ZENITH MARTIAL ARTS

AUSTRALIA

I want to welcome you to Zenith Martial Arts.  My name is Andy Rae and as the Head Instructor, I would like to assist you in understanding and the general workings of our club.  Firstly I would like to explain the two Traditional Japanese Martial Arts incorporated into the Zenith System.

Traditionally when more than one Japanese traditional style of martial art is practiced together, it ceases to be called one or the other and is referred to as Bu-do meaning martial method or way.

Zenith Martial Arts practices a syllabus combining two very effective styles being that of Karate and Aikido we call this Budokan, Budo meaning martial method or way kan meaning Hall, Place or Building. In addition to this we have introduced into the syllabus some of the most modern Self Defence methods available today, based on today’s threats in society and many years of expertise gained within the military.  These classes will enhance fitness, strength, stamina and suppleness; promote a calmness of mind, a good mental attitude and discipline, increasing your awareness of danger and body reflexes and defensive movement. The duration of this class is 1-½ hours.

Zenith has also developed a programme to encourage younger students from the ages of 5 to 11 years old, to train in an early class of 1-hour duration. These classes are run with the emphasis on fun while at the same time promoting discipline, teamwork and self control, the children learn the same techniques as in the adult’s class, but classes are delivered at a pace and in a way that can be easily comprehended by children of this age. The class is split into segments of time ensuring the children never get bored. To find out more about our children’s programme please see our segment in our website entitled Mini Martial Arts Info.

Our classes are available to ALL STUDENTS irrelevant of age, size or fitness level as our application methods are very simple to learn.

Zenith Martial Arts has a commitment to making sure that our members get Value for Money. We do this my ensuring quality teaching in all of our classes, we always have a minimum of two instructors per class, this enables us to demonstrate techniques to students more easily and also allows us to give better advice on a one to one basis, if a student needs it during the class. All Zenith instructors attend a Special Instructor Training course, where they are assessed and accredited before they can teach classes. In addition instructors must attend a weekly Instructor Training Class, so they can keep their martial arts and teaching skills at the highest levels.

On choosing to join our club, you will find it to be one that promotes family values, teamwork and fun with everyone working together for a common goal. It will be an ideal opportunity for you to do an activity with your children or take classes on your own if you wish. It is a great way to meet new, like type people and build long-term friendships.

Understanding the Zenith Syllabus and History:

Karate: (kara meaning empty te meaning hand) is a self-defence system, utilising the body and the ways in which it moves and twists, the techniques vary using punching and striking with the fists, hands and elbows, to kicks and strikes using the feet, shins and knees.

The art as we know it today originated from the Ryuku Islands (Okinawa). In 1470 the Japanese occupied the islands of Okinawa. The law of the land at the time dictated that the carrying and the use of weapons was forbidden, and that anyone found carrying them would be put to death. In order for the Okinawan people to defend themselves from local bandits who largely ignored the prohibition on weapons, the Zen Buddhist monks developed a system using empty hand techniques. Originally imported from China and India in the 5^th and 6^th Centuries, known at the time as te. Because of its extreme effectiveness the Japanese authorities banned this to. So from then on, te or as we know today karate was taught in secret and handed down from generation to generation.

In the early 1900’s Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) a student of the Chinese classics and of the martial arts was credited with the introduction of Karate-do to mainland Japan. Prior to this he was fundamental in getting the occupying Japanese authorities to include karate in the Okinawan physical education programme and now it has become an integral part of the school educational system.  After the 2^nd World War in 1945, karate became practiced worldwide and there are now many millions of people training in art of karate. As with many of the martial arts those with no experience see karate as a violent or killing art. However to true practitioners of the art the opposite is in fact the case. Karate whether practised as a art, sport or as self defence has carried the motto ‘never strike the first blow’

Aikido: (Ai meaning harmony or coordination, ki meaning mental energy or spirit, do meaning method or way). In its present form it is a relatively recent innovation within the martial arts traditions and was developed in Japan in the early 20^th century by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 – 1969) who was introduced to the classical martial arts as a boy by his father Yoroku.

It is derived from the early forms of Daito ryu-aiki jujutsu, Ju-jitsu and Kenjutsu, and teaches the student to move and harmonize with an attack, lead it to a point of exhaustion and then neutralize it with a throw, joint lock, strike or an immobilization. In addition practitioners also train in the use of some traditional weaponry such as the Jo symbolising the ancient spear, Tanto symbolising the knife and Bokken symbolising the sword or katana.

Traditionally Aikido is a discipline that seeks not to meet violence with violence but instead to be non violent by harmonizing with and restraining an attacker. Aikido is unique in terms that it relies on the aggressor to make the first move. Therefore the student learns to utilise the aggressor’s energy, momentum and aggression to neutralise an attack. Many of Aikido’s movements and techniques have been derived from the Japanese sword and Spear fighting arts dating back to feudal times. Which is why weapons training is included when a student reaches the required skill level.

Aikido is not only seen as a system of self-defence but also develops strength, stamina and suppleness; the training includes some breathing techniques that will promote mind and body coordination and relaxation. Students will learn to tap into their internal powers and strength of mind to generate an energy that is far greater than muscular power alone and be able to use it at will.

Self Defence and Fitness Techniques:

Zenith Martial Arts has recognised the changes in social behaviour and the ever-growing needs of people young or old to have the right to defend themselves against possible attack. So based on the combination of Aikido and Karate and a wealth of experience gained in the military while serving on street patrols in various hots spot around the world. Zenith has developed a Self-Defence System that is Reality Based but SIMPLE, PRACTICAL AND EASY TO LEARN while at the same time being presented in a logical framework that can be applied to armed or unarmed attacks and are both efficient and lawful.

Based on simple natural law and instinctive movement the Zenith System is designed to teach real time self defence to all students in the shortest possible time. Practitioners will learn to defend themselves against Strikes, Kicks, Grabs and Chokes from all directions (standing), training also includes fighting on the ground and being attacked with weapons from the one or more aggressors.  We will emphasize realistic scenarios and the appropriate defence needed to cope with the attacker, Zenith uses the S.A.F.E method, which means STOP, ACTION, FOLLOW UP, ESCAPE.

Great importance and emphasis is also put into teaching students to spot danger signs and know how to cope and function and to be able to handle the stress and shock that is associated with a sudden and violent attacks.

Anaerobic fitness:

The student's fitness must be attuned to the physical demands of a confrontation that goes to the physical (fight) stage. As with most fight scenarios, this means a good base level of anaerobic fitness is required, more so than aerobic fitness (on the street you do not go formal rounds with rest periods in between).

Combat fitness:

The adaptation of the body to training is very specific to the actions practised. The energy systems and muscular actions required in combat must therefore be specifically trained for through the use of appropriate and relevant drills and exercises. To be relevant these must closely mimic the actions and effort required in combat. Generalized fitness and gymnasium type exercises do not meet this requirement.

Pain management:

Pain is a part of any physical confrontation. The Zenith system must inoculate students to the adverse impact of pain as far as possible reasonably taking into account our students health and safety.

While being engaged in our classes, whether you are an adult or child you will realise fitness changes relatively quickly, as the techniques that Zenith incorporates uses natural body movement and natural isometrics. Which will increase your cardio vascular system and condition and increase body and muscle tone, without the need for expensive equipment or ongoing yearly gym membership fees.

Once you realise your full fitness potential. It will be very easy to stay in shape for a substantial time. It is commonplace for students who regularly practice the martial arts and the fitness programmes associated with it, to train into there 70’s and have a great quality of life.