GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE

1. We will train our hearts and bodies for a firm, unshaken spirit.

2. We will pursue the true meaning of the martial way, and live accordingly. 

So that our senses may be alert.

3. With true vigor, we will seek to cultivate a spirit of self denial.

4. We will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence. 

5. We will pay homage to our creator and never forget the true virtue of humility.

6. We will look upwards to wisdom and strength, not seeking other desires of this life

7. All of our lives, through the discipline of karate, we will seek to fulfill the 

true meaning of “The Way”.

1. The elimination of “fancy” techniques 
2. Combines the best of Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu to form a realistic,           basic system of self defense. 
3. Kicks thrown below the waist (for power and balance hand techniques thrown above the waist. 
4. The use of short, natural stances, which allow better mobility,  eliminate wasted motion along with major shifts in the body, and are more adaptable to the American physique
5. A balance of hand and foot techniques in the Katas. (often said to  have "equal" hand and foot techniques depending on the form presented)
6. Close-in techniques, which are valuable for street fighting.
7. The application of “snap” punches and kicks where the arm or leg is only 90% extended. This allows for quickness when moving in and out on an opponent and serves to reduce injuries associated with over extending  joints.
8. The combination of hard and soft blocking.
9. Blocks are executed with the muscular part of the forearm, thereby, avoiding injury from bone to bone contact.
10. A fist made with the thumb on top of the fist as opposed to the thumb being over the two fingers. Such a position, with the thumb on  top, locks the wrist and serves to tighten the fist.
11. A vertical punch, which increases speed and power. 
12. Multiple-purpose techniques, which allow a block to become a blow and a blow to serve as a block.

• KARATE BEGINS WITH COURTESY,
• KARATE BUILDS CHARACTER,
• KARATE DISCIPLINES THE MIND AND BODY,
• KARATE PROMOTES RESPECT,
• KARATE ENDS WITH COURTESY

There is no secret mystery to Karate. 

It is the hard work and effort that is put forth by the 

individual that develops him / her into the Karate Ka that they strive to be. 

It is not only an highly effective means of unarmed self defense, but also, an exiting challenging art enjoyed by today's enthusiasts throughout the world. 

Karate practitioners are awarded belts of rank as a measure of capability and achievement. 

At Jeremiah Center all levels of the ranking system are earned by dedication and hard work

• ( Nothing is given but everything is earned)
•  Beginning Kyu Ranks: 
• White, Orange (14 & under), Yellow Belts
• Intermediate Belt Ranks: Green, Blue Belts 
• Advanced Kyu Ranks: Brown belts - 3 Levels
• Black Belt rankings are referred to as "Dan" ranks, while colored belt rankings are known as "Kyu", pronounced "kew" ranks. 

• Listed below are the belts used with our system.  
• White
• Orange
• Yellow
• Green
• Blue
• Brown -1
• Brown - 2
• Brown - 3

• Black Belts
• 1st Degree - Sho-Dan
• 2nd Degree - Ni-Dan
• 3rd Degree - San-Dan
• 4th Degree - Yo-Dan
• 5th Degree - Go-Dan
• 6th Degree - Roku-Dan
• 7th Degree - Shichi-Dan
• 8th Degree - Hachi-Dan
• 9th Degree - Ku-Dan
• 10th Degree - Ju-Dan
• 10th Degree - Ju-Dan

(1) Exercise.

(2) Kata. 

(3) Ippon Kumite - One Step Sparring. 

(4) Kumite - Free Sparring. 

• Exercise is most important, because without proper conditioning, no other aspect of Karate can be performed. 
• To Shimabuku, Kumite is at the bottom of the list of importance, because Karate can be performed without it. 
• On the plus side, Kumite teaches sportsmanship, helps develop good posture, teaches direction of gaze, and blocking techniques.
• Kumite also teaches proper breathing and helps develop timing reflexes and coordination.

