The history of martial arts (and even specifically Karate) is a long one. This is a quick summary of how it became what it is today.

To understand what "Modern Karate" is, you should first understand what what it was. Before it was 'karate' it was 'te', or 'china hand'. Different styles originally in Okinawa were brought from Chinese culture and practiced in the different cities of Naha, Shuri, Tomari. These styles were separated by Kata, but joined by the applications of RyuKyu Kempo. Unlike today, not everyone could be taught martial arts in a local dojo. These applications and techniques were secrets shared by family and friends.

What is known as "kara te" (open hand) is the term it was given in the early 20th century. This was when an Okinawian teacher name Gichin Funakoshi first introduced it to Japan. Kata was brought into the island's school system as a part of a physical education class. School children being children as they are were not taught the applications Kata was originally intended for; striking movements and explanations became watered down versions. Thus, the first introduction of Karate to the Japanese.

Going a little more forward in time, we look at the time period surrounding WWII. During this time in Okinawa, US troops had replaced the Japanese as the occupying force on the islands. Many of these troops wanted to learned this martial art they had heard of.  Think of this imagery for a moment: An outside force bombs your country, occupies your lands, and then wants you to teach them your secrets. So the Okinawians gave them Kata with watered down applications and without the teachings of pressure points. Thus, between that and the language barrier, everything became 'blocks'.

As these teachings were brought to America, everything the Americans learned (which was missing the Ryukyu Kempo applications) was being taught to others as a full system. Over time even more things changed in America. Movements within Kata, and even Kata themselves were being dropped out of systems; if they could not find a reason for it, it was useless to them. The fact it is that they couldn't find a reason for it because they did not have the rest of the information to have it make sense. Karate has become more of a sport in America; as well it has lost many of its 'real' life saving applications. Thus, sport, sparring and physical fitness has become the domineering drive in most Modern American Karate schools.

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A simple dictionary term for Acupuncture:
 'A procedure used in or adapted from Chinese medical practice in which specific body areas are pierced with fine needles for therapeutic purposes or to relieve pain or produce regional anesthesia.'

" Today in most western cultures it is considered a "new alternative" medicine. In reality Acupuncture is  practiced medical treatments that are over 5,000 years old. Very basically, Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles, (sometimes in conjunction with electrical stimulus), on the body's surface, in order to influence physiological functioning of the body.

The first record of Acupuncture is found in the 4,700 year old Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine). This is said to be the oldest medical textbook in the world. It is said to have been written down from even earlier theories by Shen Nung, the father of Chinese Medicine. Shen Nung documented theories about circulation, pulse, and the heart over 4,000 years before European medicine had any concept about them.

As the basis of Acupuncture, Shen Nung theorized that the body had an energy force running throughout it. This energy force is known as Qi (roughly pronounced Chee). The Qi consists of all essential life activities which include the spiritual, emotional, mental and the physical aspects of life. A person's health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the body, in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang . (I will discuss Yin and Yang a little later). If the flow of Qi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, Yin and Yang become unbalanced, and illness may occur. Qi travels throughout the body along "Meridians" or special pathways. The Meridians, (or Channels), are the same on both sides of the body (paired). There are fourteen main meridians running vertically up and down the surface of the body. Out of these, there are twelve organ Meridians in each half of the body (remember they are in pairs). There are also two unpaired midline Meridians.  The acupuncture points are specific locations where the Meridians come to the surface of the skin, and are easily accessible by "needling," Moxibustion, and Acupressure. The connections between them ensure that there is an even circulation of Qi, a balance between Yin and Yang.

Energy constantly flows up and down these pathways. When pathways become obstructed, deficient, excessive, or just unbalanced, Yin and Yang are said to be thrown out of balance. This causes illness. Acupuncture is said to restore the balance.

