The Arizona Hombu

FOX NEWS visits ARIZONA SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL KARATE

2011-12-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

We were recently visited by Fox News. They stopped by to find out what TRADITIONAL OKINAWA SHORIN-RYU KARATE and KOBUDO was all about.

See for yourself!

Mesa Grandparents are Karate Masters: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

ABOUT Arizona Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo

2011-02-14T11:51:00.000-08:00

International Shorin-Ryu Karate Association
by Seiyo Kai International

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ABOUT US - SEIYO NO SHORIN-RYU KARATE KOBUDO KAI

Seiyo Kai International evolved from traditional Shorin-Ryu Karate and was officially recognized as a unique martial art in 1999. Thus this style, a gendai (modern) art, evolved from a koryu (old-school) martial art. Our members (Seiyo Kai International) train in basics (kihon) of karate and kobudo which are taught over and over again (but in different ways) to teach muscle memory to attain a level of mushin (a disconnect from the mind). If a deshi (student) trains without full focus and effort, the training will leave negative imprints on the deshi's muscles and they will learn to defend with little force. "You defend as you train". Look around your dojo and watch not only your sensei, but also those who exhibit awesome power. These people are training properly – try to emulate their effort.

In addition to kihon, members of Seiyo Shorin-Ryu practice kata (forms) and bunkai (applications). We have a curriculum that includes more than 70 kata. Why so many? Kata and karate are inseparable. This has been emphasized by great Okinawan Shorin-Ryu masters of the past and we agree. Kata is extremely important since kata includes basics, balance, stances, breathing, self-defense (bunkai), and timing & distancing (in Japanese, known as 'ma'). Everything we need is found in kata. Katas should also be practiced with distinct timing in mind with timing breaks (places where techniques are slow and emphasized, where they accelerate, etc), they should be practiced with focus while keeping bunkai in mind: they should never be rushed. The practice of kihon and kata mixed with bunkai provides excellent training as long as one includes power, focus and Zen philosophy. Traditional karate requires traditional methods.

Yan Ma demonstrates Pinan Godan Kata

We feel competition in martial arts is antipathetic to what we are looking to achieve. The great Okinawan master of karate, Gichin Funakoshi wrote "The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in perfection of its participants". It is clear from Funakoshi's and other Okinawan masters that karate was designed for self-improvement and never designed for tournament competition. If anything, most tournaments bring about just the opposite of what karate is trying to teach. We do not stop our students from competition - we believe in free choice, instead it is up to the individual. But tournaments reward martial artists for technique that is useless and flashy, it rewards martial artists for holding back power and focus, and it periodically rewards people for improper behavior.

Even so, in the past. some of our members were awarded regional, national and even international championships. But this has to do with the type of martial arts training required for competition and its philosophy. If you ever have a chance to watch a tournament, most competitors have little focus. A few years ago, the University of Wyoming club experimented with competition and nearly every member who competed won a medal (or was disqualified in kumite competition for striking too hard); however, those who continued in this adventure lost essentially all of their focus and power within a year. We do not stop anyone from competing – this is a freedom of choice, but it will likely end up with the deshi developing poor technique.

Sensei Linton of Wellington, CO defends against tanto
(Knife) attack from Hanshi Finley of Casper, WY at Seiyo
Clinic at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

We practice controlled ippon kumite (sparring). But, free sparring must be kept to a bare minimum and only introduced to students when they acquire a good level of focus, power and control. When I introduce students to kumite, it is primarily ippon kumite (one step sparring). In this situation, uke (defender) is attacked by tori (attacker). Sometimes the attack is predetermined, other times it is not. When we practice kumite, our sensei must watch closely for lack of focus. When the focus is lost, we need to practice the technique again and again with focus.

Charles and Ryan train in kama bunkai

At rare times free sparring (jiyu kumite) is practiced under the watchful eyes of a sensei. Free sparring is practiced to teach deshi to respond without thinking. As soon as any block, kick, or punch is applied without focus, the practitioner must be stopped and the same scenario practiced over and over again until it is done with focus. Most karate schools in the US concentrate on free sparring and this is one of the principal sources for bad technique in most schools. So free sparing needs to be controlled and limited greatly.

