Throughout the summer months of 2004, Isshinryu Karate Do, Stamford Dojo took up practice outdoors in every kind of weather in order to accomplish several things.  The first of these was to get students used to using shoes to fight against real opponents on the street.  Secondly, the students had to learn not to hurt their sparring partners in the dojo when kicking with shoes.  This requires an excellent sense of Maai (distancing) and Kime (focus).  Thirdly, students who were preparing for tournament would be able to learn how to kick faster by being able to kick with shoes on and then go to kicking with shoes off in the dojo in tournament.  This club will be competing in an invitational tournament in July in Bridgeport, CT.