Traditional Japanese Martial Arts
Welcome to Blackbird MA!
Our dojo uses traditional training methods to explore fighting arts left to us by generations of martial artists. The development of these skills is a process that requires time and effort, but it also produces great rewards. Our group is serious about the arts we study, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. We're just some people who enjoy a mutual fascination with making our dojo friends say "ow!" If you're interested in seeing how we train, trying a class, or asking questions, drop me an email or stop by the dojo.
~Ben Couch, Chief Instructor
Shinpi Karasu-Ryu Karate
Our karate style is an arrangement of traditional concepts derived from, primarily, Japanese and Okinawan karate arts. It also draws heavily on Tai Chi body mechanics and an understanding of movement, throws, and joint locks informed by Couch-sensei's extensive study of aikido and jujutsu.
Traditional kata (forms) are the guidebook for the techniques we study. Although most martial arts schools mimic these movements, there is a often a general lack of understanding in how to study them properly to inform combat. It may be hard to imagine how all of that shadowboxing can really help with street fighting -- I get that -- but I'd love the chance to explain in person. Stop by and ask some questions. You might find the traditional method compelling. These teaching methods have been in use for hundreds of years, and they were developed by people who were fighting for their lives. When understood in their original context, they are masterful teaching tools for learning real-world application.
