MSU Taido

What is Taido Karate?

Taido is a Japanese martial art featuring a three-dimensional approach to movement. It emphasizes changing the body's axis to avoid attacks while countering simultaneously. Taido's spinning, twisting, and tumbling techniques adapt to situations in real time by adjusting the spatial relationship with the opponent. This class provides a great workout practicing a unique martial art.

About the Mississippi State University Taido Karate Club

The University Taido Karate Club was founded as a sports club and student organization on campus in 2009. The club participates in tournaments, holds belts tests, and travels to Atlanta to participate in various events including Kangeiko (the first official workout of the year). Each summer the club joins with other schools in the U.S. Taido Association for "Summer Camp," to work out on the beach with several hundred Taido students. We welcome and encourage you to join this exciting club!

What does the club do?

We practice Taido three times per week. In addition, students have the opportunity to take belt tests. We have guest instructors attend class periodically, including black belts from the headquarters school and Georgia Tech Taido. As part of this club, you have the opportunity to take trips to Atlanta to work out with students at the main school. In addition, you have the opportunity to work out with several hundred students at Taido Summer Camp. Finally, as part of this club you have the opportunity to get to know other people with similar interests. We organize a variety of social events such as "Taido Movie Night."

Who can join this club?

The University Taido Karate club is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, and affiliates of the university. Taido's techniques have been developed so that men and women regardless of age can practice this art without undue concern about their previous level of physical fitness or conditioning. As an evolving and creative martial art that has been scientifically researched, Taido can be practiced by anyone. It is a study that involves thought, judgment, action, results, and reflection.

Who is our instructor?

Dr. Shelley Keith began practicing Taido Karate in the summer of 1999 through the branch school at Georgia Tech. In 2006, she successfully earned her black belt from Mits Uchida, Seventh degree black belt and founder of United States Taido. She has competed and placed in numerous national and international tournaments. In the summer of 2018, Dr. Keith, along with two other MSU Taido students, traveled to Japan to compete with the United States team. She placed fourth in Hokei division. In 2013, Dr. Keith earned her second degree black belt. Recently, Dr. Keith successfully achieved her third degree black belt at the 2019 Summer Camp in Myrtle Beach, SC. Dr. Keith has been teaching Taido college students since 2004.

What are Taido's roots?

Dr. Seiken Shukumine, one time Grand Master of Japan's Gensei School of Karate, identified shortcomings in the unscientific approach taken by previous martial arts. He decided to develop a new martial art that was both scientific and relevant in the context of the modern world. For thirty years he underwent rigorous training and research in the theory of martial arts, and based on the results, he created the three dimensional art which he called Taido.

A brief history of US Taido:

U.S. Taido was established in 1975 by Mits Uchida in Atlanta, GA. Uchida came from Japan under the direction and commission of his teacher and Taido grandmaster, Dr. Seiken Shukumine. For over 45 years, U.S. Taido's headquarters has been continuously located in the metro-Atlanta area, with satellite schools in Fort Lauderdale, FL, the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, the University of Georgia in Athens, GA, and at Mississippi State University.