WHAT IS PRACTISED IN KEMPO GENBU RYU?
As a traditional Style of Japanese Karate we do practise the values of a Karate Dojo foremost.
Training in Kempo Genbu Ryu consists of:
WARM UPS
During the beginning of any class it is important to warm up, stretch and build the body ready for class. Whilst usually it runs approx. 20mins, a good warm up can also take one (1) hour, depending on what you want to achieve. However this is not part of the regular classes in Kempo Genbu Ryu and reserved for Camps and the like.
During warm up a Karate students builds his/her body via stretching and a cardiovascular warm (regime), via isometric regime and via dynamic movements. We include in every warm up stretching, push ups and sit ups (crunches) and all interlocking each other to develop the body in a stronger entity.
KIHON TRAINING
Kihon (Basics) as usually practiced in a Karate Dojo. The basic principle here is to have asset training regime to continues to keep the body sharp for defence and offense situations. The body is training to enable to the legs, and harms and the rest of the body to react when required.
This straining is from stances, the strikes and legs in all sorts of various combinations that enable to person to have a vast amount of athleticism in themselves to be able to execute these required attacks etc.
Via the continual practice of the Karate one does keep the fitness and the ability to use their body to be able to defence and attack when required ‘effectively’.
KATA TRAINING
Kata training is a core fundamental in Kempo Genbu Ryu. Kata is a prearranged form that is sued to develop ones Balance, Posture, Movements, Execution of Technique in Motion, Develops Focus and Co-ordination. Kata is used to develop the mind and Body and eventually the Spirit of the Karate person.
We need to be clear and to break the myths that Kata is not magical and if one practices Kata over and over it doesn’t mean that the person will be able to defend themselves. Kata is far different to that it develops the person’s body and mind (mental) focus. Kata taught wrong can give the wrong interpretation to a person making them believe they can defend and fight. Sadly today too many Kata practice is done a prearrange movement and not as combat preparedness movement. Kata will eventually lead to good self defence however only if and when the body and mind focus is achieved.
GOSHIN JITSU
This is Self Defence, which is the second core of Kempo Genbu Ryu. Without effective Self Defence there is no Karate. If a Karate person cannot get out of a situation then it has been to the detriment of everything that Karate stands for.
Kempo Genbu Ryu is known for a strong effective system if Self Defence. And whilst it is easy to express this in writing, in advertising, on posters or on websites, it is essential that this must be true in every front.
Kempo Genbu Ryu is known with no doubt for its strong application and delivery of self defence techniques.
Kempo Genbu Ryu is Self Defence, it is not fancy, elaborate in our eyes - it is straight to the point, with total judgement is can devastate the opponent in seconds.
This is the importance of tying in the Mind, Body and Spirit training of Kempo Genbu Ryu to allow the use of all three in a defensive situation.
Kancho Mylonas is very reluctant to use the phrase Mind, Body and Spirit as possibly all Schools like using this phrase however he does question who really understands this and practices this; as in a real Budo style Mind, Body & Spirit is not just a ‘commercial’ style of training it is a core vale. Not to be controversial this statement will end now however one needs to be aware of words, actions and how the two come together when training.
KUMITE
This is Sparring, and this happens after joins a Kempo Genbu Ryu Dojo and begins slowly (naturally) and develops over time. Whilst it is non contact the experienced students tend to be a lot stronger in their approach as they have developed their skill-base to be able to allow contact in the routine. Again this is because of the skill level they have developed over their time in practicing Kempo Ryu.
Kempo Genbu Ryu is known as one of the few true Full Contact styles that competes in the no padding Full Contact events, however it is also a major player in the Non Contact events too. For both Full Contact and Non Contact style of fighting has its own benefits and need to be clearly understood by all students.
A good karate fighter should not only be able to do Full Contact he/she should be able to be effective in non contact too which requires a lot of control speed and fitness to be able to move fast & strike fast continuous for the duration of the bout whilst defending and repositioning oneself.
Similarly in Full Contact one must be able to deliver strikes that count every time not just a barrage of strikes that are not effective. So many people feel by throwing multiple attacks they score or secure an advantage. Further may be the truth - an old saying of “less is better” is true here. However Kempo Ryu does focus in effective application of every strike and attempts to have more strikes out than most - again they need to be effective strikes - every single one strike.
Hence training in both is different and specialised, hence the dedication one must offer to the Dojo over the years to learn the true Kempo Ryu.
In stating all the above, it is rare to see any serious injury when competing - why? The answer is because every student is prepared for the style of fighting they go into. They are truly Budo warriors and over time Body, Mind and Spirit is prepared for this.
This is weaponry and known as Kempo Ryu Kobudo.
The use weapons is usually taught to special Squad members, students attending Camps and reserved for students who show proficiency on the core of Kempo Genbu Ryu - which is their Karate training.
KICKBOXING (Soeno Kickboxing)
We teach Kickboxing known as Soeno Kickboxing names after Japans greatest Kickboxer and highest rank Kaarte man - Yoshiji Soeno "Sosui" founder of The Shidokan - World Karate Association. He was one of the "seven samurai" Mas Oyama sent to the USA to expand his Karate style and was one of the three undefeated fighters of Japan who won the Kickboxing challenge between Japan & Thailand. He is the mentor, teacher and 'big brother' to Kancho Peter Mylonas.
Grappling (Brazilian Ju-Jitsu)
We teach Grappling adding BJJ concepts and via experience Black Belts - our program is the Broz Jiu Jitsu grappling program headed by Master Fabricio Mendoca. We use this as standalone application for grappling and also for stand-up full contact fighting which allows grappling for take downs (used in Japan for tournaments).
We have a future focus for our students to enter stand alone Grappling competitions should they wish to do so and are prepared to train hard for these events.
KOBUDO (Okinawan Weapons)
Weapons is an extension of their Budo study and as such will be taught at a time a student gets invited to learn.
The Syllabus at this stage has bias toward the ‘empty hand’ side of the style however as a full Budo style Kodudo is and will be taught at designated times of a Karate student’s tenure in Kempo Genbu Ryu.
Overall there is much more than one can write here in what the style of Kempo Ryu teaches. It will develop above all the character of the student, refine it into a person for achievement and discipline to ensure goals are achieve. The best way to understand what karate training is about is to try a class in a Kempo Genbu Ryu Dojo.