Hanshi Finley is all tied up during
hojojutsu training at the Casper
dojo. This is an art used by local
offcials to restrain prisoners in
the Edo period of Japan.

Along with karate (empty hand) training, Seiyo Shorin-Ryu students learn kobudo – the art of ancient weapons. Weapons in our curriculum include bo (6-foot staff), hanbo (half-staff), kobuton (short stick), nunchaku, sai, tonfa, kioga (expandable baton), kuwa (hoe), kumade (rake), kuai (cane), kama, nitanbo, eku (oar), manrikigusari (weighted chain), surichin (weighted rope), nireki (two rakes), hari (fish hook), tekko (knuckle duster), kusarigama (sickle & chain) and others.

Seiyo Shorin-Ryu members also have the unique privilege of learning Samurai arts including iaido, naginatajutsu, jujutsu, yarijutsu, bojutsu, and hojojutsu. These arts include training with katana (samurai sword), tanto (knife), naginata (pole arm), yari (spear), hojo (cord) and jujutsu.

Self-defense training is very important and we train in defense against a variety of attacks. When a new technique is introduced tori (the attacker) must begin by give and take until uke (defender) learns the technique, then tori should become more aggressive to provide more resistance and speed, but always keeping in mind safety and self-confidence issues. Tori must also remember that he or she is not being struck with an actual atemi (distracting strike) that assists uke in escapes. Our association also provides self-defense training for the lay-person through clinics and classes.

Deshi Harden uses tekubi waza on Shihan-
Dai Dr. Adam during training at Hombu in
Mesa, Arizona

Sooner or later, all of our students break rocks. This is a very minor part of karate, but a confidence builder. After teaching karate for more than 40 years, I’ve only had one student unable to break a rock – it was a barrier that this person built for herself and could not overcome even though this person was capable. When breaking boards, we do not pick plywood to break (or tree limbs), so with rocks, we look for good flat, limestone and/or sandstone. So in a sense, it helps to be a geologist.

For a few students, special miegakure (hidden) techniques are taught including kotekitae (kotekikai) (body hardening) and tein hsueh (vital point strikes) are taught to help us master hitotsuki hitogeri (one strike one kick knockouts).

The majority of classes taught at the Arizona School of Traditional Karate, also known as our Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Hombu are taught to adults and families. Each of our dojos is different: some focus on families, others on adults, and some have kid’s classes and some have a mix of classes.

Shihan Gewecke of the Gillette, Wyoming dojo breaks rocks
during our Spring geology 101 training at the University of
Wyoming in Laramie.

CLASS SCHEDULE @ ARIZONA HOMBU

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SCHEDULE.
Our training center is open to the public - we focus on Adults and Families. Come learn the traditions of Okinawan Karate & Kobudo. Much of the class is conducted in both Japanese and English to help students learn Japanese. We also teach meditation, philosophy and martial arts history interjected in karate classes. Our schedule is as follows:

Tuesdays
6:45-7:50 pm Shorin-Ryu Karate Kihon & Kata

7:50-8:20 pm Advanced Shorin-Ryu Kata & Bunkai

Wednesdays

3-4 pm Family Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo

4-5 pm Shorin-Ryu Kids Karate (by invitation only).

6:45-7:50 pm Shorin-Ryu Self-Defense & Jujutsu.

7:50-8:20 pm Samurai Arts (Iaido, Yari, Naginata, Hojojutsu, Hanbojutsu)

Ryan Harden shows his power in blocks at the
Arizona School of Traditional Karate in Mesa,
Gilbert and Chandler in the East Valley of Phoenix

Thursdays

6:45-7:50 pm Shorin-Ryu Kobudo & Bunkai

7:50-8:20 pm Advanced Kobudo & Bunkai

FEES We have some of the lowest rates in the East Valley. No sign up fees. Start as soon as you pay for your first lesson or first month. You can pay either month by month or day by day - its up to you.

