Guardian Karate

Vocabulary: A Guardian is "one who guards and protects." Karate comes from "kara" meaning "empty," and "te" which means "hand." Guardian Karate means "the empty hand fighting of one who guards and protects." Karate can refer specifically to the Japanese or Okinawan arts martial arts that primarily use linear motions, but it is also used generically for many striking and kicking martial arts.

Guardian Karate teaches mastery of a set of skills that takes two years to learn. A student may join the class at any time and start learning. Students learn to spar (controlled, safe fighting practice), fall safely, and a few other important skills. Guardian Karate includes a long combination of moves (called a Form or Kata) that we teach over four months time. The art also includes 20 Self Defense combinations (call Techniques) to deal with punches, grabs and kicks.

Once a student knows the material, then that material is used to prepare the student for deeper understanding, more powerful and precise martial arts movement, and effective Self Defense skill. A Black Belt in Guardian Karate should be very well prepared for most Self Defense situations that do not involve wrestling on the ground (for which a student would learn Guardian Jujitsu).

Two Years for a Foundation

There are two years of material to learn. Once a student knows the basics, progress into deeper understanding of details and more powerful performance is pursued. There is a steady progression of expectation after the basics. Once the basics are known, a student can choose the speed at which he or she progresses.

Over a quarter of the training classes in Guardian Karate are spent working on Sparring. For that, students will want to have their own sparring protective equipment as soon as possible. Until then, students are invited to train more slowly to stay safe, and sometimes may be provided equipment from the "community gear" at the school. There are many different drills and exercises we use to train specific skills and movements.

Four to Six Years for a Black Belt

It is possible for a dedicated student who practices regularly and pays close attention to discussion topics to earn a Black Belt in Four Years. In fact, this level of dedication is preferred, but as a practical matter we understand that the average adult doesn't have the time to do that. Thus we have the program-driven progression which produces a Black Belt in Six Years simply be sticking with the program. However, for those self-starters who are willing to put in the extra work and start training at a higher level the second time through, you are invited and encouraged to do so.

More Than Just Movement

Guardian Karate is about more than movement. The physical aspect of training is important, of course, but martial arts is about a lot more than fighting. In each class some time in invested in discussing a topic relevant to training, that day's drill or new skill, or life. Creating well rounded, insightful martial artists that master Life as well as karate is important.

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Guardian Karate is a prerequisite to Guardian Kempo. One must know all two years of material in Guardian Karate, Guardian Jujitsu, and Guardian Kobujitsu before being permitted to study Guardian Kempo. The next Guardian Kempo class is expected to start in January 2007. Guardian Kempo is the most advanced art that is commercially taught by the instructors.

Spiritual Instruction

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