......Shotokan: My Karate, My Way.......

South Western Districts Provincial FSK Gasshuku

2012-01-27T15:46:00.000+02:00

Last weekend, well actually 21 January to be exact, was the South Western Districts Provincial Gasshuku. Sensei Johannes invited the honbu directors to come teach.

Firstly I want to say they did a great job of hosting us. Everything was just perfect. Well done to the two George deshi's, Neo and Tyrone.

We got stuck in some bad weather, that made us a little late on our four hour drive. When we arrived we were welcomed and we thanked everyone for inviting us. We explained the believe of training comes first, and committing 100% to every training is how the honbu runs.

The theme for the gashuku was:
Do not train until you get it right. Train it until you cannot get it wrong.

Sensei Evan Louis took a fantastic class of kihon. Focusing on maximum usage of hip. His ability was great and his quality of teaching was superb. Everyone understood how important kihon is to making good karate.

Sensei Craig Barthorpe had a crash course on the Heian series and Tekki Shodan. Which was jammed packed with detail, most of which was not taken in.

My class I started with Mae-geri and worked it up to a matomo nidan geri.... with breaking it up into the most rawest form of kihon. They learned how to kick mae-geri like white belts.

We then moved onto tobi-geri. After showing how good karate comes from good kihon (an extension of Sensei Evan's class) the karateka got to put it into action during shiai.

Sensei Michael took a quick basic class to get loose then moved straight into kumite. As always, this was received well by all training.

I would like to thank sensei Johannes, sensei Monre and also our newest dojo in George, sensei Peet. A big thank you to Bernadine who arranged and controlled this all.

We look forward to visiting again late July.

Opening a great success!

2012-01-15T11:04:00.000+02:00

The official opening of FSK honbu dojo was a great success.

It was great to see some old faces back in the dojo.

We were privileged to have Goju-kai world champion and good friend Clayton Thom Sensei taking us through basic Randori (乱取り) kumite. I had the honour of having Sensei Clayton as my partner for the full class. All I can say is, he knows how to make one feel like a white belt!

His karate is of the most rawest and most beautiful Goju-kai that I know.
He allowed me to try adjust to his karate, all the while he executed his techniques with such great speed and power.... awesome kime and each time controlling it perfectly.

He is truly a legend in my eyes!

Friday was the first HPK (High Performance Karate) class open to all the members of FSK and the KinWashi dojo.

It was obvious to see those who have never trained it before have some serious catching up to do. I hope to see more members training with us soon.

It was great to have Clayton Thom Sensei, as well as sensei Melissa Thom joining us for the training. Their abilities in shiai (competitive sparring) speak for themselves, as many of the students realized while sparring with them.

Shortly I will be getting back into my gi for a fundamental class based on stance work, koshi-no-kaiten and implementing it into kata.

Let's get the show on the road!

2012-01-07T15:34:00.002+02:00

2012 is in full swing and officially the FSK Honbu Dojo re-opens on 12 January.

The link below is the FaceBook Event Page:
You Are Invited (click here)
We look forward to seeing everyone again.

This year is the biggest year in our dojo's history.

Keep updated with our school by joining our group:
FSK Honbu Dojo on FaceBook (click here)

Ossu!

www.twitter.com/KarateInc

New Year Dawning 2012

2011-12-30T11:17:00.002+02:00

Yes it is that time of the year again.... when parties are inevitable and we all reflect on the year and look for ways to better our lives.

I have loads to look back on, this year has had many changes in my life. Growing with some, and also past some, has been a rather bumpy ride.

Ask yourself: "What is MY New-Year's-Resolution"?

Important to make this resolution (goal) realistic.... this way it can become a habit and eventually a part of your character.

Wishing everyone a very happy New-Year!

Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T17:02:00.001+02:00

From myself and all those who have been training in the holidays, we miss everyone at the dojo.

Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish friends

and

Merry Christmas to all our Christian friends.

May everyone have a fantastic festive Season.

Members on Twitter:

Sensei Michael: www.twitter.com/FSKShihan

Myself: www.twitter.com/KarateInc

Evan Louis Sensei: www.twitter.com/lillionel111

Margo Lessing sempai: www.twitter.com/Karate_Freak101

Jasmine De Almeida sempai: www.twitter.com/jazzyfizzle0017

SA.FSK Facebook Dojo Groups

Organization's group:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/171494166276483/

Hombu Dojo:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/310178419231/

Nearing the End of 2011....

2011-12-19T16:11:00.002+02:00

As this year grows closer to the end, KinWashi dojo seniors are still training hard.

From the Directors we wish you all a happy festive season.

Our holiday trainings have been about fundamentals and forging them in order for them to become more natural.

Plenty thinking work as well as homework if given.

Deshi got knocked recently too.... intense class.

I cannot wait for tomorrow's class.

