Martial arts, created in Asia and developed in various places around the world, reached Bulgaria properly only after the changes in 1989. They were being banned before that, however, today this art is practiced by different people of all ages. There are, apart from children, of course, economists, managers, financiers, lawyers, professors and artists countrywide in more than 60 Shotokan Karate-do clubs which is only one style, among hundreds of others.
The true form of Japanese Shotokan Karate-do as espoused by the founder of modern karate Gichin Funakoshi is a system of self-defence techniques based on Chinese and Korean martial arts, said Nelly Ferdinandova, a passionate karate trainee and National Secretary of the World Shotokan Karate-do Federation for Bulgaria, Bulgaria- being one of the 86 countries members of (WSKF).
What makes karate special? Karate is all about seeking perfection of character, being faithful, endeavour, respect for others and refraining from violent behaviour. Funakoshi defined Shotokan as "having a purpose of one's mind and body being trained and developed in a spirit of humility; and that in critical times, one is devoted utterly to the cause of justice." Karate became known as the martial art of the true gentleman and gained nationwide popularity among university students.
That is the reason why karate is extremely suitable for children to grow with and believe in, Ferdinandova told The Sofia Echo. The clubs, where teaches master Sensei Georgi Georgiev - Jossy, five dan, Chief Instructor of WSKF - Bulgaria who devoted 20 years to Shotokan karate, requires strict discipline, regulations and healthy lifestyle. "There is no smoking, skipping classes at school and being disrespectful in our clubs and among the children in the clubs," she said adding that except the physical preparation children learn how to be good people.
"You enter the hall, make a bow (take off your shoes) and you are in a completely new world," Ferdinandova said adding that all the problems are left behind when being in the club and with the people who train there. She explained her personal liking for martial arts as it being both about relaxation and relief of pressure at the same time. "I have not been sick for so long," Ferdinandova said.
According to her the hierarchy teaches discipline and that the respect for Georgiev or Jossy as everyone knows him is not only in Bulgaria but also internationally. "If there is someone who is a real master in Shotokan in Bulgaria then this is only Jossy." Fernandova said adding that he has been taught by the best in the world. He is not only a master of Shotokan karate but he also obtains high grade world instructors, referees and examiners license, he is also an instructor in New Bulgarian University, and holds seminars. He has travelled around the world to learn straight from the horse's mouth and leave his skills and acquired knowledge in Bulgaria and for the children, Ferdinandova said quoting Jossy.
Obtaining a dan is different from the present day understanding of martial arts. The majority of Okinawa karate masters don't approve of turning martial arts into a sport. According to the tradition, the purpose of training is self-cultivation, it has nothing to do with satisfying one's ego. Many systems place importance not only on the body development but also on the inner energy and the spirit. This is common to most ancient martial arts. Nowadays many Okinawa karate teachers continue to defend the cause of purity in martial arts that have proven the value of their methods not in the gym (Dojo), but in real life all through the centuries.
Karate is mainly for intelligent people, Ferdinandova said and quoting world statistics for karate trainees being financiers, jurists and economists.
After in 1902, Funakoshi performed the first formal recorded demonstration of Shotokan karate-do, today WSKF Bulgaria has more than 2000 club members.
Karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself with his bare hands, one who would study Karate-do purge himself of selfish and evil thoughts, for only with a clear mind and conscience can he understand that which he receives and lastly people who study Karate-do must always strive to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle.
Shotokan karate-do being one of the most popular martial arts practiced today. "It is a method of self defence using the hands, feet and other parts of the body as weapons," sensei said adding that it uses many low stances and emphasises a straight line of attack, it is more linear than circular and it can be very aggressive and devastating to an opponent.
For centuries martial arts have been bearing the highest moral ambitions, and people practicing them have been considered the physical and intellectual elite of each society.
The martial arts trainings develop very good physical condition, excellent coordination, strength, concentration and speed.
People think of Shotokan karate placing weight upon spiritual rather than physical matters. Thus it is in daily life, one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility; and that in critical times, one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice.
Places to learn martial arts:
The World Shotokan Karate-do Federation at wskfbulgaria@ abv.bg or tel: 0888 555065 - G.Georgiev-Jossy, five dan; 0887824655 Nelly Ferdinandova, National Secretary.
Clubs: 13"Jordan Jovkov"Str., Strelbishte;
"Atanas Dalchev" Str., "Iztok", near the Embassy of Japan
Kamae Club at gym of 39 High School in Mladost 2 has its instructor Evgeni Shterev - four dan. (Tel 0887 702 895 or kamae@tea.bg) Kamae club offers training in Taijutsu. The kamae of ninjutsu, best described as the physical embodiment of the mental outlook.
"When properly applied, the kamae reflects the ninja's heart," from Kamae Bulgaria said.
The kamae themselves are mere guides or suggestions for the most effective use of the body weapon.
Okinawa Tai Ryu Karate Do in Plovdiv (032/ 43-43-02; 088 573-780 or okinawa_karate@hotmail.com) with Sensei Levon Oncho Pakossian in 1993 he won the Bulgarian Aiki Jutsu championship and in 1994 he took the silver in Kata at the international karate contest in Greece. Mohammed Sheriff taught him Indian martial art - Kalaripaiat in Kerala. He teaches Okinawa Tai Ryu Karate Do, based on systems like Okinawa Te Tai Karate Do, Seidokan , Motoburyu , Gojuryu.
Shiseikan dojo at 138 High School (3 Alfred Nobel Street) with the technique Da Dao, Bulgarian martial art which embodies ancient fighting traditions.
