Pictures From a Grading

The philosophy of our dojo is that the best way for a person to be successful in life is through cooperation with others, not competition. Competition leads to isolation and eventual defeat, while cooperation leads to unity and continuous victory.

It is because of this philosophy our dojo does not participate in tournaments of any kind. Tournaments can be useful to help bring out your best while performing under pressure, but it is often done at the expense of another individual. We need to learn how to lift our self up while lifting others up at the same time.

The best way we can help our fellow karate-ka to become their best is to strive to be our best. When we continually offer our best effort in order to assist our partners growth we create a win-win situation.

Creating events that challenge us to perform under pressure is a valuable tool for our growth and our dojo uses gradings and demonstrations to accomplish this goal.

Osensei Shoshin Nagamine presented a speech entitled Okinawan Karate and World Peace in which he said:

"Martial arts and virtue must be unified as one.
Martial arts without virtue is simply violence.
Martial arts with virtue will purify society and
culture shall flourish."

This is the essence of the training in our dojo. We are using martial arts as a means of developing our virtues. This is what we will take from the dojo and apply to all aspects of our life.

"Karate Ni Sente Nashi"
There is no first attack in Karate.

"Martial arts and virtue must be unified as one.
Martial arts without virtue is simply violence.
Martial arts with virtue will purify society and
culture shall flourish."

- O'Sensei Shosin Nagamine -

Joyfulness

Joyfulness is being filled with happiness, peace, love and a sense of well-being. Joy is inside us all. It comes from a sense of being loved. It comes from an appreciation for the gift of life. Joy comes when we are doing what we know is right. Joy is the inner sense that can carry us through the hard times, even when we are feeling very sad.

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