ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS & ASSOCIATIONS

Students and enthusiasts of the Martial Arts have many reasons for their interests. Some are drawn to the physical fitness, stress-reduction and weight-loss benefits. Others seek to add discipline and self-confidence to their lives, while some are concerned about personal safety and self-defense. Whether you are interested in our programs for mental or physical well being, or just the desire to challenge yourself and achieve a Black Belt, Samurai Budokan offers a number of programs including traditional JAPANESE AIKIDO, GOJU-RYU KARATE  & OKINAWAN WEAPONS (KOBUDO), and SHAOLIN WING CHUN KUNG FU that will fit your developmental needs and your busy schedule as well.

Japanese Aikido
Sensei Jorge Garcia of the Shudokan School of Aikido will be instructing this wonderful martial art here under the Shindokan Aikido program. The name Aikido is composed of three Japanese words: ai, meaning harmony; ki, spirit or energy; and do, the path, the system or the way. Aikido is the way of harmony with the spirit.  Martial arts are studied for self-defense and self-improvement, but Aikido is different from other martial arts in that the practitioner seeks to achieve self-defense without injury to attackers.  The basic movements of Aikido are circular in nature; most attacks are linear. The Aikidoist harmonizes with, rather than confronting, an aggressive line and converts it into a circular motion that renders attackers helpless.

Then, instead of using potentially crippling kicks or punches, the Aikidoist trains to apply various wristlocks, arm pins, or unbalancing throws to neutralize aggressors without serious injury.
Aikido is not a sport. There are no competitive tournaments. The Aikidoist betters his or her self without belittling others, and because Aikido seeks not to cause harm, techniques can be practiced at full power without fear of injury.  Aikido is considered an “internal” martial art because learning Aikido techniques help you to deal with your own aggressive tendencies and teaches you to relax and be calm in order to be able to receive and redirect aggressive movement and stabilize it in a harmonious resolution.  Beyond being a martial art, Aikido is thought of by many to be a way of self improvement as well as a system of health and wellness.
Aikido is the newest of the traditional Asian martial arts, holds the most modern outlook, and is proud of its high ideals.

Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate
Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate is our traditional karate program at Samurai Budokan with programs for Children, Adults, and Families.  Developed in Naha, Okinawa in the late 1800's with its roots in Southern Chinese Martial Arts such as White Crane Kung Fu,  Goju-Ryu is based on two oriental concepts - hardness and softness , similar to the Ying and Yang concepts that balance each other into perfect harmony for self-defense and total wellness.  

We teach in the traditional Japanese manner with respect for each other foremost in our training.  Competition is another avenue available and is pursued as part of the "Sport" of Karate under the guidelines of the United States National Karate-Do Federation (USA-NKF), the representative for traditional karate under the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun Kung Fu
Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun Kung Fu  is a complete self defense system unique unto itself.  The beauty of the system is its simplicity, efficiency and effectiveness.  Using positioning, timing and energy flow, a Hung Fa Yi practitioner can successfully defend himself/herself against a larger opponent.  The value of the system is in the knowledge of how to deal  with energy and its application to all of aspects of one's daily life.

Traditional Kobudo (Weapons)
Traditional Kobudo (weapons) is one of the programs we offer that goes hand-in-hand with the study of Karate.  Traditional Okinawan weapons such as the Bo (staff), Kama (sickle), Tonfa (baton), Nunchakus, and Sai (tridents) are taught to serious Karate students and martial artists wishing to expand their knowledge of the martial arts.  Kobudo is also participated in as one of the competitive tournament events under the USA-NKF.

We seek to improve and better ourselves as students and citizens through the discipline and training of the martial arts.  The martial arts have proven to enhance peoples lives by improving their self-esteem, self-confidence and physical fitness while building character and imparting life-saving self-defense skills.

Associations
We are proud to be associated with and through the following organizations:

The Japan Karate-Do Federation Goju-KaI (JKF) via the JKF Goju-Ryu Kai, Texas. The JKF Goju-Kai is the standardizing  body for Goju-Ryu karate.  The Okinawan Goju-Ryu Federation Jundo-kan in Naha, Okinawa via the Texas Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association .   The Jundo-kan formerly under the auspices of the late Eiichi Miyazato, one of Chogun Miagi O'Sensei's  students and now under the leadership of master Iha Kosin Sensei, and the Texas Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association under Ramon Veras Sensei.

	United States National Karate-do Federation (USA-NKF). The USA-NKF is the national governing body for traditional karate under the United States Olympic Committee and the World Karate Federation (WKF).
	Aikikai/Shudokan Aikido Association (SAA). The Shudokan School of Aikido is chartered as a non-profit corporation in the state of Texas for the purpose of supporting and promoting the art of Aikido as espoused by the Doshu of Aikido, Moriteru Ueshiba and the Aikikai Foundation. Our Shihan is Hiroshi Kato, 8th dan of the Suginami Aikikai in Tokyo, Japan.  As branch dojos of the Suginami Aikikai, our dojos are affiliated with the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan.  All Shudokan Aikido Association dojos follow the standards of the Aikikai Foundation and Aikido World Headquarters.
	Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai (OKDR). The OKDR is devoted to the study and preservation of the treasured art of Kobudo. Gakiya Yoshiaki Sensei serves as President of the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai and has branch divisions in America, Australia, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Argentina, Portugal, England, Okinawa, Japan and other countries.  Neil Stolsmark Sensei, 6th dan, is Chairman of the North American Headquarters, located in Waukesha, WI.

Invitation

Take a look at our programs and come experience a FREE INTRODUCTORY CLASS. We offer family and group discounts.  If you have any questions please contact us  through our email links on this site, our call us during business hours, please refer to our Class Schedule. We look forward to meeting you in the near future.