Karate

The Club Naha Dojo on the second floor of the Alfond Youth Center

Club Naha

Club Naha is the name of the karate dojo here at the Alfond Youth Center.  Club Naha is named after the capital of Okinawa Japan which is where Naha Te began.  Naha Te is one of the earliest forms of karate and a major influence to many of the most popular karate styles of today such as Shotokan, Shito Ryu, Gojo Ryu, Wado Ryu and Shudokn karate.  Club Naha is a positive karate school in which the students learn the style of Hensen Ryu (Way of Change) to help them develop the skills necessary to become great martial artist and productive, caring, honest, responsible citizens.

Hensen Ryu Karate

Hensen Ryu (Way of Change) is the style of martial arts taught at the Club Naha dojo.  It was founded by Shihan Ken Walsh in 1986.  Several years later Shihan Ken Walsh moved to Waterville, Maine to become the director of the Waterville Area Boy’s and Girl’s Club where he established the first Waterville Club Naha in 1992.

At this time Hensen Ryu was primarily a Wonwha Do based dojo with a small Shudokan influence with a few other styles such as Vee Arnis Jujitsu, Isshin Ryu, and Ngo Chu Kun.  During the summer of 2000 Shihan Ken’s first instructor Renshi Javier Diaz Piscil came to teach the Hensen Ryu students the Okinawan karate style of Shudokan.  For a little over two years Hensen Ryu began to evolve.  Hensen Ryu became more heavily influenced by Shudokan.  Now today’s Hensen Ryu is significantly influenced by Shudokan and Wonhwa Do more then any other style.

Wonhwa Do

The Korean martial art called Wonhwa Do (The Way of Harmony) is a style that emphasizes many powerful kicking and throwing techniques much like Tae Kwon Do and Judo.  Wonhwa Do (also known as Tong Il Moo Do) was created by Dr. Joon Ho Seuk in the mid to late 70’s.  Wonhwa Do was developed as a comprehensive and unified martial art that is able to harmonize and unify the best essence of all the different techniques of the various schools of martial arts through scientific analysis and improvements. By theoretically organizing all the different martial arts centered on universal values, Wonhwa Do seeks to bring martial arts into one perfect martial art

One aspect of the Wonhwa Do philosophy is that man is a creative being with both internal (mind) and external (body) traits, students of Wonhwa Do are required to train in both martial art skills and to perfect their character by following the Tenets of Wonhwa Do.  The Tenets of Wonhwa Do is a creed that the students follows to better themselves in their daily life.

Shudokan

The other major influence of Hensen Ryu is the Okinawan martial art named Shudokan (The Hall for the Study of the Way) emphasizes strong traditional stances and explosive hand techniques.Shudokan karate is a sister style of the popular Shotokan karate system. Shotokan was the first Japanese system of karate and was developed by Gichen Funikoshi.

Shudokan was created and refined by Sensei Toyama Kanken who learned his karate from many of the same Okinawan masters as Funikoshi. Sensei Toyama refined his karate for many years and merged many of the straight-line power techniques characterized by Shotokan, with softer (as in striking with speed and accuracy vs. striking anywhere with overwhelming power), circular, and more angular techniques imported from Okinawan and Chinese fighting systems. This blend of “Hard/Soft” techniques makes for a sophisticated and effective fighting system.

Shudokan

修道館

Shudokan (修道館), literally the hall for the study of the [karate] way, is a school of karate developed by Kanken Toyama (1888 – 1966). Feature characteristics of Shudokan karate include large circular motions with an emphasis on covering and its own unique kata.

Toyama's karate training began at the age of nine in 1897 with Itarashiki, although he studied with Yasutsune Itosu for 18 years, until the latter's death in 1915. In 1907 Toyama was appointed shihandai (assistant master) to Itosu at the Okinawa Teacher's College, and he and Gichin Funakoshi, who later developed Shotokan karate, were the only two students to be granted the title of shihanshi (protégé). Even today, many do not know that Kanken Toyama out ranked Gichin Funakoshi with the rank of "Assistant Master" or "shihandai".

