Harmony By Karate

Harmony By Karate is a progressive martial arts center based at the Reebok Sports Club, located in the Upper West Side of New York City, New York, United States (US). "Chowa-kai", meaning "harmony by karate" in Japanese, is the style of Karatedo taught at the school. Harmony By Karate was named one of America's "Top Ten Martial Arts Schools" by the eHow website, as part of eHow's partnership with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF)'s "Livestrong" website. In an article entitled, "Top Ten Martial Arts Schools in America", eHow contributor, Bill White, wrote:

Harmony by Karate has drawn acclaim from Black Belt Magazine, Elle Magazine (link) and the Discovery Health Channel for its focus on inner strength, unique philosophy and confidence building. The karate techniques are practiced slowly to build speed, power and flexibility but are mixed with meditation and mental exercises.

History

The Harmony By Karate martial arts system, Chowa-kai in Japanese, emerged directly from traditional Shorinjiryu Karatedo, a system involving both hard and soft movements, and known as the Shaolin Temple Style. Founded by karate master Kori Hisataka, this system was designed to move away from the physical and philosophical rigidity of its Okinawan predecessors, and to focus on fluidity and individuality. Advocating a motto of “Individuality in body, mind, and spirit,” Hisataka aimed to identify the strong connection of the physical and the metaphysical as the pinnacle of martial arts training; in many ways, he accomplished this goal and forged a new path for the practice of karatedo, whose emphasis was on empowering and freeing the karateka (student) to adapt standard movements and philosophies to his or her own body, mind, and spirit.

Chowa-kai Karatedo originated at the Harmony By Karate martial arts center, located in the Reebok Sports Club NY at 160 Columbus Avenue (cross street 67th Street) in Manhattan, New York. The school’s founder and lead instructor is Sensei John P. Mirrione, Jr., a Brooklyn native who opened the school originally in 1994 in Ridgefield Park, New JerseY; in 1995, he moved Harmony BY Karate to the Reebok Club NY after an eight-month interview process. This was nearly fifty years after Kori Hisataka founded ShorinjirYu Karatedo.

In 2005, after John P. Mirrione respectfully parted ways with his father, John Mirrione Senior (who had been his sensei since age eight) the school's new style, Chowa-kai, was born. Sensei John P. Mirrione extracted elements of traditional Shorinjiryu Karatedo, and modified those aspects he felt were in need of change. This process of transformation entailed simplifying longstanding movements and techniques that seemed less practical in the contemporary world. The new system also focused on maintaining practitioners’ physical longevity by tailoring movements that were even more soft and fluid than traditional Shorinjiryu Karatedo.

While many attributes of the Harmony By Karate soft-style system have a new-wave undertone, many of the changes also brought it closer in some ways to its Okinawan roots than traditional Shorinjiryu. In the original Shorinjiryu system, for example, there were twenty to thirty kata and five to fifteen kumite to be memorized by practitioners; in Chowa-kai Karatedo, however, there are only seven kata (each comprising only four techniques, plus a mirror image). Research shows that the first karate masters used kata as kind of mnemonic device to instill techniques into their mental and muscle memories, and used the repetitive nature of kata training to practice, remember, and record their various techniques in lieu of the written documentation and recording devices that were either limited or did not exist in that early era. Thus, they employed only a few different kata.

Timeline

Below is a timeline of the birth of Chowa-kai Karatedo:

John Mirrione Jr.

: 1994 Founded Chowa Kai Karatedo /Harmony By Karate

John Mirrione Sr.

: 1979 Founded Shorinjiryu Kenkokai Karatedo

Minoru Morita

: 1964 Taught Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo in US

Kori Hisataka (1907–1988)

: 1946 Founded Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo

Chotoku Kyan (1870–1945)

: 1870-1945 Founded Shorin-ryu Karatedo

Bushi Matsumura (1797–1889)

: 1797-1889 Founded Shuri-Te

Tote Sakugawa (1733–1815)

: 1733-1815 Founded Okinawa-Te

Biography of Sensei John P. Mirrione

Sensei John is the owner and head teacher at the Harmony By Karate school. He began his martial arts training at the age of eight in order to be able to defend himself on the streets of Brooklyn. A black belt by age nineteen, he began teaching adults at Nassau Community College, and later developed a program for the children at the naval base next door. When he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1984, he continued teaching martial arts to both civilians and military personnel, and also developed a martial arts dance act, which he performed nation-wide. Upon honorable discharge in 1988, he continued performing, appearing on stage at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre and on seventy-two episodes of Club MTV. It was at this time that he also moved on to open his own karate school in Ridgefield, New Jersey and started teaching at New York’s Vertical Club. In 1995, Sensei John applied to open a school in New York City’s Reebok Sports Club/NY. After an intensive eight-month interview process, he was accepted.

