What is Koryu Uchinadi
What is Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu?
Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu, (which translates as old stream Okinawa hands quanfa art) means the old fighting arts of Chinese origin as handed down in Okinawa and is Hanshi Patrick McCarthy's interpretation of these practices.
It is a method of responding to what we refer to as "Habitual Acts of Physical Violence" utilising punches, kicks, throws, joint manipulations, strangles, pressure point strikes and ground fighting. For today's person interested in the martial arts, it means Koryu Uchinadi is not sports based. In other words, the training does not primarily focus on preparing for competition. Koryu Uchinadi training prepares the student for dealing with unwarranted acts of aggression in the real world. At the same time the methods used to achieve this, and the code of conduct adhered to by the school, conditions the body, cultivates the mind and nurtures the spirit.
Drills Drills Drills
What makes us so different from other martial arts are the unique two person drills designed by Hanshi McCarthy. By using these drill to practice the techniques we learn in lessons we are able to safely train many dangerous techniques including: strikes; escapes; balance displacement; strangulation and kicks. By using these drills we get many repetitions (the mother of marital arts) with a partner with out the need to stop and reset after each technique.
What does the Logo Mean?
The school logo represents the tip of a sword on one side and the tip of a calligraphy brush on the other. This symbolises that there should be a balance between the physical side of learning and practicing the martial arts and the cultural, intellectual and spiritual aspects of our tradition, and by spiritual we do not mean religious. Although the study of the history of martial arts and the other components which make it up, such as anatomy & physiology, bio-mechanics, etc, are not taught as a separate section within the school, they are incorporated in to the lessons to varying degrees.
It's always been the human body
Martial arts all over the world have one thing in common; they all involve methods of impeding the function of the human body. It revolves around the fact that (for the most part) we all have 2 arms, 2 legs, a body and a head. The nervous system, circulatory system, muscular system and skeletal structure are the same for everybody. So therefore people's actions, and the best method of dealing with them, don't alter very much. Koryu Uchinadi uses certain principles to optimise our responses, such as, but not restricted to -
PDR's. - This stands for Pre Determined Responses. There are specific body responses which you have very little, if any, control over. For example - the gag reflex, flinching if your eyes are threatened, bending forward when struck in the groin. Knowing how someone will react when "stimulated" in a specific way allows us to be 1 step ahead. Leading Control - Knowing how to disrupt someone's balance effectively allows you to throw/takedown an opponent as well as minimise their ability to attack.
The 5 ancient tools - understanding how levers, wedges, wheel & axle, pulley and screws work in relation to applying techniques to the human body
Application Principles (The 5 secrets of Karate)
1. Location - where you apply technique
2. Tool - which body part you use, fist, elbow, foot, etc.
3. Angle - The angle at which the technique is applied
4. Direction - What direction the force is travelling
5. Intensity - The amount of power required to get a specific result In the end you can only be attacked (empty handed) in two ways, percussive impact (punches, strikes or kicks) or seizing.
That's it. Knowing that, and understanding the limitations and opportunities that dealing with the human body presents us, allows us to deliver a martial art that is, quite frankly, second to none.