Bain creates the 'Shoto-Boe' workout

MOST folks have heard of Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Judo. American Billy Blanks, a seventh-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and fourth degree black belt in Kung Fu, created a form of exercise based on his experiences, combining elements of Tae Kwan Do with aerobics. TT’s own Bain Orr, originally from Delaford Tobago, has patented his own exercise programme, combining elements of Shotokan Karate and aerobics, which he calls Shoto-boe. His credentials include being a member of TTASK (Trinidad and Tobago Associate School of Karate), and he possesses a third degree black belt in Shotokan Karate. He was trained by Stephen Tony Parris and Sensei Anthony Job, along with Lenwyn Joseph, a member of the TT Coast Guard. Orr’s advisor was Dr Neville Byam, and he boasts of a 14-year sporting relationship with training and sparring partner Trevor Wallace. “Actually, I started learning karate at the age of 14,” said Orr.

“My reason? Well, my elder brother (I’m being honest here)... had a tendency to bully me around. I won’t say he ‘advantaged’ me (at this point he broke into laughter), but I wasn’t happy with that, so I chose to learn to go and defend myself. Brothers like to do that to each other, it seems. But since I began, it changed my whole life, because martial arts is something that goes a long way in terms of discipline, self-motivation and balance. It makes you into a true gentleman. I would advise anyone to get involved in martial arts... and Shoto-boe.” He insists that anyone (at any fitness level) can do Shoto-boe. Ideal participants should be those who are overweight, but Orr says he also looks out for those who may have problems with low self-esteem or are in jobs where they need to know basic skills in self-defense. “In Shotokan you use your legs, body, arms and your brain to disable your opponent,” Orr explained. “Shotokan means ‘empty hand’; you don’t use weapons at all. Now, I have taken elements of Shotokan (which I’ve been involved in for over 20 years), to create this fitness programme. It’s basically a way of defending yourself. Instead of going to a martial arts school, you can do it in a class to music, by yourself. You don’t have to have any previous skill in karate or know any self-defense prior to joining. Just come and I will give you a good overall workout, from head to toe. In my class, if I give you a workout and you are not fully satisfied, I give you your money back, guaranteed!”

(But he swears it won’t be necessary, as he has not has a dissatisfied customer.) According to Orr, you can work on any surface, as there is no excessive jumping about (to bring premature damage to your knees) or shock the body. Using music, you step to a rhythm, moving your feet and arms from the front, back and sides, doing punches and jabs. In some combinations your hands are either open or clenched (indicating force), which is usually necessary to suppress an attack. You can practise your Shoto-boe on sand, concrete or board; and if you want a challenge, you can try doing it in water. A person will progress according to their strength and fitness levels, which Orr can determine from supervising their very first workout. “There’s no ranking, no belt system with Shoto-boe,” Orr stated. “It’s like a fitness class, so you go according to your strength. If you want to lose weight and you’re say, 300 lbs, you can aim to lose 100 pounds in a matter of months. If you need basic self-defence training, you will learn basic combinations very quickly. Any person at any age can do this. Because of the simplicity of the movements in Shoto-boe, it’s my belief that once you can walk, you can do my class. “Even my four children get into the art... as for my only 11-year-old daughter Jelina... she’s like a little instructor all by herself! She said ‘Daddy, I’m your manageress!’ So, she’s managing... and my best critic. I remember during the trial and error stages of creating Shoto-boe, she would indicate to me whether a move looked good or seemed too complicated. So this is why I say that anyone can do this.”

You can learn punches, kicks, and blocking techniques, all while listening to calypso, which Orr insists must be used in his classes. He’s all about keeping it local. For those families who may not be able to afford classes in expensive gyms, this is the perfect option. Orr conducts classes in one of the youth centres in St James, a perfect place for young people to assemble and learn something beneficial, hence keeping them out of trouble. “Some people join an aerobics class and have to work on learning all the different moves in a sequence before they can even get into the workout properly. Sometimes you have a hard day at work and this thing taxes you, ‘Did I remember the steps?’ ‘Where my foot is supposed to go?’ But with Shoto-boe, there is no stress. Shoto-boe is the perfect stress releaser and motivator. You can start from today and work on having fun. It’s all about fun, with results!” He is willing to teach anyone, and is available to teach at schools and other institutions, as well as private tutoring. For more information about Shoto-boe, Orr can be contacted at 753-3413 or at Shoto-boe classes at Darway’s Gym at 49 Angelino Street in Woodbrook (Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 am to 7:15 am) and at the Bournes Road Youth Centre, St James (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 6 pm to 7:15 pm).