The Winter Haven Budokai Program.
Winter Haven Budokai's curriculum and approach are designed to work with people of all levels of skill and fitness from beginning to advanced to bring out the best in every individual. We emphasize the importance of respect, responsibility, honesty, good behavior, politeness and self control while learning self defense and creating a safe and fun environment. The ultimate purpose of karate is not to create fighting machines, but to improve one’s character through martial arts training. We offer martial arts and fitness training in a positive, family oriented environment.

The students will learn to respect others, to refrain from violent behavior, to be good students in school, and to be courteous all through rigorous karate workouts. They will learn all aspects of the Okinawan Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu system of karate and they will maintain good physical and mental health thanks to the guidance of our instructors.

We teach and study the art of Matsubayashi-Ryu. It was founded in 1947 by O'sensei Shoshin Nagamine (1907-1997) Hanshi, 10th dan (pictured right). Matsubayashi-Ryu is a form of Shorin-Ryu, which in turn is one of the major styles of Okinawan Karate‑Do.

The Meaning of Matsubayashi Ryu.
"Matsubayashi" is the Okinawan/Japanese pronunciation of the ideograms for "Pine Forest." "Matsu" means "pine" and "Hayashi" means "forest." When the two words are put together, the "H" of Hayashi is pronounced as "B," hence Matsubayashi. "Shorin" is the Chinese pronunciation of the same ideograms. The origin of this name is the Shaolin Temple in China. "Ryu" translates as style or system. Literally, it means "river," which conveys the image that an art is a living, flowing thing.

Characteristics of Matsubayashi Ryu.
The main characteristic of Matsubayashi-Ryu is to start with very natural movements, with no sense of awkwardness, and use a natural respiration method. Therefore, it places great importance on handling the body in a natural way, rapid and tempo-free movements, and tanren (development through hard training) of sharp techniques. In Matsubayashi-Ryu, Kata are regarded as being creative, and an enbu, demonstration, emphasizes the harmony of speed, power and weight. The purpose of training is to train in the principle of shin‑gi-tai‑ichinyo, (oneness of mind-technique-body) and master it.