Columbia School of Karatedo Brochure
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About Our School
Founded in 1979, the Columbia School of Karatedo is a National Center for the Martial Arts. Classes in karate, jujitsu, and kobudo are taught to men, women, and children of all ages and are designed to provide positive challenges appropriate to the each student’s level of experience.
Instruction is provided by a 10-member staff, under the guidance of Hanshi Ridgely Abele. Each instructor is certified in his or her Martial Art and has attended courses on diet and nutrition, exercise physiology, and martial arts teaching skills.
Our school is dedicated to teaching the Art, Sport, & Science of Karatedo and is a registered club with the USA National Karatedo Federation – the national governing body for Karate in the United States. Students travel from around the country and around the world for the experience, knowledge, and instruction available at our school.
Our focus in training encompasses a total approach: mental discipline, physical conditioning, and responsible actions. Martial arts training is a lifetime fitness activity, and training improves defensive skills, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, and muscular strength. However, the martial arts student benefits far beyond the attainment of a stronger and healthier body. At the Columbia School of Karatedo, we combine the old with the new: Authentic Martial Arts are more than 1600 years old and are the most effective method of self-defense ever devised. These ancient and traditional lessons are combined with modern principles of scientific exercise physiology to help each student develop their Body, Mind, and, Spirit in a personal and meaningful way.
Who Can Learn Martial Arts?
Ages 4 to? Classes are taught to men, women and children of all ages. Students work at their own pace, and there are two instructors on the floor at all times, available to give private or semi-private instruction. We maintain a positive learning environment where students encourage and help one another throughout the course of their training. With just a little desire and a few short months, you will be amazed by the development of your fitness and skills - your friends and family will notice the difference too!
Karatedo
The only real defense against a hostile world is a balanced body, mind, and spirit. A strong mind in a strong body, with a spirit of justice will do the most good for both you and for society. The word Karatedo has three-parts: “kara,” means empty; “te,” means hand; and “do,” means way; or “the empty hand way.” The suffix “do” at the end of a Japanese word signifies a mental and physical discipline. Thus, karatedo is a physical exercise composed of blocking, striking, kicking, sweeping, and moving techniques designed to achieve a mental state, which results in not only the physical ability to defend oneself, but also the development of the mind and spirit . Karatedo classes are taught for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students.
Jujitsu
Jujitsu means the “science of softness.” It is a general terms for a wide range of hand-to-hand combat arts that usually emphasizes grappling and throwing. The fighting style was designed centuries ago for disarmed warriors to allow them to defend themselves against single or multiple attackers. The jujitsu student learns joint locks, sweeps, throws, falling, and vitalpoint striking methods. We offer classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students.
Kobudo
The word Kobudo is translated as “ancient martial ways.” The traditional Okinawan weapons are the Bo, Eiku, Kama, Sai, Nunchakun, and Tonfa, and the Okinawan people used them to adapt to the conditions of their time. They are now considered an art form and are still used in Okinawa as part of their culture. A Kobudo student must have at least three months of martial arts instruction prior to commencing the study of Kobudo.
Lineage Info
2006 Trias Finals
Chief Instructors
Shuri-ryu karate is an eclectic martial arts system, developed by the martial arts pioneer Robert Trias, the first person to teach karate in the United States in 1945 in Phoenix, Arizona. He opened the first karate school in the nation in 1946 and formed the first karate organization, the United States Karate Association, in 1948. Other styles of karate related to the Trias-line are Shorei-Goju-Ryu and Shorei-Ryu. The style of Shuri-ryu is taught and is especially prevalent in the United States, parts of Europe, and South America.
The roots of Shuri-Ryu are in Okinawa, especially in the Shuri-Te karate of Ankoh Itosu and Choki Motobu and the Hsing Yi Chuan of Tung Gee Hsing. Robert Trias, the style’s founder, trained with Tung Gee Hsing, who had cross-trained with Choki Motobu earlier in the Okinawan village of Kume Mura. Tung Gee Hsing taught Trias Hsing Yi (the “Intellectual” Fist) and Shuri Karate Kempo. Later Trias studied with Hoy Yuan Ping, Gogen Yamaguchi, Roy Oshiro, Yasuhiro Konishi, Makoto Gima, and several other teachers. Konishi awarded Trias with the 9th Dan in 1964 and was a prominent student of both Choki Motobu and Gichin Funakoshi. Gima was a prominent student of Funakoshi and awarded Trias the 10th Dan in 1983. Both, Konishi and Gima helped Trias reconstruct the old Shuri-Te system of Okinawan karate with some modifications, hence a new name for the system was designated Shuri-Ryu. Shuri-Ryu also incorporated some Naha katas and methods.