Olymp Karate Club -Style Goju Ryu on (13, "Cherni Vruh" Blvd.). Tel: 866-65-39 or gojuru@dir.bg
Ikken Clubs ( 25 Tsar Simeon Str) Tel: 983 69 11 or (ikken@dir.bg)
The true form of Japanese Shotokan Karate-do as espoused by the founder of modern karate Gichin Funakoshi is a system of self-defence techniques based on Chinese and Korean martial arts, said Nelly Ferdinandova, a passionate karate trainee and National Secretary of the World Shotokan Karate-do Federation for Bulgaria, Bulgaria- being one of the 86 countries members of (WSKF).
What makes karate special? Karate is all about seeking perfection of character, being faithful, endeavour, respect for others and refraining from violent behaviour. Funakoshi defined Shotokan as "having a purpose of one's mind and body being trained and developed in a spirit of humility; and that in critical times, one is devoted utterly to the cause of justice." Karate became known as the martial art of the true gentleman and gained nationwide popularity among university students.
That is the reason why karate is extremely suitable for children to grow with and believe in, Ferdinandova told The Sofia Echo. The clubs, where teaches master Sensei Georgi Georgiev - Jossy, five dan, Chief Instructor of WSKF - Bulgaria who devoted 20 years to Shotokan karate, requires strict discipline, regulations and healthy lifestyle. "There is no smoking, skipping classes at school and being disrespectful in our clubs and among the children in the clubs," she said adding that except the physical preparation children learn how to be good people.
"You enter the hall, make a bow (take off your shoes) and you are in a completely new world," Ferdinandova said adding that all the problems are left behind when being in the club and with the people who train there. She explained her personal liking for martial arts as it being both about relaxation and relief of pressure at the same time. "I have not been sick for so long," Ferdinandova said.
According to her the hierarchy teaches discipline and that the respect for Georgiev or Jossy as everyone knows him is not only in Bulgaria but also internationally. "If there is someone who is a real master in Shotokan in Bulgaria then this is only Jossy." Fernandova said adding that he has been taught by the best in the world. He is not only a master of Shotokan karate but he also obtains high grade world instructors, referees and examiners license, he is also an instructor in New Bulgarian University, and holds seminars. He has travelled around the world to learn straight from the horse's mouth and leave his skills and acquired knowledge in Bulgaria and for the children, Ferdinandova said quoting Jossy.
Obtaining a dan is different from the present day understanding of martial arts. The majority of Okinawa karate masters don't approve of turning martial arts into a sport. According to the tradition, the purpose of training is self-cultivation, it has nothing to do with satisfying one's ego. Many systems place importance not only on the body development but also on the inner energy and the spirit. This is common to most ancient martial arts. Nowadays many Okinawa karate teachers continue to defend the cause of purity in martial arts that have proven the value of their methods not in the gym (Dojo), but in real life all through the centuries.
Karate is mainly for intelligent people, Ferdinandova said and quoting world statistics for karate trainees being financiers, jurists and economists.
After in 1902, Funakoshi performed the first formal recorded demonstration of Shotokan karate-do, today WSKF Bulgaria has more than 2000 club members.
Karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself with his bare hands, one who would study Karate-do purge himself of selfish and evil thoughts, for only with a clear mind and conscience can he understand that which he receives and lastly people who study Karate-do must always strive to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle.
Shotokan karate-do being one of the most popular martial arts practiced today. "It is a method of self defence using the hands, feet and other parts of the body as weapons," sensei said adding that it uses many low stances and emphasises a straight line of attack, it is more linear than circular and it can be very aggressive and devastating to an opponent.
For centuries martial arts have been bearing the highest moral ambitions, and people practicing them have been considered the physical and intellectual elite of each society.
The martial arts trainings develop very good physical condition, excellent coordination, strength, concentration and speed.
People think of Shotokan karate placing weight upon spiritual rather than physical matters. Thus it is in daily life, one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility; and that in critical times, one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice.
Places to learn martial arts:
The World Shotokan Karate-do Federation at wskfbulgaria@ abv.bg or tel: 0888 555065 - G.Georgiev-Jossy, five dan; 0887824655 Nelly Ferdinandova, National Secretary.
Clubs: 13"Jordan Jovkov"Str., Strelbishte;
"Atanas Dalchev" Str., "Iztok", near the Embassy of Japan
Kamae Club at gym of 39 High School in Mladost 2 has its instructor Evgeni Shterev - four dan. (Tel 0887 702 895 or kamae@tea.bg) Kamae club offers training in Taijutsu. The kamae of ninjutsu, best described as the physical embodiment of the mental outlook.
"When properly applied, the kamae reflects the ninja's heart," from Kamae Bulgaria said.
The kamae themselves are mere guides or suggestions for the most effective use of the body weapon.
Okinawa Tai Ryu Karate Do in Plovdiv (032/ 43-43-02; 088 573-780 or okinawa_karate@hotmail.com) with Sensei Levon Oncho Pakossian in 1993 he won the Bulgarian Aiki Jutsu championship and in 1994 he took the silver in Kata at the international karate contest in Greece. Mohammed Sheriff taught him Indian martial art - Kalaripaiat in Kerala. He teaches Okinawa Tai Ryu Karate Do, based on systems like Okinawa Te Tai Karate Do, Seidokan , Motoburyu , Gojuryu.
Shiseikan dojo at 138 High School (3 Alfred Nobel Street) with the technique Da Dao, Bulgarian martial art which embodies ancient fighting traditions.
Olymp Karate Club -Style Goju Ryu on (13, "Cherni Vruh" Blvd.). Tel: 866-65-39 or gojuru@dir.bg
Ikken Clubs ( 25 Tsar Simeon Str) Tel: 983 69 11 or (ikken@dir.bg)
