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Dr._Farber’s_Blended_Curriculum
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Israel
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Japan
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China
- Korea
- Thailand
- Phillipines
- Brazil
- Conditioning
Dr. Farber’s
Blended Curriculum
DFKA’s curriculum comes from a culmination of exploring and
respecting all martial arts. There are many styles of martial arts and no one
style is greater than any other. Thus, we have chosen to teach what we call a
blended system. Our system is a highly modernized combination of several Israeli
self-defense styles with traditional martial arts. It emphasizes and teaches
reality-based, practical and effective techniques for self-protection. Kavanah
is a modernized approach to Martial Arts. Its curriculum blends the best of
Israeli Krav Maga, Hisardut, KAPAP/LOTAR and Haganah with western boxing, Korean
Taekwondo and Hapkido, Japanese Karate, Jiu Jitsu and Aikido, Muay Thai
kickboxing, Pressure point Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While these
techniques can be performed by anyone in any physical condition, we place also
promote excellent health through proper nutrition and conditioning. We want all
our students to explore the magnificent diversity of martial arts and its
history. Therefore, below is a dictionary of sorts giving insight into all the
beautiful arts out there!
Black Belt Training
This class is only available for Dr. Farber’s Black Belt Program
Members. It is offered once a month to all students that have qualified and
committed to obtaining a black belt. It is an opportunity for all the Black Belt
candidates to train together as a team and focus on their specific needs as an
athlete.
Taught to law enforcement agencies and widely used by members
of the United States' local, state and federal police agencies (including the
FBI, Secret Services, Delta Force, LA Police, Illinois State Police etc...).
Israeli self-defense training focuses on teaching simple self-defense techniques
which are specifically catered to reality-based attack situations. Israeli
systems are an integration of many techniques from several different martial
arts.
Krav Maga – contact combat
After the 1973 Yom Kippur war, Moni Isaac and Imi Lichtenfeld were assigned to
come up with a basic hand-to-hand combat program. Moni Isaac was a 2nd
Lieutenant who had lost many of his platoon during a Syrian ambush in the Golan
Heights. He was well known for his combat skills and martial art skills in judo
and jiu jitsu. Imi Lichtenfeld did not have the combat experience but was an
excellent KAPAP (hand-to-hand) instructor at the Wingate Sports Institute for
the IDF. In the 1980’s, the Israeli army adopted this self-defense and exercise
system which was easy-to-learn and combat effective. Imi Lichtenfeld chose the
name Krav Maga for the new system while Moni Isaac taught this as KAPAP. Thus,
although these systems were initially the same, Krav Maga became the name for
the combat training new recruits would learn in the general army and KAPAP was
taught to the Special Forces. To say Krav Maga in Israel is like using the term
Karate in the United States as a generic term for self-defense. For example,
Taekwondo instructors in Israel can say they are Krav Maga instructors.
KAPAP - Krav Panim l’Panim or face-to-face combat
World War II (1939 – 1945) brought British forces into global conflict (against
the Axis powers of Germany, Japan, and Italy) the need for oil was paramount.
However, this rare commodity was threatened by German troops advancing eastward
to North Africa and many Arab tribes openly siding with the Nazis. Reluctant at
first, the British turned once again to Jewish fighters
and formed the first official Israeli Special Forces unit on May 14, 1941 known
as Pal’mach פלמ"ח (a Hebrew acronym for Plugot Machatz, פלוגות מחץ which means
strike platoon). The original numbers of personnel sanctioned for Pal’mach
training under British supervision was only suppose to be 1,000 fighters, but
the Haganah (Jewish defense forces) overstepped their bounds and trained roughly
3,000 men in preparation for a future Jewish army to be used after the war. The
training that the Pal’mach commandos received was called Kapap קפ"פ (Hebrew
acronym for Krav Panim l’Panim, קרב פנים לפנים face-to-face combat). The word
“krav” קרב is also translated commonly as “fight.” Kapap was not one system, but
a mixture of rigorous physical conditioning, firearms and explosives training,
radio communications, wilderness survival training, combat first aid and foreign
language courses (the enemy languages of German and Arabic). The empty hand
combat training was a combination of Western fighting systems such as boxing
(London Prize Ring Rules), Greco-Roman wrestling, and standard British military
knife and baton training. At this time there was no one single vocabulary word
or term used for the self-defense techniques used in the program, KAPAP was an
all-inclusive term. Kapap is now taught around the world by one of the best
martial artists and self-defense instructors in the world, Avi Nardia.
Lotar - Lochama Be’Terror (counter-terrorism)
The name Lotar is derived from the acronym of the Israeli counter-terrorist
school. LOTAR's origins were born in the most elite counter terror unit in
Israel. LOTAR is an instinctive self-defense method utilizing real-life
situations as its teaching base. It is a complete combat concept that combines
360 degree self defense methods with tactical shooting while analyzing various
types of unusual violent situations. The guiding principle of LOTAR is to
neutralize the threat quickly, in the simplest and most instinctive way, by
utilizing empty hands or moving to improvise weapons or firearms.
Hisardut – Israeli survival style
In the mid 1970’s, a South African-born (immigrated to Israel about 1960)
martial artist, named Dennis Hanover helped establish the foundation of what is
today another military form of Krav Maga. By the 1990’s with the emergence of
many Krav Maga schools and systems, Dennis Hanover began teaching the Special
Forces units his style of Krav Maga under the new name Hisardut (survival).
Dennis Hanover's background was in Judo, Jiu Jitsu and Kyokushinkai karate. He
was commissioned by the army to contribute to the new counter-terrorist program
called LOTAR (see above). He and his sons also taught a civilian version of
Hisardut. In Israel, Hisardut has become known as Dennis Hisardut, after its
founder. Hisardut has become very popular in Israel and is considered by many a
step-up in applicability over Krav Maga. The program involves many aspects of
survival including tactical knife fighting, disarmament and wilderness survival
programs.