Themed Introduction to Yahara Sensei's Kaiten-waza.

VISIT OUR UPDATED WEBSITE:

FSK Hombu Dojo (click here)

Holiday Karate Training

2011-12-01T10:17:00.004+02:00

Most "General Karateka" end up just taking time off from training during December. I have always had an issue with this. Many years ago, my Sensei asked me the attackers on the street also do not attack during December holidays. We all know the answer to that now do we not?

The KinWashi Dojo has set up a few scheduled classes for the holiday season and it has so far started well.

Holiday class schedule:

Tuesdays & Thursdays 6pm

Wednesdays 8am

Sundays 12pm (midday)

ALL BROWN and BLACK BELTS

ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US!

Find more up to date info on our events page:

FSK Hombu Events Page (click here)

Next few years are going to be big.

SA.FSK National championships will have old faces returning to the tournament scene.

We have karateka already preparing for the WJKA World Champs as well as the WUKO Worlds....

So our focus is the next two years cycle.... from there we grow more!

KinWashi Kuro-Obi Gashuku

2011-11-28T10:09:00.003+02:00

This past weekend, SA.FSK Hombu Dojo (KinWashi) had a Black Belt Gashuku at the Van Staden's River Mouth Resort.

The Nidan and above graded karateka all arrived Friday afternoon and had the first training with Sensei Michael, which seriously set the pace of a very intense weekend to come.

Saturday morning was to be no different, off to the sea we went.... pushing our balance ability to the limit.

All the while I was thinking, as in karate, so in life, WE MUST HAVE BALANCE!

The second class on Saturday sensei Evan Louis took, with the theme of "Practical Karate" using moves from the Heian Kata not found in tournament environments with brutal force.

A well needed brunch followed and the juniors really made a good job of it. In fact they did a great job with all the cooking the entire weekend! So much so, Stefan Du Preez was named the braai'er of the weekend. And David Whittle was the breakfast champion!

Following that sensei Craig Barthorpe took his class themed "Alternative Kumite". Which had us going up and down the dunes. Using techniques to get past our attackers. Most of which had the attackers flying or rolling down the side of the dune.

My class followed, bringing some old school back. It was themed "The Evolution of Kumite". Working everything from the most basic form of Gohon Kumite, to an advanced version of Gohon Kumite.... all the way to scoring techniques hidden in kata. I believe I covered everyone's taste within that class.

Saturday night ended with a lecture on better service delivery when teaching. All of the karateka seemed to realize how much we can grow as a dojo and as an association, if a little more effort is given.

Sunday morning Sensei Michael gave us each an opportunity to reflect back and give our feedback of the weekend. Everything that was said was so positive!

I must say, today while writing this, my body is still aching and my voice is still at the gashuku somewhere.

Ossu, thank you to everyone for being there! You all made it very special.

MigueL Flavour bringing new life!

2011-11-19T07:37:00.002+02:00

My return to my home town has brought mixed opinions from karateka training here.

Although I am happy to be home, I have started missing the trainings at great dojos and great Sensei's that I have grown accustomed to while living in Gauteng, especially those with Sensei Malcolm Dorfman, Sensei Mike Dukas, Sensei Shane Dorfman, Sensei Bryan Dukas, Sensei Che Jagger and the amazing Morgan Moss.

My sole objective since I have been back.... and for the next few years is growing the FSK Hombu (KinWashi dojo). I started my karate all those years ago in this home dojo and now it is time to give back.

I have been included on the dojo directors board along with Sensei Michael Kliment, Sensei Craig Barthorpe and Sensei Evan Louis. One of my first projects is improving teaching. I have had a lot of time with Evan sensei and assisting him in how he teaches the "kiddies karate". Honestly I have seen a huge improvement.

I will give a detailed lecture at our Hombu Dojo Kuro-Obi Gashuku next weekend on how to teach, how people learn and also how to improve service delivery as an instructor.

Besides teaching at normal scheduled classes, we have already added the infamous "Kuro-Obi Suiyobi no asa no kurasu" (Black Belt Wednesday Morning Class) which starts at 6am!

Sundays we have what will become a kata class next year, but for now is just a continuation of the Kuro-Obi trainings.

In these invited classes we have been working on some karate not practiced in the normal circles.

Loads of Yahara thrusting of the rear leg.... last week we went into more detail on Shinshiku-dachi. Other than that we start off with Isaka fundamentals and then taking that over into Shotokan kihon and kata.

I get so excited when teaching these seniors, because the secrets of karate that I have learned from great masters are now being taught to my home dojo instructors. Each of which is loving it!

Commands such as "MORE DOWN" and "TO THE LIMIT" are regularly heard. One that has confused them is "FROM HIP TO LEG".... but we all know Isaka Sensei does these things because it is near impossible.

