A: Shorin-Ryu Karate was invented on the tiny island of Okinawa, Japan. Developed through centuries of trial and error karate is known around the world as the most effective self-defense system ever created. Our karate is known for it's "hard" techniques. Hard techniques are strikes with the hands, feet, elbows and knees, usually delivered in an efficient straight, rather than circular, path to the target. These skills produce incredible destructive power, are fast and are undeniably effective. We spend an equal amount of time developing both kicks and hand strikes providing you with a well-rounded defense system.

At our dojo, we teach karate as it is done in Okinawa with an emphasis on discipline, structure and respect. Advancement in our school is done on a case by case basis and all students must meet the standards in Okinawa in order to move forward.

You will NOT see any 8 year old black belts in our school. It takes a great deal of responsibility and maturity to become a black belt and our minimum age is 13-16, the same on Okinawa.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: When is testing held and how are students eligible?

A: Testing is held every month only because we have a large student body and everyone advances at different times of the year based on their ability. Testing is only on a case by case basis and students are nominated by the senior instructors when they can demonstrate 100% proficiency of the requirements listed for rank located in the student handbook. However, physical ability is not enough as the attitude of the student is also evaluated. In order for children to be allowed to test, they must have a letter of reccomendation from their school teacher as well as their parents. Students are evaluated on their adherence to discipline, demonstration of dojo ettiquette and 100% effort in all that they do in the dojo.

In some commercial dojos, students are allowed to test after a certain number of classes or based upon what "program" you have bought(masters club, black belt club). There are no such things on Okinawa and these are methods for these schools to stay in business and make a profit. We teach traditional karate that through training, students earn only what they work for. It is symbolic of life.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: My child or I have a belt in another style of karate. Can I wear my belt?

A: No. All students start at the beginning level when joining our dojo. The only students that are allowed to keep their belt are those who have moved from another Shorin-Ryu Dojo within our association or from a related Shorin-Ryu school. However, they will must be evaluated by our chief instructor and if the requirements or expectations of rank are too dissimilar, they will be asked to start over at white belt.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: What if I have a black belt in a similar style of Shorin-Ryu?

A: Black belt students from related Shorin-Ryu systems are accepted on a 1 year probationary status and will be allowed to wear their black obi but will not be accepted at their dan rank from their old school or system. This is typical of all traditional schools on Okinawa.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: Why does my child or I have to start over if we already are ranked in another style.

A: First, this is a traditional dojo and we follow the outlines of the karate schools in Okinawa and Japan. Even though some styles are similar, they are not the same and require that you study them from the ground up. If you have had previous training, your rate of learning will most likely be faster than a beginner. For those who feel that they should be able to wear their belt from another style, this is probably not the best place for you to train.

Keep in mind they will always be the belt that they have earned in another school, we are not taking that away from them, but if their rank is from another style, then it does not apply to our school or style. If they are to be accepted at our dojo, they must start over at the beginning and learn our style of karate like any other student.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: I practice Tae Kwon Do and am interested in learning Okinawan Weapons. I don't want to switch schools but want to take Kobudo class. Can I just sign up for weapons class without joining the karate school.

A: Absolutely. If you are currently enrolled in another martial arts school, you are more than welcome to train in weapons as long as you have a letter of permission from your instructor and purchase the equipment and uniform required for class. You may not pick or choose what weapons you would like to learn. All kobudo students will be taught the curriculum of our school at the decision of the chief instructor.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: Do all students have to participate in Kumite?

A: Yes. All students begin to learn kumite at yellow belt level. Kumite is taught in a very safe manner and students are carefully trained through drills first. Kumite training is important and builds reaction skills as well as physical stamina, focus and spirit.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: Do you break boards?

A: We do not emphasize this type of practice. Breaking wood boards is not difficult and does not require any martial arts training to perform. We do it on occasion for our little dragons class to build up their confidence and to let them have fun.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: Does your school participate in tournaments?

A: We have in the past competed in AAU Karate and our youth students have placed in the Junior Olympics and the Virginia State and Regional championships. We have even had students place in a The All Okinawa Youth Tournament in Japan however we do not emphasize training for these types of competitions. We do not encourage students to compete although we will train them for it if they wish. Our adult students have no wish to compete and do not care about plastic trophies or medals. Most of our students care only about strong traditional training where the only person that you are in constant competition with is yourself.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: When do I get to start weapons training?

A: Traditional Kobudo training begins when you reach the rank of green belt and after your basic technique has been evaluated as strong and consistantly correct. Beginning students begin with learning Bo (staff) and nunchaku.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: How come everyone wears a white uniform? I have seen other schools with many different colors.

A: The white uniform was first used in Japan as a way of stripping people of the social status they may have enjoyed outside the dojo. When the samurai and class system was abandoned people still expected to be treated according to their former status. In an authentic dojo, however, everyone is treated with the same respect, no one is special, and everything must be earned. There are no special exclusive clubs, groups or differentiations in uniform other than the simple cotton belt.