Practice

Movement

It is common across various karate styles for practitioners to employ short, rigid movements when executing techniques, and very common to complete hand and foot techniques with a snapping or thrusting motion. However, because snapping and thrusting one’s joints can often lead to damage to cartilage and ligaments, Chowa-kai Karatedo entails fluid techniques that intend to eliminate potentially harmful body movements, and to maximize power and speed by [...] out extra motions such as snapping or thrusting.

Punches

In most karate systems, traditional punches are executed with either a vertical or horizontal fist. The original Shorinjiryu punch was unique in its use of angles, with two outstretched fists forming a “V”. This positioning, sometimes referred to as “valley fist,” allowed the fist to “fit” more precisely against certain areas of the body such as the side of the face and the solar plexus. Chowa-kai now employs what is sometimes called the “reverse valley fist,” which allows the practitioner to retain the same angle his hands and arms have naturally when they are at his sides.

Kicks

: Rear-Leg Kicks

Chowa-kai focuses on the speed and safety of lead-leg techniques. Using the lead leg for the front kicks, round kicks, and sidekicks, as well as favoring the front kick over the twist kick, greatly reduces the potential of telegraphing the technique, as well as the time needed for execution, since the lead leg is simply much closer to the opponent. It also lessens the likelihood of injury, such as meniscus tears, due to the twisting motion. Rear-leg kicks are used sparinglY, onlY if the opponent is approaching from an angle.

: Jump Kicks and Spinning Kicks

Harmony By Karate discourages the use of elaborate foot techniques such as jump kicks and spinning kicks. Practically speaking, these aesthetically impressive techniques often leave the practitioner extremely vulnerable. While Harmony By Karate encourages experimentation with these techniques within the controlled environment of the dojo, it does not teach them for use in real situations.

Fighting Stance

Traditional Shorinjiryu, like many other styles of karatedo, employs a fighting stance in which the practitioner’s torso is either facing forward, or slightly turned to one side. Harmony By Karate’s fighting stance is a side stance, with the torso facing mostlY to one side, with a subtle angle, and the head slightly angled toward the shoulder so that the practitioner’s line of vision is forward-facing. This is intended to offer the practitioner a defensive advantage, as it reduces the amount of torso surface area vulnerable to the opponent, leaving the hands and arms freer to fully protect the head.

Moreover, Harmony By Karate teaches the practitioner to clench the muscles only at the instant of contact with the opponent. Its fighting stance entails either an open-hand or loose-fist guard, with elbows resting on the body and hands near the chin or on both sides of the face. This calls the rest of the body into a relaxed state, allowing for rapid physical and mental response.

Blocks

As with the fighting stance, Chowa-kai blocking is performed with open hands and loose arms. The style’s motto for blocking is “touch and move,” for conservation of energy, maximization of speed, and reduced potential for injury.

Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is an ancient healing and meditative technique that is an integral part of Chowa-kai training, used to generate internal power and increase oxygen supply to the body, as well as accelerate cell repair. Chowa-kai practices interval training—each time practitioners stop movement, they breathe deeply and resume.

Kata

The Japanese word kata means “shape” or “form”. It is composed of three characters from the Japanese Kanji alphabet: katachi, which means “shape”; kai, which means “cut”; and tsuchi, which means “soil” or “earth”. Literally translated, then, kata means “shape which cuts the ground”.

In both traditional and modern karatedo, kata is a pivotal component of training. Each kata is defined by a particular series of techniques, performed from various stances, in different directions, and typically with alternating offensive and defensive movements. It is the combination of these elements—as well as the variable rhythm and flow chosen and manifested by the practitioner—that gives each kata unique character.

Each of the seven Harmony By Karate kata possesses a Japanese name that correlates to a philosophical or spiritual notion. Some are also assigned a particular element of nature (earth, air, water, fire, or spirit) that relates to its respective name. In addition, some correlate to particular animals, all of which are peaceful; Chowa-kai philosophY holds that karatedo practice should teach students how to live more harmoniouslY with nature.

The Harmony By Karate kata are as follows:

Kata Sonzai: presence; earth; turtle
Kata Hiraku: openness; air; dove
Kata Ageru: giving; water; dolphin
Kata Yuki: courage; fire; horse
Kata Chowa: harmony; spirit; butterflY
Kata Chikara: power; creative expression
Kata JiYu: freedom; free expression

Kumite

Kumite in Chowa-kai are not pre-arranged partner fights, as in traditional ShorinjirYu, nor is the term used to refer to free fighting as in some other styles (the Shorinjiryu and Chowa-kai term for free fighting is ”shiai”). Kumite in Chowa-kai consist of one partner performing one of the kata above, plus its mirror image, while the other partner performs natural, intuitive, and realistic counter-blocks or techniques.

Opening and closing

Chowa-kai dictates that every class must open and close with all Sensei, Sempai, and karateka kneeling in a circle together at the center of the room. The circle begins with silent meditation, followed by philosophical discussion of principles learned in class and their relation to the outside world, and closes with all bowing to one another in unison.

