HAND BOOK

Student Name ______________________________________________________________

Instructor:        Sensei  Dana Vinsonhaler        

1100 SE Century

Lees Summit, Mo. 64081           

816-560-2319                    

www.quicksilverkarate.com

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Quicksilver Martial

Arts Academy

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TABLE OF COTENTS

School Background                                                                        2

Instructor Background                                                                   2

Our Master and Style Background                                                 3

Basic Dojo Etiquette                                                                       6

Japanese Terminology                                                                   7

Basic Stances                                                                                 8

School Rules                                                                                   8

Patch Placement                                                                            9

Special Recognition Awards                                                         10

Personal Goals/ Accomplishments                                               10

My Memories                                                                                 11

School Background

Quicksilver Martial Arts Academy was first started in April 2002 at the All Star Sports facility in Lees Summit, Mo.  The dojo was upstairs in a make shift room.

            The training was very hard here because that is the way that Sensei Dana was trained. Unfortunately the school only lasted a year before closing due to lack of student enrollment and Sensei Dana’s commitment to Chiropractic school.

            January 2005 space came open in the up stairs of Dave’s Gymnastics Factory and Quicksilver Martial Arts Academy was restarted again. Starting the school proved to be a challenge. Starting with three students the enrollment began to grow. The school began with classes on a Friday evening and Saturday morning class and expanded to classes five days a week. January 2006 the student enrollment reached forty-seven students, which made it necessary to begin to think about more space. The Pre-school next door to the karate school was leaving in June 2006 so the deal was struck and the karate school had it much needed space.

            Exercise should be included in everyone’s daily life schedule, and classes are offered from ages 3 and up. Private lessons are available, but enrollment, is always open. There no starting points any person can start anytime, and is expected to go at their own pace. No one person is the same as the next, therefore each is an individual of heir own. We all start out at the same level – as a beginner.

            Family oriented atmosphere is what we strive for, and sportsmanship is a must. The school promotes self-discipline, self control, self esteem, and self defense. Each individual gains the confidence they need on the their own. Effort given 100% produces a winner, not just awards and trophies. Friendship is stressed as a means of attitude, in that you are no better or no less than another. We all have different qualities about us that make us better in some areas than another. We train as individuals, but we make up a team, and it takes everyone in friendship to make our team strong!  

Instructor Background

            Sensei Dana Vinsonhaler was born march 11^th 1969, in Great Bend Kansas. He lived in the  small town of Attica, Ks. until the age of 12 when he moved to Great Bend.  He later moved to Lee’s Summit in 2002. He has been married to his wife since 1988 and together they have two sons, Dalton –11 , Kalen –7.  Mr. Vinsonhaler moved to Lees Summit to attend chiropractic school. He currently spends much of his time with schoolwork and advancing his martial arts knowledge.

            Mr. Vinsonhaler began his studies as a child and early teenager years receiving his first black belt in Ji-Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do around 1988.  Later on he started his training in Go Ju Ryu with Sensei Kirk Werth  and Master Sam Price recieving his black belt in 2002.  Mr. Visonhaler holds a fourth degree Dan rating in the Martial Arts. Mr. Vinsonhaler went on to train in other styles and received rank in Aki-JuJitsu and ShorinRyu Karate. After many years of multiple styles of training Mr. Vinsonhaler has devised his ecclectic style of teaching that falls under the GoJu Ryu style.

            After much time spent on the competition circuit Mr. Vinsonhaler decided to retire from the fighting competitions and teach Martial Arts. Mr. Vinsonhaler has lead several demonstrations in area schools and functions, and has been responsible for Safety and Awareness Programs throughout the community. His interest and dedication to the Martial Arts, has brought him numerous awards, including the respect from his fellow black belts and his students.

Style of Martial Arts Training

The martial arts training that is taught is called Goju-Ryu. This art form comes from Japan and is commonly referred to as Karate. The second form that is studied is called Combat Jujutsu, which also comes from Japan. These two forms of training are at the opposite ends of the pole as far as philosophy goes. The Goju-Ryu is considered a hard style and linear containing strikes and punches. Conversely the Jujutsu is a softer style with a more yielding philosophy.  The new student will start to learn the Karate aspect first and later will learn the yielding style as the student’s skills permit.

                Goju-ryu is an Okinawan based style that was created from the mind of Chojun Miyagi in the late 1920’s. Chojun is the creator of karate as we know it today. Though different today, karate’s main focus was on kata then, whereas now it has taken a more eclectic approach.