In 1924 Toyama moved his family to Taiwan where he taught in an elementary school and studied Chinese Ch'uan Fa, which included Taku, Makaitan, Rutaobai, and Ubo. In early 1930 he returned to Japan and on March 20, 1930, he opened his first dojo in Tokyo. He named his dojo Shu Do Kan meaning the hall for the study of the karate way. Toyama taught what he had learnt from Itosu and the Ch'uan Fa and did not claim to have originated a new style of karate. In 1946, Toyama founded the All Japan Karate-Do Federation (AJKF) with the intention of unifying the various forms of karate of Japan and Okinawa under one governing organization.

As Toyama did not view the Shu Do Kan as a distinct style of karate, but merely a place for training, he did not appoint a successor. Thus, the organization he founded fragmented after his death in 1966, although his student Toshi Hanaue maintained the original Shu Do Kan. A few other schools based on Toyama's teachings still exist such as Doshinkan. Today, a minimal overseeing of the Toyama lineage Karate is done by Kanken Toyama's son, Ha Toyama.

Shudokan karate today is essentially a compound system, including Kobudo (i.e. ancient art, referring to the specialized weapons practice of traditional Okinawan karate) and Shorin-Ryu (also known as Shurite or Itosu-ha). Many other principles from other styles have found their way into Shudokan as it was Toyama's wish that Shudokan not stagnate, that it should grow in efficiency and flourish.

Shudokan teaches a series of unique kata that represent light, quick motions and a variety of power sources. These kata are secret to shudokan practitioners and are not taught to outsiders. One must obtain the rank of Sankyu (brown-belt, three belts away black-belt) in most schools before they are permitted to learn these kata.

Pee Wee Class

This class is offered to youth four to five years of age. The class covers basic exercises to help develop gross motor skills as well as learn basic blocking, punching and kicking techniques to prepare for the Beginner Class.

White Belt to White 1st Level

This class is for six to twelve year old students that have just started their training of the art of karate. It covers basic blocking, punching, kicking and standing techniques as well as the traditional formal exercise of kata and self defense techniques.

White 2nd Level to Yellow

For six to twelve year old students that have attained white belt 2nd level or yellow belt in the art of karate. This class covers basic karate techniques as well as introduction to the art of Judo and the bo (a Japanese weapon of self defense). The student will also expand their knowledge of kata and self defense techniques.

Orange and Green

Offered to those of six to twelve years of age that have reached either orange or green belt in the art of karate. This class covers intermediate karate techniques, kata, self defense, bo techniques and a more in-depth look at the art of Judo.

Blue to Black

A class for six to twelve year old students that have attained blue, brown, or black belts in the art of karate. Class covers advanced karate techniques, kata, self defense, Judo and bo techniques as well as an introduction to the nunchaku, kama and sai.

Teen Classes

A class for thirteen to seventeen year old students of all ranks. Class covers beginner to advanced karate techniques, kata, self defense, Judo and bo techniques as well an an introduction to the nunchaku, kama and sai.

Adult Classes

Offered to those that are eighteen and older of all ranks in the art of karate. It covers beginner to advanced karate techniques, kata, self defense, Judo and bo techniques with an introduction to the nunchaku, kama and sai.

Tournament Class (White, Yellow, and Orange)

For six to seventeen year old students that have reached white, yellow, or orange belt in the art of karate. Class covers basic karate techniques to improve kata and kumite for karate tournaments.

Tournament Class (Green, Blue, Brown, and Black)

Offered to those that are six to seventeen years of age that have reached either green, blue, brown, or black belt level in the art of karate. This class covers basic to advanced karate techniques to help improve kata, kumite, and weapons form for karate tournaments.

Weapons Class

Offered to those that are six to seventeen years of age that has reached yellow belt to black belt level. This class covers basic to advanced bo techniques to enhance bo forms.