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Almost
any technique can be found within multiple self defense systems around
the world. The method of how they get to it, or how they execute it may
vary from art to art, but effective for that culture none the less.
Therefore in Kai-Shin we study not just techniques themselves, but also
why do they work, what is the overall guiding principal or common
thread within each arts method that makes it work. We believe that as people, our bodies move freely and of our own will, therefore no technique can belong to any one particular system, the principles of the technique belong to people universally as a whole.
What does become unique to a particular art or system is their method of entry, and this is what truly separates them, however since the end result is the same this is what unites them as well. In Kai-Shin we study not only the techniques of self defense, but the different entries which lead up to them.
The
name Kai-Shin can be literally translated as Kai = Open, Shin =
Mind/Heart. Word for word it can be read “Open
Mind”, but
the intended meaning is “Style of an open mind & an
open
heart”, because to train in this art you need both. Although the name is of Okinawan heritage, don’t let that fool you. The system may have began with Okinawan roots, thus it’s name, however the range of methods from which it employs are from Okinawan, Chinese, Filipino, Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Japanese cultues.
It cover techniques from stand up positions, on the ground, and defense from weapons. It teaches blocks, punches, kicks, knees & elbows, takedowns, locks, trapping, chokes, and pressure points. It blends soft graceful smooth motions with hard hitting explosive power.
Kai-Shin is an eclectic art founded by T. Kent Nelson, although he prefers to think of it more as an "approach" to studying martial arts rahter then a "style". He first began to develop his views of martial principal study in 1992, and his approach was recognized and endorsed by the Unity Martial Arts Association on May 13, 1997. He has been evolving and improving on his vision ever since, training very closely with such martial art living legends as Sensei Tadashi Yamashita, and regularly attends seminars taught by Guro Dan Inosanto several times a year. He has also trained with such masters as pressure point expert Taika Seiyu Oyata, and Philipino combat knife expert Dr. Gyi. The main systems which contribute to the art are Boxing-Kickboxing, Kali-Silat, Suikendo, Jun Fan Gung Fu / Jeet Kune Do, Mauy Thai, and Jujitsu. Along with his strong beleif in Marial Arts Cross Training, he also draws from those techniques found within law enforcment and military defensive tactics.
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| Yamashita Sensei and Sensei Nelson | Guru Dan Inosanto and Kent Nelson |
The curriculum and ranking structure of Kai-Shin is set up so that a student is first exposed to the basic movements for each aspect the system covers. Beginners start with basic motions of covering & blocking, Trapping & Striking, Boxing-Kickboxing and learning the apprpriate ranges for each type of technique. This then evolves into more complex combinations, joint locks, off-balancing, sweeps and takedowns, and then eventually moving toward the basics of ground-defense.
We
build upon this strong foundation with each new rank achieved.
Students
are taught the principals behind each technique and how to apply them
in a variety of situations. Most importantly is also teaching the
ability to recognize which method would be effective in what type of
situation, and what would not. How to move freely and without thought
from one type defense method to another as the situation dictates is a
large focus of the training. Therefore it is not just a hodge-podge of
unconnected material. This type of training allows people of all body types to study it. Because a student is exposed to a wide range of defensive theories, it lets a person capitalize on what they are good at, and develop that which they are not.
The focus of Kai-Shin is to teach both practical means of self defense and the character building life lesson philosophies of a traditional martial art. We acahive this by developing the physical techniques through the methods of modern martial arts cross-training, and by developing the mind through a traditional martial arts enviorment.
Our goal is NOT to have all of our students look the same, it is for all of our students to develop according to their own body type and discover how to make the principals behind the techniques work for them as an individual.