What I can say is, those who are training out of normal scheduled classes are each growing a far more deeper understanding of karate and this is exciting for KinWashi Karate.

Ossu!

Nearing the close of 2011

2011-11-11T23:24:00.000+02:00

As the year grows nearer to a close, we see less karateka visiting the dojo because of exams and also because of gearing for the annual holiday time.

We have been having some tough classes for those able to attend.

It was great to have Erwee Tiran of the Titans Karate Institute join us at the hombu for senior class training.

The South African Federation of Shotokan Karate had a successful Dan grading.

Hombu dojo had a lovely final Kyu Grading....

Hombu Dojo Kiddies Tigers were amazing!

The remainder of the year holds only prize giving and also FSK Hombu Dojo KinWashi Kuro-Obi Gashuku.

From the directors of the dojo, we hope to see some of the seniors training during December.... next year is going to be a big year for the dojo and the organization.

Ossu!

Kuro-Obi Suiyōbi no asa no kurasu

2011-10-31T12:45:00.001+02:00

Black Belt Wednesday Morning Classes.

Classes are set to begin this Wednesday. We will be reading out the "riot act" to each member who gets invited and joins us for training.

Only the best will make it through these classes.

NOBODY WILL HAVE IT EASY!

This is going to be the toughest class anyone has ever trained in.

If you cannot keep up, then stay home!

Venue:

KinWashi Dojo

SA.FSK Hombu Dojo

Time:

6:00am

Kihon (Basic) Kumite

2011-10-19T09:16:00.000+02:00

Kihon (Basic) Kumite.

Kihon (Basic) Kumite to me is “the” link between the trinity of karatedo: kihon, kata kumite. Pulling from basics, using the life from the kata, and adding an opponent is “the” link leading towards real free combat.

Now kihon is also known as fundamentals. Need I say it? Fine then: “Fundamental Kumite”.

Yahara Sensei focuses most of his kumite on advanced jiyu ippon kumite. And trust me, those KWF karateka can do kumite.

My understanding and the way I teach it is, having everyone in the class facing shomen, we train kihon. Basics such as oi-zuki, working on correct karate form. Then putting someone in front of you and just repeating now just adding distance. Then doing it from a kumite kamae as the advanced option, yet kihon ippon is defending from a natural yoi, (which to me is far more difficult). Thinking about it has me excited training later.

Everything is learned in Kihon Kumite, going backwards, going forward, taisabaki blind side, using hip rotation to avoid, taisabaki open side, using leg drive in direction to avoid the attack. Later it becomes both used in both methods. Obviously fundamentals such as Kankyu (fast / slow), correct use of speed; Shinshiku (expansion/contraction) correct use of muscles and also Kyojaku (soft/hard), correct use of power.

When doing this all and in the true spirit of penetration, then zanshin will naturally come out.

Bryan Dukas Sensei and I training a variation basic kumite at Murakami seminar.

Gohon Kumite

White belt learning own distance by measuring their own arms distance as the marker for gohon kumite.

Attacker measures with arm touching defender. Both yoi.

Attacker steps back into a gedan barai kamae and nominates “Jodan”.

Defender replies “Ossu”.

Attacker steps over in jodan oi-zuki repeated for five steps.

Defender steps backward and defends by using age-uke and counters with a gyaku-zuki.

Then chudan oi-zuki.

Only from yellow belt 8^th Kyu can you add chudan mae-geri.

Green belt 6^th Kyu can add chudan mawashi geri.

Then from there one can just build.

Then for experienced karateka I add a counter between each step, making this kumite very demanding on block counter, block counter….

Kihon Ippon Kumite

Here we find with more focus on basics and penetration and having the starting distance still only an arm’s length away is very advanced.

Attacker steps back into a gedan barai kamae and nominates “Jodan”.

Defender replies “Ossu”.

Attacker steps over in jodan oi-zuki.

Defender steps backward and defends by using age-uke and counters with a gyaku-zuki.

Chudan Oi-zuki defence is using taisabaki towards the blind side, using hip as the tool making you avoid. Something like the movie karate kid 2, where Miyagi said “Best defence, just no be there.”

Mae-geri defence is using taisabaki, by using thrust we would normally use going backwards, but towards the open side.

Now in Kihon Ippon Kumite you start training everything on both sides, so it would be attacking with right first, then attacking with left…. for each of the techniques.

Jiyu Ippon Kumite

This is all done from a kumite kamae. But this time starting distance is at own discretion and starting both must move forward simultaneously.

But the kamae is kept throughout, in other words there is only yoi at the beginning and yoi at the end.

Advanced Jiyu Ippon Kumite

Yoi between alternating hands for every move. Shinshiku-dachi is also incorporated so that the traditional format of kihon (standing still) can be kept.