Basic Hisardut developed into World Survival Hisardut which was founded by Miki
Erez and Moti Horenstein in the mid 1990’s. While in the Israeli Air Force Miki
Erez was a student of Imi Lichtenfeld in Krav Maga. Erez and Horenstein both
studied Hisardut directly under Grandmaster Dennis Hanover. In addition, Erez
and Horenstein were also students of Mas Oyama in Kyukshu (Oyama) full contact
Karate. Moti Horenstein became the United States Shidokan Champion and the World
Super Heavyweight Thai Kickboxing Champion, a title that he won in Thailand. He
is well-known as the toughest Israeli full-contact fighter. They incorporated
Oyama karate with more Thai kickboxing into this modified form of Hisardut.
Haganah/FIGHT
A system developed in the United States by Mike Kanarek based on Krav Maga and
World Survival Hisardut. It is a well-rounded system that emphasizes practical
techniques that can be quickly learned.
Kavanah
We like to think of Kavanah as the next generation of Israeli-style
self-defense. Dr. Farber has trained in Krav Maga and Haganah/Fight and is a
certified instructor in Kapap and Lotar (under Avi Nardia) and World Survival
Hisardut (under Miki Erez and Moti Horenstein). Although most Israeli systems
are very similar in many approaches, there are some important differences.
Together with Erez, Horenstein and Nardia, Dr. Farber has created the Kavanah
system as a blended Israeli system, to teach only the most effective techniques.
Dr. Farber and his Master Instructor, Mark Gridley have over 60 years of
combined training between them and have each studied and achieved black belts in
several traditional Martial arts. They have carefully integrated many practical,
effective techniques from Taekwondo, Hapkido, Japanese Karate, Judo, Japanese
and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai kickboxing, western-style boxing, and
Pressure point fighting to create the “best of the best”.
When taking Kavanah the class focuses on conditioning and practical self-defense
techniques. The purpose of this is to train the body to perform punches, kicks
etc. under intense physical stress.
Japanese Styles
Aikido
Aikido is rooted in several styles of jujitsu (from which modern judo is also
derived), in particular daitoryu-(aiki) jujitsu, as well as sword and spear
fighting arts. Aikido takes the joint locks and throws from jujitsu and combines
them with the body movements of sword and spear fighting. Aikido attempts to
cultivate ki (a vital force, internal power, mental/spiritual energy)." At the
core of almost all philosophical interpretations of aikido, are these two basic
thoughts:
(1) A commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict whenever possible.
(2) A commitment to self-improvement through aikido training.
Judo
"The aim of Judo is to utilize physical and mental strength most effectively.
Judo has it’s origin in the ancient Japanese art of Jujitsu, which means
empty-handed defense (without weapons). The object of Jujitsu was to avoid an
enemy's superior strength and then to use that strength to the enemies
disadvantage. In 1882, Dr. Jigoro Kano, devised a way of making this deadly art
of combat into a sport. He modified or eliminated the most dangerous of the
Jujitsu techniques and created Judo, the gentle way, which could be practiced
for competition or just for good physical conditioning. Judo is "the gentle way"
because its end result is the accomplishment of a goal with maximum efficiency
and minimum effort. As a sport, Judo includes a code of sportsmanship, a sense
of mutual respect, self-confidence and a system of ethical and moral
development. Judo is considered both an art and a science. As an art, Judo helps
one gain self-respect, self-confidence and self-expression. As a science, Judo
involves a mystery of such basic natural laws such as gravity, friction,
momentum, weight, transmission and the unity of forces. Judo has been an Olympic
sport for men since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and for women since the 1988 Seoul,
Korea Olympics.
Karate
Karate can be described as a martial art, or fighting method, involving a
variety of techniques, including blocks, strikes, evasions, throws, and joint
manipulations. Karate practice is divided into three aspects: kihon (basics),
kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).
Present day Karate is categorized into four different parts, 1) physical
conditioning, 2) self-defense, 3) mental conditioning, and 4) sport karate.
Although its origin is very obscure, a popular story prevails that credits the
Indian Priest Daruma or Bodhidharma (525 A.D.) with its birth. However, other
great men such as Hua T'o (190-265 A.D.), a brilliant doctor, and Yuen Fei, a
popular general of the Sung Dynasty, (960-1275 A.D.) are also considered
forefathers of Karate.
The evolution of karate began over a thousand years ago, possibly as early as
the fifth century BC when Bodhidharma arrived in Shaolin-si (small forest
temple), China from India and taught Zen Buddhism. He also introduced a
systematized set of exercises designed to strengthen the mind and body,
exercises which marked the beginning of the Shaolin-style of temple boxing.
Bodhidharma's teachings later became the basis for the majority of Chinese
martial arts. In truth, the origins of karate are somewhat obscure and little is
known about the early development of karate until it appeared in Okinawa. Karate
was originally known as "Kenpo", meaning "First Law". From China it crossed over
to Okinawa, where known as "Te", it consisted mostly of hand movements. In 1923
the Okinawans changed the Chinese character to a Japanese character. Thus, the
meaning changed from "hands of China" to "empty hand". Weapons bans, imposed on
the Okinawans at various points in their history, encouraged the refinement of
empty-hand techniques and, for this reason, was trained in secret until modern
times. The Chinese character used to write Tode could also be pronounced 'kara'
thus the name Te was replaced with kara te - jutsu or 'Chinese hand art' by the
Okinawan Masters. This was later changed to karate-do by Gichin Funakoshi who
adopted an alternate meaning for the Chinese character for kara, 'empty'. From
this point on the term karate came to mean 'empty hand'. Adding the suffix "do"
(pronounced "doe"), meaning "way," i.e., karate-do, implies karate as a total
way of life that goes well beyond the self-defense applications
The first public demonstration of karate in Japan was in 1917 by Gichin
Funakoshi, at the Butoku-den in Kyoto. This greatly impressed many Japanese,
including the Crown-Prince Hirohito, who was very enthusiastic about the
Okinawan art. In 1922, Dr. Jano Kano, founder of the Japanese art of Judo,
invited Funakoshi to demonstrate at the famous Kodokan Dojo and to remain in
Japan to teach karate. Today there are four main styles of karate-do in Japan:
Goju-ryu, Shorin-ryu, Shotokan, and Wado-ryu.
