When people ask me about Shintai, I always find it very difficult to describe. It's a system that's roots have not been openly shared. Rumor has it that some of the style is based on Goju, Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. I think because of this it has been very difficult to have a standardized curriculum per say . One opinion of practicing black belt stated the following: .
Its a very hard style to put into a curriculum. Cause there is so much movement based on freedom and expression. I think for beginners you can follow a procedure but once people get more advanced its more of freedom of movement, following principles of timing, distance, accuracy, balance, structure, etc... Its a LOT more than throwing reverse punches. A set curriculum would work for beginner ranks which is fine, but at a certain point all that gets thrown out the window and its all about freedom of movement, mental patience, etc... Move - block - counter.... When I teach I enjoy teaching as advanced as possible. Teaching guys to understand why they are moving and reacting certain ways and how to use those reactions and feelings to form their styles and strategies... I don't know how you would put that into a set curriculum.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
What is Judo-Shintai karate, Andrew Cherouvis
Shintai School of Self Defense is offering a Judo Seminar July 13, 2011. The seminar will be at Great Bay Tang So Do located off of Central Ave in Dover, NH in the Mill Building Next TO TD Bank.
Below is a description of what is Judo-
Martial Arts: Judo
Judo is a martial art that makes use of throws, strangles and joint locks. There is no kicking or punching in Judo. Judo was originally developed from Jujutsu and was accepted as an Olympic sport in 1966.
The lethal techniques and strikes of Jujutsu have been removed from the syllabus, and Judo’s founder Kano designed a syllabus that was meant to aid in the physical fitness of the Japanese people as well as their character development. As such, Judo was always designed more to be a sport than a self-defence system.The black belt system, that pertains until today in many martial arts (also see: Goju Ryu Karate Belt System) is said to have first developed in Judo. Whereas in the West, great value is placed on the coveted achievement of a black belt, Japanese instructors see the black belt as a stage of the student when the real study of the martial art begins. Judo Uniforms are typically made of heavy material to withstand the pulling and grabbing associated with this martial art.
Origin of Judo: Japan
Founder of Judo: Jigoro Kano - 1882
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Shintai karate- Lesson Objectives, Andrew Cherouvis
This week my objectives are that students would be able to get off an attack. Getting back into a strong stance after throwing a cover strike which would be either a punch or kick. As the second attack would approach, you would have the option of either blocking or retracting and kicking. Catch the attacker within movement.
Points to consider:
1. Maintaining your 4 foot distance from your attacker.
2. Getting back into a strong position once the attack is made off the line.
3. Safety is your number one priority. Did you get off the first strike.
4. Wait for the strike to come in, work close to your attacker.
5. Once the first attack is made, what is the next strike likely to be.
6. If you see a clear punch coming in you might opt to block. depending on the closeness of the attacker, you might have the option of half timing him. Meaning Striking him on the way in working in between his movement.
7. Retracting off the attack and kicking him on his approach.
Note: Before a guitarist can improvise he needs to learn scales. The same with a martial artist, in order to be able to become a good free style combat technician you need to become proficient at these drills.
The key to a successful practice is that both partners communicate with each other.Also, distance is very important. When attacking, you need to throw strikes that are going to be able to reach your opponent. Initially , practice has to be regimented.
Points to consider:
1. Maintaining your 4 foot distance from your attacker.
2. Getting back into a strong position once the attack is made off the line.
3. Safety is your number one priority. Did you get off the first strike.
4. Wait for the strike to come in, work close to your attacker.
5. Once the first attack is made, what is the next strike likely to be.
6. If you see a clear punch coming in you might opt to block. depending on the closeness of the attacker, you might have the option of half timing him. Meaning Striking him on the way in working in between his movement.
7. Retracting off the attack and kicking him on his approach.
Note: Before a guitarist can improvise he needs to learn scales. The same with a martial artist, in order to be able to become a good free style combat technician you need to become proficient at these drills.
The key to a successful practice is that both partners communicate with each other.Also, distance is very important. When attacking, you need to throw strikes that are going to be able to reach your opponent. Initially , practice has to be regimented.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Shintai karate, My introduction to the Martial Arts. A.Cherouvis
I had the opportunity to talk with Tom Callos who is a marketing guru about the use of the internet as a tool to promote ones art. Me writing this blog is a result of our conversations. Not to mention my cousin Steve Contes's influence who is the founder of the Taiji Center in Springhill, Florida, who also started to express his thoughts regarding the martial arts in a blog.
I started my martial arts training back in 1973 at the age of 13. It was during the initial fad of terrible karate movies like "Five Fingers of Death"; and the charasmatic Bruce Lee who at the time helped bring karate into the public eye. My Cousins and I started with Taekwondo classes at the YMCA in Smithtown, NY. I have to admit after a few classes, I hated karate. I spent more time doing push ups, practicing kata's that made no sense to me and being told by the instructor "who sent you". I was terrible, plus it was difficult for me to see an application for what I was learning.
Than one night my cousin John came home after taking his first class at the Taizen School of Self-Defense located in Seldon NY. I remember him showing what he learned that first night. It was basically, someone is threatening you, you step away from the threat approximately 4 feet into a ready stance. Once the threatening party comes within striking distance, you kick him with a front snap kick to the groin. It was so simple, but there was a practical application. It was that concept of nothing fancy, just a simple and effective method to defend ones self that reignited my interest into the martial arts.
