What is different about Sayokan?

At first glance Sayokan looks a lot like other styles in the karate category most closely resembling Ashihara “in my opinion” because Of our founder’s time spent in that system and because the rules for competition are so similar. But that’s where it ends.

Sayokan is so different from other styles that it can’t be answered in one statement.

1. Strategy-In most styles the emphasis is on technique while in Sayokan, strategy is the number one issue. This is why the average person can use Sayokan affectively without precise technical ability.
2. Ability- Your system should support you and not the other way around. If you are an incredible athlete just about any style you choose can be affective for you. But what about the rest of us. Jeat kun do was Bruce Lee’s style but very few practice it. Jeat kun do was good for him because of his athletic ability. sayokan can be affective for even the average person with limited abilities.
3. Movement-Some styles revolve around circular movements and some strait lines or 45 degree angles. Sayokan utilizes the crescent in it’s footwork and for it’s power. Most of the strikes and kicks either move in the shape of the crescent or get there power from the body’s crescent movements. Even the Arrow punch which moves in a strait line gets its power from the crescent movement of the shoulders and hips.
4. Strikes-Sayokan has many strikes and kicks different from traditional styles from the Ottoman strike to the orak(sickle) and the Tirpon(finish)kick.
5. Improvisation-Traditional styles discourage using your imagination but Sayokan’s whole purpose is to prepare you to improvise.
6. Kata-Traditional katas have many useless techniques while Sayokan(tolas) consist only of techniques you are likely to use in real life.
7. Religion-Sayokan has no religious affiliation while most traditional styles Incorporate philosophies of Budism and Taoism. Sayokan leadership encourages loyalty to your own country and personal beliefs. Sayokan headquarters In Turkiye has all the countries flags so that when you visit and train there you can salute your own country’s flag
8. Power-All Sayokan strikes are full power as you would use for breaking demonstrations.
9. Stance-Sayokan practitioners stand more like a boxer which is more realistic. Many Styles teach you to stand sideways which is terrible for balance and stability.