During the 14^th century Chinese Kenpo was introduced and became known as to-te  (Chinese hand). During the 17^th century the Japanese invaded Okinawa and outlawed the use of weapons and martial arts. During this time this system split into three different and distinctive martial arts. These systems were :

1.       Shuri-te       Hard techniques (Go)  influenced by Kenpo,  seen more as offensive style.

2.       Naha–te       Softer techniques (Ju) of Kenpo and is reguarded as the defensive style, with grappling ,throws, and locks.

3.       Tomari-te     The Hard and soft techniques of Kenpo

Many karate systems have developed from these original systems.  Naha-te has become Goju-Ryu and Tomari and Shuri-te becams Shorin-Ryu and again has split into a few different styles.  Kyokushin karate for example, is a combination of Goju-Ryu and Shotokan karate. Many other systems has evolved from these systems.

                                            Goju-Ryu:   Chojun Miyagi  (founder)

1905 -  Kanyo  Higaonna  began teaching at a public school, he became the karateka in Okinawa.         Many of his students went on to develop their own styles based upon his teachings. Most notably was Chojun Miyagi founder of Goju-Ryu Karate.

1888-  Chojun Miyagi was born.

1902-  Chojun Miyagi was introduced to Kanryo Higaonna.

1905- He traveled to Fukien Providence, China. He studied Shaolin and pa kua forms of boxing. One hard and external (Shaolin) and the other soft and internal(pa kua) , the ingredients from wich his system  Goju was formed.

1927- Miyagi founded Goju Ryu Karate. The first karate style not named from a city, such as, Naha-te.

1933- Karate was officially accepted by the Butoko Kia – the Japanese center for martial arts.

1944- Miyagi created the katas, Gegisai Dai Ichi  and Gegisai Dai Ni.

1953-           Chojun Miyagi  died on October 8^th in Okinawa.

Grandmaster Chojun Miyagi   (1888- 1953)
Founder of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do  

Chojun Miyagi was born on April 25,1888.  He began his Karate training in Shuri-te and at the age of 14 was introduced to Kanryo Higaonna with whom he began his study of Naha-te.  Like his teacher before him, because of his great natural talent and fierce determination, he progressed very rapidly.  The training was severe beyond belief at times but he practiced ever harder with an enthusiasm unmatched by any of the other students.  Chojun Miyagi became "uchi deshi" (private discipline) of Kanryo Higaonna.  He studied with his teacher for 14 years before his teacher's death in 1915.

Chojun Miyagi, as successor to his teacher's "te", pushed himself to the limits of endurance in his desire to emulate his teacher's extraordinary skill.  In 1915 he journeyed to Fuzhou, China, the city where his teacher had studied martial arts to further his research. This was one of three trips he made to China during his lifetime.

On his return to Okinawa he began to teach the martial arts out of his home in Naha.   Later, he also taught at the Okinawan Prefecture Police Training Center, at the Okinawan Master's Training College, and at the Naha Commercial High School (where his teacher had once taught).

Chojun Miyagi worked hard to spread Karate throughout Okinawa and mainland Japan, and to earn his toudi a status equal to that of the highly respected Japanese martial arts of Judo and Kendo.  To achieve this he traveled frequently to mainland Japan where he was invited to teach at Kyoto University, Kansai University and Ritsumei Kan University.   In 1933, Goju-Ryu Karate was the first Okinawan martial art to be registered with the Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai, the center for all martial arts in Japan.  This was a milestone for Karate as it meant it would aligned with the highly respected martial arts of Japan.

Chojun Miyagi dedicated his whole life to Karate.  He was responsible for structuring his toudi (which he later named Goju-Ryu) into a systemized discipline which could be taught to society in general.  This teaching system that he formulated enabled Karate to be taught in schools for the benefit of the young, and to reach vast numbers of people throughout the world.  However, his private teaching at his home remained strictly in adherence to the principles and traditions of his teacher, Kanryo Higaonna, and his teacher before him, RuRuKo.