The question arises, how does Acupuncture work? Scientists have no real answer to this; as you know many of the workings of the body are still a mystery. There are a few prevailing theories:

1. By some unknown process, Acupuncture raises levels of triglycerides, specific hormones, prostaglandins, white blood counts, gamma globulins, opsonins, and overall anti-body levels. This is called the "Augmentation of Immunity" Theory.
2. The "Endorphin" Theory states that Acupuncture stimulates the secretions of endorphins in the body (specifically Enkaphalins).
3. The "Neurotransmitter" Theory states that certain neurotransmitter levels (such as Seratonin and Noradrenaline) are affected by Acupuncture.
4. "Circulatory" Theory: this states that Acupuncture has the effect of constricting or dilating blood vessels. This may be caused by the body's release of Vasodilaters (such as Histamine), in response to Acupuncture.
5. One of the most popular theories is the "Gate Control" Theory. According to this theory, the perception of pain is controlled by a part of the nervous system which regulates the impulse, which will later be interpreted as pain. This part of the nervous system is called the "Gate." If the gate is hit with too many impulses, it becomes overwhelmed, and it closes. This prevents some of the impulses from getting through. The first gates to close would be the ones that are the smallest. The nerve fibers that carry the impulses of pain are rather small nerve fibers called "C" fibers. These are the gates that close during Acupuncture.

   In the related "Motor Gate" Theory, some forms of paralysis can be overcome by Acupuncture. This is done by reopening a "stuck" gate, which is connected to an Anterior Horn cell. The gate, when closed by a disease, stops motor impulses from reaching muscles. This theory was first stated by Professor Jayasuriya in 1977. In it he goes on to say:

   "...one of the factors contributing to motor recovery is almost certainly the activation of spindle cells. They are stimulated by Gamma motor neurons. If Acupuncture stimulates the Gamma motor neurons, the discharge causes the contraction of Intrafusal Muscle fibers. This activates the Spindle cells, in the same way as muscle stretching. This will bring about muscle contraction." "

Acupuncture, A Brief Introduction by Jeffrey A. Singer excerpt sited from http://www.acupuncture.com/

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One way to define Kata on the surface level is simply 'a set combination of positions and movements performed as an exercise'.  Kata can also be compared to a song or a poem.  We see the words, but what are the meanings?  What did the originally maker of that Kata intend for each particular move?  The truth is, most of the originally meanings have been lost over time; thus it has been up to later practitioners to interpret what these movements' mean and pass on that information.  As a song or poem, many things can be left open to interpretation; one movement can have many applications. 

There are many different styles around the world.  Most styles work very different Kata and some work very similar Kata.  One Kata is not necessarily better than another; the effectiveness lies the interpretation.  Just because it looks like a 'low block' doesn't mean you're blocking a kick; in fact, THERE ARE NO BLOCKS IN KATA.  Learning the techniques of RyuKyu Kempo gives the Martial Artist the tools and knowledge to interpret any style's Kata for 'real' application. 

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 When you start hitting pressure points you are disrupting the body's natural energy (chi or Bio-electric energy).  We work everything in a controlled manner where to not harm each other.  All students much learning healing techniques as well; to restore energy flow where they just hit.  Is it dangerous? If someone isn't properly trained and starts hitting the wrong spots, yes, it can be dangerous.  But again, so can playing baseball or any physical activity at that manner.  Do we at Atlanta Ryukyu Kempo take precautions, yes.  Safety for each other and ourselves is 1st. 

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That is a very relative question.  What is 'best' can be described by oneself.  A person may start a martial art dojo for a myriad of purposes: learn self defense, win trophies, get a workout,  gain confidence...the reasons are endless.  One art may focus more on hands where as another may focus more on legs.  What is the best for Jim may not be the best for Jack.  If you are interested in taking Martial Arts, look around for what is best for you. 

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Dim Mak is commonly translated as 'Death Touch'.  This art -in it's more deeper form- is Dim Mak.  Our main focus in Ryukyu Kempo is utilizing pressure points while attacking.  In so, we use pressure point combinations to either cause pain, a knockout, or kill.

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Every pressure point has an activation size of a quarter.  There are over 300 pressure points on the body.  Imagine taking 300 quarters and placing them on someone's body.  The answer is yes, no matter how you are positioned, you will have a target. 

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Do something else.  Once you learn how the body works and the locations/uses of the points, you'll realize how to easily adapt by hitting another point, go into a grappling technique, throw, or other.

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