Zhang Sah

Happy World Karate Day! 🥋💛

Did you know the word “karate” literally means “empty hand” in Japanese? No weapons. No shortcuts. Just the human body, a disciplined mind, and the willingness to show up and do the work.

Karate was born on the island of Okinawa and developed by people who had no weapons and had to rely entirely on their own strength, focus, and ingenuity. Over centuries it evolved from a survival skill into a global discipline rooted in one belief: the greatest weapon you can develop is yourself.

At Zhang Sah, we have carried that philosophy forward for over 25 years. We do not just teach students how to move, we teach them how to live. The empty hand is not a limitation, It’s a philosophy.

To every student who has ever bowed onto our mat, you are part of something much bigger than you know. OSS! 🙏

Why actual grappling matters...and always will

Some comments transcend the comment section and this is one of them. Shared for all to appreciate:
I showed your post to my Chen mentor who was a alternate on US judo team in the 80’s. He said this: “Yes. That about sums up how I feel too. Skilled grapplers/wrestlers typically do not transition to taijiquan because it has no apparent usefulness. I’m an anomaly.

Let’s be clear. Judo is a combat ‘sport’. The older versions of it taught with more emphasis on ‘combat’ contained within a ‘thin’ ruleset. Judo since the USJF, USJA, etc. has a ‘thicker’ ruleset and scores points more leniently.

Combat oriented Judo is about ‘enter and finish’, just like on a battlefield. Now, the tactics, are more like ‘seek my favorite hold, throw and fall on him’. In the older way, you literally enter, take whatever hold is available, throw him, and remain on your feet because his friend is nearby to immediately attack.

One only needs to become skilled at 5 throws:
1 - hip toss: - holding his right arm with 1 or both hands: in Judo this is called Seionage - holding his right lapel and using his right arm: Morote Seionage - holding his right arm and encircling his neck
2 - hip toss with trip: - same holds, place your right foot outside his right foot to block it
3 - hip toss with reap: - same as hip with trip except you are lifting your right foot - you can do this also between his legs: Uchi Mata
4 - foot sweep variations - you can cause him to turn and sweep his ankle/shin - you can sweep when he advance his foot towards you
5 - sacrifice throw - the best one is my mind is Yoko Otoshi - once he either holds you or you him - step to SW with your left leg and sit on your left glute - use your left leg to block his right foot step These are high percentage.

A person can receive the basics in a few lessons. What is harder to learn is understanding the proper positional relationship between you and him. You need to learn the difference between good foot placement and bad. You need to learn how to ‘go’ without thinking about it. He touches you, you touch him. It’s all the same. Find whatever minimum hold you need along the way.

This is what ‘randori’ about. Randori (sparring) amongst classmates is ok, but you haven’t tested yourself against the unknown. So, that is what Shiai (tournaments) are about. You get the chance to test yourself against awareness against people you don’t train with. Get 10+ tournaments and it all makes sense.

Then, when someone touches you in real life, your body knows what to do. To retain the skills you need to literally drill each one 10,000 times. You also need to be thrown in each 10,000 times. You mitigate the fear of falling. Still a Greco Roman wrestler can Suplesse you in a high arc over head. So, respect other grappling arts.

Judo develops awareness against resistance, but not the fine grained beads (salt) that taijiquan develops. Taijiquan does not understand grappling in a realistic sense, considering footwork, body positioning, etc. When, I see Taiji people launching non-wrestlers 10 feet away upon touch, I think that won’t happen against a skilled grappler. You might cause him to step back, but when he re-engages, he already understands your game. He will take his hold on you. Better understand ‘kao’, etc.

I think that a person can’t truly understand the gems hidden in taiji and other kungfu methods without understanding grappling, and having tested yourself."

Are you signed up for Surf Camp yet? 🌊🥋

Zhang Sah’s 2H2O Surf Camp is happening this summer for kids ages 8–14, and trust us, this is one your kid does NOT want to miss.

👉 View pricing & enroll now: https://schools.procareconnect.com/form/7417c5d3-b696-426e-913c-b9f0144431bb

Our littlest warriors just did the biggest thing. 🐉

This week we celebrated the graduation of our Little Dragons Pre-K class and honestly, our hearts are so full we do not even know where to begin.

These little ones walked into our classrooms at the start of the year as curious, energetic, wide-eyed learners. And today they leave as readers, thinkers, movers, and leaders in the making. They learned to count and to listen. To share and to focus. To bow in with respect and bow out with pride. They discovered that they are capable of more than they ever imagined and they did it all while having the time of their lives.

Watching you grow this year has been one of the greatest honors. You came in as students and you leave as part of the Zhang Sah family forever.

Kindergarten does not know what is coming.

Zhang Sah is a USA 1st
Pennsylvania 1st
Philadelphia 1st
Now 29 years in the making

Zhang Sah Ode to the Masters.wmv Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

29 years ago, one vision changed Philadelphia forever. 🥋💛

In 1998, Dr. Salvatore Sandone founded Zhang Sah with a bold idea, that martial arts could be so much more than a sport. That it could be the foundation for education, community, and a way of life that transforms generations.

What started as a single dojo has grown into something Philadelphia has never seen before: the only nonprofit martial arts-based school of its kind in the entire country. Today, Zhang Sah serves hundreds of children and families across multiple locations all rooted in the same mission that started it all.

To develop educated, fit, resilient, and socially mobile students. To elevate what a martial arts school could be. To build a true community resource.

28 years in. The best years are still ahead. 💛

🎥 Watch our story: https://youtu.be/rtOeGISl-kQ?si=VE2eOufIjivgbpzl

Zhang Sah Ode to the Masters.wmv Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.