The naming of Goju-Ryu came about more by accident than by design.  In 1930, Chojun Miyagi's top student, Jin'an Shinzato, while in Tokyo demostrating the Karate of his teacher, was asked as to what school of martial arts he practiced. As Naha-te had no formal name he could not answer this question. On his return to Okinawa he reported this incident to Chojun Miyagi. After much consideration, Chojun Miyagi chose the name Goju-Ryu (hard and soft school) as a name for his style. This name he took from a line in the "Bubishi" (a classical text on martial arts and other subjects) is shown below. This line reads, "Ho Goju Donto". It is necessary to point out that these precepts have a much greater importance than simply as the source for the naming on Goju-ryu.  They present great insight into the indispensable knowledge and application of the sciences practiced by the martial arts masters of this time.  Without proper and complete research and study of these paradiagms, the true essence of Goju-ryu can never be truely understood.                                                                                                                                                         #1. The mind is one with heaven and Earth
#2. The circulatory system of the body is similar to that of the sun and moon
#3. The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness            
#4. Act in accordance with time and change
#5. Techniques will occur in the absence of conscious thought.
#6. The feet must advance and retreat, separate and meet.
#7. The eyes do not miss the slightest change.
#8. The ears listen well in all directions

The Last Teachings by Chojun Miyagi

"Do not be struck by others.
Do not strike others.
The principle is the peace without incident."

Basic Dojo Etiquette

                A Dojo is a place where people practice martial arts. The word Dojo literally means ‘The way place’   Do meaning way and Jo meaning place. Students entering a Dojo are required to bow when entering and leaving, as a sign of respect. This is done by standing in the doorway while facing inward and bow. Students are required to take off shoes, jackets, and hats before entering the main practice area.  Shoes should be lined up in a neat fashion. Once the student has entered, it is tradition that the student bows to the Sensei (instructor) and to other high-ranking students (sempai).

                The front wall of the Dojo is called the shoemn, meaning place of honor. Students line up facing the shoemn starting on the left continuing to the right. The students line up by rank with the highest ranking student lining up first and the lowest ranking student lining up last. When everyone is lined up the highest-ranking student will command the students bow towards the Instructor and the Instructor will return the bow.

Practice sessions vary but begin or end with a friendship bow then the Dojo Kun (school oath). Students are required to memorize and follow the oath. To recite the oath students face the instructor, raise their right hand, and recite the oath loudly.

1.      RESPECT ALL OTHERS

2.     PRACTICE A SENSE OF HARMONY

3.     GIVE OUR MINDS TO APPLICATION

4.     LEARN TO PERSEVERE

5.      AS STUDENTS, AND LATER AS TEACHERS, I WILL FOLLOW DOJO RULES

6.      I WILL NEVER MISUSE MY KARATE

                The students end class by bowing to the instructor, the highest-ranking student commands for the friendship bow. Students (usually the lower ranking students) will then clean and pick up the Dojo before leaving.  Leaving the Dojo, students should always remove their belt.  If the uniform is taken off it should be folded before leaving.

Uniform Care

                The uniform (GI) allows the martial artist to perform techniques comfortably and with out restriction. The traditional uniform must be neat and clean and fit properly with all alterations done before class begins. Beginning students will wear white uniforms, while the advanced students will get a choice of various colored uniforms depending on the students rank. The belt worn around the waist of a student is multifunctional. First it is used to keep the uniform top closed and is used to signify the students ability level or rank. The martial artist should not wash their belt or let the belt touch the floor. The dirt and wear and tear of a belt signifies all the work that has gone into getting it that way and the student should be proud of it.

Personal Hygiene

                The martial arts student should present to class with a clean personal hygiene because many times students are in close proximal contact with other students. Fingernails should be kept short and long hair should be pulled back into a ponytail. A student should not attend class if that student is not feeling well because the possibility of spreading illness to other students.

Misuse of  Martial Arts

                                Misuse of martial arts will not be tolerated at this school. Martial arts are to be used outside the Dojo in a self-defense situation only. The skills that you will learn as a student can be very dangerous outside the school if used on an untrained person. This rule includes using karate on brothers or sisters at home. Anyone found misusing their martial arts training will be subject to sanctions up to and including dismissal from school with no monetary refunds. A student of martial arts must be very careful when using force even in a self-defense situation because of the training the student has received the victim can easily become the aggressor.

Counting in Japanese

           1 – Ichi                                        11. Ju Ichi                                 

2 -  Ni                                                      12. Ju Ni                                

3 -  San                                   13.  Ju San

4 -  Shi                                    14. Ju Shi

5 -  Go                                     15. Ju Go

6 -  Roku                                                16. Ju Roku

7 -  Shichi                                               17. Ju Shichi

8 -  Hachi                                               18. Ju Hachi

9 -  Ku                                    19. Ju Ku

10- Ju                                                      20. Ni Ju

Karate Terms

  General terms

                 English                                      Japanese

Basic Stances

Stances:

READY STANCE—Face front, feet parallel knees slightly bent, fist down in front of you, elbows slightly bent.

HORSE STANCE- Hands on trigger (above belt), knees and feet same as ready stance.

