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About Me and What I Do
A Basic Overview
Personal Observation
During my studies, I found that the majority of the styles or ways most part (beyond the non-tangible), centered around the same core self-defense principles, and so I took these principles and began implementing a new type of training for my own personal martial arts. One that would fit into my lifestyle, my non-aggressive demeanor, and my weaknesses (I have bursitis - extremely painful condition affecting both of my shoulder joints), and as a result, I have trouble continuing with the traditional blocking and punching methods found in traditional Karate-Do as well as many of the External Kung Fu styles as well. The condition also makes it nearly impossible to lift weights over a period of time, so that eliminates me getting strong enough for certain aspects of the external arts since they rely heaviliy upon the external muscular frame, and although muscular size and/or strength does not always matter, it does help. Also to place me into submission holds over a period of time or to practice jujutsu throws, also flairs up the bursitis. But of course this will never stop me from trying. As you may have noticed if you work with me, or if you have seen me demonstrating a technique, I have the attributes of an External style, but I am strill trying to become relaxed even more, so that there is less tension on the joints, especially my shoulders. This is the reason that my movements match few of those other people out there, and indeed may even look off the wall, but still I consider myself a person who can throw a technique with reasonable speed, regardless of how it may look. This is a personal flaw, and one I can prevent others from doing...unless of course, they too have the same condition I do.
Remember that no where I am saying that I am the supreme person, or the chosen one, or even the top-dog. Far from it. I am just being honest, and want people understand, that when a person does create something (such as a Martial Art System) for themself based on who they are as an individual (quirks and all) those attributes will show up somehow, if ever so slightly, in the things that they teach or when someone from outside the paradigm of the style is able to constructively criticize such technique, and even then the style is made up of all the personal, physical, social, and cultural aspects that a person has at any given time, thus it would be hard to change without changing the entire purpose of the style itself. And to finish this paragraph, I wanted to add that I have been self-guiding myself for a long time, and I am getting to the point where I can use all the positive help that I can get.
About The Name
Back in 1992 it was only called Shintai-do, then I called it Jishin Ryu (but someone told me that that particular name was taken), followed by Taishin Ryu (a similar way of saying Shintaido), and then finally I named what I was doing Shogerijutsu Karate-do in 1995, or "the essence of kicking technique", whose emphasis is on evasive maneuvering (rather block then punch) through implementation of dynamic Tai Sabaki, and at the higher level, the knees and elbows begin to appear more frequently as well. It was named Shogerijutsu such to show that low leg strikes, sweeps, and knee strikes are just as valuable as the empty hand. Indeed there should be a balance between the " geri " part and the " te " part. This is where it gets slightly internal, since I am also adding that the internal waist movements play a crucial role in delivering the most potent knee, leg, elbow, or hand strikes. Thus the body acts as the balance mechanism between the peripherals. This too is aided by proper posture, and breathing techniques, which will vary from person to person based on their physical capabilities.
In Summary
I recommend a do "whatever it takes" attitude toward martial arts and self-defense. My goal is to simply give students the visualization skills to become martial artists along with the standard principles of combat, and not just train them to be some robot in a style that masquerades as a Way but is really a watered down Jutsu (as has happened to me), then finding myself unable to truly defend myself (properly that is) in a rapid exchange against someone who is deadly serious. Due to my past experiences, I feel that students should not be expected to conform to a style, rather the style should fit the student. I also feel that this is possible through the ongoing expression of the individual talent, rather than the impression of the static movements or techniques from the traditional methods being taught today in many of the schools throughout the US. I feel that I am being honest and upfront about how things are coming about, especially in the region of the US that I live. That is why I am not offering a replacement to anything, nor am I saying that traditional Karate or TKD is bad, since indeed they worked for me when I needed them. But now is the time for change, since my body can no longer handle the rigidness or skeletal and muscular demands of the External Arts. Since there are so many different external styles out there claiming to have it all, I believe it best to position myself as a complimentary style (as to not compete against anything else), rather than as a replacement to, the other External styles, since at the highest level (Shintaido) it becomes an Internal Way with External roots, and does not qualify to compete as an External style, and can only be likened to other styles with Internal Methods and External Roots such as Aikido (or so I have been led to believe).
About Classes or Instruction
Since this style is founded on the basics, it compliments many of the other styles, especially those that are not training people to be over-zealous or aggressive (by that I mean trying to drag things on in a situation) in their self-defense and martial art application. I am very open minded and open to suggestions if they seem reasonable and applicable to a current situation. Currently I instruct privately to those who have an honest desire to learn. If they truly cannot afford the testing fee, I usually waive it, since no one should be denied access to learning self-defense because of lack of money or resources.
Costs:
The training fees for in-class instruction will run $10 (sometimes not even that) a month, and for private lessons, lately is has been for free. Fees for equipment and proper attire will apply if I am unable to provide them. Correspondence learning will be available to those who wish to learn at a distance and have access to a camcorder and VCR. Those costs are under deliberation at this time.
Feel free to contact me at the email address below, regarding the content, or if you would like to help me along my path by exchaning ideas and so forth. You could even set up a time to converse via audio with MSN messenger and save money on a long distance call...
Contact by Email at: shogeri@hotmail.com
This page last updated 10/12/01, in order to correct dates, typos, add information, etc.