Ryukyu Kempo has been a way of martial arts in Okinawa for 100's of years. It emphasizes life protection and preservation not only through self defense but also through healthy lifestyle and exercise. Two areas of focus for our school are kyusho jutsu (pressure point fighting) and Tuite jutsu (grappling and joint manipulation). We also emphasize throws, ground fighting, and chokes. Katas, or forms, are the blue prints for application of all of our self defense techniques. The ultimate benefits from training are improved health and fitness along with defense of yourself and others. Modern "kara-te" has lost much of it's original applications and purpose. Today, it is seen as a sport and more of a philosophical approach to life. Those aspects are part of it for sure but the martial application cannot be set aside. In order to honor those that have gone before us, the martial applications remain in our style.