Other Carbondale Martial Arts Programs

Local Schools That Contribute to Our Rich Martial Arts Culture If you’re interested in learning martial arts, we’d love you to join the Carbondale Park District karate program, but it’s less important that we travel the way together than that you find the right path for you. Factors that may go into your decision include …

The Scope and Limits of Self-defense Seminars

Many people turn to martial arts to learn how to defend themselves. Martial arts like aikido, jujitsu, and karate certainly can teach self-defense. Most traditional martial arts that did not originate as battlefield skills (like kendo, the Japanese way of the sword) began as self-defense methods (like karate). Most martial arts, however, have evolved to …

Realistic Expectations for Your Martial Arts Training

We’ve all seen Star Wars. Luke Skywalker, fresh off Tatooine, after just a few minutes of training with Obi-Wan Kenobi, gets into an X-wing fighter for the first time in his life. He turns off the targeting computer, trusts his feelings, and blows up the Death Star. Local comedy author David Wong (also known as …

How to Find the Right Martial Arts Program for You

You’ve taken an interest in the martial arts. Maybe heroic characters in movies or TV inspired you. Maybe you feel the need for self-defense training because of bad experiences at school or elsewhere. Or you admire the athletes in combat sports and want to follow in their footsteps. Your location may limit your options—unless you …

A Martial Arts Reading List

After the beating he takes early in The Karate Kid, Daniel buys a how-to guide to karate. Mr. Miyagi, not yet his sensei, comes across Daniel practicing and scoffs, incredulously, “Karate…. Learn from book?” Every serious, experienced martial artist shares Mr. Miyagi’s skepticism. Many martial arts authors write poorly. Some books contain dangerous misinformation or …

Tom Heriaud, December 19, 1945 to June 6, 2022

Tom Heriaud, the top-ranked Isshin Shorinji Ryu black belt in the Midwest, died on June 6. The funeral will take place Friday, June 17 at 1 p.m. at Dieterle Memorial Home in Montgomery, Illinois. Visitation will follow until 7 p.m. Mr. Heriaud’s death is an incalculable loss to his family, students, and everyone who knew him.

Isshin Shorinji Ryu Study Guides and Historical Documents

Here are handouts that I received from my instructor, Hanshi Tom Heriaud, when I was starting out. You might find them helpful. You can download and print them as PDFs or read them below. They will introduce new students to many concepts and terminology we use in class. We provide hard copies to students when …

Respecting Rank From Other Dojos

A recent debate about rank recognition on Iain Abernethy’s website prompted me to recall my instructor’s policy. I believe he took the correct position, and we follow it today in the Carbondale Park District karate program. If someone comes to visit us, we want them to wear the uniform of the style they’ve learned and …

What to Expect in Your First Karate Class

Congratulations! You’ve decided to take karate or another martial art and you found the right martial arts school for you. Welcome to this extraordinary way of life. You probably don’t know what your first class will entail. Every teacher will conduct classes differently, but here’s an overview of what you might expect in your first …

Additional Costs for the Carbondale Park District Karate Program

In addition to the Park District’s monthly class fees that you pay when you sign up for our beginner class, you may need to purchase: Mouthpieces By the end of the eight-week beginner session, all students need mouthpieces to protect their teeth. The Park District has double-mouthpieces for sale for $3 that you can mold …