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The Four Pillars of the Shudo Kan Karate Club 

The Four Pillars of the Shudo Kan Karate Club

Here at Shudo Kan Karate Club, we study a concentrated and highly respected version of Japanese martial arts called Shitō-ryū. Shitō-ryū is one of the fundamental styles of karate first birthed in Okinawa, Japan. A style of combination, Shitō-ryū sets out to unite the diverse roots of karate: Physical strength, power, speed, and artistic expression.

Our owner, lead instructor, and Nine-Time National, Three-Time All American Karate Champion, Sensei Doug Dennis is to thank for first bringing this style of karate to the Springfield, Illinois area. Doug’s own training was only one step removed from Sam Brock himself, head of the National Karate Association and the man responsible for bringing Shudo Kan karate to the United States. Sensei Dennis is a black belt in both styles, and hold black belt rankings in three additional martial arts.

Doug quickly advanced through the ranks, and it wasn’t long before his hard work and dedication earned himself a promotion many students only dream of. His instructor offered him his own karate school, located in his choice of city.

Word spread and excitement buzzed quickly throughout Springfield; Nearly 90 students signed up for lessons within the first two months of the school’s opening day. But after several years of managing and instructing under the principals of his sensei-turned-boss, Doug realized this chapter of his life was closing. It was time to break away and open his own dojo.

Once Doug left, the studio he worked for closed its doors within six months. The students stayed fiercely loyal to their Sensei, leaving an established karate studio with a famous name to practice karate in Doug’s garage. More and more students followed suit, leading Doug to seek out a much larger space. Speeding up to present day, Doug Dennis now has nearly half a century of experience learning and teaching martial arts, popularizing and strengthening the practice of traditional Shitō-ryū karate in the midwest through Shudo Kan. Not to mention, Doug is also the 2019 Shitō-ryū World Championship silver medalist, the second-oldest athlete of the Masters division (60 and over) in Tokyo, Japan, and was the oldest athlete of 2100at this year’s national championship, where he won bronze in the Men’s Advanced 55+ Division.

Several things make Shudo Kan Karate Club stand out, one of the most prominent being the value placed on each student’s experience and success. Whereas mega dojos have 20 students or more per instructor, Doug prefers to keep things more intimate. At Shudo Kan Karate Club, the ratio of students to instructors is 4-5 to 1. This more personalized instruction method allows students to receive better training, more attention, and make more dramatic improvements. Many have advanced to compete at high level championships.

Sensei Doug is a firm believer in and applicator of Shudo Kan Karate Club’s founding four pillars: Tradition, fitness, self-defense, and self-discipline.

The history of martial arts can be traced back to China and Japan at least six thousand years. Upholding the respected traditions of ancient karate is imperative to preserving the art form and keeping the culture, language and customs alive and put to good practice. Doug is careful to implement tradition into his modern-day karate school, leaving students with a better and more appreciative understanding of their craft. Shudo Kan Karate Club students may be learning on a cushioned mat in an air-conditioned building in the 21st century, but they are still left able to feel a strong connection with ancient karate masters long before them.

Another pillar of Shudo Kan Karate Club is fitness. Not only does Sensei Doug offer separate kickboxing classes, all karate students receive a healthy mix of cardio and yoga mixed into their lessons. As any health professional (or simple Google search) will tell you, physical exercise is crucial to our health and wellbeing. Our bodies and minds desperately need routine exercise to live a long and happy life. Fortunately, practicing karate is a perfect way to give your body exactly what it needs while enjoying the activity so much, you hardly notice you’re working out. In fact, history has shown us that many lifelong karate masters had an incredible longevity compared to the average population, some more than doubling their generation’s life expectancy!

Self-discipline is a third pillar, one that becomes noticeable in all facets of life. Doug’s students are instilled with a new sense of motivation, confidence, focus, awareness and patience that they are able to apply to everyday life. The art of karate requires commitment (Doug’s average student attendance is an impressive 16 years!), dedication and accountability, leading to an overall improvement of the individual. Trusting partnerships are formed between classmates while respect is fostered for instructors and a new sense of self-preservation develops. Empirical studies have shown a positive, direct relationship between studying karate and better grades and better behavior. Students’ families have even reported a positive impact on life at home, as well! Karate goes hand-in-hand with positive morals and character building, letting you reap the benefits for decades to come.

The final pillar of Shudo Kan Karate Club very well may also be the first thing that comes to mind: Self-defense. The art itself was born out of necessity when early civilizations banned their citizens from owning any weapons. Learning effective unarmed methods of self-defense and attack became crucial to survival. Sensei Doug offers a multitude of different classes centering around self-defense, including school safety (“Bully Proof”) and self-defense for teens, college students and adults. Students are able to learn real, practical advice to better protect themselves and their loved ones.

Whether you are considering to practice karate for the fascinating history and philosophies, the benefits of concentrated physical fitness and mental agility, to be a master of combat, to better yourself, or for pure enjoyment, there is a powerful takeaway in karate for everyone of all ages. (Adults looking to start lessons need not feel they missed the boat, Shudo Kan Karate Club’s average adult student age is 42!)

Whatever your personal mission may be, we are excited to support you on your journey.

To stay updated on all things karate, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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