KARATE STANCE—side of body faces front, fists up, elbows bent, knees and feet same as ready stance.

FRONT STANCE--- Body faces front, fists up, elbows bent, shoulders squared feet shoulder width or wider, one leg forward one leg back front knee bent back leg locked both sets of toes forward.

BACK STANCE--- Feet in shape of a split “L” in relaxed position, knees slightly bent, fists up, shoulders 45 angle

CAT STANCE— same as back stance, but front foot should be on ball of foot, with weight on back foot for balance.

General Rules & Etiquette

1. When entering or leaving the training hall (dojo), you will pay respect to the school by bowing facing the dojo floor. This will be done in street clothes or in uniform.

2. When you come first meet your master instructor (Sensei), you should come to attention and bow, and greet your instructor by saying  “Ready for instructions Sir/Ma’am.”

3. It is the responsibility of the senior most ranking person in the room to assemble the class if the instructor is not on the floor when it is time for class to begin.

4. To begin class colored belts students will line up according to rank, then age. Black belt students will line up according to rank then seniority. The highest-ranking colored belt student in class will call the commands to begin.

5. During class proper respect and discipline will be maintained at all times.

·          If a student must leave during class for any reason, he\she must ask permission         

          from the instructor unless other instructions were given before class.

·          Students should always reply with “Yes sir \No sir or Yes Ma’am \No Ma’am. This                                                      

          rule applies inside and outside the dojo.

·          All instructors and black belts should be addressed as Mr., Miss, Ms., or Mrs. As the case may be or Sir\Ma’am. The instructor or the person leading the class should never be called by their first name.

·           If you need to straighten your uniform, always turn away from the front of your instructor.

·          No jewelry will be allowed in class.

·          No chewing gum will be allowed in class.

·          No profanity will be allowed in the dojo.

·          While seated on the floor, leg should be crossed in front of you. Your hands on your knees and back straight.

·          Laying on the dojo floor is not allowed.

6.  Junior students must always respect senior students regardless of the age. Senior students must always help junior students.

7.Each student must be well groomed at all times. Keep your hands and feet clean. Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed and clean to prevent injury while working with others. Hair must be pulled back out of the eyes.

8. Students must keep their uniform (Gi) clean and neat at all times.

9. Protective gear must be purchased before you can test for your orange belt. This is available from your instructor at a reasonable price.

10.Students must wear a traditional white Gi to all promotional tests.

11. Refrain from showing a lower belt any techniques unless specifically told to do so by your instructor.

12. The school will not be responsible for any lost or stolen articles. It is your responsibility to safeguard your belongings.

13. If you must bee absent for more than one week, notify your instructor.

14. Be on time for class. Try to be ready at least five minutes early.

15. Regular class attendance is mandatory in order to become proficient in GoJu-Ryu Karate. Students who do not attend class regularly will perform poorly. Regular non-attendance of class also shows a lack of discipline. As a result the student may become frustrated with their performance and begin to less excited about Karate. To improve a skill, you must learn the basics motions and practice them constantly.  ALWAYS REMEMBER!! You perform like you practice.

16. Students should take pride in their learning of Karate, and study and memorize the set curriculums and mental studies.

17. Students are always welcome to make suggestions for the improvement of the school.

18. You should always help to recruit new students.

Patch Placement

GOJU-Ryu Fist:      This yellow patch goes on the left chest just past the lapel seam.

American Flag:   This patch goes on the left arm just under the arm\shoulder seam.

School Patch:     This patch mirrors the GoJu patch on the right side.

Special Recognition Awards

With Honors Patch:   This patch will go on the end of the new belt.

Six Tasks Patches:   These patches will mirror the American flag on the right arm.

Combat Jiu-Jitsu Rank Patches: These patches will be placed on the left arm at the end of the sleeve at a 45degree angle.

Achievement Stars Patches:  These are to be placed on the uniforms lapel.

PERSONAL GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Name ______________________________________________________________________________

Date Joined _________________________________________________________________________

Reason for Joining:

My Main Goal :

Date of Belt Advancement

Yellow Belt _______________________________________

Gold Belt  ________________________________________

Orange Belt _______________________________________

Green Belt   _______________________________________

Blue Belt  _________________________________________

Purple Belt ________________________________________

Red Belt  __________________________________________

Brown Belt ________________________________________

Black Belt _________________________________________

Tournaments I’ve Attended:

MEMORIES OF MY TRAINING

My Thoughts, My Actions, Special Moments,

People I’ve met.