Penn State Karate Club

IWKA 2009On the heels of assisting with the PA Summer Special Olympics, members of the Penn State Karate Club (PSKC) will engage in competition with Karate practitioners from around the globe on Saturday the 20th. Blue & White will reach for the Gold in Pittsburgh, PA. Opening ceremonies for the 2009 Isshin Ryu World Karate Association's World Championship Tournament begin at 9:15AM in the Hilton's Grand Ballroom. Competitors will face-off in empty-hand forms, weapon forms and sparring divisions. In the days leading up to the tournament, master level instructors will conduct several workshops.

Special Olympics 2009Once again, members of the Penn State Karate Club volunteered their time to help with the Special Olympics taking place in State College, PA.

Self-Defense with the Air Force ROTCThe Penn State Karate Club will hold a self-defense workshop on Thursday, February 12th in 106 White Building at 7:30 PM. The work shop will cover self-defense strategies and, in the event that those fail, some basic techniques that can be used to aid you in getting away from an attacker. If you are interested in martial arts, or self-defense, please stop by and learn something new with us.

You do not need to have any prior martial arts experience to participate. This seminar is intended as an introduction to self-defense and is ideally suited to beginners. Please wear loose fitting athletic clothing and leave any watches or jewelery in your bag.

If your group or organization would be interested in holding a seminar on self-defense, we are available and happy to discuss your needs. Please contact us.

Demonstration KataThe Penn State Karate Club will hold its Spring 2009 Demonstration on Tuesday, January 20th at 7:30 PM in 106 White Building on Penn State University's campus. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the karate club and how we train. Everyone is welcome: students, faculty, staff, and the general public. If you are at all curious about martial arts, we encourage you to attend.

The format of the demonstration will mirror our normal workouts and include many of the skills we normally practice. You will have an opportunity to observe the following:

• Warmup, stretching, and conditioning exercises
• Upper and lower body basics: the foundation of our karate style that include the blocks, kicks, and punches we practice
• Kata: the traditional forms of our style that combine stance, basics, and movement into a prearranged pattern.
• Sparring: we will demonstrate both prearranged and competitive point sparring in a controlled environment.
• Tameshiwari: the ever-popular breaking of construction materials

Following the demonstration, we will have a question and answer session. Please come and join us.

Fifty-three years ago, on January 15th, Tatsuo Shimabuku gathered his students together to announce the name of his karate style. In the years leading up to this day, Tatsuo studied under the legendary Okinawan Masters Chojun Miyagi, Chotoku Kyan, and Choki Motobu. He mixed their teachings with his own innovations. In the early years of its development, Tatsuo called his style Chan Migwa Te, it later evolved to Sun Nu Su, and then finally settled upon Isshin Ryu.

In April of 2008, Penn State Network Television filmed a short news segment about the club. It features interviews with several club members and provides some current and historical footage of workouts and seminars. Enjoy:

Demonstration KataThe Penn State Karate Club will hold its Fall 2008 Demonstration on Tuesday, September 2nd at 7:30 PM in 106 White Building on Penn State University's campus. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the karate club and how we train. Everyone is welcome: students, faculty, staff, and the general public. If you are at all curious about martial arts, we encourage you to attend.

The format of the demonstration will mirror our normal workouts and include many of the skills we normally practice. You will have an opportunity to observe the following:

• Warmup, stretching, and conditioning exercises
• Upper and lower body basics: the foundation of our karate style that include the blocks, kicks, and punches we practice
• Kata: the traditional forms of our style that combine stance, basics, and movement into a prearranged pattern.
• Sparring: we will demonstrate both prearranged and competitive point sparring in a controlled environment.
• Tameshiwari: the ever-popular breaking of construction materials

Following the demonstration, we will have a question and answer session.

On August 16 and 17, 2008, Penn State Karate Club Members and Tai Chi practitioners from around the country traveled to the University Park campus for demonstrations and special training sessions. Distinguished PSU alumni Black Belts and world-renowned Tai Chi Masters provided Penn State students, and faculty with free training in the ancient internal martial art of Tai Chi. Pictures from the event can be viewed at Penn State Live

Special Olympics VolunteersOn the warm Saturday afternoon of June 7th, seven PSKC members volunteered their time to help with the 2008 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games. The event took place on the outdoor field below Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center and our members were responsible for assisting with the Track and Field Events. They joined a backbone of volunteers that helped to make the Special Olympics possible for nearly 2,100 athletes and 800 coaches from across the state.