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Club History
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Zan Shin
Kai Karate, as it’s now known, evolved from it’s original
form ‘Za-Zen-Karate, Zen Shin Ryu (Za-Zen Karate
Association)' which was founded in 1971 by the then Chief
Instructor Sensei Jon Alexander, which itself was created
to bring together over 50 clubs practising
‘Zen-Shin-Karate’, the new style of Karate Introduced by
Shihan Jon Alexander.
This new style was
predominately based upon the Gojo Ryu weapons system of
Karate, with the fluidity and flamboyance of Kung Fu added
to mix the best aspects of both the Hard and Soft sides of
the Martial Arts world. This point ‘Zan Shin Kai’ still
holds true today, having incorporated Aikido, Tai Chi and
Freestyle Kickboxing into our syllabus.
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Shihan Jon Alexander |
During the next few years some of the instructors that had
gained ‘Dan’ grades left to start their own clubs and
ceased to train with Shihan Alexander. It was at this time
that it was decided that any clubs no longer linked
directly with Shihan Jon personally, should they wish to
do so, would be allowed to use the title ‘Zen-Shin-Ryu’ (Ryu
meaning branch or offshoot), whilst those that still
trained at the ‘Hombu Dojo’ (place where founder
instructs) had the honour and prestige of practising ‘Zen–
Shin-Do-Karate’.
In 1978, ‘Za-Zen-Karate Association’ decided to change its
title and that in the future the full official name of the
club would be ‘Zen-Shin-Do-Karate-Kai’.
For the next eight years the clubs went from strength to
strength. And so, it was then the decision to join the
‘British Karate Association’ was taken. 1987 saw the
‘B.K.A’ recognise our first three ‘Dan’ grades on a
national level. With the support of the new Sensei’s, it
was decided to break away from our restraints and
boundaries and start our own offshoot called ‘Zan Shin Kai
Freestyle Karate’. The main reason for becoming a modern
form of Karate or ‘Freestyle’ was to concentrate on our
‘Kumite’ or competition fighting side of the art. With
hindsight, although the number of students increased, the
actual basis of our Karate suffered so within eighteen
months we had switched back to our traditional roots
whilst still retaining the positive training aspects of
modern Karate. To signify this the club name was changed
again to its current name ‘Zan Shin Kai Karate’ (Balanced
mind, empty hand).
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Number 6
You should always strive for excellence, not perfection.
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Copyright 2008. Site written & maintained by Justin Kent.