Goju-ryu developed out of Naha-te, its popularity primarily due to the success
of Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915). Higaonna opened a dojo in Naha using eight forms
brought from China. His best student, Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) later founded
Goju-ryu, 'hard soft way' in 1930. In Goju-ryu much emphasis is placed on
combining soft circular blocking techniques with quick strong counter attacks
delivered in rapid succession.
Yasutsune Itosu (1830-1915) is considered by many to have been the leading
authority on Shorin-Ryu around the turn of the century, and until his death in
1915. He was one of the men most responsible for the beginning of the
popularization of karate in Okinawa by developing a karate program for the
Okinawan public school system shortly after the turn of the century. Shorin-Ryu
Karate developed from the old form of Okinawa-Te that had been practiced in
Okinawa for centuries. It is a combination of a native Okinawan fighting art and
Chinese martial arts, predominantly hard style or "external" Chinese martial
arts. Almost all branches of Shorin-Ryu that exist today can be traced back to
Soken Maysumara (1797-1889). It was in the late 1800's that Shuri-Te began to be
called Shorin-Ryu. It is not known for certain who began this practice, which
was a reference to the arts' roots at the Shaolin temple in China (Shorin is the
Japanese pronunciation of Shaolin). Shorin-ryu Karate is quick and linear with
natural breathing.
Shotokan was founded by Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) in Tokyo in 1938. Born in
Okinawa, he began to study karate with Yasutsune Azato, one of Okinawa's
greatest experts in the art. In 1921 Funakoshi first introduced Karate to Tokyo.
In 1936, at nearly 70 years of age, he opened his own training hall. The dojo
was called Shotokan after the pen name used by Funakoshi to sign poems written
in his youth. Shotokan Karate is characterized by powerful linear techniques and
deep strong stances.
Wado-ryu, 'way of harmony', founded in 1939 is a system of karate developed from
jujitsu and karate by Hienori Otsuka as taught by one of his instructors, Gichin
Funakoshi. This style of karate combines basic movements of jujitsu with
techniques of evasion, putting a strong emphasis on softness and the way of
harmony or spiritual discipline.
Kempo
Ryukyu Kempo (which roughly translates into Okinawan kung-fu, or Chinese boxing
science) is the original style of martial arts learned and taught by Gichin
Funakoshi on the island of Okinawa. It stresses the existence of body points
within your opponent that can be struck or grappled for more effective fighting.
Kendo
Japanese style of fencing derived during the Meiji period in Japan (1868-1912),
from the ken (two-handed sword) fighting techniques of the samurai. Today kendo,
which means "way of the sword", is practiced with shinai (bamboo swords), and
fighters wear protective equipment. The bogu (protective gear) consists of a men
(face mask), a do (breastplate), kote (fencing gloves), and the tare, a kind of
apron to protect the stomach and hips. Under the protective gear, kendoka
(students of kendo) wear a hakama, or wide split skirt, reaching the ankles. The
shinai is made of four lengths of seasoned bamboo bound by waxed cord. The main
cuts or thrusts that may be delivered in kendo are limited as follows: (1)
oshomen - a downward cut aimed at the center of the forehead; (2) hidarimen - a
diagonal cut to the left side of the face mask; (3) migimen - a diagonal cut to
the right side of the face mask; (4)migido - a diagonal cut to the right side of
the breastplate; (5)gyakudo - a diagonal cut to the left side of the
breastplate; (6) kote - a cut at the right wrist or lower forearm; (7) hidari
kote - a cut at the left wrist or lower forearm; and (8) tsuki - a thrust at the
throat.
The earliest known reference to swordsmanship in Japan is AD 789, when sword
exercise was part of education for the sons of noblemen. With the unification of
Japan in the 16th century, however, the need for highly skilled swordsmen
diminished because the country was at peace. Modern kendo is the result of
ryu-ha-kenjutsu, or the academic study in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
of swordsmanship pursued by the samurai class. After World War II (1939-1945),
all martial arts, including kendo, were banned in Japan during the American
occupation of the country, which lasted until 1952. In that same year the
All-Japan Kendo Federation was founded.
Chanbara
After centuries of civil unrest and war, Japan united into a single government.
Warriors no longer fought wars but the samurai spirit remained. Toward the end
of the Edo period (circa 1875) one of the larger sword schools developed a new
combative sport, called kendo. This evolved into a national sport that employed
protective gear. Now one could practice without fear of great bodily harm. Kendo
utilizes a sword made from strips of bamboo. This old-fashioned practice sword
combined with protective head and body gear made for a safer way to practice.
Then in 1969, Tanabe Tetsundo and his group of martial artists and sword masters
came together and mordernized the “art of practice” and founded goshindo which
translates to “the way of self-preservation”, also called chanbara (“sword
fighter”). These traditional swordsmen, aware that times were changing, began to
educate the public in the way of the modern samurai while utilizing traditional
ways and techniques. Swords made out of flexible plastics (called a ‘choken’)
proved a stroke of genius, because wearing a light head mask for face and eye
protection was all that was required for safety. The Japanese public
wholeheartedly embraced this new combative sport which now is part of the
Japanese Department of Education and Recreation. Today, chanbara is the
fastest-growing combative sport in the United States, boasting 200,000
combatants worldwide. Goshindo has 3 divisions: (1) Iaido (Sword drawing) –
designed for the Japanese Imperial Army Officer. Toyama-ryu iaido employs the
entire set of military techniques ensuring total skill and full knowledge of all
combative sword strategy. Using both the long (katana) and military (gunto)
swords, the student learns correct and practical sword technique offered through
this traditional system. (2) Tameshigiri (Test Cutting) - teaches the student
proper and correct sword handling technique while polishing cutting skills. (3)
Kenjutsu (Strategic Technique) - full-contact combative sword strategy is
practiced to perfect ones balance, rhythm, timing, speed, focus & ki while
offering the combatant a complete well-rounded understanding of traditional and
contemporary sword/ weapon fighting strategy.