The Arizona Hombu in Mesa is a traditional Japanese koryu dojo and World Training Center for Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo (Seiyo-Kai). Managed by Grandmaster (Soke) Hausel, 10th dan. Soke celebrates his 45th anniversary as a martial artist (2009). Soke is also a JKI samurai & kyoju (professor of martial arts). Come join us in the SUN in ARIZONA

As the world leader of Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate, members from all over the world travel to Mesa to train in this traditional Okinawan style. Soke Hausel emphasizes power in technique, focus, kata (forms), bunkai (applications of every technique in every kata) & kobudo (ancient Japanese weapons) as well as modern kobujutsu (modern common garden tools in self-defense).

Soke Hausel recently opened the Arizona Hombu for training to his Arizona students and his international members located around the world. He also works with the business community with classes, clinics and seminars to benefit employees in self-confidence, self-defense and health. His classes in Women's Self-Defense have been very popular over the past 25 years and he recently initiated clinics in training airline travelers and airline hostesses in self-defense applications in close quarters using wrist locks, pressure points, chokes and seat belts for restraining and defending against aggressive passengers and terrorists.

Other groups who have taken advantage of training from Soke Hausel include EMT, Nurse, Military, ROTC, Teachers, Women, Church, Airline Companies, Seniors, Scientific and Engineering groups and companies. Soke Hausel, being a well-known scientist, easily relates to these groups.

These groups rent the hombu for their own classes & one must contact them directly for information. Information on Soke’s Shorin-Ryu Classes, or how your business can set up special clinics or classes, contact Soke Hausel.

Our class schedule is listed on our websites at (1) Arizona Karate, and (2) Seiyo Shorin-Ryu. Groups and organizations can schedule their own times or clinics or join in the regular classes.

People of all ages (6 to 90) from the Mesa-Gilbert-Chandler-Tempe (Phoenix area) come to train in the TRADITIONAL (non-competitive) arts of Okinawan Shorin-Ryu karate and kobudo. And members of our international organization - Seiyo Kai International come from around the world to train in our dojo under the International Instructor of the Year - Grandmaster Hausel. Visit My Website

As a member of the Arizona Hombu, you can learn karate, self-defense, jujutsu, restraints, nunchuku, kama, yari, sai, tonfa, kioga, hanbo, bo, naginata, manrikigusari, tanto, katana, nitanbo, kobuton, eku, ra-ke, tsune and more.

MAP

2009-05-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

How to find us - we are located at the NE corner of MacDonald and Baseline in Mesa right at the Mesa-Gilbert city line. Look for Walmart - we are just to the east.

VISITORS

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VISITORS The Hombu attracts visitors from around the globe for training - these are often international karate teams, members of Seiyo Kai International, individuals & business groups looking to keep their employees healthy and provide them with self-defense training.

In the past, we have seen EMT groups, flight attendant associations, Law Enforcement Groups, College Clubs, High School Clubs, and Military stop in for special training.

We have a dramatically different look that the majority of dojo (schools) in the region. Instead of the glass front, trophy heavy sport dojo, we practice 'traditional martial arts' and operate a traditional Okinawan dojo where the training is not visible to the general public. You are welcome to come in and see our beautiful dojo.
olice DAV school karate team from Punjab India (below), George and Elaine Mumford from the Boston Seiyo Dojo, members from the Utah Shorin-Kai Seiyo dojo in Murray Utah, and Shihan-Dai Kevin Vance from the Cheyoming dojo.

The Arizona HOMBU in MESA

2009-01-03T09:20:00.000-08:00

MESA, ARIZONA HOMBU

The International Training Center for Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai is located at the NE corner of MacDonald at Baseline in Mesa. The cross roads for Baseline (nearby major roads) are Mesa Drive and Country Club. The Arizona Hombu The world headquarters is open to the public & offers special training to the public & members of our world-wide Seiyo Kai International organization. We do not practice sport martial arts. We focus on traditional Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo and the traditional values of martial arts. The Hombu dojo is designed as a traditional Okinawan school for martial arts and self-defense classes, seminars and clinics. Walk into our dojo and you will see copies of our diplomas to provide you with information showing that we are properly certified, we have a Shomen (正面), kamidana and a display of our lineage.

