Martial Arts Styles
ZEN DO KAI
Zen Do Kai was founded in 1970 when Bob Jones opened his first martial arts club in Melbourne. Originally intended to cater for those who worked in the security industry, the demand and popularity grew beyond expectation. We now find ourselves as a Martial Art which has developed over the past three decades. The style has evolved from foundations of Gojo Ryu Karate adding the principles of many martial arts disciplines. Put together, it forms a modern, effective and comprehensive self defence system.
Through a keen interest in the competitive aspect of martial arts, and to examine fighting skills and training practices that could enhance the practical abilities of the Zen Do Kai students, Bob Jones ventured to Thailand in the mid 80’s. There he saw first hand, together with other senior Zen Do Kai instructors, the devastating ability of the Muay Thai fighters, developed over centuries of tradition. As a result of this, many of the powerful techniques of the Thai Fighters have been included into the Zen Do Kai system.
In later years with the insight in the development of ground fighting, we studied Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which added a new range of principles, drills and techniques to improve our art. Now we find ourselves blending the new craze to hit our nation, Arnis (Filipino stick & knife fighting) to help round off our system and strengthen our weaponry knowledge.
Today Zen Do Kai is one of Australia's leaders in Freestyle Martial Arts, which offers a comprehensive martial arts training syllabus that focuses on modern practices with traditional values. The style continues to develop and enhance a diversity of skills including:
- Punching & kicking techniques
- Grappling & throwing techniques
- Locking and holding techniques
- Ground fighting techniques
- Pressure point techniques
- Weaponry
Zen Do Kai has never had a closed attitude, nor is it a closed system, we are an open system, and as such we have to be open to influences and ideas from all around the world. We must always be guided by a thirst for knowledge, understanding and meaning to the things we do and those things that have been handed down to us from previous generations.
So therefore Zen Do Kai is not one style but all styles.
The translation for Zen Do Kai is "The Best of Everything in Progression".
This means that Zen Do Kai is a dynamic system, constantly searching for ways of improvement and truth in the martial arts.