Chinese Styles
Kenpo
Kenpo is a mixture of five cultures (in historical order): Chinese, Japanese,
Okinawan, Hawaiian (before Hawaii became a state) and American. The word Kenpo
is Japanese for "Fist Law" (Ken/fist, Po/Law) which in itself is confusing for
this art started in China. Most people have heard of "Chinese Kenpo" or
"American Kenpo." ("Fist Law" in Chinese is CH'UAN FA.) The name is the result
of centuries of development and change. Despite its birth in China, the art of "Kenpo"
was passed down through the Mitose family who studied the original art in China
in the 1600's and brought it back to Japan. The Mitose family were Japanese, so,
naturally they used Japanese to describe their family system. In the early
1950's Ed Parker (who was a Judo Shodan) started to take Kenpo Karate lessons
with W. Chow. In 1956 Parker opened his own Kenpo Karate school in California
and would later become the foremost pioneer of Kenpo to the American mainland.
Tai Chi, Tai Chi Chuan, or Taijiquan
This traditional internal art Chinese martial art will help to relax and improve
balance and inner strength. It emphasizes control of the body and proper
breathing. (Traditional Chinese: 太極拳) (literally "supreme ultimate fist"). There
are different styles of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, although most modern schools can trace
their development to the system originally taught by the Chen family to the Yang
family starting in 1820. It is often promoted and practiced as a martial arts
therapy for the purposes of health and longevity. T'ai Chi Ch'uan is considered
a soft style martial art, an art applied with as much deep relaxation or
"softness" in the musculature as possible, to distinguish its theory and
application from that of the hard martial art styles which use a degree of
tension in the muscles.
Variations of T'ai Chi Ch'uan's basic training forms are well known as the slow
motion routines that groups of people practice every morning in parks across
China and other parts of the world. Traditional T'ai Chi training is intended to
teach awareness of one's own balance and what affects it, awareness of the same
in others, an appreciation of the practical value in one's ability to moderate
extremes of behavior and attitude at both mental and physical levels, and how
this applies to effective self-defense principles.
Kung Fu
The term kung fu was not popular until the 20th century. The term was first
known to have been reported by a Westerner, French Jesuit missionary Jean Joseph
Marie Amiot, in the 18th century. Before that it was referred to primarily as
"Chinese boxing". Kung Fu, as it is written here, refers to the general term of
Chinese martial arts. Shaolin Kung Fu refers to the style that was developed in
the Shaolin temples.
Nowadays, the term kung fu refers to Chinese martial arts in general. Thus, when
someone says they study kung fu, they likely mean they study one of the many
styles of Chinese martial arts. An alternative term might be "Zhongguo wushu"
(中國武術, literally China martial art). The original meaning of kung fu is quite
different, and is hard to translate as there is no English equivalent. In short,
功夫 (gōngfu) means "achievement through great effort" or simply virtue. It
combines 功 (gōng) meaning achievement or merit, and 夫 (fū) which translates into
man. In Mandarin, when two "first tone" words such as gōng and fū are combined,
the second word often takes a neutral tone, in this case forming gōngfu.
Originally, to practice kung fu did not just mean to practice Chinese martial
arts. Instead, it referred to the process of one's training - the strengthening
of the body and the mind, the learning and the perfection of one's skills -
rather than to what was being trained. It refers to excellence achieved through
long practice in any endeavor. A common term is the Mandarin word quan or chuan
(拳, Cantonese: kuen, Japanese: ken), meaning fist, which conveys the sense of a
style of boxing or striking, as in Shaolin Quan (Young Forest Fist) and Wing
Chun Kuen (Eternal Spring Fist). The word "chuan", however, may not always
denote boxing; Tai Chi Chuan (Supreme Ultimate Fist), for instance, contains the
word "chuan" but does not focus on striking in common practice. The term chang
or zhang (掌), meaning palm, is also seen, an example being Bagua Zhang (Eight
Trigrams Palm). Another similar word is shou (手), or hand, as in Sanshou (Loose
Hand or Free Hand).
Some words refer to an art's origin or tradition. One term is pai (派), denoting
a school of thought or system, as in Tien Shan Pai and Ying Jow Pai. This is
related to the Japanese term ryuha (流派, Mandarin: liúpài), meaning "mainstream
school of thought". Some martial arts of Southern China use the Cantonese word
gar (家, Mandarin pinyin: jiā), meaning family, as in Hung Gar and Lau Gar (Hung
Family, Lau Family), among others.
There are various philosophies around the term kung fu, suggesting a deeper
meaning. The following is an example of such a philosophy: For a process to
truly be kung fu, the following three elements must be present:
· Motivation
· Self-discipline
· Time
Wushu
This traditional Chinese martial arts can be seen in movies such as Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It is the style practiced by Jackie Chan and Jet Li and is
considered to be one of the most beautiful martial arts. Its fluid movements and
dynamic kicks, jumps and strikes offer practitioners a unique and wonderful
learning experience. Wushu literally means "martial art". It is a more precise
term than the widely used term kung fu, which can mean either martial art or
"skill": a craftsperson or artisan could be said to have good "kung fu" in the
way in which they carry out their craft; in the same way, a wushu practitioner
can also be said to have good "kung fu" in their wushu practice. In the broadest
sense, the word wushu may refer to any martial art in the world, though in
practice it often refers to the modern sport named "wushu". The term wushu
consists of two Chinese characters. 武 (wǔ), meaning "Stop the Conflict", martial
or military, and 術 (shù), which translates into art, skill or method. Together
these form "wǔshù" or "martial art".
Korean Styles
Taekwondo
A martial art originating in Korea, is the most widely practiced martial art in
the world, it is the national sport of Korea as well as an Olympic sporting
event. In Korean, tae means "foot"; kwon means "fist"; and do means "way".
