About SKKA Florida
TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS in today’s MODERN AGE
The S.K.K.A. Florida is an organization that promotes traditional Okinawan karate-do and kobudo, as handed down from the teachings of the Founder of the Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu style, O’Sensei Shoshin Nagamine, to his student, Master Sensei Eihachi Ota, Hanshi, and thereby to us in the Florida chapter of Ota Sensei’s organization: the Shorin-ryu Karate-do & Kobudo Association (S.K.K.A.).
We seek to share the harmony and peace that martial arts can bring to its students, along with the many benefits to the mind, body and soul of its practitioners.
SKKAF LINEAGE
MATSUBAYASHI SHORIN-RYU / OKINAWAN KOBUDO
The deep understanding and application of body mechanics, further developed by Shihan Ota during his lifelong experiences as a martial artist, enhances the benefits derived from the execution of karate-do techniques.
Sensei Juan Queris is the ranking sensei and Head Instructor of our S.K.K.A.-associated schools in the state of Florida. He emphasizes this philosophy and is a believer in hard training to ensure proper conditioning of the body, mind and spirit. Strong training, perseverance and discipline are central to developing a practitioner’s expertise in the martial arts, as in any other worthy endeavor.
Our school is founded on this philosophy, as emphasized by Master Sensei Ota’s mission statement: “… to introduce unique training exercises to help practitioners develop their skills and increase their knowledge of the art.” This empowers all of us to focus in karate as we would in our efforts in any enterprise we wish to pursue in our personal lives.
One of the most important goals in our school is to improve the character and intrinsic quality of life, health and spiritual well being of the practitioners of this ancient martial art. Among the many exercises we practice, Sensei Juan emphasizes kata, also known as forms, as a central discipline to develop skill, understanding and the ability to successfully and effectively perform the techniques within this traditional style of Okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate-do.
SKKA Chief Instructor
Los Angeles, California
SKKAF Head Instructor
Juan Queris, Rokudan
Winter Haven, Florida
SKKAF Instructors
Doral, Florida
Personal haiku:
“Ageless, shapeless, alert
I, my opponent unaware,
conquer in equanimity”
PROFICIENCY
As students train they develop their natural skills and abilities, as well as discover new ones. As students master these abilities they go from being beginners to intermediates and finally to advanced students. What follows are brief descriptions of students at each of these general levels.
1. Beginner: During the first months students will be taught basic kicks, blocks, punches, forms (katas), one step sparring and drills. They will start as a white belt level at this level and will be give the opportunity to test for the next belt level after three months have been completed. Students who do not demonstrate proficiency in these basic skills will not pass the examination and will continue training in the basic skills for another three months, when they can test again.
2. Intermediate: Our intermediate level students wear yellow, orange, blue, green and purple belts. They learn all basic karate forms (katas), drills, focus training and sparring techniques to reach a very profound level of execution, as well as self defense and self control while increasing their awareness of karate training. Duration at this level will depend on the student’s ability to learn, to adapt, and to execute all techniques to a higher level.
3. Advanced: Brown and black belts. Students at these levels will have mastered all basic forms (katas), drills, focus training, free style sparring, multiple attach self defense, Kata bunkai (i.e. application of techniques), basic techniques to a higher level of proficiency. They have begun their path to a higher (philosophical) level of karateka. Advancement at these levels will be at the instructor’s discretion and authorization.
SKKA Florida offers karate-do, kobudo and self-defense training by appointment only for individuals and groups. You may book his services by clicking on the Thumbtack link below to conveniently request the services required.
We provide Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu instruction based on Ota Hanshi’s training and guidance. Self-defense techniques are thus and elsewhere derived. In coordination with SKKA associated dojos in Miami and the state of Florida, seminars and other events take place year round.
Santander sensei began his martial arts training in Gosoku-ryu traditional Japanese karate with IKA in Venezuela, during the 1980’s. Due to relocation in the early 90’s, sensei Santander had opportunity to train in Aikido, during his years in the Netherlands Antilles, under sensei Frank Wong and later under sensei WeeWow Dumlao at the Miami Aikikai. Sensei Francisco pursues Shorin-ryu with passion, enthusiasm and curiosity. His training in Okinawan karate-do started in the 90’s until his Shodan in the Shobayashi branch, developing his techniques and skills further in the Matsubayashi branch of this Okinawan art.
Santander sensei holds the rank of Godan (5º) in Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu karate-do and Okinawan kobudo. He is an avid traveler; visits to the Middle East, Africa, Europe, South America and USA adorn his current passport.
Book him today, we conveniently coordinate his travels, priority based upon submitted written requests (T&E).
SKKA FLORIDA
