The Beginning
“Who need martial art and self defense skills?. We don’t need that, just fight like a ‘cowboy’, that will just do to defend ourself”, I always thought that until April 2007. I realized that self defending without knowledge, skills and training will put one person in disadvantage corner either in defending or offending. But am I too old for this?
In early April 2oo7, I began to search for a specific martial art for myself to adopt and by various queries, I am now a student and a member of one of the martial arts school here in my hometown, Melaka.
It’s not an easy decision to choose which style of martial art to adopt as I need to looked into many angles before I finalized my decision. Those areas that I took into my considerations were :-
- What style really impressed me? My shortlisted style were Ninjitsu, Aikido, Silat and Karate.
- Where will be the training venue? Is it convenience to travel? Distance wise?
- How’s the environment of the class and training schedule?
- What is the cost factor? Joining fees, monthly fees, benefits etc.
- Am I going the be the oldest student if I join this class/organization?
- And I also did my judgment based on how was the ‘master’ communicate during my queries sessions with them.
So, which martial art that I choose? I am now a member of Seiken Self Defense Academy practicing Shorin Ryu Seibukan Karate.
Shorin Ryu Seibukan Karate – Do
I am still new in this field, as for to date (23rd May 2007) I only completed my 5th class. There are still huge skills, informations & knowledge to learn.
Basically, I learned that Shorin Ryu originated from Okinawa, Japan. Karate has many branches and Shorin Ryu is one of them. Seibukan in other hand was being introduced by Master Zenryo Shimabukuro, a baker with a small figure, only 5 feet & 2 inches tall. Although he is small but he was a real strong and skillful individual.
You may learn more about Seibukan at Melaka Seibukan a page developed by my Sensei (Guru/Master), Sensei Azlimmi Himzal.
At my dojo (training school), Seibukan style being taught by concentrating on traditional karate and not towards sport karate.
Below is a clip of Master Sensei Zenpo (9th Degree Black Belt and Supreme Instructor of International Seibukan Shorin Ryu Karate Association) performing a Kata (combo movement). My Sensei told me a few weeks ago that Master Sensei Zenpo will come to Malaysia on this November 2007 and I will have a chance to meet him in person. Further more, I will have the opportunity of being graded by him.