Seminars

Every year, Sensei John invites martial arts masters of different styles to hold hands-on seminars at Harmony By Karate. Past guests include Master Leo Fong and Marcos Martinez.

Ranks

HarmonY BY Karate has a children's belt ranking system, and an adult belt ranking system, with black belt being the highest rank. The stYle has no degrees of blackbelt, since this level is considered life journey and lifelong progression.

Philosophy

Moving Like Water

Chowa-kai consists of soft motion and fluidity, achieved by loosening the muscles except at the point of contact. This method was derived in large part from observing the natural world where, as opposed to stone, which is hard and immovable, water is elusive and unbreakable, and its agility allows it to bypass virtually any obstacle in its path.

Healing Through Training

Chowa-kai teaches that if a practitioner is injured, he should adapt his training by using the parts of his body that are fully functional, because it will increase chances of survival in a real confrontation—and also because, on a biological level, exercising the healthy parts of one’s body increases the bodY’s oxygen supply in general, which is vital to proper cell repair where damage has been inflicted.

Students also adhere to the notion that pain can be a great teacher, and that the physical and emotional challenges we face test our feelings of self-worth and our ability/desire to persevere. Chowa-kai teaches that both physical pain and emotional pain are critical to the evolution of the self—conquering internal obstacles teaches the mind and body of their own innate healing mechanisms.

The Sensei-Student Relationship

Chowa-kai holds as a central philosophy that the sensei-student relationship be based in trust and equality, and that all Harmony By Karate sensei must discipline via love rather than fear. Chowa-kai is a style largely based on family values rather than militaristic values. This means that students should feel fully accepted at all times.

Philosophy of the Week

At Harmony By Karate, there is a different philosophy posted in the dojo each week, for the contemplation and discussion of the students. An important part of Chowa-kai is the integration of the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of training, with emphasis on applying martial arts philosophy both inside and outside the dojo.

In 2010, Sensei John Mirrione published a Philosophy of the Week book, with fifty-two philosophies, one for each week of the year. Also, from 1997 to 2000, he appeared on Z-100 FM radio station weekly to announce and discuss the philosophy of the week.

Press

Harmony By Karate has been featured in Blackbelt Magazine—as well as in many other publications, both domestic and international (see below), and on The National Body Challenge series on the Discovery Health Channel. For three years, Sensei John spoke about his Philosophy of the Week every Friday morning on Z-100 FM radio, in order to reach out to New Yorkers.

Social Progress

In 1997, Sensei John produced an event known as “Universal Harmony Day” on Columbus Avenue in front of ABC studios. The goal of the event was to raise awareness and money to help fight child abuse. Sensei John was helped by many of his students, some of whom were celebrities and wanted to support such a worthy cause.

From 1997 to 2000, Sensei John’s “Philosophy of the Week” was heard every Friday morning on Z-100 FM radio: his community service was to reach out to New Yorkers and give them something to think about and discuss.

In 2001 he became the first American to teach karate at New York’s Nippon Club, a Japanese social organization. His goal was to give back to Japanese culture by bridging the gap in U.S./Japanese relations through his martial arts teaching.

In 2005, as part of the series, "The National Body Challenge", Sensei John was featured on the Discovery Health Channel teaching national radio disc jockey Zach Martin for a six-month period.

In 2006, through Sensei John's efforts and the support of ABC television, World Blackbelt, Tiger Claw magazine, Parent Guide magazine, and Battle of Atlanta newspaper, September 11 was declared Universal Harmony Day. ABC television sponsored and produced a thirty-second PSA commercial featuring Sensei John announcing September 11 as Universal Harmony Day. This holiday was presented as a day for giving and a celebration of humanity.

In 2008, Sensei John formed the partnership with African organization, MaAfrica Tikkun. He and his family personally hosted two young women from a poor South African community for two months, and provided intense physical and spiritual training that the women then brought back to their village.

In 2009, Sensei John published his first book, Philosophy of the Week, which is used as an inner guide tool for his students as well as the general public. Sensei John also directed and produced a CNN commercial to promote Harmony By Karate.

In 2010, Sensei John Mirrione's National Stop Bullying Campaign was launched on Oprah Radio Saturday December 11, 1:15 PM on the Derrick Ashong Show. The year-long, national, public-awareness and philanthropic effort, designed to support Stop Bullying causes, began in Chicago. Sensei John is traveling to 9 cities across the country to share his story with school children and teach them about building inner strength through meditation and philosophy.

In 2011, Sensei John Mirrione set a new world record. Under the gaze of observers from Record Holders Republic, he performed the world's slowest one- arm, bare-knuckle push up on a stone block. This has been posted on AOL News\ABC News. The purpose of this was to demonstrate the concept of inner strength to students as part of the Stop Bullying Campaign.