Shorin-ryu Karate School

Since we were *just* talking about this and addressing similar points a couple of sessions ago.

You Don’t Have to See Everything A few years ago I came across a quote from Minoru Higa sensei of Kyudokan Shorin-ryu that I found interesting.

Oh no! The “karate,” “open” sign finally fizzled out after nearly 40 years!
WE ARE OPEN, tonight and every scheduled day & night!

Hello Everyone,
As much as I dislike interrupting class and training, I believe it is in the best interest of our students and the overall health of our dojo to cancel classes this evening, Wednesday, July 15.

Due to a heat index advisory of 110°F and an air quality advisory related to the wildfires surrounding our state, it would be unsafe to hold tonight’s sessions. Because we must keep the windows open to cool the space with fans, the poor air quality (combined with the aforementioned heat index) would likely make training unsafe.

Classes will resume on Thursday, July 16th, at 5:30 PM for the Advanced Class.

Thank you,
Sean Thayer — Shihan/Renshi, Hombu director
Shorin-ryu Karate School
師範 / 錬士, 本部長

For those who’ve missed (skipped) class due to the heat. You’re missing out on that real Okinawan feeling whilst training and that good karate smell. 😆

2026 International Karate Day—schedule and celebrations in Okinawa

一般社団法人 沖縄伝統空手道振興会 沖縄伝統空手道振興会は、沖縄伝統空手道を継承・発展させるとともに「空手道及び古武道発祥の地・沖縄」を世界へと発信してまいります。

Just like we do during our “warm up” rounds before training starts.

On Making a Fist

How the hand is used to strike takes many forms. The basic fist has a few elements. Fingers tightly curl starting with the forefinger and thumb, which presses in from the side. This means that the second knuckle of the thumb is squeezing in on the forefinger. Depending on the size of your hands and fingers, the fist will have different angles of contact. The main thing is that the wrist has stability upon contact.

Something that Iha Sensei liked to point out was the area of the fingertips of the middle and fourth fingers in the palm. He liked that space to have almost a hallow point, or room to tuck a marble, because he curled the fingers in so tightly. Of course this won’t be the same for everyone owing to structural differences like the thickness of your hand, but he emphasized the point with his own fist. In fact, when he showed me this the very first time there was a callus line where his fingers fit. He said that was a good sign which made a tight fist even easier to make.

#小林流志道館 #志道 #志道館

No one showed up for the 5:30 PM class so I’m closing the dojo early.
Will return for tomorrow morning classes.

Japan's government will hold a ceremony on Nov. 22 to mark restoration work being completed on Shuri Castle's main hall in Okinawa Prefecture, which burned down in 2019.

What Karate Becomes Over Time Over time, karate becomes about far more than self-defense.