Hence, loosely translated as "the way of the hand and foot" or more loosely,
"the art of kicking and punching". As with many other martial arts, taekwondo is
a combination of combat technique, self-defense, sport, exercise, entertainment,
and philosophy.
The art in general emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, using the leg's
greater reach and power to disable the opponent from a distance. In sparring,
turning (roundhouse), 45 degree, front, axe, and side kicks are most often used;
advanced kicks include jump, spin, and skip kicks, often in combination.
Taekwondo training also includes a comprehensive system of hand strikes and
blocks, but generally does not emphasize grappling until the higher belt levels.
The oldest ancestor of taekwondo is an amalgamation of unarmed combat styles
developed by three rival kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje. Young men were
trained in unarmed combat techniques to develop strength, speed, and survival
skills. The most popular of these techniques was subak, with taekkyon being the
most popular of the segments of "subak". The Silla had a regular army but its
military training techniques were less advanced than those of the Goguryeo, and
its soldiers were generally of a lesser caliber. The Silla selected young men,
some as young as twelve, and trained them in the liberal arts. Those who
demonstrated strong natural aptitude were selected as trainees in the new
special warrior corps, called the Hwarang-do. These warriors were instructed in
academic as well as martial arts, learning philosophy, history, a code of
ethics, and equestrian sports.
In spite of Korea's rich history of ancient and tradition martial arts, Korean
martial arts faded into obscurity during the Chosun Dynasty. Korean society
became highly centralized under Korean Confucianism and martial arts were lowly
regarded in a society whose ideals were epitomized by its scholar-kings.
Remnants of traditional martial arts such as Subak and Taekkyon were banned from
practice by the general populace and reserved for sanctioned military uses
although folk practice by peasants still persisted into the 19th century. During
the Japanese occupation (1910-1945), the practice of taekyon was banned.
Although practice of the art nearly vanished, Taekyon survived through
underground teaching and folk custom. As the Japanese colonization established a
firm foothold in Korea, the few Koreans who were able to attend Japanese
universities were exposed to Okinawan and Japanese martial arts with some even
receiving black belts under Gichin Funakoshi. Koreans in Manchuria and China
were also exposed to Chinese martial arts. By 1945, when the Korean peninsula
was liberated from Japanese colonization, many martial arts schools were formed
and developed under various names such as Tang Soo Do reflecting foreign
influence.
By the end of the Korean War, nine martial arts schools (known as kwan) had
opened, and South Korean President Syngman Rhee ordered that the various schools
unify under a single system. A governmental body, selected a naming committee's
submission of "tae-kwon-do," submitted by Choi Hong Hi, a general in the South
Korean army and the founder of the Oh Do Kwan, for the new unified form.
Following taekwondo's official creation on April 11, 1955, The Korean Taekwondo
Association (KTA) was formed in 1959 to facilitate the unification. Shortly
after, taekwondo made its debut in North America, where Jhoon Rhee was teaching
Karate in Texas, General Choi convinced Rhee to begin calling it Tae Kwon Do.
However, the unification effort in Korea stalled, as the kwan's continued to
teach different styles. Another request from the Korean government for
unification resulted in the formation of the Korea Tae Soo Do Association, which
changed its name back to the Korean Taekwondo Association in 1965 following a
change of leadership. This new leader was General Choi Hong Hi who ended up
falling out of favor in South Korea following a goodwill trip to communist North
Korea. This resulted in Choi's separation from the KTA and the founding of a
new, private organization, the International Taekwondo Federation, in 1966.
In 1972, the Korea Taekwondo Association Central Dojang was opened. A few months
later, the name was changed to the Kukkiwon, which means "National Technique
Center”. The following year, the World Taekwondo Federation was formed. The
International Olympic Committee recognized the WTF and taekwondo sparring in
1980, and the sport was accepted as a demonstration event at the 1988 Seoul and
the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympic Games. It became an official medal event as of
the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Taekwondo is one of two Asian martial arts (judo
being the other) in the Olympic Games.
Outside of the World Taekwondo Federation and its sanctioned events, a large
number of smaller private organizations exist, the most well-known of which is
the International Taekwon-do Federation, which is headquartered in Canada,
Austria & North Korea. There are also other organizations such as ATF, ATA, ITA,
UTF, USTF, WTU, ICTF & ITF. These organizations require that students belong to
a member club or school. Events and competitions held by such organizations are
sometimes closed to other taekwondo students. The World Taekwondo Federation
allows any person, regardless of school affiliation or style, to compete in
World Taekwondo Federation events, and is a member of the IOC, making it a
public sports organization. There are over 200 private taekwondo organizations
in the world. The major technical difference among these many organizations
revolves around the poomsae, a set of prescribed formal sequences of movements
that demonstrate mastery of posture, positioning, and technique, sparring rules
for competition, and philosophy.
In addition to these private organizations, the original schools (kwan) that
formed the organization that would eventually become the Kukkiwon continue to
exist as independent fraternal membership organizations that support the WTF and
the Kukkiwon. Each kwan has its own individual pledge of tenets and manners that
describes the organization's goals for personal improvement. For example, the
tenets of oh do kwan have become very popular, and many taekwondo schools use
them even though their roots are not originally from oh do kwan. The oh do kwan
tenets are: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control, and indomitable
spirit. In contrast, the jidokwan manners are: view, feel, think, speak, order,
contribute, have ability and conduct rightly.
Hapkido - "the way of coordinated power".
In 1904 Choi, Yong Sul was born in the Korean province Chung Buk. At the age of
eight Choi met a merchant named Morimoto. When Morimoto returned to Japan he
kidnapped Choi. Choi then went alone to Osaka. He lived in a Buddhist temple for
2 years and was sent to Sokaku Takeda (1859-1943). Sokaku Takeda was the head of
Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu. Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu (Dai = big, to = sword, Ryu =
school, Aiki = combined senses, Jujutsu = soft material art) which uses hand,
elbow and shoulder joint locks to defend against various attacks. Many movements
can be compared to motions of the Japanese art of fencing with the long sword.
Over centuries Aikijujutsu was passed on only within certain samurai clans.
