Category Archives: karate

September 23, 2013 · 7:18 am

Martial Art Classes Start September 23 in the North Shore, Milwaukee

Classes Start Monday, September 23. Glendale, WI

Monday, September 23, at 6:15 at the Lydell School in Glendale we begin our classes in our practical style of Karate.

Wednesday, September 25, at 7:30, we begin our fall classes in Judo and Jujitsu.

Lydell Community Center Gym

Ages 13 and older

Karate Mondays 6:15 – 7:15pm

Sept 23 – Dec 9

Fee Karate only $120.00

Judo Advanced Wednesdays 7:30 – 8:30pm

Sept. 25 to Dec 11

Fee Judo Advanced: $120.00

Judo and Karate Combined: $140.00

For more information on times and prices and registration:

Recreation Guide

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Filed under Judo, karate, martial arts

October 15, 2012 · 12:34 pm

The ‘Point of Gravity’ in Judo, Aikido and Karate

At North Shore Martial Arts in Whitefish Bay WI, three martial art styles we teach include Judo, Aikido, and Karate. The following was taken from a book called The Martial Arts by Michael Random which adds some interesting insights to these styles.

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Karate is determined by one’s will to concentrate the greatest amount of energy in one spot; judo too acts on a single point but by shifting the centre of gravity. As soon as the vertical line which passes through the centre of gravity is moved outside the area of support, the subject is ready to fall. In aiki-do, the point is the centre of the circle. Any change of position pulls the opponent towards the void symbolized by this centre and makes him fall.

The Open or Empty Hands

The expression ’empty hands’ is peculiar to the karate of Okinawa, the word karate itself meaning ’empty hands’.

A second meaning is added to the literal sense. The empty hand is also the hand free of nervous tension and restriction, the hand through which the energy passes.

In aiki-do, the position of the open hand, with outstretched fingers is called tegatana. Here, the hand is the image of energy itself which can indifferently determine life or death, and be yin or yang, the negative or positive force.

Similarly in judo, the hand is the extension of the intelligence combined with technique. Master Kano’s judo had to be like a dance. That meant that only he who possessed suppleness of mind and body could attack properly. The hand penetrated the opposing force and in a way attracted this force to it in order to use it and throw it.

Karate still obeys the same principle adapted to the total mobilization of energy transmitted by the hand.

(From The Martial Arts by Michel Random)

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Filed under Aikido, Judo, karate, martial arts, Okinawa, Uncategorized

October 7, 2012 · 5:58 pm

The Straight Punch by Bruce Lee

The power of a punch does not come from the arms, but from the whole body. Here is what Bruce Lee wrote in his book, “The Tao of Jeet Kune Do.”

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Straight hitting (and straight kicking) is the foundation of scientific fighting skill. It developed late in history and, therefore, is the product of careful thought. Requiring speed and intelligence to use, it travels less distance than round arm blows (or hook and spin kicks) and will reach the mark first. Straight blows (and kicks) are more accurate than hooks and swings and allow full use of the arm (and leg) reach

Straight hitting is based on an understanding of body structure and the value of leverage. It is an attempt to use body weight in every blow, hitting with the body and using the arms as merely the vehicles of force. Arm action alone is insufficient to give real power to blows. Real power, quick, accurate, can be obtained only by shifting the weight in such a manner that the hip and shoulder precede the arm to the center line of the body.

(Bruce Lee, “The Tao of Jeet Kune Do”)

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Filed under bruce lee, hook punch, karate, power, straight punch

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September 30, 2012 · 7:06 pm

Martial Arts and Health

One of the primary benefits of training in the martial arts is improved health. In fact, this was one of its fundamental purposes.

This is also one of the goals of our martial arts training in the North Shore Martial Arts Club here in Southeast Wisconsin.

Anko Itosu (1832-1916) was born on the island of Okinawa. He studied martial arts with both local practitioners and Chinese who came to the island. He synthesized many of the techniques and has been referred to as the originator of what is called “Modern Karate.”

In a letter written to all the public schools in Okinawa in 1908, Itosu stated:

Tode (Kara-te) is primarily for the benefit of health. … In the past, many of those who have mastered Tode have lived to an old age. This is because it Tode aids in the development of the bones and sinews and it helps the digestive organs and is good for the circulation of the blood.

There is certainly more scientific and recent literature to support the health benefits of safe martial art training. But it is interesting to note that the tradition of karate and martial arts covers a broad spectrum of applications, much more than just self defense or combat.