Tora Dojo
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Tora Dojo is a form of martial arts established in New York City in 1967 by Professor Harvey (Chaim) Sober of Yeshiva University.
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[edit] History
The Tora Dojo Martial Arts Association (TDA) originated forty years ago as a small self-defense group at Yeshiva University in New York City.
[edit] System
Tora Dojo is an eclectic system, in which the student begins his training with Japanese karate techniques. Elements from Okinawan and Korean systems are also introduced before the black belt level. After black belt, the system becomes a Chinese system. Tai chi, Pa Kwa, White Crane and other Chinese systems are learned. Tora Dojo is a classical martial arts system, emphasizing breathing and meditation in addition to the physical training. Tora Dojo focuses and channels a person’s energy to help him or her achieve the centeredness that is necessary to handle blows, both internal and external, as they come in.
[edit] Meaning of the name
Tora is the Japanese word for "tiger". The word Dojo means "school of martial arts," or "gates of learning".
The name is also indicative of the system's Jewish orientation (as in Torah). Tora Dojo incorporates Jewish philosophical concepts within its system. This is exemplified by the following quote by Benjamin Andron, a second-degree black belt who runs Tora Dojo West in Los Angeles:
The moves are combative by nature. But while we might be fighting anti-Semitism or an enemy, we are also fighting the things that are holding us back, the veils that hide the divine spark within us.[cite this quote]
Andron begins his class with guided meditation which is grounded in kabalistic methods. Andron says it also helps him achieve a higher level of kavanah (concentration) during his daily prayers.
