Enshin Ryu: Art of Strategy and Movement

Enshin Ryu stands as a distinctive pillar within Japanese martial arts, marking its uniqueness through an unmatched combination of strategy, philosophy and technique. This style not only focuses on combat effectiveness, but also delves into the personal and spiritual growth of its practitioners. By entering the world of Enshin Ryu, we discover a universe where movement, mind and spirit converge in a dance of discipline and applied wisdom.

Enshin Ryu, most widely known in the context of Enshin Karate, is a martial discipline distinguished by its unique focus on combat strategy and mobility, founded on the principle of "Sabaki", which refers to the ability to move. in and around the opponent's attack to find an advantageous position from which to counterattack. This style was founded by Kancho Joko Ninomiya in Denver, Colorado, United States, after having emigrated from Japan. The foundation of Enshin Ryu lies in the competitive experience and teaching of Ninomiya, who was a prominent competitor on the Japanese karate circuit before moving to the United States.

The creation of Enshin Ryu incorporates elements of various styles of karate, especially Kyokushin Karate, of which Ninomiya was a prominent practitioner. The philosophy of "Enshin" literally translates as "inner circle" or "heart of the circle", symbolizing the importance of internal connection and fluidity of movement that allows practitioners to turn and redirect their opponents' force against them. This style not only focuses on combat effectiveness but also on the personal and spiritual development of its practitioners, promoting values ​​such as discipline, respect and continuous improvement both inside and outside the dojo.

Kancho Joko Ninomiya is the founder of Enshin Ryu, a martial arts discipline known for its unique focus on sabaki strategy, which translates to the ability to move and reposition quickly to gain advantage over the opponent. Originally from Japan, Ninomiya moved to the United States with the vision of expanding and teaching his style of karate, founding the world headquarters of Enshin Karate in Denver, Colorado. His experience in competitions, including his victory in the All-Japan Tournament in 1978, provided him with a solid foundation for developing a martial system that emphasizes both combat effectiveness and the personal and spiritual growth of its practitioners. .

The philosophy of Enshin Ryu, centered on the concept of the "open circle" or "Enshin", reflects Ninomiya's vision of a constantly evolving martial path, focused on adaptability, resilience and continuous learning. Through Enshin Ryu, Ninomiya has created not only a fighting style, but also a global community of practitioners committed to excellence, integrity, and mutual support.

The creation of Enshin Ryu, under the vision of Kancho Joko Ninomiya, is the result of a unique synthesis of influences from various schools of martial arts, particularly Kyokushin Karate and Ashihara Karate. Ninomiya, with a deep foundation in Kyokushin, was inspired by its physical rigor, its emphasis on endurance, strength and direct striking technique, distinctive characteristics of Kyokushin, founded by Masutatsu Oyama. On the other hand, the influence of Ashihara Karate, developed by Hideyuki Ashihara, is manifested in the incorporation of the sabaki movement, a strategic principle that emphasizes dodging and re-positioning to counterattack more effectively. This focus on movement and strategy reflects a move away from traditional blocking and counterattacking methods, toward more fluid and adaptable combat dynamics.

Ninomiya's own martial journey, from his competitive achievements to his pedagogical vision, reflects a constant search for evolution and adaptability in the martial arts. By integrating these influences, Enshin Ryu establishes itself not only as a continuation of Japanese martial traditions but also as an innovation within them, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, intelligent movement, and efficiency in combat. This approach has allowed Enshin Ryu to distinguish itself within the martial arts community, offering its practitioners a training methodology that is both traditional in its respect for form and discipline, and modern in its application of combat and self-control strategies. -defending.

The fusion of these influences in Enshin Ryu underlines a central principle in martial arts: constant evolution and the search for personal and effective expression in combat. Adapting techniques from Kyokushin and Ashihara, along with Ninomiya's unique vision, has created a distinctive style that not only honors its roots but also looks to the future, inviting practitioners to explore the limits of their martial ability and understanding. .

The philosophy of Enshin Ryu focuses on the concept of "open circle" or "Enshin", emphasizing the importance of adaptability, open-mindedness and continuous growth. This approach promotes not only excellence in martial arts but also personal and spiritual development.

Enshin Ryu techniques range from kihon (fundamentals) up kata (shapes) and sabaki (movement and positioning strategies), allowing practitioners to develop advanced offensive and defensive skills, as well as a deep understanding of combat strategy

Enshin Ryu training is characterized by its focus on the practical application of techniques through sparring and training with protection equipment, promoting a safe and effective environment for learning and applying combat techniques and strategies