|
|
 |
|
On this page you will find information about us and History of the Martial Arts as we know it today.
We do understand that the information here may vary with others.
|
|
|
History of American Tiger Karate Schools, and American Tiger Karate Schools of Alabama
Grand Master Doug Welsh is recognized as the founder of American Tiger Karate Schools. Grand Master Welsh
began his martial arts training in 1973 with Shihan Ron Alo in Kempo Karate and has trained in many styles of Karate since
that time. In 1981 he became a student of Shihan Floyd Burk in Traditional American Karate. Grand Master Welsh is currently
an 8th degree Black Belt certified by the American Tiger Karate Schools Black Belt Board.
Sensei Lyvon Free opened the doors to American Tiger Karate Schools of Alabama (which I will refer to as ATKSA)
on June 1, 2003, after 4 years of studying with Shihan Welsh. His goal was to have a training area (dojo) in his hometown
for the kids and adults that where willing to train. At ATKSA we believe Martial Arts Training is a privilege not a right.
It takes time and hard work to achieve and to see your accomplishments in Martial Arts. Discipline is a must, and we focus
on it highly. We want to see our students achieve their maximum potential, physically as well as mentally. As I have said
before Martial Arts is not just a sport it is a life style.
In the American Tiger Karate Schools system ,we believe that Karate is the continuing growth of knowledge,
skill, and attitude for the purpose of achieving personal development, self-mastery, and self-defense. We train for physical
and mental health.
Physical Health Includes the development of greater:
Strength, Endurance, Flexibility, Balance, Coordination, and quickness of your physical and mental reflexes.
Mental Health includes the development of the following attitudinal characteristics:
Self-Esteem, Respect for self and others, Courtesy, Self-Discipline overcoming the opponent within ones self,
and Self-Confidence (knowing you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone unless in an actual self-defense situation.
All American Tiger Karate Schools Instructors teach in a positive manner, being firm yet kind in
their interaction with the students.
Our goal is that every student feels they have learned something new and that they leave class feeling good
about themselves as both a Martial Artist and as a person.
|
|
|
History of Martial Arts as we know it today.
About 500 A.D. Daruma (Bodidharma), founder of Zen Buddhism, traveled from West India to China to present
lectures on Buddhism. After several years, the Chinese Masters from the Shao-Lin temple began spreading the teachings of Daruma
throughout the land. The teachings of the Shao-Lin temple became known as Shorin-Ji Kempo.
Eventually this method of Martial Arts reached the Ryu-Kyu islands and developed into Okinawa-te, the forerunner
of present day karate.
When Hero King ShoHashi united the three territories of Okinawa, a national policy was passed which forbid
any and all weaponry; and about 1600 weapons were confiscated by the government of Japan.
It is supposed that the development of karate on the islands, as a means of unarmed Self-Defense, received
much attention as a result of this double prohibition of weapons and through this developed into the Okinawan Martial Art
of karate as we know it today.
Master Gichin Funakoshi, known as the father of modern karate, studied from Master Azato and Master Itosu
who were students of Matsumura and Gusukuma, respectively.
Shorin-Ryu Karate and Shotokan Karate were the two main influences of Master Funikoshi and from there came
American Karate, Sport Karate, Full contact Karate, Japanese Masters and finally to what we know as American Tiger Karate
Schools; which teaches Shihan, Doug Welsh’s interpretation of traditional American Karate, founded by Shihan Floyd Burk.
The Father of Modern Karate
Guichin Funakoshi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
senseiatksa@yahoo.com
American Tiger Karate Schools of Alabama
9979 Highway 75 (physical address)
(mailing address) P.O. Box 365
Ider, Alabama 35979
(256)632-2857
|
|
|
|