The KU PATHWAY leads to …
MASTERING the art of KARATE
…irrespective of style!
As the kata of traditional Japanese Karate are linked to the ancestral kata of its original Okinawan art — which, by extension, traces its origins back to southern-based quanfa, before the modern emergence of “styles” — it stands to reason that what applied to the fundamental meaning of those progenitor forms also applies to today’s practices. Having made a study of such history and conceptual practices, I have been successful at unravelling much of the ambiguity that had once shrouded the inner-workings of kata.
My lengthy study was culminated in the development of a more direct and less complicated way to learn, practice and teach Kata; Koryu Uchinadi is a contemporary reinterpretation of Okinawa’s original old-school fighting practices and based upon the most realistic contextual premise imaginable — those empty-handed and one-against-one acts of physical violence which habitually plagued the culture in which the original art evolved; aka HAPV [Habitual Acts of Physical Violence]. In addition to the HAPV-Theory, KU is most responsible for having introduced and popularised a collective system of 2-person application practices, which breathes life back into the overly ritualised kata.
Having already done the research, the KU Pathway saves the learner the time and trouble of wandering through an endless minefield of myth and mysticism, and the quagmire of half-truths and self-serving propaganda. The KU Pathway leaves no room for the kind of ambiguity exampled elsewhere; i.e. especially the kind of ambiguity which has given kata such a “bad name!”
Abstract
Rather than haphazardly teaching kata, and then cherry-picking application practices, after the fact, the KU Pathway introduces the learner to the habitual acts of physical violence [HAPV]—historically representing the original contextual premise on which prescribed template application concepts were first developed—through a system of 2-person drills. After gaining a reasonable level of competency [against aggressive resistance] learners are taught how to rehearse the prescribed solo application modules by themselves — culminating the lessons learned. By linking together the individual modules into unique geometrical configurations something greater than the sum total of its individual parts appear; e.g. Kata. The KU Pathway also explains how, when practiced by themselves, kata also serve as creative mechanisms through which to express individual prowess while strengthening one’s overall mental, physical and holistic conditioning.
Koryu Uchinadi—Rationale
However you choose to weave it, physical violence abides by no rules. Therefore, it should be understood that any rule-bound practices; i.e. such as those typically exampled in methods using overly ritualised and compliant-based attack~defense templates, would not only be imprudent, naive and incongruous, they are simply counterproductive.
Koryu Uchinadi—Curriculum
#1. Percussive impact [giving & receiving, along with associated issues] ~ 29 techniques. #2. Clinch-work ~ 36 techniques. #3. Joint manipulation & limb entanglement ~ 72 techniques. #4. Blood & air deprivation ~ 36 techniques. #5. Balance displacement ~ 55 techniques. #6. Groundwork ~ 72 techniques. #7. Attacking anatomically vulnerable locations ~ See #3. #8. Escapes & counters ~ 36 techniques. #9. Riai-Tegumi [理合手組] ~ the unique and catalytic-like 2-person engagement activity, which brings learners into contact with unscripted and random HAPV [Acts of Physical Violence that are Habitual in human nature] exchanges while using timeless templated application response practices as the basis of discovery and growth. Beginning engagement from either a stand-up, clinch, and or ground position, offensive and defensive activity feature percussive impact and/or seizing, to encourage escapes and counter activity, using varying levels of aggressive resistance, which continuously test the veracity of one’s learning, skill, ability to constantly adapt and progress….
The KU Pathway can improve your understanding of kata and, if you are willing to take your study to the next level, perhaps starting a KU Study Group within your dojo might be something which appeals to you or your instructor. If you’re looking for progressive mentorship, while not losing any of the value of tradition, nor changing styles and/or organisations, perhaps then the KU Pathway might be something to consider introducing into your dojo and/or curriculum… as so many other already have!
We warmly welcome you to contact McCarthy Sensei c/o patrick_mccarthy@mac.com to discuss how to get involved with our exclusive program.
Start a KU Study Group in you dojo now