A Family Based Martial Arts Academy

SHIRUDO Martial Arts Academy is an institution dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for families to learn and practice martial arts together. By fostering a sense of community and emphasizing family values, Shirudo offers numerous benefits that appeal to both children and adults. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what makes Shirudo a standout family-friendly martial arts academy:

Family-Oriented Programs

Inclusive Classes: Shirudo offers classes designed to cater to different age groups and skill levels, ensuring that both children and parents can participate together. Family classes encourage bonding and mutual support.

Age-Specific Curriculum: Programs are tailored to the developmental stages of children, ensuring that they receive age-appropriate instruction that promotes growth and learning.

Flexible Scheduling: Understanding the busy schedules of families, Shirudo provides flexible class times that accommodate school, work, and family commitments.

Our Focus on Values

Discipline and Respect: Core teachings at Shirudo include respect for oneself and others, discipline, and responsibility. These values are reinforced through structured training and positive reinforcement.

Goal Setting and Achievement: Students learn to set and achieve personal goals, such as progressing through belt ranks, which teaches the importance of perseverance and hard work.

Teamwork and Cooperation: Group activities and partner exercises foster teamwork and cooperation, helping students build strong social skills.

Safe and Supportive Environment

Certified Instructors: Shirudo employs highly trained and certified instructors who are skilled in teaching martial arts while ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.

Positive Reinforcement: The academy emphasizes positive reinforcement to build confidence and self-esteem in students of all ages.

Anti-Bullying Education: Shirudo includes anti-bullying strategies in its curriculum, teaching children how to stand up for themselves and others in a respectful and non-violent manner.

Health and Fitness

Physical Fitness: Regular martial arts practice at Shirudo promotes physical health through exercises that improve strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Mental Well-Being: The academy incorporates mindfulness and stress-relief techniques, contributing to overall mental well-being and emotional resilience.

Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Through martial arts, students learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate rest.

Community Engagement

Family Events: Shirudo hosts family events and activities that encourage community building and provide opportunities for families to engage in fun and meaningful ways.

Charity and Programs: The academy participates in community service and specialised programs, teaching students the value of giving back and making a positive impact in their community.

Parent Involvement: Shirudo encourages parents to be actively involved in their children’s training, offering insights and support to help their children succeed.

                                                                   THE FOUNDER’S

Shihan Paul: With 40 years of martial arts experience and black belts in multiple styles, including a 5th Degree Black Belt in Shirudo, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. His comprehensive background ensures that Shirudo incorporates the best techniques from Karate, Hapkido, and Judo.

Coach Liam: The head MMA coach, Liam has been training and competing in martial arts since the age of five. His extensive championship competitive experience and deep understanding of various martial arts enhance Shirudo’s curriculum, making it relevant and effective for both street self-defence and competitive contexts.

The name SHIRUDO, meaning “shield” in Japanese, embodies the philosophy of using martial arts to create a protective barrier. This shield is not just physical but also mental, fostering confidence, discipline, and resilience., incorporating Comprehensive Training: By integrating striking, joint locks, throws, and groundwork, Shirudo offers a well-rounded martial arts education that prepares practitioners for various scenarios, whether in self-defence or sport with a Family and Community Focus: Shirudo promotes a strong sense of family and community, making it accessible and beneficial for people of all ages and backgrounds. The academy’s inclusive approach ensures that everyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners, can find value and growth in their training.

SHIRUDO Martial Arts Academy stands out as a family-friendly institution dedicated to providing a comprehensive martial arts education that benefits the entire family. By promoting discipline, respect, physical fitness, and community engagement, Shirudo not only helps students excel in martial arts but also equips them with valuable life skills. Whether you’re a parent looking to bond with your child through shared activities or seeking a supportive environment for your child’s personal development, Shirudo offers a welcoming and nurturing space for all.

                                              SHIRUDO PROGRAMS AND STYLES:

SHIRUDO HYBRID Traditional Martial Art

SHIRUDO is a hybrid martial art that combines elements of Karate, Hapkido, and Judo. This blend of styles offers a comprehensive approach to self-defence and martial arts training, incorporating the strengths and techniques of each component.

