“Karate-Do” literally means “The way of the empty hand”. This includes the philosophical notion of emptying oneself of improper motives. The principals of training go beyond technique and can be applied to everyday life.

Gichin Funakoshi (Founder of Shotokan Karate) is credited as the founder of modern day karate. He was opposed to “sparring” as he believed that it did not allow students to practice full focus techniques (at least not without hurting each other)

Some of Funakoshi’s followers however wished to test out their skills and soon they began to involve themselves in sparring sessions that involved suiting up in protective padding.

Funakoshi heard about these bouts and, when he could not discourage such attempts, which he considered belittling to the art of karate, he stopped visiting them. Neither Funakoshi nor Ohtsuka showed up ever again. It was after this event that Gichin Funakoshi prohibited sports sparring. (The first competitions did not appear until after his death)

Karate training involves little instruction in philosophy. Students are expected to learn the underlying philosophical principals through hard work and much practice. By following the technical directions of the instructors, the example of senior students and applying themselves completely to each technique karate-ka will develop a deep understanding of both the technical and philosophical aspects of Karate.

It is said in Karate that there is no second chance. Karate-ka are taught to use each technique as if their lives depended upon successful application.

Karate is an “External” Martial Art, relying on speed, strength, stamina, fast reflexes, flexibility and agility.

Tai Chi Chuan translates as “Supreme Ultimate Martial Arts Fist”. As a Martial Art it emphasises softness, yielding techniques. Its counter attack strategies, a blend of soft and hard internal power. When done fighting speed Tai Chi is one of China’s most effective and advanced methods of combat. It is one of the few Martial Arts that people can begin studying in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and possibly 60’s to attain genuine competence in self defence without damaging their bodies.

External arts develop skin, muscle, bone, reflexes, timing and if they’re any good, a lot on mental discipline. Tai Chi does not reply on muscles at all; instead all your power comes from using internal energy. You make your mind fuse with your body, so when your mind thinks something, your body just does it.

Elements of Tai Chi Chuan found in MayoShinDo include: Flowing, balanced movements, meditation on movements (techniques)

Ba Gua Chang, often shortened to ba gut or “eight trigram palm” is a unique Taoist art based on the ancient chinese classic text, the I Ching, or block of Changes. The fluid, circular art of ba gua places the same degree of emphasis on longevity, internal energy development, and meditation as does tai chi chuan. Consequently, knowledge of ba gua is extremely valuable to all students of tai chi chuan and to those interested in practical ways of cultivating and using personal chi. Ba gua, though, is seen as being more effective in self defence, specifically against multiple opponents.Elements of ba gua found in MayoShinDo include: circle walking, stance balance (shield, cover blocking), ability to change blocking angles to cover all directions, circular motions of some strikes.

Hsing I utilizes a full range of body motion incorporating strikes from the “Seven Stars”; Hands, Feet, Elbows, Knees, Shoulders, Hips and Head. Also employed are close range Grappling, Throwing, Trapping and Locking techniques, creating a highly adapt able, powerful, and overwhelming style of self defence. XingYi is tactically superior to most sytems of combat given its succinct & economical nature.