About Us
For more information, visit the Official Seidokan Website.
Our Philosophy
At Dallas Karate, we teach karate as a discipline of coordination that can be practiced over a lifetime.
Through practice and study, we have broken down combative techniques and interpretations down to basic principles that follow an entry-control-dispatch formula. These principles are the basis of Okinawan karate applied to modern life-preservation and can be taught to anyone at different levels/maturity. Our principles are drilled in both youth and adult classes.
There are many applications taught in adult classes that are not for children, especially in the dispatch phase of our techniques. We have modified real applications of principles to teach children, such as changing or eliminating the final dispatch, which can prove fatal. As the children get older, only small 'tweaks' evolve their techniques into more adult versions.
Since this is a principle-based karate school, our goal is to teach students how to think, not what to think. In other words, instead of teaching 3000 random techniques to be memorized over a series of years, then performed and mastered, we teach a series of principles based on fundamentals of body mechanics: how to move, where to move, when to move, how to recognize high-pressure vs. low-pressure areas of an attack, etc. Each principle is the same for everyone, but techniques are tailored to each individual's body type and stature.
In today's environment, the ability to use weapons is a must. The same principles apply as with opened-handed techniques, so only slight modifications are needed to wield a knife or other implement.
Belt levels are attained through clearly-communicated goals. There are no timelines, and while karate certainly can have team aspects, it also fits people who are non-team competitive.
Through practice and study, we have broken down combative techniques and interpretations down to basic principles that follow an entry-control-dispatch formula. These principles are the basis of Okinawan karate applied to modern life-preservation and can be taught to anyone at different levels/maturity. Our principles are drilled in both youth and adult classes.
There are many applications taught in adult classes that are not for children, especially in the dispatch phase of our techniques. We have modified real applications of principles to teach children, such as changing or eliminating the final dispatch, which can prove fatal. As the children get older, only small 'tweaks' evolve their techniques into more adult versions.
Since this is a principle-based karate school, our goal is to teach students how to think, not what to think. In other words, instead of teaching 3000 random techniques to be memorized over a series of years, then performed and mastered, we teach a series of principles based on fundamentals of body mechanics: how to move, where to move, when to move, how to recognize high-pressure vs. low-pressure areas of an attack, etc. Each principle is the same for everyone, but techniques are tailored to each individual's body type and stature.
In today's environment, the ability to use weapons is a must. The same principles apply as with opened-handed techniques, so only slight modifications are needed to wield a knife or other implement.
Belt levels are attained through clearly-communicated goals. There are no timelines, and while karate certainly can have team aspects, it also fits people who are non-team competitive.
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Dallas Karate is fully accredited by the Ryukoku Seidokan Karate Kobudo Federation (RSKKR) in Okinawa, Japan. This art encompasses the empty hand and weapons traditions of the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom. Our history is discussed in detail in Okinawa Seidokan Tome Volume 1 History, written by Donnie Hayhurst, Hachidan, who is the RSKKR U.S. Liaison to Okinawa.
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Hayhurst, Donald. Okinawa Seidokan Tome Volume 1 History. North Carolina: Lulu, 2010
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Dojo Kun
A gold thread woven through all we share is the development of the practitioner’s character. Below are the rules of our school's philosophy, handed down from Grand Master Toma when he started Seidokan, and each Seidokan dojo has these same rules. These words are the guide posts to handle every life scenario.
1. To Endeavor To Complete Your Personality (Character)
To build your character, behavior and attitude
2. To Keep Sincerity
To be honest to others and yourself
3. To Cultivate a Spirit of Effort
To perform to the best of your ability
4. To Respect Courtesy
To respect others and treat them as you want to be treated
5. To Rebuke Hot Blooded Courage
To not misuse your knowledge in anger
These five tenants are at the front of each school of our karate system. They comprise the ‘DO’ or ‘Way’ of our teachings and clearly illustrate we are not teaching the dark side of the martial arts. There is no mysticism or religious practices in what we do. It is about correct living, correct choices, and living positive lives for ourselves, our families, and the communities for which we live.
1. To Endeavor To Complete Your Personality (Character)
To build your character, behavior and attitude
2. To Keep Sincerity
To be honest to others and yourself
3. To Cultivate a Spirit of Effort
To perform to the best of your ability
4. To Respect Courtesy
To respect others and treat them as you want to be treated
5. To Rebuke Hot Blooded Courage
To not misuse your knowledge in anger
These five tenants are at the front of each school of our karate system. They comprise the ‘DO’ or ‘Way’ of our teachings and clearly illustrate we are not teaching the dark side of the martial arts. There is no mysticism or religious practices in what we do. It is about correct living, correct choices, and living positive lives for ourselves, our families, and the communities for which we live.
Soke Shian Toma
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For more information, visit the Official Seidokan Website.
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