INSTRUCTOR. Classes are taught by our own Mr. Miyagi - Grandmaster Hausel. Soke Hausel has 45+ years experience in martial arts & taught at 4 major universities over the past 4 decades. In addition to his students, he taught special clinics to law enforcement agents, engineering, taekwondo, EMT & nursing, military & church groups, women's clubs, airline attendent & traveler associations, senior citizens, children & faculty. In 2009, Soke Hausel celebrated 45 years in martial arts, 40 years as a martial arts instructor and 10 years for the existance of Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai. Soke Hausel tries to add Japanese language as well as zen philosophy to his classes to provide his students an all around martial arts education.

CLASSES. When you walk into the Hombu in Mesa you will be greeted as a friend. When you begin training in our school, you will be taught traditions, such as how & when to bow, some Japanese, beginning & ending ceremonies & of course, how to tie your obi (belt), how to block (uke), strike (tsuki) & kick (geri). As you progress through basics, you will start to learn the secrets of Okinawan karate.

Kata (forms) are the heart of Okinawan karate & you will learn to use kata to your benefit - physical fitness, meditation, self-defense & more. Few instructors understand kata - yet kata & karate are the same. Kata contains hidden meanings & self-defense applications -when understood these result in an encyclopedia of self-defense applications with devastating strikes, blocks, kicks, avoidance, throws, escapes, restraints, pressure point strikes & ki (internal energy). Karate was created on Okinawa, and Okinawa Shihan (師範) and Sensei (先生) did their best to protect its secrets from mainland Japanese samurai & martial artists from all around the world.

As you continue to train in Shorin-Ryu (Shorin-Ryu translates as Shaolin and indicates a generic relationship with the Shoalin styles of China), you will be taught Kobudo (ancient Okinawan weapons). Kobudo is the art of Okinawan weapons that includes many farming and fishing tools such as bo (6-foot staff), hanbo (half-staff), nunchuku (nunchuks), kama (sickles), tonfa (batons), nitanbo (double sticks), sai (forks), kioga (expandable baton) eku (oar), ra-ke (rake), tsue (cane), katana (samurai sword), yari (spear), naginata (halberd). Trusted students are also taught one-punch knockouts, pressure point defenses & shitai kori (body hardening).

OUR CLASSES. Grandmaster Hausel teaches Okinawan karate & kobudo, self-defense, jujutsu & samurai arts. Special classes & clinics can be scheduled for groups or individuals in many other arts including (1) Self-defense against a gun & knife, (2) airline traveler self-defense, (3) Self defense for sport martial artists, (4) Jujutsu, (5) Samurai arts, (6) women's self-defense, (7) Kids Karate, Discipline & Traditions. But as a beginner in our dojo, you will be initially taught kihon (basics) how to walk, punch, kick, block. Then through the years, you will have an opportunity to learn as much in the martial arts as you would like. Soke Hausel is one of the few martial artists in the region that is a certified Judan (10th dan) red belt and has documentation that allows him to issue black belt ranks up to Hachidan (8th degree black belt). "There is no end to learning martial arts - only a beginning".

MEMBERSHIP. When you train at the Hombu, you become a member of a traditional martial arts association with members in China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Germany, Greece, the USA. Periodically, you will see groups from other countries as the arrive at the Hombu for special training. All members of our association are invited to train at these special clinics.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. Let us bring the tiger out in you. Learn to be self-confident, positive & disciplined. We are a family of martial artists & we look to help you in your development as a person.

CLASSES Adult & family

Call us - 480-294-1001
or email: OkinawaKarate@live.com

Above photos - Soke & Sensei Gillespie demonstrates Ki-jutsu at University of Wyoming, Paula & Bill Borea at the Hombu, Sensei Wilson defends against Sensei Urbanek, Soke presents award to Senpai Lehman.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12