When I began studying at Taizen durng the early 70's, there was a clear difference from what we were being taught compared to the more traditional schools. Howard Tague the founder of Taizen devised a system that was extremely effective. He was definitely a head of his time. Plus he didn't fit the mold of your typical instructor. His physical presence alone was very intimidating. On the dojo floor, for a big man he moved like lightning. There was a tremendous emphasis placed on ki flow and structure. As a student, the emphasis was not on the rank but becoming skillful fighters.
My instructor at Taizen was Vincent Miraglia. Shihon Miraglia became the founder of Shintai School of Self-Defense. For myself and other students, having the opportunity to study under Vinny Miraglia was an incredible experience. There is no other martial artist like him. One of the amazing skills of Shihon Miraglia is his uncanny ability to read an opponent. During countless hours of sparing, it was amazing how clear he could read his opponent. And we're not talking about anything fancy or acrobatic, just clean movements working off strikes, timing your opponent and countering when the opportunity is made available. There wasn't a class that would go by where you wouldn't leave wanting to learn more. Shihon Miraglia was a great inspiration. I can honestly say, that I would never have been able to stick with the art if it weren't for Vinny Miraglia's teaching.
Shihon Miraglia placed emphasis on being an artist through movement. A martial artist, one who is not confined by rules or obligation. There is no right or wrong, just what you are doing in the present. To be a black belt was to be free in movement, along with the body and mind working as one entity. But in order to achieve this takes a life time of study. Not to mention the 1000's of hours training to develop effective blocks and strikes.
Initially when I started karate I wanted to be able to defend myself. The longer I stayed in the art, being able to kick butt was the last thing on my mind. It was actually the opposite. On a side note, I can remember Shihon Miraglia firing a punch, hearing the crack of the gi and looking at two large knuckles coming within a half inch of my face and thinking that would put a damper on someones day. For the layperson, I don't think anyone can imagine getting hit by such a strike. You would have to think that you were hit by a club. It was those experiences that put me off to fighting. I would much rather walk away from an altercation than to hurt someone. There is so much more the art has to offer than being able to kick butt. In fact the people who want to only learn to kick butt, never last that long with their training.
After 30 + years of training, I'm still a student of the martial arts. I tell my students that I don't claim to know it all. Training in the arts is an on going process. Now that I'm in my early 50's I still feel that I can improve. I just hope I can pass along the same benefits I had acquired from the martial arts to my students.
I started my martial arts training back in 1973 at the age of 13. It was during the initial fad of terrible karate movies like "Five Fingers of Death"; and the charasmatic Bruce Lee who at the time helped bring karate into the public eye. My Cousins and I started with Taekwondo classes at the YMCA in Smithtown, NY. I have to admit after a few classes, I hated karate. I spent more time doing push ups, practicing kata's that made no sense to me and being told by the instructor "who sent you". I was terrible, plus it was difficult for me to see an application for what I was learning.
Than one night my cousin John came home after taking his first class at the Taizen School of Self-Defense located in Seldon NY. I remember him showing what he learned that first night. It was basically, someone is threatening you, you step away from the threat approximately 4 feet into a ready stance. Once the threatening party comes within striking distance, you kick him with a front snap kick to the groin. It was so simple, but there was a practical application. It was that concept of nothing fancy, just a simple and effective method to defend ones self that reignited my interest into the martial arts.
When I began studying at Taizen durng the early 70's, there was a clear difference from what we were being taught compared to the more traditional schools. Howard Tague the founder of Taizen devised a system that was extremely effective. He was definitely a head of his time. Plus he didn't fit the mold of your typical instructor. His physical presence alone was very intimidating. On the dojo floor, for a big man he moved like lightning. There was a tremendous emphasis placed on ki flow and structure. As a student, the emphasis was not on the rank but becoming skillful fighters.
My instructor at Taizen was Vincent Miraglia. Shihon Miraglia became the founder of Shintai School of Self-Defense. For myself and other students, having the opportunity to study under Vinny Miraglia was an incredible experience. There is no other martial artist like him. One of the amazing skills of Shihon Miraglia is his uncanny ability to read an opponent. During countless hours of sparing, it was amazing how clear he could read his opponent. And we're not talking about anything fancy or acrobatic, just clean movements working off strikes, timing your opponent and countering when the opportunity is made available. There wasn't a class that would go by where you wouldn't leave wanting to learn more. Shihon Miraglia was a great inspiration. I can honestly say, that I would never have been able to stick with the art if it weren't for Vinny Miraglia's teaching.
Shihon Miraglia placed emphasis on being an artist through movement. A martial artist, one who is not confined by rules or obligation. There is no right or wrong, just what you are doing in the present. To be a black belt was to be free in movement, along with the body and mind working as one entity. But in order to achieve this takes a life time of study. Not to mention the 1000's of hours training to develop effective blocks and strikes.
Initially when I started karate I wanted to be able to defend myself. The longer I stayed in the art, being able to kick butt was the last thing on my mind. It was actually the opposite. On a side note, I can remember Shihon Miraglia firing a punch, hearing the crack of the gi and looking at two large knuckles coming within a half inch of my face and thinking that would put a damper on someones day. For the layperson, I don't think anyone can imagine getting hit by such a strike. You would have to think that you were hit by a club. It was those experiences that put me off to fighting. I would much rather walk away from an altercation than to hurt someone. There is so much more the art has to offer than being able to kick butt. In fact the people who want to only learn to kick butt, never last that long with their training.
After 30 + years of training, I'm still a student of the martial arts. I tell my students that I don't claim to know it all. Training in the arts is an on going process. Now that I'm in my early 50's I still feel that I can improve. I just hope I can pass along the same benefits I had acquired from the martial arts to my students.
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