Takeda broke the rules and, for the first time, coached outsiders. For about 30
years Choi lived in Sokaku Takeda’s household and was the only one to learn all
3808 techniques. Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), the founder of Aikido was also a
student of Takeda’s. Grandmaster Choi returned to Korea and began teaching his
techniques which he called Yawara then Yu Sul (Soft Art), Yu Kwon Sul (Soft Hand
Art), Hapki Yu Kwon Sul (In Unit with Ki Soft Hand Art). In 1949, at the age of
13, Grandmaster Ji, Han-Jae began his training under Choi.
In 1958 the name became HapKiDo (Hap means coordination or harmony, Ki is the
essence of power and Do means the art or the way). In 1963 GM Choi became
chairman of the newly founded Korean Kido Association, an umbrella organization
of all Korean material arts. In 1958 GM Ji left and began teaching in Seoul.
Here, two very famous Grand Masters began their HapKiDo carrier. GM Han, Bong-Soo
(founder of the International Hapkido Federation and trainer in the movie Billy
Jack). In Seoul GM Ji began to develop his own style by combining the techniques
learned at GM Choi with the Tae Kyon kicks, the weapon techniques, and the
spiritual techniques. He also called this new art HapKiDo. GM Ji coached some of
president Nixon’s bodyguards, FBI agents, and various special task forces.
Between 1972 and 1974 GM Ji shot many films in Hong Kong including “Game of
Death”. During his stay in Hong Kong coached GM Ji Bruce Lee. In 1979 the Korean
president Park, Chung-Hee fell a victim to assassination. The assassin Kim,
Chae-Kyu, was the head of the Korean CIA. The assassin had been a close student
of GM Ji, and GM Ji had supported him in becoming the head of the Korean CIA.
Therefore, he was accused of having been involved in the planning of the
assassination attempt. GM Ji was imprisoned for about one year. In jail he
developed his new system, which he called Sin Moo Hapkido. Sin Moo Hapkido aims
even more at the spiritual side of the martial arts. Combat Hapkido is the most
effective, practical form of Hapkido developed by 9th Dan Grandmaster Pelligrini.
Elements of Combat Hapkido have been blended into the Kavanah system.
Thailand Styles
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is the martial art of fighting with one's bare fists, utilizing
elbows, knees, feet and fists as weapons. No one knows when Muay Thai first
began, it is assumed that Muay Thai had been practiced since the beginning of
Thai history. 'Nawa-attawut' or the 9 principal weapons in Muay Thai include
head, two fists, two elbows, two knees, and two feet. In addition, there are
combination weapons which are two shoulders, arms, bottom and the outer parts of
the ankles.
The training involves rigorous physical training, similar to that practiced by
Western boxers. It includes running, shadow-boxing, and heavy bag work. Much
emphasis is also placed on various drills with the so-called "Thai pads". These
pads weigh five to ten pounds, and cover the wearer’s forearms. In use, the
trainer wears the pads, and may hold them to receive kicks, punches, and knee
and elbow strikes, and may also use them to punch at the trainee.
This training is vaguely similar to the way boxing trainers use focus mitts. The
characteristic Muay Thai round kick is delivered with the shin, therefore, shin
conditioning is also done. Little or no free-sparring is done in for Muay Thai
training, due to the devastating nature of the techniques, Thai boxers may box,
hands only, with ordinary boxing gloves. Another training drill is for two
fighters to clinch, and practice a form of stand-up grappling, the goal of which
is to try to land a knee strike. However, full-contact kicks, knees, and elbows
are typically not used in training. The professional Muay Thai fighters have one
of the shortest careers of all the combat sport athletes.
Arnis/Kali/Escrima
Arnis began in the Philippines over 1200 years ago. It was the fighting
technique used against the Spaniards in the 1500's. In the Philippines there
have been many immigration waves over a long time, ranging from Japan and China
over South-East Asia and Indonesia to India and Arabia. This caused a great
cultural mixture in the Philippines. All the immigrants brought their own
particular martial arts, combat sports and weapons along. For several hundred
years, Filipinos tried to incorporate only the advantages into their martial
arts without taking over the disadvantages. They developed what we call Arnis or
Escrima or Kali today. There is no difference between Escrima and Arnis and
almost none between Kali and Escrima /Arnis. Kali is more blade-oriented than
Arnis which causes some differences in the techniques. During the Spanish
occupation, the Filipinos had to teach their art secretly. This came after one
of the chiefs of the local tribes, Lapu-Lapu, had won the battle of Balintawak.
He defeated Magellan and his Spanish invaders and they had to retreat from the
Philippines (Magellan was killed). Some years later they come back with more men
and guns. Most of the blade-oriented arts had to switch to practicing with
wooden sticks instead of blades because their possession was too dangerous.
Thus, the rattan stick became the main weapon being used and the techniques
changed slowly according to this development. Another important technical
development in connection with the Spanish occupation was that the Filipinos
added European fencing techniques. The Philippines were occupied and remained
under Spanish occupation until this century when the USA bought the Philippines
and held it occupied until the Japanese invasion in 1941. After the World War II
the Philippines became independent.
Today Arnis is the main martial art in the Philippines and most popular. Modern
Arnis was developed and refined by Remy Presas. The word Arnis is taken from the
term "Arnis de mano" or harness of the hand. Arnis (practiced in northern
Philippines), Kali (practiced in the southern Philippines) and Escrima
(practiced in central Philippines) are all essentially the same art. Arnis
practitioners utilize empty hand techniques and weapons such as sticks and
knives. There are different forms of combat which use different types of weapons
such as a long wooden sword and a short wooden dagger. There is a single stick
and double stick Arnis which uses one or two 2 foot long stick(s) made of wood
or cane, espada y daga (stick and knife) and also bare hands fighting. Arnis is
a form of self defense but it is often seen as a sport. It uses almost all hand
techniques, striking and parrying, but its practice emphasizes strategy.
Students train with drills, sparring and in free style practice. The training is
very physical and builds amazing hand eye coordination and upper body strength.
