ABOUT US

The world-renowned Practical Karate, based on the ​Sabaki Method;

"PICTURE a fight which people clash head-on, making no attempt to block the opponent. Clearly the man with the longer reach will be the first to get in his punch, while the one with greater power only has to throw in his body weight to win.Too many karate methods are like this- reckless, giving no thought to defense. In the days where karate was first devised it might have been acceptable to meet head-on and start punching away, but times change and we can no longer afford to do that.In karate, as in all else, there has to be some kind of technical breakthrough." ​~ Ashihara Hideyuki

Fighting with Circles

Sabaki involves the use of controlling techniques (e.g. breaking balance, positioning, deflection, etc.) to tactically move away from the line of attack and into a good position, where the opponent can be much easily managed.To do this, circular movements are often employed- moving forwards or backwards diagonally to either side.​Thereon, a counter-action, a punch, kick or throw can be delivered with minimum resistance from the opponent.

The Sabaki Method for Fighting and Self-DefenceAshihara Karate was created out of the need for a more practical system of Karate that takes into account the realities of today's world.It is an eclectic Japanese martial art that focuses on real fighting applications or jissen (実践), while being an excellent means of cultivating the human body, mind and spirit.

In comparison to the traditional karate approach, Ashihara Karate training emphasizes natural body movements and straightforward techniques that are directly applicable from practice, over relying on brute strength and complex forms.

For fighting and self-defence, the System emphasizes on the concept of sabaki.In Japanese martial arts, sabaki commonly translates to 'positioning' or 'angling' the body, with reference to the opponent.

In Ashihara Karate, this term is extrapolated to mean safely receiving an attack from the opponent by moving into positions of maximum advantage(e.g. the "blind spot"), and ultimately establishing control over him.This is what makes Ashihara Karate an effective form of self-defence as it enables anyone, with the correct effort, be able to overcome an opponent regardless of his size or physical prowess.