OKKO Karate Jutsu

So Why do Karate?

There are so many answers to this question, i can tell you why i took up karate, and after that i will list some of the more obvious reasons why people take up a hobby like karate then allowing it to become a "Way of Life.

I was put into Karate at a very early age of just 4 years old, this was due to my size and the fact that i could be a target to Bullies (which i was), very soon after enrolling and getting my first Suit, i was hooked the rest as they say is History.

Karate is not just about Fighting, Karate teaches us Self-Discipline,Health,Fitness,Loyalty,Respect,Integrity, it gives us a look at different cultures and and helps promote a peacefull mind.

At OKKO we promote all of the above plus lots more, our lessons are based around Kata, or form, a ritual dance to the onlooker with no knowledge of the Martial Arts, Kata hold the secrets to the best Techniques of self-defence and personal protection, although many Karate clubs feel they need no longer practice the katas as it has no relevance to todays sadly all too violent society, at OKKO we work endlessly to find and understand the secrets of the kata`s that have been locked away for over a century, OKKO Karate promote team spirit, we have no clicks and give no preferential treatment everyone is equal, we promote Confidence and good manners and above all else we promote the FUN aspect of Karate training. Note the drawing below, looks impressive doesnt it, this is the first move in the kata Pinan Nidan

All students are taught right from the get go that self-defence is just that, and they may only ever use there aquired knowledge as a last resort if all verbal communications break down and you are in Danger of a direct physical assault, OKKO students understand that having the technical ability to win a "fight" does not mean they have to sink so low as to be dragged into a "fight", OKKO students learn how to deal with these situations verbally, they are taught that walking away from a fight is always a better option, it is not cowardice to walk away its common sense.

  When Sparring, our students are taught to be controlled and respectful of others, it is not acceptable to beat up your training partner, sparring is a fun lesson but also an eye opener, being great at competetion fighting is not the same as being able to defend yourself on the street, at OKKO we deal with 2 types of sparring, Childs sparring, semi contact, and touch sparring, this is a very light contact sparring with no contact to the face, all children must wear headguards (mandatory) techniques are thrown to the arms and body with only the slightest of taps to the headguard, all sparring sessions start and end in a BOW this shows respect for each other, students also touch gloves as another mark of respect.

The 2nd type of sparring we do at OKKO is adult sparring, this is not for the faint hearted and is very much Full contact, with takedowns and arm bars for a submission finish, this is only available to Adults and will never be taught to younger students.