Shirudo Self Defence

Shirudō-Ryū

Shirudō – Ryū Hybrid – Classes

Classes every night of the week from 5pm to 9pm and Saturdays from 8.30am to 12 midday

Children’s classes are age specific from 5 years to 12 years

Teenage classes From 12 to 16 years
Adult classes Mixed genders from 16 years and above Age is no limit, we have 65 year olds that have received there Black Belts.
Family classes – True family classes that have parents and children training together in one class — Great for family bonding

Shirudō-Ryū It’s Origin and Style

Shirudō – Ryū is a modern Hybrid Martial Art adapted from a traditional base of Karate, and adapted techniques from such styles as Hapkido, Judo & Jiu Jitsu.
The Japanese name Shirudō means Shield and Ryū, means style or system. (“SHIELD SYSTEM”)
Shirudō Ryū, was founded, and established in Australia in 2014 by Shihan Paul after more than 40 years of studying and cross training in many Martial Art styles.
The founder Shihan Paul holds Black Belt rankings in Karate a powerful and traditional Japanese Martial Art and Han mu do a Korean Self-Defence Martial art. Shihan studied and trained extensively in Judo, Aikido, Kung Fu, and Kickboxing. Shihan holds the rank of 6th Dan Black Belt in Shirudō-Ryū registered and ratified by Martial Arts Australia . In 2019 Shihan was awarded a coveted and honorary Black Sash Award from the Shaolin Temple in China for his valuable contribution to the Martial Arts community in Australia.
Drawing from the many years of studying and practicing many different martial art styles, Shihan Paul spent more than two years developing the comprehensive curriculum of Shirudō-Ryū, which is still being adapted, challenged and modified today in collaboration with his Senior Black Belt instructors.
Shirudō-Ryū has been designed and developed for contemporary times while still respecting the tried-and-true traditional techniques it has adapted from many other styles.
The Shirudō-Ryū base of origin is heavily influenced by two of the four main Karate styles practiced in Japan today. Gōjū-ryū a Karate founded by Chōjun Miyagi an Okinawan martial artist who blended Okinawan and Chinese influences to create a hard soft flowing circular style. Shitō-ryū a Karate founded by Kenwa Mabuni that also adopts the hard soft characteristics with circular, eight-directional movements, and breathing power.
Shirudō-Ryū is characterized by its unique hybrid style and nature with a mix of hard and soft techniques that incorporates both circular and linear movements. A curriculum with the hard, and powerful striking techniques of punches, kicks, and blocks, focusing on speed, economy of movement, adaptability, mobility, close-range combat, and a strong philosophical foundation on breath and harmony from Karate and Kickboxing, adding to this strong base, it combines the softer open hand circular techniques for offensive self-defence, controlling the opponent by incorporating joint locks, grappling, takedowns, and throws, derived from the most practical and strongest techniques of Japanese Jiujitsu, Hapkido & Judo,
Shirudō- Ryū promotes practicality & adaptability with modern combat effectiveness, self defence and personal development for today’s Martial Artist. It places a heavy emphasis on self-defence techniques and control rather than just striking for sport or aggression. It is designed to teach practitioners how to handle many difficult and different combat scenarios in a self-defence situation such as street defence, multiple attackers, strategies for confined spaces, or one-on-one bullying situation focusing on precision, power, timing and flow which are qualities central to its origin.

A Deeper dive into Shirudō-Ryū

Adaptability and Real-World Application. Where traditional Martial Arts Styles have often emphasised competition and the pursuit of physical excellence in controlled environments (such as kumite or forms competition), Shirudō-Ryū focuses more on adaptability in real-world situations. This includes not just striking, but also joint locks, throws, offline circular movements and defence against weapons. Karate practitioners rely heavily on the Kime (focus) of each strike, Shirudō-Ryū emphasizes how that strike can transition into an immediate lock or throw, depending on the situation. This versatility allows Shirudō-Ryū to be an effective contemporary Martial Arts System not only for physical fitness and personal development, but also practical, everyday self-defence.

The Self-Defence focus of Shirudō- Ryū. Traditional Karate and other Martial Arts styles contain many self-defence principles, but Shirudō- Ryū places a stronger emphasis on real-world survival techniques, where practitioners are trained not just to defend themselves with punches or kicks but to effectively control an attacker. This might include redirecting an opponent’s momentum or using such things as joint locks to neutralize an attack.
The aim is to incapacitate the attacker quickly and efficiently, rather than engage in a prolonged combat sequence.
Mental Discipline, Philosophical Foundations and its many other Benefits. While Shirudō- Ryū may differ in some of its technical and strategic approaches from Karate or other Martial Arts, however they all share a common philosophical foundation that underscores the importance of Mental Discipline, Respect, and Personal Growth. Practitioners of Shirudō- Ryū are expected to train not just the body, but also the mind and spirit. This dual focus helps develop Resilience, Confidence, and Emotional Control values that are central to Shirudō-Ryū. Much like traditional Martial Arts emphasise the importance of the Dojo Kun (the dojo’s code of conduct), Shirudō-Ryū incorporates a strong moral and ethical framework that encourages practitioners to uphold virtues like Integrity, Humility, and Courtesy not only in our dojo but in life itself.
Integration of Shirudō- Ryū and its Modern Techniques. As martial arts continue to evolve, Shirudō-Ryū, like many modern styles, is adapting and integrating aspects of Contemporary Combat Training, from many different Martial Arts. Emphasising, adaptability, situational awareness, and how to deal with modern threats like weapons or multiple attackers. Shirudō-Ryū’s openness to innovation and adaptation means it is committed to remaining relevant in today’s ever-changing world.