Karate (Base Component 1) 

Striking Techniques: Karate focuses on powerful strikes using punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbows’ Forms and Katas: Karate practitioners learn forms (katas) that consist of pre-arranged sequences of movements, helping to develop precision, power, and fluidity. 

Blocking and Dodging: Emphasizes defensive techniques, including various blocks and evasive manoeuvres to avoid or deflect attacks.

Hapkido (Component 2)

Joint Locks and Throws: Hapkido specializes in joint locks, throws, and grappling techniques designed to control or incapacitate an opponent.

Circular Movements: Utilizes circular motions to redirect an opponent’s energy and force, making it effective against larger and stronger attackers.

Defensive Strategies: Focuses on self-defence, incorporating techniques that can be applied in real-life situations, including disarming attackers.

Judo (Component 3)

Grappling and Groundwork: Throws, takedowns, and groundwork techniques aimed at controlling or submitting an opponent.

Throws and Takedowns: Various throws to off-balance and project opponents to the ground.

Submission Techniques: Includes a range of submission holds, such as arm locks and chokes, 

SHIRUDO is a unique hybrid martial art that effectively combines the striking prowess of Karate, the joint locks and throws of Hapkido, and the grappling and groundwork of Judo. 

OUR OTHER STYLES

Kickboxing

Kickboxing is a modern martial art and combat sport that combines elements of traditional karate, Muay Thai, and Western boxing. It emphasizes both striking and defensive techniques using punches, kicks, and footwork. Here’s a detailed look at its characteristics:

Techniques: Kickboxing involves punches (jab, cross, hook, uppercut) and kicks (roundhouse, front kick, side kick, knee strikes and limited clinching.

Training: Training typically includes shadow boxing, pad work, bag work, sparring, and conditioning exercises to improve strength, speed, and endurance.

Competitions: Kickboxing matches are fought in a ring with protective gear, under strict rules

Origins: Developed in the 1960s and 70s, blending Western boxing with karate and other styles

Muay Thai

Muay Thai, also known as “The Art of Eight Limbs,” is a traditional martial art from Thailand known for its powerful strikes and clinch techniques. It utilizes the fists, elbows, knees, and shins.

Techniques: Muay Thai uses punches, elbows, knee strikes, and kicks, along with clinch fighting techniques that allow fighters to control their opponents and deliver strikes from close range.

Training: Training involves pad work, heavy bag training, clinch work, sparring, and conditioning

Competitions: Muay Thai fights take place in a ring and follow strict rules and ring control.

Origins: With a history dating back several centuries, Muay Thai is deeply rooted in Thai culture and has evolved from ancient battlefield tactics.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art that focuses on ground fighting and submission holds. It emphasizes technique and leverage over strength, allowing smaller practitioners to control and submit larger opponents.

Techniques: BJJ techniques include joint locks, chokes, and positional control manoeuvres 

Training: Training involves drilling techniques, live rolling (sparring), and situational drills. BJJ practitioners often train in a gi (uniform), no-gi training is also popular for MMA competitors

Competitions: BJJ competitions are typically conducted on mats, with points awarded for achieving superior positions and submissions determining the winner.

Origins: Developed in the early 20th century by the Gracie family in Brazil, BJJ evolved from traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu and judo techniques.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that combines techniques from various martial arts disciplines, including striking and grappling, both standing and on the ground.

Techniques: MMA incorporates punches, kicks, elbows, knees, takedowns, throws, joint locks, and chokeholds, drawing from disciplines like boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Karate and BJJ.

Training: MMA fighters train in multiple martial arts to develop well-rounded skills. Training includes striking, grappling, conditioning, and sparring.

Competitions: MMA bouts take place in a cage or ring, with a comprehensive set of rules ensuring fighter safety while allowing a wide range of techniques.

Origins: Modern MMA traces its roots to the early 1990s with the establishment of the UFC, though its concept can be traced back to ancient Greek Pankration.

Each of these martial arts offers unique techniques, training methods, and philosophies, making them invaluable for self-defence, fitness, competition, and personal development.