Techniques
In addition to the punches, blocks, and kicks of karate, Shuri-ryu also incorporates joint locks, take-downs and throws, and kobudo (traditional weapons).
Shuri-ryu also has several short combinations. These include: 26 ippons (ippon kumite kata), which are performed to develop form and power; 10 taezus (taezu naru waza) which are performed to develop speed and fluidity; 30 kihons which are performed to develop fighting technique; and 8 sen-te motions (thousand hands techniques).
In addition, there are additional training exercises including form sparring (kata kumite), focus stance sparring (kime dachi kumite), free exercise (jiju undo), and free sparring (jiju kumite).
Kata
Shuri-ryu has three form exercies (Taikyoku Tiichi, Taachi, and Miichi; otherwise called Taikyoku Ichi, Ni, and San), to prepare the student to learn the 15 core katas: Wansu, Anaku, Empi Sho (Wanshu), Sanchin, Naihanchi Sho (Tekki shodan), Naihanchi Ni (Tekki Nidan), Naihanchi San (Tekki Sandan), Bassai Dai, Go Pei Sho, Dan Enn Sho, Nan Dan Sho (Nijushiho / Niseishi), Kanku Sho (Kusanku Sho), and Ten Sho. Various weapon kata are also taught, including Tsue Sho No Kon (bo kata) and Tekatana (sai kata). Besides these forms, Sanchin and Tensho have alternate ways of performing the forms. Also, the senior sensei of Shuri-Ryu also teach several other forms such as Shudo So and Hakutsuru.
Many of the above kata emphasize the use of various animal forms, and the definitions are often reflective of this. For example, Wansu (Dragon Boy dumping form) uses the dragon fist, Anaku refers to a swallow pivoting on a beach, Empi Sho refers to the flying swallow, and Go Pei Sho refers to a tearing peacock. Some kata will emphasize multiple animal forms, such as Dan Enn Sho, where ten animals are emulated.
Ranks
The Shuri-ryu style, like most systems of the martial arts, uses a belt system to designate rank. The appropriate rank is awarded when the student demonstrates a certain level of proficiency when performing the required techniques, kata, etc. The ranking system as spelled out in “The Pinnacle of Karate” by Robert Trias is as follows:
* White (hachikyu)
* Yellow (schichikyu)
* Blue (rokuyu)
* Green (gokyu)
* Purple (yonkyu)
* Brown (sankyu, nikyu, ikkyu)
* Black (shodan (first dan) through judan (tenth dan))
At each rank, the student must also pass a rigorous physical requirement before performing the technical requirements. Running one or two miles (up to green = 1 mile, purple and beyond = 2 miles), lifting 10 or 15 lb weights 75 times over the head (depending on gender), performing 500 front kicks, and various hand technique exercises are commonly used.
Identifying Features
One of identifying features of Shuri-ryu is the use of the Shuri fist in lieu of a standard fist. Instead of curling the index finger when making the fist, the index finger is laid flat, and the thumb pushes down on the finger, resulting in a tighter fist.
Another feature of Shuri-ryu is the position of the thumb of the knife edge strike or block. The thumb and forefinger form a “j” so that the hand may be used in a variety techniques (ridgehand, spearhand, open-hand throat strikes, etc.) without changing the thumb position.
Robert Trias Maxum
Karate knowledge is acquired through good health, spiritual and mental perfection and enjoyment of life to its fullest with devotion to God, country and fellow man.
Karate knowledge shall never be given on the basis of physical performance alone, no matter how excellent the ability.
Karate knowledge shall only be given to those whose moral characters can throughly be trusted.
The former USKA National Dojo Kun (School Creed) used by the style of Shuri-ryu remains in its intact form, as originally penned by Trias:
* I shall conduct myself in a manner which will reflect credit upon myself and society.
* I shall be loyal to my school and to the art it teaches.
* I shall be honest and exercise integrity with the purpose of developing cooperation and trust with my fellow karate-ka and my teachers.
* I shall exercise restraint in the use of my karate knowledge, employing it only in fair competition or in defense of my life, my family, or my country.
Columbia School of Karatedo Dojo Kun
* Karate begins and ends with courtesy.
* Actions have consequences.
