Our History

Zennin Martial Arts came into being in February ???

Although Zennin is a relatively new martial arts system, the original instructors have been training in Zen Do Kai for many years: some as long as 30 years.

For a while now, as instructors, we have attempted to bring more practical application to the Zen Do Kai kata as some aspects lacked real-life (street) application. As Zen Do Kai kata were originally based on Goju Ryu kata, we were starting to make subtle changes to Zen Do Kai kata using the Goju combat applications to improve the impact of teaching and learning them. I have certainly seen great value in those changes as they enhanced my understanding

For a while now, we as instructors have attempted to bring more practical application to the Zen Do Kai katas as some aspects lacked real-life (street) application. As Zen Do Kai kata were originally based on Goju Kata, we were making subtle changes to Zen Do Kai kata usi the Goju combat application where we could.

Though we had initial support from Zen Do Kai Head Office, this was later rescinded as Zen Do Kai wished to return to the original kata developed by Soke Bob Jones in the 1970’s. This was, in our instructors’ view, a back-wards step in the progression of making martial arts as practical as possible and the best they could be.

Following several discussions with Zen Do Kai Head Office, Kyoshi Steve Nedelkos (Australian 8th Dan who attends our New Zealand Senjo’s) has parted ways. Given he is Kyoshi Lloyd Sushames instructor and we all agreed that we needed to strengthen our kata practical application, almost all North Island Zen Do Kai clubs have moved to Zennin Martial Arts under Kyoshi Lloyds leadership.