Arnis is considered a "soft" martial art. This means that the power of enemy
attacks isn't countered by an equivalent counter-power but that the power of the
enemy's attack is transformed and then used against the enemy. This makes Arnis
very effective especially for women.
Kali
"Kali is classified as an ancient art of the Philippines, noted for the use of
Indonesian and Malaysian swords such as the Kris, Barong, Kampilan, etc. At the
height of its popularity Spain, the United States, and Japan had not dominated
the Philippines until 1521 AD." Through the use of single stick, double stick,
dagger, stick and dagger, we continue to practice this ancient art today. Of the
many benefits you will gain are hand-eye coordination, left-right coordination,
line familiarization, footwork, range familiarization, reflex, rhythm, and
timing. Kali is essentially the same as Arnis and Escrima. They are all umbrella
terms. Kali is practiced in the southern Philippines, tends to use more bladed
weapons and some stance philosophies are different.
Brazilian Styles
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)
Focus on grappling, ground fighting, self-defense and sport Jiu Jitsu. The
training involved in BJJ improves reaction time, builds abdominal strength, and
increases flexibility and overall core strength. Among many things, students
will learn to execute take downs and to escape being mounted, choked and grabbed
from many angles. The system developed from a modified version of Judo including
some techniques from Japanese Jujutsu and with a focus on ne-waza (ground
technique).
The art began with Mitsuyo Maeda (later known as Count Koma), a Japanese expert
judoka and member of the Kodokan. Jigoro Kano sent Maeda overseas to spread his
Judo to the world. Eventually, Maeda immigrated to Brazil in the 1910s where an
influential businessman named Gastão Gracie helped him get established. In
return for his aid, Maeda taught the fighting art of Jujitsu to Gastão's son
Carlos Gracie, who then taught the art to his brothers, including Hélio Gracie.
The brothers trained many of their sons, who carried on the family tradition.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu came to international prominence in the martial arts
community in the 1990s, when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Royce Gracie won the
first, second and fourth of the Ultimate Fighting Championships. The Mercado
family, cousins of the Gracie’s has also become internationally known for their
BJJ skills. The Mercado tradition is continued at DFKA.
Capoiera
An Angolan martial art practiced in Brazil by enslaved Africans in Brazil
starting in the 1500s. It originated by Nigerian or Angolan ethnic groups where
members fought with music and the winner won a partner, usually female.
Participants form a roda (circle) and take turns playing instruments, singing,
and sparring in pairs in the centre of the circle. The game is marked by fluid
acrobatic play, feints, subterfuge, and extensive use of groundwork, as well as
sweeps, kicks, and headbutts. Technique and strategy are the key elements to
playing a good game. Capoeira has two main styles, known as "regional" and
"Angola.”
From the 16th to the 19th centuries, Brazil was the most common destination for
African captives. These Africans brought their cultural traditions and religions
with them to the New World. Capoeira was developed as a way to resist
oppression, secretly practice art, transmit culture, and lift spirits. Some
historians believe that the indigenous peoples of Brazil also played an
important role in the development of capoeira. This form of Capoeira is best
represented in Capoeira Angola today.
After slavery was abolished in 1888, the freed people moved to the cities of
Brazil and with no employment to be found, many joined or formed criminal gangs.
They continued to practice capoeira, and it became associated with
anti-government or criminal activities. As a result, capoeira was outlawed in
Brazil in 1890. Capoeira continued to be practiced, but it moved further
underground. Rodas were often held in areas with plenty of escape routes, and a
special rhythm called cavalaria was added to the music to warn players that the
police were coming. Capoeira practitioners (capoeiristas) also adopted apelidos
or nicknames to make it more difficult for police to discover their true
identities. To this day, when a person is baptized into capoeira at the batizado
ceremony, they may be given an apelido. Persecution of the art died out and
Mestre Bimba opened the first academy for instruction in capoeira. Capoeira
became the national sport of Brazil. Mestre Bimba removed many of the rituals
and traditions of the art of capoeira for practice in his academy. Mestre
Bimba's capoeira is now called Capoeira Regional, or simply Regional. In 1942,
Mestre Pastinha opened the first formal academy for instruction in the
traditional form of the art, known as Capoeira Angola.
The derivation of the word "capoeira" is under dispute, as there are several
possibilities:
· The Portuguese word "capoeira" derives from the word capão, which translates
as capon, a castrated rooster. The sport's name may originate from this word
since its moves resemble those of a rooster in a fight. "Capoeira" has several
meanings, including any kind of pen where poultry is kept, a fowl similar to a
partridge, and a basket worn on the head by soldiers defending a stronghold. "Capoeira"
is also what people used to call a black inlander who mugged travelers.
· Afro-Brazilian scholar Carlos Eugenio has suggested that the sport took its
name from a large round basket called a capa commonly worn on the head by urban
slaves selling wares.
· The word could derive from two Tupi-Guarani words, [CAA] ("down, little") and
[PUOÊRA] ("grass"), referring to an area of forest that has been cleared by
burning or cutting down. [CAÃ][PUOERA] was also a place used by fugitive slaves
to attack slave transports.
· Kongo scholar K. Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau has posited that "capoeira" could be
derived from the Kikongo word kipura, a term used to describe a rooster's
movements in a fight and meaning to flutter, flit from place to place, struggle,
fight, or flog.
Music is integral to capoeira. It sets the tempo and style of game. The tempos
differ from very slow (Angola) to very fast (São Bento Regional). The
instruments are played in a row called the bateria. Three instruments are
berimbaus, which look like an archer's bow using a steel string and a gourd for
resonance. It is played by striking the string with a stick, and the pitch is
regulated by a stone. Legend has it that, in the old times, knives or other
sharp objects were attached to the top of the berimbau for protection and in
case a large fight broke out. These three bows are the Berra boi (also called
the bass or Gunga), Medio, Viola, and lead the rhythm. Other instruments in the
bateria are: two pandeiros (tambourines), a Reco-Reco (rasp), an Agogo (double
gong bell) and the Atabaque (conga-like drum).
