Zen Do Kai
Zen Do Kai is a freestyle martial art system which was developed in Australia by Bob Jones. The style was founded by Jones and Richard Norton when they left the Japanese Gōjū Kai karate dojo of Tino Ceberano.
Jones describes Zen Do Kai as an "open system", and as such is "open to influences and ideas from all around the world"
Zen Do Kai means, according to Jones, "the best of everything in progression", and its elements include self defence moves, kata, and strike work. It is set apart from many forms of traditional karate because it allows many techniques and practices used by Thai kickboxing. The Zen Do Kai philosophy encompasses the principle of "if it works, use it" and as such contains elements of a variety of other martial arts. Jones claims that Zen Do Kai takes elements from Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Eskrima (a Filipino martial arts that emphasize weapon-based fighting with the stick, staff or knife) Judo, Karate and Muay Thai.
Zen Do Kai uses kata as a form of discipline during training and these kata have been selected for the aid in rudimentary development of stances and techniques. Most of the katas derive from traditional Okinawan styles of karate, reflecting Jones' background in the 1960s.
Zen Do Kai also places a large emphasis on grabs and holds and other general close combat and ground fighting techniques, having adapted itself after the emergence in particular of Gracie Jujitsu and other forms of groundfighting largely unknown to the West until the late 1980s.
Zen Do Kai follows the classical martial arts model with a distinct hierarchy, a philosophy and the promotion of the ethical code of Bushido. Zen Do Kai schools place an emphasis on self defence but do not promote fighting or violence.