Martial Arts Philosophy in Traditional Karate Uechi Ryu is having the ability to use both mental and physical soft and hard elements accordingly and freely while maintaining the state of gansei shusho. This is the philosophy of Uechi-ryu. Gansei refers to the ability to accurately capture the movements, feelings, and energy of others, while shusho is about responding swiftly, comfortably, confidently, and appropriately to others. It is essential to balance both hardness and softness in Uechi-ryu, as hardness is not just an element of strength but also includes the element of softness. Flexed muscles, holding a full breath, and a racing mind are examples of hardness, while relaxed muscles, exhaling, and a calm mind are examples of softness.
The internal benefits of Uechi-ryu training are often not visible manifestations of a calm, confident, and calculated mind, capable of dealing with various life situations while demonstrating emotional maturity. This results in an innate capacity for dealing with emotions from fear to joy, stress to rest, and love to hate. Additionally, Uechi-ryu training positively impacts the health of organs, joints, muscles, skeleton, nerve, and auto-immune systems. Its movements and breathing techniques help incrementally improve these systems' function for supernatural health and wellness.
The Dojo is where we learn how to apply these benefits to regulate our actions and interactions more positively with others. Once we’ve cared for ourselves, we find greater opportunities and abilities to help others. Applying our learned and well-exercised core values of courtesy, responsibility, respect, discipline, pride, courage, humility, loyalty, and integrity from the Dojo to all aspects of our lives benefits us and all those around us.
