What is Ryukyu Kempo?
Ryukyu Kempo is a way of life.
In ancient Okinawa, karate was more than a spare time
activity. It touched the very essence of the people who
studied it, changing the way they thought, the way they
felt about themselves, the way they interacted with
other people, and in fact, deeply permeating their lives.
Much of that has been lost. In modern America, karate
is only a sport like any other sport.
Ryukyu Kempo is traditional instruction.
Ryukyu Kempo is a well-rounded martial art,
encompassing studies that many more modern styles
consider old-fashioned and irrelevant. With a return to
the old way of thinking; however, these studies are
relevant, for this is what elevates Ryukyu Kempo to an
art, a way of life, and thus the ultimate in self-defense,
Ryukyu Kempo is self-defense.
All styles of karate claim to teach self-defense, but only
Ryukyu Kempo offers the grappling art known as Tuite
and the nerve point techniques called Kyusho Jitsu.
Tuite "Grab-Hand" Techniques. All bodies are weak in
the some ways. They all have nerves, joints, tendons,
muscles that respond in a way to a certain type of
pressure. Ryukyu Kempo's grappling art exploits these
weaknesses, so that a big, strong person is as easily
controlled as a small, weak one.
Kyosho Jitsu "Vital Point" Techniques. The striking
techniques of Ryukyu Kempo are some of the most
sophisticated in the martial arts. Properly used against
selected anatomical points of the nervous and
circulatory systems, they will temporarily disable an
opponent beyond his ability to retaliate. Precision, not
strength, is the key.
Ryukyu Kempo offers control of the opponent.
Ryukyu Kempo students are trained in the prudent use
lethal force in a life-threatening situation. Most often,
however, the attacker is the victim's friend or family,
and the victim will not use killing or maiming techniques.
Thus, he cannot defend himself, unless he can also
control an opponent with a minimum of injury to the
attacker. Such techniques are offered by Ryukyu
Kempo.
Ryukyu Kempo offers katas.
A kata is a prearranged pattern of movement that
expresses the basic elements of karate. Each
movement holds subtle meanings not readily discernible
to the untrained eye. Many martial artists have heard of
the hidden art within the katas, but only in Ryukyu
Kempo is this art taught.
Ryukyu Kempo offers weapons.A vest arsenal of weapons lore supplements Ryukyu
Kempo's formidable array of empty-hand techniques.
Students may learn several katas for each of the
traditional weapons, plus an awesome assortment of
techniques drawn from those katas. They are thought
the interrelationship between empty-hand movements
and weapons techniques, stressing the value of
weapons training in the perfection of empty-hand
technique.
Ryukyu Kempo offers physical training.
Strengthening, stamina, coordination, and balance are
achieved through the Ryukyu Kempo workout . Regular
training pushes each student to his individual limits,
challenging him to stretch those limits just a little further
with every class. The result is improved mental and
physical self-discipline, more complete self-awareness,
and increased self-confidence.
Ryukyu Kempo offers sport.
Of course, no martial art would be complete without the
excitement of sport karate. Free-style sparring, known
as bogu kumite, is characterized by full power punches
and kicks and the use of bogu gear, face masks and
body armor for protection. This enabless fighters to
use safely techniques that might otherwise kill or
seriously injure an opponent.
Ryukyu Kempo offers competition.
A little competition is always healthy, and it's a good
way for students to learn to think to their feet. Not only
the sport of bogu kumite but also empty-hand and
weapon katas are featured at occasional tournaments
sponsored by Ryukyu Kempo schools.
Ryukyu Kempo offers membership in an international
alliance.
Most karate schools belong to some of umbrella
organization. For Ryukyu Kempo, that organization is
the Ryubei Ryukyu Kempo Rengo Kai, United Ryukyu
Kempo Alliance, headed by Kaicho Allan Amor.
Instruction in the more advanced Ryukyu Kempo
techniques is limited to members and certain
kata/techniques videotapes and DVDs are reserved for
them. In addition, members are given discounts to
Kaicho Amor's seminars and annual summer camp.
Benefits also include certification of rank and wallet-size
membership card.
Ryukyu Kempo offers etiquette and ways of thinking.
Kaicho Amor also teaches that karate has more one
meaning. The translation of karate "Open Hand" can
refer to weaponless self-defense, but it also means an
open hand offered to help others. Thus, Ryukyu Kempo
schools and students are encouraged to participate in
community service programs.
Ryukyu Kempo offers unity.
One of the unique charateristics of Ryukyu Kempo is
the relationship between all the schools. Though they
are each independent, the instructors all draw their
knowledge from a single source, Kaicho Amor. The
strengh of his ki and his philosophy have united the
various instructors in a closeness uncommon in the
martial arts.
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