Our courses

Karate (“the art of the empty hand”) is a fighting art that uses bare hands and feet,
though weapon use is also part of the training. The origins of Karate began when the
Chinese, and later the Japanese, occupied the island of Okinawa, prohibiting the use of
weapons. The Okinawans developed both empty-hand fighting and the use of farming
implements as weapons. Similar Chinese techniques also influenced this fighting style, originating from those practiced at the Shaolin temple by Buddhist
monks. The founder of modern Karate, the Japanese Funakoshi Gichin (1869–1957),
tried to unite the diverse Okinawan styles and spread them throughout Japan.

Tai Chi Chuan (”grand ultimate fist”) is one of the three internal Chinese martial arts styles. Its foundation was credited to the Taoist Chang San Feng more than 800 years ago. It consists of slow, connected movements practiced as a form of moving meditation. Its practice reduces tension, slows down the breath, clears the mind, and produces long-term benefits to health. A strong emphasis is placed on the circulation of chi. Physically, students learn to yield so that the attacker is overcome by his force. It is not ordinarily regarded as a practical self-defense system, though the movements have self-defense applications, and practitioners can achieve great power in their techniques.

Self-defense is taught as an integral part of our martial arts classes. In addition, self-defense classes for non-martial artists are offered upon request. Self-defense courses are generally comprised of a limited number of lessons in which a few basic techniques are taught that are effective for most attack situations. A strong emphasis is placed on “awareness” (including awareness exercises), which enables students to learn to avoid most crises before they occur. Classes are organized for either mixed groups or separately for women (mother/daughter or teenage girls).

The course of study(Karate): The student begins his training by learning basic techniques (stances, blocks, strikes, and kicks). Once he is proficient with these techniques, a controlled form of fighting is studied better to understand the use of these techniques against opponents. In addition, “kata” is studied. Kata combines pre-determined techniques that simulate a fight against multiple opponents. Through practicing kata, the student learns to control and perfect his technique. The katas gradually become increasingly complex and are the basis for the ranking system. Once control is attained, the student begins free sparring. Students also learn to break cement blocks. The importance of breaking is to demonstrate to the student the ability to transfer energy fully to an inanimate object. Emphasis is also placed on learning practical self-defense.
Being a traditional martial arts system, Tora Dojo emphasizes breathing and meditation. “Chi Gung” exercises – use of breathing, movement, and meditation to help develop and circulate “chi” (life force or vital energy), which can be used for fighting or healing – are
practiced at the end of each lesson. It should be emphasized that what is central to our training is the attempt to attain balance and control in our lives, which is learned by utilizing the physical and meditative aspects of martial arts. The student is mentally and physically strengthened and develops a sense of self-awareness. It is essential for the student to avoid conflict as much as possible and use his technique only in instances of self-defense.

The course of study (Tai Chi Chuan): The student begins by learning basic tai chi movement, which is slow, controlled, and relaxed. Breathing and chi gung exercises are also emphasized. Once the student is proficient with the basic technique, the first tai chi form is taught. Tora Dojo teaches several tai chi styles, beginning with studying the Yang style. The Yang short form (60 moves, as taught by Cheng Man-Ch’ing) and the Yang long form (100 moves) are taught. Later, sword motion is learned, followed by a Yang
straight sword and broad sword form. Two 2-man Yang forms are also taught, which help the student better understand the applications of the tai chi technique as a fighting art. It should be emphasized that, although tai chi is a martial art, we do not practice tai chi for fighting but rather as a form of moving meditation.
We also emphasize non-competitive “Push Hands,” a traditional exercise practiced in couples, to better understand certain tai chi principles that cannot be learned in the solo forms. In solo forms, the student learns to control his movement and reach a meditative state. In Push Hands, the student develops sensitivity to his partner’s
movement, learns to control his own ego, and better understands the tai chi principles of yin and yang, while attempting to control his partner’s movement. At a later stage, some students choose to learn additional tai chi and internal forms, including Chen, Wu, Sun, Swimming Dragon, and ba gua.

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