(TM)©                                                             
      Zen-Shoto Karate (TM)©                  
                                                                             Dartmouth  N.S.     225-7032 
                                                                                 Introducing Zen-Shoto
  Discover a rare and ancient art. Sessions will cover the philosophy behind the art, easy to use stress reduction and self defense techniques.  
You will learn a form of karate that goes in an  entirely different direction from modern mainstream karate.We have kept to the original concept of karate. In many schools the idea of   humility  has become the rule for the students but the opposite for instructors who behave with authoritarianism, arrogance and hubris. Such hypocrisy  teaches the student by example to seek a  position of authority and to act in the same way.  So instead of teaching non aggressive assertive self defense, the opposite happens. People become aggressive and political struggles often break out within the school. Training for Life
 In our school students and instructors alike are encouraged to concentrate on perfecting their technique in order to deal with the inevitable conflicts that are part of everybody's life in an effective yet non aggressive manner.   Titles such as Sensei or Master are avoided. If one wants to be addressed as "The old one who has gone before" (which is what sensei means) then by all means call yourself  "Sensei"  Our instructor who is sixty six years old does not want to be constantly reminded of his advancing years so does not want to be called   "The old" anything.

                                         Click on image for larger view.
                                                       The Technique.   Heain14.jpg
                                                                                                            
                     Although the fundamental forms of Zen Shoto appear to be very similar to the ones practiced at other schools  both the technique
                             and the philosophy are entirely different.     There are no competitions, no aggressive  sparring  and  no  blocking.    
                            The objective is Kyu shin do - to train the mind through the body and so learn not only an effective  method of  physical self defense,
                            but inwardly learn a strategy for life.  You will learn how to observe and understand  yourself and  your opponent, in order to better
                            position yourself for victory.
                           The technique will show you how instead of competing with, trying to block or otherwise oppose a powerful force,  you can move with it and
                    treat it as a collection of smaller manageable forces. So if a large opponent aims a powerful  blow at you, you simply redirect or avoid it and use 
                     the energy of that attack to your advantage. You will  discover  that being physically weaker than an opponent can be an advantage.
Through repeated  practice and harmonization with an opposing force, you will come to unconsciously regard a powerful  opponent or a seemingly overwhelming problem as simply a collection of smaller forces or opportunities.
    With this approach you will discover not only an effective self defense art, but how to deal with office bullies, business
      competitors, troublesome relatives and  many other of life’s apparently overwhelming problems with an unconsciously
      learned strategy. A strategy described over two thousand years ago by Sun Tzu that has proven effective over centuries.
     Sun Tzu’s principles are often taught at business schools and schools of social work  sometimes with limited success because people
    are not shown an effective way practice. Everyone can benefit because Zen Shoto Karate  provides a concrete way to practice
     these principles regularly.
                                                                    Training for Life                                                             
                             Students are positioned to discover a rare and ancient art, where they can learn the benefits of  self discipline and control as opposed to simply  having them externally thrust upon them.
Sessions will cover the philosophy behind the art, easy to use stress reduction and self defense techniques. 
You will learn a form of karate that has gone in an  entirely different direction from modern mainstream karate. We have kept to the original zen like concept of karate. In many schools the idea of   humility  has become the rule for the students but the opposite for instructors who behave with authoritarianism, arrogance and hubris. Such hypocrisy  teaches the student by example to seek a  position of authority and to act in the same way.  So instead of learning non aggressive assertive self defense, the opposite happens. People can become aggressive and inclined to believe that attack is a good way to defend. 
                                        
               In our school students and instructors alike are encouraged to concentrate on perfecting their technique in order to deal with the inevitable conflicts that are  part of everybody's life in an effective yet non aggressive manner.   Titles such as Sensei or Master are avoided.  Sensei means"The old one who
 has gone before"  Our instructor who is sixty six years old does not want to be constantly reminded of his advancing years,
and so dislikes being  called   "The old" anything.
                                              
    
        Click on image for larger view
Step9-t.jpg      Step9-p-t.jpg 
                                       Reduce Stress Improve Health
                              Kata "to practice behaviour" you will become what you practice, so you will rehearse self  defense moves in a meditative
                             way for calmness and breathing. You will practice all the same moves with contact, slowly, and later at speed with a partner
                             to become skilled in the safe and controlled application of each technique. The skilled act of defending yourself against
                            an aggressor will become linked to a sense of  calmness . Kata and  kumite (to touch hands),when linked  together in this way
                            you unconsciously  learn to stay calm in a stressful situation.


                          Inner Peace & Confidence
    Once you can skilfully channel an  aggressor’s energy and make it harmless, you will gain the confidence and serenity
        it takes to deal with others without becoming involved in their stress or anger.

    
                       Benefits for Women               
     Women have different self defense needs, so we will teach you special techniques for women.  As a  woman you
       tend to face aggressors who are bigger or stronger than you are,  this is  an excellent  self defense art for women
       because with many techniques being weaker than the opponent is used to  great advantage.

 
 
             No Bruises from Blocking                          
      You will discover completely different  uses for the same moves that other schools use as blocks or
      punches. You will use harmony and not oppose force with force. Consequently there is no danger of bruising to the
      arms or of the broken fingers and toes so common in many schools.     

      In order to maintain technique and a high quality a close and often a one on one on one environment with an experienced instructor is needed.
     This can only be achieved with small classes .               
                  
 Kata Application     About the Instructor    Rules for Members

                     Back to Index      Training for Life          Contact us   (902) 225-7032  shotokai@chebucto.ns.ca.