Koshi

Focusing on using body dynamics to generate and augment power is a central theme in the practice of Kishaba Juku Shorin Ryu Karate.

Class Facts

Training at Tallahassee Karate Club is non-competition oriented, and includes a mix of basic techniques (Kihon), forms (Kata), and self-defense applications (Kumite) with heavy emphasis on body mechanics.

Classes are held on Wednesday and Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. Please see the North Florida Aikido website for additional schedule information.

Prospective students are welcome to come watch class, but are asked to contact Sensei Lucas first in order to introduce themselves and discuss their background and training interests.

There are no Children's karate classes scheduled at this time. However, children may be considered on a case-by-case basis if they train along side a parent and are of a sufficienly mature age to not disrupt class activities.

Sensei Lucas

Sensei Lucas has been practicing Karate since 1982. He is a Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in Okinawa Karate-Do Shorin Ryu Kishaba Juku under the guidance of Sensei Paris Janos and Sensei Steve Harless. Sensei Janos and Harless are both senior American students of the late Sensei Chokei Kishaba and continue to train and teach under the guidance of Sensei Katsuhiko Shinzato.

Sensei Lucas has taught karate for the last 18 years both privately and publically and is pleased to have the opportunity to teach Shorin Ryu Kishaba Juku karate at North Florida Aikikai.

About Kishaba Juku Shorin Ryu Karate

Kishaba Juku is the product of a lifetime of Karate research and diligent training practice of Chokei Kishaba Sensei, a student of Shorin Ryu Karate masters Seigi Nakamura, Hohan Soken, and Shoshin Nagamine. Kishaba Sensei developed methods of karate training that focus on using body dynamics to more effectively generate power in Karate forms and techniques and enable natural and free movement for effective self defense applications.

Kishaba Sensei's methods continue to be taught and advanced today through the efforts of Professor Katsuhiko Shinzato Sensei of Okinawa and Kishaba and Shinzato Sensei's senior students around the world.

The word "Juku" means study group or private class, and Kishaba Juku is true to this meaning. Clubs and schools instructing in Kishaba Juku methods are typically small and the training is very personal and non-commercial.

Speed - Power - Grace

Karate is best when it is embodies Speed, Power and Grace.

In Kishaba Juku Shorin Ryu, we train to have all three of these elements in everything we practice.

Using Koshi to Make Power

Many martial arts refer to Koshi or have as part of their training a focus on twisting the hips to impart power. Koshi is more than just the hips, though. In Kishaba Juku, koshi is the entire area surrounding the pelvic carriage working in concert with the rest of the body to produce concentration of energy, synergy of movement, and delivery of power.

Koshi training is the cornerstone principle in Kishaba Juku. Everything we do, be it basic techniques, kata or kumite, has at its root the process of developing Koshi in order to deliver the maximum amount of power while remaining 'loaded' to perform the next technique.

Effective Koshi usage is the subject of years of study and, like a blossoming flower, is ever changing and evolving the diligent practitioner to new levels of understanding and martial power.