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Gentle Way
of Self Defence

In the immortal words of Lao Tzu​

 

​Nothing under heaven is softer

or more yielding than water;

but when it attacks things

that are hard and resistant,

there is not one of them that can prevail.

That the yielding conquers the resistant

and the soft conquers the hard

is a fact known by all men,

yet utilized by none

​ 

GENTLE WAY FOR SELF DEFENCE CLASSES - ALL STUDENTS begin with a foundation program which forms part of optional graded streams for Tai Chi Chuan-do and Goju Ryu Karate-do and where the focus is on self-defence, self-confidence, humility and respect for others and NOT training for competition, tournaments or trophies.

 

FOUNDATION course for the GENTLE WAY starts with learning solo kata or forms with a practical focus which utilises the opponent’s energy and principles of leverage and biomechanics to develop an “efficient and effective” fighting style.  The Gentle Way encapsulates Jigaro Kano's famous words - Seiryoko zenyo - Maximum efficiency with minimal effort - which includes - Ju yoko go o seisu which means - Softness controls Hardness

 

From the beginning of practising solo kata or forms, the focus is on learning what the Chinese call “Soong”, the art of relaxation in a state of readiness and what the Japanese call “Zanshin”, meaning a relaxed state of alertness and awareness.  

 

PRACTICAL SELF DEFENCE CLASSES 

 

GENTLE WAY of training means the mind and the body should go hand‑in-hand and not remain divided entities. In Japan for example, two of the most well-known forms of the Gentle or Internal Martial Arts are Judo and Jujitsu.  In China, Tai Chi Chuan is the most popular form of the gentle or internal martial arts, where the yielding principle is expressed as “Four ounces can move  a thousand pounds.  ” articulated through the Tai Chi Chuan Classics

 

Includes an extensive range of practical martial knowledge & techniques from Karate, Jujitsu, Judo & Tai Chi Chuan 

  • Learning control and how to relax

  • maximum efficiency with least effort

  • safety and respect for others

  • always working at your own level and own pace

 

The student at ALL times retains the option to participate or not to participate in any particular activity which may include bunkai "disassembly", that is, the practical application of self-defence techniques embedded in Tai Chi/Karate kata/form, push hands with other practitioners.    

 

KARATE-DO means “The Way of the Empty Hand”.  Karate-do evolved from the martial traditions of what was referred to as prior to 1935 as Chinese Hands (T’ang te), being heavily influenced by southern styles of Chinese boxing, including Tai Chi, Pa-Qua and Shaolin Temple boxing.  

 

GOJU RYU means hard and soft style.  It is a traditional style of Karate originating in Okinawa. The Goju system is a blend of hard and soft techniques with training to be able to move quickly between hard and soft techniques and to draw back, deflect and utilise the strength, energy and power of the opponent to maximum advantage.  Goju karate places great value on the art of relaxation and developing powerful diaphragmatic breathing thus enhancing the power of the technique. Goju Ryu techniques are practised in forms called Kata. Goju karate places great importance on Kata from beginners through to black belt.  The strong snap technique is combined with the free flowing techniques of the soft Chinese styles involving breathing and control of the ki or chi. 

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​TAI CHI CHUAN-DO means “The Way of the Supreme Fist” – An energy efficient INTERNAL Chinese Martial Arts style utilising “push-pull” yielding principles and movements based on circular flowing movement and even tempo, making for harmony and balance. Much practice results in a high level of body-control which in turn results in greatly increased powers of mental concentration. Tai Chi Chuan teaches how to conserve and increase energy flow – the flow of chi.  For this reason it is suitable for people of all ages. Tai Chi Chuan develops the ability to know when the opponent is going to attack. Speed, sensitivity, and flexibility are built up, rather than brute force. If you learn to see danger before it reaches you, it can be neutralized.  

​

ALL STUDENTS begin with the Sun Tai Chi 12 form which is easy to learn in a relatively short period of time. This provides a solid foundation to move to the next level which will include other forms, katas and styles such as Goju Ryu Karate Katas, Yang 24 form, Sun style 73 form, Yang 42 form, Chen 36 form and the Yang 52 Fan form.

 

These classes may include some partner work in understanding self defence applications of the form or kata but do not include activities which involve physically throwing, grappling or sparring.

 

The Health focus in ALL classes is aimed at improving balance, co-ordination, reflex action, strength, stamina, flexibility and general fitness.  All classes include Qigong (Chi Kung) Breathing and Relaxation Training AND principles of safe and efficient movement  where posture, relaxed continuity of movement, co-ordination of legs, arms, upper and lower body, using “will” and not strength, all operate to achieve a relaxed harmony between body and mind and to express the basic tenets of control, efficiency, technique and artistry.

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