Why Isshin-ryu  

            Isshin-ryu is a truly unique martial art and has proven itself superior for over a half century. It began in Okinawa and in the mid-fifties, when the Marines studying Isshin-ryu with under it’s creator (Soke) Tatsuo Shimabuku beat the best practitioners of the other  styles on the island, culminating in Master Don Nagle’s victory in the Okinawan Championship, the art was brought to the United States for the first time. At the time, Sensei Nagle was a white belt (beginner), but he won the Championship against Okinawa ’s finest young black belts.

            In the United States , from the 50’s to the 80’s Isshin-ryu was virtually undefeated in tournaments or in the earlier dojo wars. Tournaments drew top competitors from all over the country. During that period, Isshin-ryu Sensei's traveled all over the country, with their teams, fighting in tournaments almost every week-end of the year. When tournaments were not being held, Isshin-ryu teams fought in other Isshin-ryu dojos, or the dojos of the other karate styles. It was all about competition, learning, exchanging techniques, trying something new, working on your art and getting better.

            Isshin-ryu karate-ka’s won for a good reason, their style when used as intended by founder Master Tatsuo Shimabuku was superior, because it was based upon decades of empirical knowledge, intense experience and pure logic.

            Having attained teaching rank in the arts of Okinawan Te, Goju-ryu and Shorin-ryu karate and proven to be a Master in each, as well as, a tenacious and invulnerable fighter, he began to study the underside of these major styles and realized that they could be improved. His studious and logical mind adopted a theory of fighting vastly different than the karate existing in the early 50’s. His changes were not frivolous, but immense and of a magnitude that shocked the island of Okinawa . The teachers of the other styles ruled him an outlaw, effectively proving that Isshin-ryu was a threat to the world of karate, as they knew it. Soke Shimabuku had established a new paradigm, from which to fight. It truly proved that karate could be a science. This simple farmer had changed the world of karate. Without training in the discipline of the sciences, he innately understood the principles of logic, physiology and energy transferal.

              When Master Shimabuku finally revealed his creation, it was revolutionary in many ways. First, he had changed the fist strike from the unnatural twisting punch, that started from the mid rib area, to a vertical fist punch, which could be comfortably thrown from any position, since it is as natural as a hand shake. The manner in which it is thrown, allows significantly more focus or “chi” at contact. It is also snapped back upon contact, as are all strikes and kicks in Isshin-ryu, which enables you to transfer the focus to the opponent’s body, while maintaining your balance. The snap also keeps the target from grabbing your blow or kick. Soke Shimabuku also removed the deep stances, giving Isshin-ryu the ability to move quickly to the opponent’s side and to strike when the opponent presented an opportunity. Isshin-ryu opponents would no longer present a target directly in front of an opponent, they would simply avoid the opponent’s rush. Isshin-ryu does not attack or defend straight on, instead, coming in at an angle or from the oblique, outflanking the opponent’s deep stance and offensive attack.

           Isshin-ryu always keeps the feet directly under the body and ready to kick or punch, since we believe that every attack should utilize a combination of feints, punches and kicks. This also promotes a balanced stance, at all times. and offensive attack. Isshin-ryu's premise is built on speed and balance, as well as, the delivery of focused blocks, strikes and kicks. This combination simply makes Isshin-ryu a superior fighting system that breeds winners.

         We do not study Isshin-ryu karate to absorb punishment from an opponent. We study and practice  Isshin-ryu to strike and beat an incorrigible aggressor, not to be struck. Isshin-ryu will give you the fighting edge, because you will be relaxed, comfortable and loose, allowing you to avoid attack and counter-attack, with the least effort possible, only exerting yourself at the instance of focus. That alone allows you to fight longer, without expending your energy needlessly. This combination of advantages also allows the Isshin-ryu trained person to confront an attack from multiple opponents and utilizing Isshin-ryu's quick movement and techniques, to defeat them, while minimizing damage to yourself. Also relative to both law enforcement officers and the military is the fact that with it’s focused blows and instant withdrawal of all techniques, it severely limits the amount of involvement with the opponent, while that same focused delivery will render an attacker incapable of further attacks.

       As Master McGrath was taught, a few techniques with both hands and feet, if mastered, are far more effective than training to learn a vast number of techniques. With the recruits at the Academy, it would be important to cut to the importance of a relaxed stance, anticipation and awareness, focus and avoidance of attack, directional blocking and quick combinations that stun and avoid involvement with the opponent. Repetition of these selected techniques and the practice of Isshin-ryu Ippons (one on one/two or three on one, attacks in close proximity, where the attackers throw punches and kicks, while the defender directs their blows away from him or her and retaliates) which are set routines at first and become free form as the recruits improve. Once they can defend themselves while standing, the use of Kioto Jiu-Jitsu, would then place the opponent under your control and quickly in a position of being hand cuffed and arrested.  

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