Ridgely Abele

Shihan Steve Roensch

Contents

A brief martial arts history of Ridgely Abele
Introduction to jiu-jitsu
About your senior instructor
About our style of jiu-jitsu
Welcome to our dojo
Dojo creed
History of jiu jitsu
Code of ethics (excerpted from 'Union of ao and being')
An external viewpoint of an internal art
Martial school etiquette
Visiting other schools
Code of ethics conclusion
General information
The art of ukemi (breakfalling)
Joint locking
Balance
Kuzushi (breaking balance)
Targeting
10 points of jiu-jitsu
The five anatomical systems utilized in jiu jitsu and methods of attacking each
Targeting
Speed
Combat zones
Defensive theory
Anti-weapon rules
Fight or flight
Areas of study
Glossary of combative elements in jiu-jitsu
Advanced terminology
Primary pain-compiance points
Vital striking areas
Yellow belt requirements
Blue belt requirements
Green belt requirements
Purple belt requirements
Brown belt requirements (sankyu, nikyu, ikkyu)
Black belt requirements… (more)

Karatedo: Art - Sport - Science is a guide for students of the Shuri-Ryu style of karate up to and including the first degree black belt (shodan). As a reference and primer to the style, it does an excellent job. It provides general information about our style (details of the seal, principles, history, etc.) and explanations and images showing the execution of many of its elements (kicks, blocks, punches, stances, katas, etc.).

For me, the book will serve as a tool to learn and grow in martial arts. This was why I purchased the book. I suppose what I didn't expect is how well it provides these details while at the same time making the reader/student recognize the complexities and depth of karate. As a white belt, I've heard many of these things from the instructors but Kyoshi's explanations in Karatedo: Art - Sport - Science seemed to "bring it all home" for me. I gained a better understanding of the challenges that lie ahead as I continue my studies.

Given that Kyoshi Abele is my chief instructor (I am fortunate enough to go to the school where he teaches), I feel that I should explain the imperfect rating (4.5 instead of 5). I rated the book with 4.5 stars really for three reasons. First, I felt at times that the book repeated the same things when it could have moved on. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, as repetition is a learning tool, but there was once or twice where I kind of felt like - "OK, I get it." These were minor enough that I can't even remember now what they were (and I finished the book yesterday) but I do remember that crossing my mind (it could have been that I read it at 5:30 a.m. and was feeling testy pre-coffee).

Second, and arguably unfairly, the rating was lowered simply because it felt that it was limited in its applicability to the general reader and to some extent even for those who practice other styles of karate. As I said, this may be an unfair rating deduction as it is my assumption that this book was written for the Shuri-Ryu student and not necessarily those who study a different style or the curious reader. There are other books available for those people. Nonetheless, it's a point worth mentioning.

Finally, and probably the real root of the reason that it's a 4.5 is that there is always room for improvement. I'm an imperfect reader and critic (among my other endless imperfections) and while I would suggest that Kyoshi is near perfect in many ways (and I mean that sincerely), I feel confident that he would take issue with someone holding out the book as perfect. Karate, and Shuri-Ryu specifically, is all about "Learning from Tradition and Going Beyond". The goal is continuous improvement.

I look forward to my next class.… (more)