Frequently asked questions:
How do I get started?
You may either: (1) e-mail us using the electronic form at the bottom of the "Contact info" page, (2) call us at 614-202-9696, or (3) simply show up at class and talk with us in person. If you prefer, you are welcome to just sit and watch the training before you commit to joining in.
How much will it cost?
We charge each student $60 per month. This covers two weekly training sessions (Mondays and Wednesdays 6:00-7:30 p.m.), and, when you advance to the level of brown belt or above, an additional advanced session on Saturdays 10:00-11:30 a.m.
What should I wear to my first class?
Wear loose fitting clothing that allows freedom of movement, and that you won’t mind sweating in. Later we can help you secure a proper dogi (karate uniform) if you decide to stick with it. Please remove all jewelry, wrist-watches, and other adornments—they catch on things and may cause injuries. You must also remove your shoes and socks before stepping onto the dojo floor.
How quickly will I progress?
Success in karate, as in most endeavors, depends on the amount of time and effort you put into it. There are no shortcuts and no “mysterious secrets,” just a lot of hard—but gratifying—work. Progression through the lower ranks can happen fairly quickly, but it generally takes at least three years to achieve the level of first degree black belt. There are ten degrees of black belt, so, for some of us, karate becomes a life-long pursuit.
How is Okinawan karate different from Japanese karate?
Okinawa is, of course, part of Japan, but it also has its own distinctive history and culture. For centuries, Okinawa existed as an independent kingdom before it was subjugated by "mainland" Japan in the early 1600s. Tradition holds that the Okinawan people developed karate as a means of defending themselves after weapons were prohibited by their Japanese overlords, though the actual history is no doubt far more complicated. In any case, Okinawans borrowed fighting techniques from other parts of Asia--most notably China--and incorporated them into their own. The result was a very effective martial art that came to be known as 'karate'--literally "empty hand." It was only later in the early 20th Century that karate spread to the rest of Japan. Thus it is said that Okinawa is the birthplace of karate.
Okinawan karate and Japanese karate are quite similar, the differences being matters of degree in emphasis. In Japan, under the influence of tournament competition, the movements became somewhat stylized, simplified, and exaggerated to make them more obvious and appealing to judges. In Okinawa the emphasis remained on practical application and effectiveness, with subtlety being indicative of greater skill. Okinawan karate emphasizes the use of koshi, the hip/waist/pelvic area, to generate power. The stances, while rooted and stable, are typically narrower to afford nimble footwork and greater mobility.
What are the characteristic features of Matsubayashi (Shorin-ryu) karate?
Matsubayashi-ryu 松林流 is characterized by natural postures, natural movements, and natural breathing. We try to stay relaxed throughout our movements because muscle tension slows reaction time and execution of technique. We condition our joints to be flexible so that the koshi action (mentioned above) creates a whip-like effect in our blocks and strikes. We are thereby able to generate great speed and devastating power with less expenditure of energy, even at close range.
What's with all the bowing?
Bowing is not a sign of submission; it is an expression of appreciation and mutual respect. We bow to each other before and after training. We bow to the memory of the teachers who offered us their wisdom and skills. We may even bow to the space upon entering and exiting the dojo. This helps to focus our efforts on the task at hand and mark the training as a serious endeavor.
Why do we count in Japanese?
Good question--if most or all of us are native English speakers, why bother to count in Japanese, and why use Japanese terms for issuing commands and referring to the various stances and movements? I suppose it has partly to do with the "exotic" appeal of another language, and using Japanese seems to make the training more "authentic"--like the bowing described above, it sets the training apart as a special activity. But there are better reasons. Using the Japanese terms reminds us where karate came from. It also prepares us to jump right into training at any member dojo in any part of the world without causing disruptions for our hosts due to the language barrier. Furthermore, an English translation often fails to convey the essence of the Japanese original, so in some cases it is better to simply use the original term. The term koshi (mentioned above) is a good example; the term uke, misleadingly translated as 'block,' is another. Finally, a little exposure to other languages and cultures has value in itself, as it enhances our understanding of the wider world.
