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Hombu dojo of 
Shorin-Ryu Karate
    U. S. A.

129 W 67th St.
New York, NY 10023

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Oyster Bay Cove, New York

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Calligraphy - "Soku" - Foundation and balance

Karate-Go

Thoughts on training outside the dojo

                                                  Rob Neff

In Tales of Okinawa’s Great Masters, Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine discusses karate’s popularity in terms of the "anytime, anywhere, anyone" principle. "Simply put," Master Nagamine explains, "the practice of karate knows no limitations; there are no time, place, age, or gender restrictions. One can train any time, any place, and with anyone, or even by one self."

Empakai Crater,Tanzania

 

 

Rooftop - Arequipa, Peru

 

 

Footprints from kata Rohai - Parsons Beach, Maine

There is nothing like working out in a dojo. It is the core of our formal training. Hanshi Scaglione has stated that he has not missed a week without attending at least one class in a Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu dojo somewhere around the world. We are encouraged to train in as many dojo in our system as possible. When traveling we should always bring our gi, visit our brother and sister schools, and make a point of attending class.

However, many of us often find ourselves far from any dojo within Shorin-Ryu USA. I have found that doing kata outdoors in nature is a wonderful alternative. Recently I was on vacation in the Czech Republic. While traveling my favorite experiences were the ones in which I did kata. I gained insight into Rohai while observing the white heron on a lake near the small town of Trebon. Another morning I felt like protector of the king while practicing Wankan overlooking Krumlov Castle in Cesky Krumlov.

I believe that you give some of your spirit to any location in which you perform kata. Additionally, you take something away from a place once you have performed a kata there... something you could not otherwise gain.  Sensei Mackay recently explained to a class a theory about doing kata in sand or fresh snow or autumn leaves. If you look down at the ground after performing a kata, you can see the signature of the master who composed it. Their signature is visible in your own footprints.

Each week try to do at least one kata in a place where you don’t normally practice karate. Let your imagination run wild.

 

   

Gjirokasta Castle
Albania



Puerto-Escondido
Oaxaca, Mexico



Versailles
France



Sabiyinyo Volcano
Rwanda



Bryce National Park
Utah



Niushoushan
China



Louve Museum
Paris, France



El Yunque National Forest
Puerto Rico



Sarasota
Florida



Arches National Park
Utah



St. Anton am Arlberg
Austria



Mohonk
New York



Lori Wilson Beach
Florida



Islamabad
Pakistan



Southwest Harbor
Maine



Marlborough
Massachusetts

Plaza de Toros
de Ronda, Espania

Sardegna
Italy

Bamahenge
Elberta, Alabama

Moai
Easter Island

Grand Canyon
Arizona

Cairo, Egypt

Agra, India

Teton National
Park, WY

Cliff Walk
Newport, RI

Cliff Walk
Newport, RI

San Jacinto
Range, CA

Teton National
Park, WY

Jacob Riis Park
New York

Jacob Riis Park
New York

Ueno Park
Tokyo, Japan

Montana

Baku,
Azerbaijan

Colosseum
Rome, Italy

Zeiglers Cove,
 Gettysburg, PA

Jaulian Buddhist Monastery
Taxila, Pakistan

Cataline Channel
California

Ronald Reagan Library
California

Ngorongora Crater
Tanzania

 Execution Rock,
Long Island Sound

Sri Lanka

Arches National Park
Utah

Sand City
Long Island Sound, NY

Indian Peaks
Colorado

Mosque
Thatta, Pakistan

Cascadas Magicas De Copalita
Hautulco, Oaxaca

Arolla Glacier, 
Switzerland

Roman Coliseum,
Italy

Kyushu, Japan

Virginia pond

The White House,
Washington, DC

Central Park, 
New York City

Hudson, New York

Mazatlan, Mexico

Bonaire, 
Netherlands Antilles

Sands Point, 
Long Island, NY

Rain forest caves,
Belize, Central America

Shoshone National Forest, Montana

Alcatraz Prison, 
California

Eiffel Tower, 
Paris

Cinnamon Bay, 
St. John

Guanica, 
Puerto Rico

Gulf Coast, 
Florida

Goose Rocks Beach, 
Maine

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