Sai Jitsu
The Sai have long been a favourite choice of study among Kobudo weapons. One theory about their background is that they were Okinawan farming tools which could help loosen up the ground. However there are some people who believe they were always used as a secret weapon by farmers. Another theory is that the Sai gets its roots from the Okinawan Police who used to carry them to disarm criminals and there have even been stories of Buddhist Monks who carried them for self defence purposes.
Made from metal or steel, Sai come in various lengths and styles. Most have 3 prongs on them with many having a wrapped handle of leather or cloth of some kind. As it was forbidden for locals to carry weapons, farmers often had to carry ‘secret weapons’ to defend themselves and their property from thieves. Like the Bo staff, Nunchuku, Kama, just to name a few others, the Sai were among these secret weapons. It is believed that the original versions were much shorter than the ones seen today and that farmers carried multiple Sai for self defence purposes. Used to throw, block an attack or stab, the Sai were a very effective tool.
As with many other of the weapons used in martial arts, the Sai became part of Kobudo practice. Sai are usually used in pairs and can be held in different ways, depending on the way a person wants to defend, deflect or strike their opponent. Sai Jitsu teaches how to block, strike and deflect attacks, it incorporates self defence techniques and there are multiple Sai Katas which are pre-arranged movements. Learning the Sai can be fun and challenging. Like other Kobudo weapons, one must take caution when learning the Sai. Many practitioners can vouch for the injury they can cause if you are not paying attention. They are flashy and different which make them a popular choice in Kata Competitions at the senior belt level.
Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com
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