Freeman's Shorin-Ryu Karate

Freeman's Shorin-Ryu Karate is a family owned and operated karate school offering classes to children and adults ages 3 & up.  Sensei Kelly Freeman has 27 years of martial arts training, and trains currently under Kyoshi (Eighth Degree Black Belt) Pat Haley of Chico, CA.

Kyoshi Patrick T. Haley, 8th Degree Black Belt, began his karate training in 1974.  In 1985, he began training personally under Grandmaster Shugoro Nakazato in Okinawa, Japan.  In 2009, he was promoted to 8th Degree Black Belt. 
Kyoshi Haley's numerous accomplishments include hundreds of awards in kata, kumite, and kobudo, and a 1999 induction into the North American Martial Arts Hall of Fame.  Kyoshi Haley has won seven national gold medal championships, and represented the United States in the 1997 Okinawa Karate Kobudo World Championships.
Kyoshi Haley owns and operates his karate dojo, Haley's Martial Arts Center, in Chico, CA.  Visit his website at www.haleys.biz.

Shorin-Ryu Shorin Kan Karate traces its roots back to the original Okinawan Te style of unarmed combat.  Many historians believe that Okinawan Te can be traced back over 1000 years, to a time when many warlords fought for supremacy on the island.  Most Okinawans were poor, and did not own weapons.
    In the early 14th century, Okinawa entered into a trade agreement with China, and in the late 14th century, many Chinese families came to live in Okinawa, bringing with them the system of Chinese martial arts.
    In the 15th century, the island was unified by King Sho Hashi, who eventually banned weapons, in fear of his dynasty being overthrown.  Three main styles of Okinawan Te emerged from three villages, Shuri Te coming from the village of Shuri.  King Hashi's ban on weapons also led to the development of Kobudo, in which common farm and fishing tools became powerful weapons.
    In the early 17th century, Okinawa was seized by the Japanese Satsuma Samurai clan, and Okinawans were again banned from carrying any weapons.  During this time, trade relations with China continued.  In the 18th century, a Chinese diplomat named Kusanku came to Okinawa.  His student, Tode Sakugawa, is credited with combining both the essence of Te and Chinese boxing principles.  These principles formed the basis of modern Shorin Ryu.
    Sakugawa's student, Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura, taught Ankoh Yasutsune Itosu, who introduced karate into the public schools of Okinawa.  His student, Chosin Chibana, renamed the style Kobayashi Ryu, teaching his instructor's original style.  Our current grandmaster, Shugaro Nakazato, was Chibana's most notable student and successor.  Grandmaster Nakazato still operates his dojo in Okinawa today.

In addition to offering regular karate classes for all ages, Freeman's Shorin-Ryu Karate offers regular Women's Self-Defense Classes, open to women in the community and surrounding areas ages 17 & up, for $15 per participant.  Come learn basic skills for defending yourself and your loved ones.