
The Kanji is an
encompassing term which is reflected both physically and mentally,
all movement are subject to the laws of nature. "Do".
When this is used as a suffix to a particular style of Japanese
martial arts, it is indicative of more than just a means of combat.
Do indicates a discilpine and philosophy with moral and spiritual
connotations, the ultimate aim being enlightenment through personal
development.
|

Shi
Zen Do Kanji
|
The
aim of the Shi Zen Do system is for each student to develop Shuhari
Shuhari
is best translated by analysing the components parts of the word.
Shu - To copy the techniques
of the teacher, correctly applying these skills in order to develop
the necessary etiquette to master the art.
Ha - Freedom through
self determination allows the student to develop his/her own unique
way of performing techniques, based on their physical stature and temperament,
at a level of understanding in Karate.
Ri - Refers to mastering
the art, at which stage the student can perform Karate techniques skilfully
and can become a teacher in his/her own right. The student who reaches
this level of attainment leads through example and sees Karate in their
very own
unique way, whilst sticking
to the core principles - the Martial Art way. It is these students who
are the next generation of Martial Artist.
Shuhari is the three
important stages of development which allows growth.
| Wado
Ryu Karate
Wado Ryu is one
of the most popular Karate styles trained in the world today and
was founded by Sensei Hironori Ohtsuka 1892 from his research
into the martial arts. There are many other web sites and books
covering the history of Wado Ryu and the system form basics to
pairswork and also kata in which a student can found out more.
Shi Zen Do has its roots in the Wado Ryu Karate but Shi Zen Do
also employs other training methods developing other attributes.
Wado Ryu is a soft fluid system using deflection and subtle use
of angles to defeat an opponent, the movements tend to be smaller
then these in other styles of Karate. The movements should be
by the shortest rout possible and all unnecessary movements to
be avoided with the maxim amount of force. The practitioner of
Wado Ryu uses economy of motion at all times which limits the
amount of undue tension leading to effective use of body control.
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|
The
Shi Zen Do Mon
The
design of the Mon reflects the concepts and principles of our system
and encompasses our training methods.
| Translation
of the Mon |
|
| The
classics say "look for the straight line within the circle"
- this is depicted by the eight triangles pointing outwards placed
within the circle. This implies that our movements revolve to blend
with an incoming force, and by directing our response to the closest
point on our opponent we can neutralise an attack. Each triangle
is divided into black and white, reflecting a Yang (hard) or Yin
(soft) attack respectively. Between
the eight triangles can be seen eight further triangular segments
pointing inwards representing a hard attack towards us. One of
the Yin Yang triangles is used simultaneously to meet this force
- the Yang part is to ground and the Yin part is to neutralise.
The
eight triangles also reflect the eight directions: North, South,
East and West and the four corners. These are possible angles
for both attack and defence.
All
points of the triangles are attached to a circle which upon contact
will turn. These circles remind us of the four distances:- the
outside circle would be kicking range, the next is punching range,
then trapping range and finally grappling range.
The
outer circle, depicting the smaller triangles, is our total awareness
to all of the sub-directions. It illustrates the interplay of
Yin and Yang throughout our body as we become like a spinning
ball in a constant state of flux.
Lastly
the Yin Yang symbol in the Centre of the Mon is to remind us to
aim to internalise these concepts and never to deviate from our
centre.
This principle and concept is the central method
of both Shi Zen Do Karate and the Tai Chi. |

Shi Zen
Mon

The Kanji
for Mind, Body and Spirit. |