How does Shirudō- Ryū stack up as a Modern Martial Arts style!

Shirudō- Ryū may be a relatively new system or style compared to the more established Martial Art Schools; however, its unique blend of traditional Karate techniques and other Martial Arts styles and principles makes it a unique and valuable system for the modern age practitioner. In the context of contemporary martial arts, Shirudō- Ryū addresses a growing desire for realistic self-defence techniques in an increasingly complex world. Shirudō- Ryū fills the niche for those who want a more holistic, practical, and versatile martial arts system. Karate and Shirudō- Ryū are deeply connected, both rooted in traditional martial arts, Shirudō- Ryū, has evolved to meet modern needs. While Karate’s focus is largely on discipline, striking, and kata, Shirudō- Ryū blends the best of Karate with other Martial Arts techniques to create a versatile, effective system for self-defence and personal development. Its emphasis both physical and mental training, and along with its adaptability, makes it a powerful choice for anyone looking to explore a Karate based martial art in the modern world.
In an age where martial arts is not only about competition but also about practicality, empowerment, and self-defence, Shirudō- Ryū stands as testament to how ancient traditions like Karate can continue to evolve, staying relevant and valuable for generations to come. Whether you’re looking for fitness, self-defence skills, or a deeper sense of purpose, Shirudō- Ryū offers pathways to personal growth and mastery.

What makes Shirudō-Ryū unique?

Beyond Kicking and Punching: Karate has long been associated with precision strikes, high-intensity kicks, and powerful punches. However, Shirudō-Ryū takes this traditional martial art to a new level by incorporating elements of self-improvement and mindfulness, transforming it into a holistic practice. This unique approach has made Shirudō-Ryū stand out among the many martial arts styles. Let’s explore what makes it different and why it’s gaining traction among those seeking a comprehensive martial art and self-improvement system.
The Roots of Shirudō-Ryū: combines traditional karate techniques with modern self-defence strategies. It emphasizes practicality, adaptability, and efficiency in real-world situations. Unlike traditional karate, which often focuses on competition and katas, Shirudo Hybrid focuses on the everyday scenarios practitioners may encounter, emphasizing self-defence tactics that can be applied outside the dojo.
Practical Self-Defence Techniques: One of the defining features of Shirudō- Ryū is its focus on practical self-defence. This includes not only the traditional strikes and kicks of karate but also joint locks, throws, and escape techniques. The training incorporates realistic scenarios to prepare practitioners for various threats, from physical confrontations to personal safety concerns. This practical approach makes it ideal for people of all ages and fitness levels, allowing them to gain confidence and learn valuable skills.
The Mindfulness Connection: In addition to physical self-defence, Shirudō-Ryū places a significant emphasis on mindfulness and mental fortitude. The practice incorporates breathing exercises, meditation, and body awareness techniques. These elements are crucial for maintaining composure in stressful situations and developing a focused mind. By integrating mindfulness, Shirudō- Ryū goes beyond physical strength, encouraging practitioners to cultivate inner peace, clarity, and resilience.
A Path to Self-Improvement: Shirudō-Ryū isn’t just about defending oneself; it’s about personal growth. Through disciplined training, practitioners build self-confidence, discipline, and respect for others. The structured nature of the practice fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among practitioners, contributing to an environment where everyone is encouraged to learn and grow.
Adaptability and Evolution: Another unique aspect of Shirudō-Ryū is its adaptability. It is designed to evolve with the changing needs of society and incorporates elements from other martial arts and self-defence systems for this very reason. This adaptability ensures that the techniques taught are relevant and practical, reflecting the dynamic nature of real-world self-defence.

What does this mean if you are thinking about a journey into Martial Arts?

Shirudō-Ryū offers a unique blend of traditional techniques with modern, practical self-defence, and mindfulness. It provides a comprehensive approach to personal safety while fostering a culture of respect, self-improvement, and adaptability, it is a modern day Martial Art that goes beyond kicking and punching, emphasizing mental and emotional growth.
Shirudō-Ryū may be the perfect fit for you. Classes are conducted in a family friendly, welcoming and positive environment. Shirudō-Ryū encourages FAMILIES to get involved and train together with other families, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters training in the same class. It’s something you cannot do in other health, lifestyle and sporting activities.
Shirudo Martial Arts Academy offers a holistic approach to martial arts for everyone, all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and levels under one roof. We invite you to visit us, meet our instructors, and see why so many people trust us to guide them on their martial arts journey.

Shirudō – Ryū Hybrid CLASSES

Children’s classes are age specific from 5 years to 12 years

Teenage classes From 12 to 16 years

Adult classes Mixed genders from 16 years and above  Age is no limit, we have 65 year olds that have received there Black Belts.

Family classes –  True family classes that have parents and children training together in one class — Great for family bonding

We invite you to visit us, meet our instructors, and see why so many people trust us to guide them on their martial arts journey.

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1300 990 525

Shirudo Self Defence

CHILDREN’S CLASSES in Shirudō-Ryū: Shirudo Martial Arts Academy has spent a decade nurturing kids aged 5-11 Not only in martial arts but also in personal development for confidence,
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