• Kumite is Karate’s free style sparring. It is a relatively new aspect of Karate which transforms the art from a deadly weapon to a sport. 
• Opponents compete at full speed. Contact is controlled, so as to avoid injury. 
• Each technique is directed toward some vital spot on the body, and if delivered with full force, would maim, disable, or kill. 
• Only a small percentage of techniques are allowed in sport play, as compared to the ones that are learned which can be used in a real situation. 
• One must understand where Kumtie fits into Karate.

• Katas are a series of prearranged movements that have a definite sequence. Each move has a meaning and a purpose, as it trains the student of Karate to prepare for defense against one or more opponents with speed and power in the punching, kicking, and blocking techniques.
• The first kata exercises were probably those taught to the monks at the Shaolin Temple. Katas became more popular during Chinas rule over Okinawa. 
• The Chinese rulers did not allow the Okinawan people to practice or to teach Karate. 
• The Masters then incorporated Karate moves into dancing routines. This made it possible for a student of karate to practice the art without any physical contact with other students in the privacy of their homes. 
• In performing a kata, a student of Karate must execute each movement with full power with the awareness of its meaning. Each technique must be part of the flow and unity of the body’s movement and progression. 
• In sport competition, the Kata is judged on the accuracy of techniques speed, power and flow. 

• Empty Hand Kata
• Sei - San - SHORIN-RYU
• Sei - Uchin - GOJU-RYU
• Nai Hanchin - SHORIN-RYU
• Wan-Su - SHORIN-RYU
• Chinto - SHORIN-RYU
• Ku San Ku - SHORIN-RYU
• Su Un Su - SHIMABUKU
• Sanchin - GOJU-RYU

• Weapon Kata
• Bo
• Tokumine-No-Kun
• Urashi
• Shishi-No-Kun-No-Dai
• Bo-Bo Kumite

• Sai
• Kusanku
• Chatanyara-No-Sai
• Bo-Sai Kumite

• A fist made with the thumb on top of the fist rather than over the first two fingers. 
• This method locks the wrist, helping to prevent the fist from buckling at the wrist on impact. 
• This method also tightens the fist by allowing you to put 
• tension on the top of the fist (thumb side) and the side of the fist (finger side).
• Vertical Punch
• Vertical punch, which increases the speed and focus of the punch.
• Multiple Purpose Techniques
• Allowing a block to become a blow, and vice versa, making the shift from 
• offense or defense a matter of split second timing.

1 - Ichi - (Sounds Like - Each-i)

2 - Ni - (Sounds Like - Knee)

3 - San - (Sounds Like - Sawn)

4 - She - (Sounds Like - She)

5 - Go - (Sounds Like - Go)

6 - Rochie - (Sounds Like - Roach-i)

7 - Shichi - (Sounds Like - See-Chi)

8 - Hach - (Sounds Like - Hawch)

9 - Ku - (Sounds Like - Koo)

10 - Ju - (Sounds Like - Joo)

• Uniform (Gi - Sounds Like Ghee)
• Belt (Obi - Sounds Like Ohbee)
• Karate School (Dojo)
• Isshinryu-(One Heart Way)
• Karate-(Empty Hand)
• Isshinryu is made up of two styles
• (Shorin Ryu / Speed Style) 
• (Goju Ryu / Power Style)

• Tatsuo Shimabuku (Grand Master or Creator of Isshinryu)

• Grand Masters Main Instructors 
• (Choki Matobu) (Kyan) (Matsmaura)

• Okinawa (Pacific Island Where Isshinryu was created)

•  (Date that Isshinryu was officially Created or recognized) 

              January 16th 1954

• Don Nagle First Marine Lived in New Jersey (AOKA)

• Harold Long Second Marine Lived in Knoxville Tenn (IIKA)

• Steve Armstrong (Third Marine Lived in Tacomma Washington

• Harold Mitchum Fourth Marine Lived in Chattanooga Tenn
• 
  
• Sensei Gabbards Main Instructor, Philip McElroy  In Nashville Tennessee

• Denny Shaffer Started the Nashville Dojo in 1966 and Was Master McElroys Instructor

• Sensei Gabbard began taking Karate in Nashville in 1975

            Karate School Of Nashville (Original Dojo)

• IIKA (International Isshinryu Karate Association - Started By Harold Long in 1975