Conditioning
Kavanah Conditioning Class Formats
Cardio kick classes at DFKA are not watered down kickboxing classes grounded in
dance like movements. These classes focus on enhancing the cardiovascular system
of its participants. On a literal level, they are martial arts, boxing, kicking,
and fighting combos formatted in high intensity drills that keep the heart rate
up, allowing little rest. Each one of these classes includes several rounds of
punching and kicking intervals. They use the heavy bags, mitts, targets,
shields, pads, ropes, and weights. Rope Intervals: Ropes are provided by DFKA.
Mixed Martial Arts Training
This class has been designed for intermediate level students who want to drill
combos that include ground and stand up combos. You must have taken at least 5
jiu jitsu, kickboxing and boxing classes to attend. Its goal is to train from
two perspectives. A fight that starts on the ground and then goes to stand up
and a fight that starts standing up and then finishes on the ground. Although it
integrates jiu jitsu, it combines basic level jjs with the threat of strikes and
kicks. This class is taught with a few formats, although it mostly couples
students similar in size and has them drill out these elaborate fighting
combinations. No shoes or belts are worn in this class. Sanctioned grappling
gloves required, see our store for proper equipment.
Boxing Training
Boxing fundamentals and techniques. We focus on perfect jabs, hooks, uppercut
and power punches. Training will consist of mitt, heavy bag, speed bag, jump
rope, footwork drills and defensive tactics. Our boxing training provides
opportunities for student to spar with instructors and individuals of their same
level. Sanctioned boxing gloves and wraps required. More advanced students will
develop complex combinations. Beginning with a basic combo and adding 1-3 pieces
of offense and defense. It includes defense, footwork and a variety of punch
patterns. Each student is paired with a partner who holds the mitts for them and
they exchange places every 2 minutes.
Rope Interval Training
This interval training program combines martial arts combos, sports training
drills and plyometrics with jump rope rounds. Students will learn how to perform
basic tricks and improve their overall cardiovascular fitness and coordination.
Combat Sports Training
This class combines techniques from the combat sports. It is driven by intense
heavy and mitt drills to practice boxing combinations and integrates pad work
and partner drills with the basics of sport kickboxing and Muay Thai kicks and
knees. This class encourages basic sparring drills and allows for all levels to
participate. Sanctioned boxing gloves and wraps required.
Introduction to Jiu Jitsu / Beginner JJS
This class teaches the basic offensive and defensive sport JJS moves. It
explains the basic strategies and goals of the sport of JJS. This class will
teach the primary offensive positions in JJS (mount, guard, triple attack, cross
body, knee on stomach, open guard). About 20 of these classes are recommended
before attending the other JJS classes.
Kickbox and Strengthening
Kickbox and Strengthening is a martial arts fitness program that blends
mainstream exercises with traditional martial arts techniques and combinations.
By integrating fundamental resistance exercises, the participants build strength
and then apply that strength to the martial arts techniques that are
incorporated within the routine. The Kickbox aspect of the program also blends
good old American boxing combinations, providing its participants with upper
body and more dynamic lower body combative movements. You can pick up this class
on video in our store.
DFKA Curriculum
These classes will teach the core curriculum. Since all the martial arts have
wonderful components, The DFKA curriculum intends to produce students who are
balanced martial artists with the skills of more than one system. By learning a
integration of each of these styles, students will have the ability to fight and
execute superior boxing skills, powerful kicks, relaxed footwork, be prepared
for a fight that goes to the ground and benefit from the training of basic kung
fu and wushu stances and drills. This system will not only produce well-rounded
martial artists, with a respect for all styles, but well conditioned, strong,
agile and shapely students. This 16 belt system (until black belt) follows a
training regiment that helps each student manage their overall health and
fitness level on their journey to a black belt. It emphasizes and teaches the
classical stance work, strikes, kicks and blocks. The Kavanah system is
unsurpassed, in its honest teachings of reality based fighting and how it fits
in with a traditional martial arts system. We have a modernized approach to
Martial Arts and therefore requires western boxing, fitness goals, the basics of
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the Israeli self-defense systems in order to advance. It
teaches many traditional components, but exposes and requires all it’s students
to have reality based self defense skills, necessary for an urban lifestyle with
the importance of athletic conditioning. Without these two additional
components, Dr. Farber feels that his students would not be truly prepared for
the threats of the street and capable of handling the physical pressure of
fighting back. Additional training and course work is available from Tai Chi to
Yoga and Kali Stick to mixed martial arts fighting.
Yoga
Underlying all forms of Yoga is the understanding that the human being is more
than the physical body and that, through a course of discipline, it is possible
to discover what this "more" is. Hindu Yoga speaks of a transcendental Self (âtman,
purusha), which is eternal and inherently blissful, as our true identity.
Buddhism and Jainism have their own distinct ways of describing the goal of the
transformative path of Yoga. Although there are several different types of Yoga,
our staff teaches a blend of these styles. Yoga will benefit your body on many
levels - improve core strength, flexibility and balance, while sculpting your
muscles. Yoga is for life. "Life" as in "longevity", "living well", and "for a
lifetime". The word “yoga” means union. Yoga is the unification of mind, body,
and soul. Yoga is a 5000 year old science developed to improve your physical and
mental well being. You can do yoga regardless of your flexibility, and over
time, your body will become stronger and more supple. By incorporating
breathing, postures, and meditation, you create an efficient yoga practice that
can benefit you for life. Students are instructed to go at their own pace,
knowing from the onset that yoga is an individual practice. You are in class to
create an awareness about your body, breathe, do some interesting postures,
meditation, and have a lot of fun trying.
1000 Kicks
This lower body training class focuses on kicking technique, building endurance
and flexibility of the legs. Its name is an exact description of its goal -
which is to throw 1000 kicks by the end of class. You can count on this class
sculpting your legs, defining your hips and pushing you to the next level with
your kicking skills. This class uses a combination of paddles, weights, bosus
and a chair for sport specific drills.
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