The Complete Guide to GKR Karate

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Welcome to Karate Central!

Its 2008 and another fantastic year of opportunities is with us.

Karate is a martial art that developed from a synthesis of indigenous fighting methods in Okinawa and the introduced techniques from China. It evolved significantly after gaining popularity in Japan and continues to evolve as it spreads around the world in the 21st Century.

Karate means "empty hand" in Japanese. It is known primarily as a striking art, featuring punching, kicking, knee/elbow strikes and open handed techniques. However, grappling, joint manipulations, locks, restraints/traps, throws and vital point striking are also part of karate. A practitioner of karate is called a karateka.

In general, there are many components to modern karate training. One common division is between the areas of kihon (basics or fundamentals), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring). Karate can also be divided into art, sport, and self defense training. Weapons (kobudo) training and the mental and spiritual aspects, such as perseverance, fearlessness, virtue, and leadership skills are also a critical component as most karate instructors value and incorporate discipline into their classes.

Karate has many obvious physical benefits. I originally joined as a way to keep fit - and karate training definitely increases your cardio fitness as well as developing strength, flexibility and endurance. However, to succeed in karate, whether from a self-defense, tournament or grading point of view, one must develop significant mental toughness. This is just one aspect of the spiritual side of karate-do.

Karate-do is a way of life. People start training in karate for a number of reasons, such as, to learn self-defense, to get fit, to make friends, to improve self-discipline, etc. I certainly continue to train for all of these reasons. However, I believe the ultimate goal of martial training is developing one's self to reach their maximum potential.

"What many people do not realise when they first begin training is that the most significant benefit will ultimately be a total self-improvement." - Shihan Stacey Karetsian

Martial arts training is about teaching us that we can achieve great things. Becoming a black belt is your recognition that you can attain an extraordinary goal. The fact that a person made the decision to obtain a black belt is one thing, but to then persist until it is achieved is admirable. It is not only saying “Yes, I can achieve success”, but it also says “I will achieve success”. - Sensei Anthony Ryan

I began my martial arts training over ten years ago and was awarded my black-belt in Go-Kan-Ryu karate (GKR) in 2000. I have also trained in boxing, jiu-jitsu and tae-kwon-do, however, the majority of my martial arts journey has been in karate. I have been fortunate enough to have been taught or given valued advice by many karate 'masters' including Shihan Stacey Karetsian, Shihan Leo Lapinski, Shihan James Casey, Sensei Tyrone Coates, Sensei Andrew Bruggy and Sensei Anthony Ryan.

GKR Karate is a traditional non-contact style of Japanese karate, founded by Robert Sullivan in Adelaide in 1984. It has a heavy emphasis on kihon (basics) as well as kata (forms) and kumite (sparring). Kancho Robert Sullivan also focuses on passing down, to his instructors and students, important values, such as loyalty and respect. GKR has been a significant part of my life and has shaped it in many ways. The first section of this website is all about GKR and will hopefully provide a good summary. Note: some GKR related material such as kata descriptions and tournament rules can be found in the 'Useful Information' section.

This website aims to promote the positive aspects of the martial arts. As a karate instructor I have tried to provide information for both novice and senior students as well as providing some advice for other instructors. There are pages on several aspects of developing physical fitness: cardio, strength, flexibility and conditioning, as well as some information on developing the mental and spiritual aspects. I have also written several pages for instructors who are interested in the psychology behind and the professionalism of teaching

The 'Articles' section contains passages from myGKR, Shimbun and Blitz magazines, as well as some from online and I've even written a few articles myself. Once I've finished all the main sections, I'll continue to add new material there. If you have anything you'd like to contribute, just let me know. Any good photos can easily be added, so pass those on too! Of course, if you have any feedback or general comments, please visit the guestbook.

Naturally, the site has a distinctly Queensland bias. I do not work for GKR so all of the photos are my own or have been given to me and do not necessarily represent anything in particular. Finally, there is the 'Fun Stuff' category. I have two rules in my dojo: Always give 100% effort, and have fun! So I've included some jokes, puzzles and generally kewl links.

In 2008, I hope to "finish" most of my pre-planned sections for the website. However, if you have any suggestions for the website or general karate related questions, feel free to contact me at the address listed above. I also hope to make a few major steps with my karate training this year.

All the best with your karate training or whatever you do. May you find the way to happiness and prosperity.

Keep Smiling!