* We are responsible.
* We lead by example.
* There is no excuse for bad manners.
Chief Instructors / Senior Sensei
Prior to 1989, Grandmaster Trias had already designated 8 chief instructors of the Shuri-Ryu system to perpetuate Shuri-Ryu when he was gone. They were Roberta Trias-Kelly, John Pachivas, Robert Bowles, Ridgely Abele, Pete Rabino, Michael Awad, Dale Benson, and Dirk Mosig.
Traditionally, a karate system was owned by the family of the founder. Upon Robert Trias’ death in 1989, his daughter, Dr. Roberta Trias-Kelly inherited the Shuri-Ryu system.
Another organization made up of 6 of the 8 chief instructors was founded by Robert Bowles, the International Shuri-Ryu Association. Since then, the International Shuri-Ryu Association under Robert Bowles has become the largest organization of Shuri-Ryu stylists and has appointed two more chief instructors and several more assistant chief instructors.
The instructors below should especially be sought out as sources of Shuri-Ryu knowledge.
The following practitioners are the chief instructors of the style:
* Dr. Roberta Trias-Kelly (Menkyo Kaiden) (10th Dan) Arizona
* John Pachivas (deceased) (10th Dan) Florida
* Robert Bowles (10th Dan) Indiana
* Ridgely Abele (9th Dan) South Carolina
* Pete Rabino (8th Dan) California
* Michael Awad (8th Dan) Ohio
* Dale Benson (8th Dan) Arizona
* Dirk Mosig (8th Dan) Nebraska
* Joseph Walker (8th Dan) Illinois
* Joseph Walker (7th Dan) Illinois
* Vitus Bilking (7th Dan) Denmark
* George Sheridan, Jr. (7th Dan) Indiana
* Tony Bisanz (7th Dan) Arizona
and the assistant chief instructors:
* Wendi Dragonfire (7th Dan) Netherlands
* Sandy Bowles (7th Dan) Indiana
* Tony Bisanz (6th Dan) Arizona
* John Linebarger (8th Dan) Arizona
* Dennis Wagner (7th Dan) Ohio
and the instructors on the International Shuri-Ryu Association’s Council:
* Sandra Bowles (7th Dan) Indiana
* Milt Calander (6th Dan) Arizona
* John Linebarger (8th Dan) Arizona
National Center for the Martial Arts
Address -
604 Meeting St. West Columbia, SC 29169
Phone -
803-794-3908
Karatedo
Evening Classes Adult
Beginner Tuesday & Thursday 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Intermediate Monday & Wednesday 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Advanced Tuesday & Thursday 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Youth Classes
Beginners Tuesday & Thursday 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Intermediate Monday & Wednesday 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Advanced Tuesday & Thursday 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Beginners Saturday 4 - 6 year old 9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.
Day Classes
Beginners Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Intermediate & Advanced Class
Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
All Levels Saturday Morning 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Jujitsu
Evening Classes Adult
Beginner
Monday 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Wednesday 8:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Intermediate & Advanced
Monday 8:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday 8:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Kobudo
All Levels
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Prices
Karatedo & Jujitsu - Take a trial class free, meet the instructors and see the school. Family Rate 2nd Person in the same family is half price.
$87.00 per month for adults
$87.00 per month for students and youth
$41.00 for children 4 - 6 year old class
If you would like to train both Karatedo and Jujitsu, the first art is full price; the second art is an additional $30.00 per month
Private classes are available in all arts upon request $25.00 per half hour.
Hanshi Ridgely Abele
- 9th Dan Shuri-Ryu
- Chief Instructor - Shuri-Ryu Karatedo
- 6th Dan - Shintoyoshin Jujitsu
- Chairman - National Coaches Committee for the USA National Karatedo Federation
- Technical Chief Advisor - American Karate and Jujitsu Association.
Hanshi Abele is a two time winner of the USKA World Championship and was a USA National Championship’s All-American Champion. In 1971, Mr. Abele was awarded his instructors degree, and since then, he has trained students in traditional Okinawan Karatedo, Jujitsu, and Kobudo, as well as competitive martial arts. Hanshi Abele has produced more than 160 black belts, which have included state, regional, and national champions, as well as top-ranked world competitors.
Hanshi Abele believes there is value in authentic martial arts training for everyone. He is actively sought to teach seminars throughout the world and has taken teams to compete in Japan, Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, and South America.
Renshi Rick Scoppe
- 5th Dan Shuri-Ryu