If you’ve had previous training, you have some inside information about the way a karate program is run. You know about such things as teaching styles, atmosphere, group dynamics, expectations and what the program delivers.
Oriental traditions – We don’t hold to a lot of the oriental traditions such as meditation, using Japanese, Korean or Chinese terminology or promoting oriental philosophy such as chi/ki, ying/yang or Buddhist thinking. We keep certain traditions like bowing coming onto and off the training floor, belt rank system, bowing to one another and uniforms. Our philosophy is that unless traditions are utilized to enhance the overall training and goals of the system they are not useful to have. You don’t need to become one with the universe to have a good hook punch.
Forms or katas – The system is drill based with partners so we don’t teach katas. Why spend a large amount of your time training in the air when you can have a partner to do drills with?
Weapons – We teach knife, stick and double stick rather than the traditional martial arts weapons. The thinking is to learn what is practical and efficient and legal rather than what is traditional. Why spend hours and hours learning a weapons you can not carry with you and is very hard to use for defense.
History, tradition and lineage – the Full Circle program is a new system and is a true mixed martial arts style created by Grandmaster Steve Turk. Grandmaster Turk had several black belts in different styles such as TaeKwonDo, KungFu and Judo couple with police and law enforcement certifications. He was widely known among martial artist in the Washington, PA area and had a good standing in the community and was well respected. Grandmaster Turk passed away in August of 2015 and his system is continued through his students.
Advancement and promotion – All Full Circle schools are expected to hold to the same standards and requirements for belt testing and promotion. There is an established requirement list for adults and children for each belt rank that needs to be demonstrated at a certain level of competency. Any certified instructor can promote a student in rank up to their level of rank.
Testing expectations – Full Circle parts ways with other systems and styles in that we do not hold to an iron standard of pass/fail for all techniques. We understand that a 16 year old is going to be able to perform differently than a 60 year old and it is unreasonable to expect the same level of flexibility, fitness, stamina or injury recovery from the older student.
Inclusiveness – Master Turks philosophy was always one of utilize what works and he believed in pulling in techniques and thinking from any source he found reliable. Because of this foundation, instructors are encouraged to branch out into other styles and systems including gun training, so they will be well rounded. Although the belt rank requirements cannot be altered any technique can be taught in class.