Later after much time has been spent on advanced jiyu, one changes the counter, and turning into a second phase where the attacker must now either step back, use taisabaki or just block and counter…. Then taking that back to kihon ippon….

Fundamental Kumite is “the” link of the karate trinity.

My Current Training Regime

2011-10-16T08:02:00.000+02:00

After staying in Cape Town for a few months and spending many hours of training alone on the beach, I have now changed my whole training regime with my return to my home town Port Elizabeth.

Besides classes taught and trained in at the KinWashi dojo - Hombu dojo of SAFSK (South African Federation of Shotokan Karate), I train with my deshi and other black belts in classes that I can only describe as technically advanced, even though the theme is always "Train like white belt".

I also spend a lot of time working through my kata in front of a mirror.

Now when typing this the first thing that goes through my mind is the readers will think that I am concerned on how my karate looks. Actually that is not the reason why I train this way. I do so because I am my own biggest critic. I know what my karate should look like, a hybrid of Yahara Sensei's karate mixed with other great karateka. So if I see my own mistakes, then it is easier to fix. Which to me is very important, rather than continuing training "believing" my karate is correct.

Very soon I will be adding a Jiyu Kumite class with my little brother, who weighs about 150kg. This is purely to break away from conventional kumite and to get into more real life situations with someone who can easily out power me. I foresee many aches and pains along with multiple bruises being caused from this type of training.

I have also mounted a stand for a big punching back in my back yard, which will be my daily focus on penetration of techniques.

Mostly my training will be there to make a more effective way of real life fighting, which is taking me back to the real reason why I started karate all those years ago.

BACK HOME

2011-10-14T07:21:00.000+02:00

After many life changing events over the past year or so, I have finally made my way home.

I officially now live back in Port Elizabeth. It is great to be bringing home some of the karate knowledge I have gathered while I have been away all these years.

So far I have politely taken on a deshi, Evan Louis, a classy nidan karateka. To me, he is the one person who is willing to learn the most. So it is rather obvious that he gets the attention of a deshi.

Up & coming visit to Port Elizabeth

2011-09-26T14:10:00.000+02:00

I will be in Port Elizabeth for a week, 3 - 7 October, and obviously will be teaching karate.

So far I am teaching Tuesday & Thursday 7pm at the FSK hombu dojo (aka KinWashi dojo) in Westering.

If there are any other requests for me to teach in my other free time, please send it to miguelharker@yahoo.com

I look forward to seeing my home dojo soon.

Ossu.

Karate Sponsorships in South Africa

2011-09-20T16:40:00.002+02:00

This is a topic that has hindered South African karate for many years, both style orientated as well as all-styles. Maybe because of all the different style organizations and all-styles fractions that is found in karate.

Now each athlete that does tour, has to individually pay his way unless it is for the All-Africa Games. Other than that, everything comes out of their own pocket. Provincial trials, national trial, national champs, Zone 6 Union champs (Southern African Countries), UFAK champs (African champs), and even World Champs!

Now most of these people are either students or working and therefore have already most of their time taken up by this. Then there is the training time. Now where are they meant to find time to get extra money for touring?

A major factor that needs to be dealt with is TV time. If we can get karate televised more often, then more attention can be brought to it.

We understand that sponsoring a whole team to tour is rather difficult. So what a small group of us have started drafting is a "Karate-League", which has no concern for affiliation or association. We are only for the athletes. We will work on sponsors for individual athletes, making everything stay hands on. It becomes the athletes responsibility.

If you or some one you know can assist our cause in funds or with any other means of assistance for our idea, please contact miguelharker@yahoo.com

Sandan for Wesley Dyssel

2011-09-11T17:38:00.000+02:00

Just a short post to congratulate Wesley Dyssel on attaining his Sandan yesterday at the WSKF South Africa Dan Grading.

While living in Pretoria, he was my most trusted student and the greatest friend I had.

Wesley, you deserve this!

Wesley and I at an early morning training preparing for his nidan a few years ago

Visiting Sensei Bryan Dukas' dojo

Us visiting my home town and eating at WorsWagen (our favourite)

Our visit to Old Trafford during the World Champs in Manchester

Leadership & Loyalties in Karate

2011-09-10T17:18:00.002+02:00

Something which has played a major role in my two decades of pursuing the art of karate is leadership and loyalty.

Now before I even start, I would like to say, talented karateka never stay. As in never! So if you are instructor, spend more time on the less talented students, because these are the ones who will be there in many years to come.

Within South African karate, as well as many other countries and organizations, we find leaders who lead according to their own needs. It is very rare to find someone teaching and leading for the true essence of budo.

The same is found with regards to loyalty. Instructors and students alike seem to only have loyalty to another if it has some sort of self gain involved.

This is one of the main reasons why I stopped affiliating to style organizations. I seem to find no value in paying money to others for no return on my commitment to instructor or organization. Nowadays I associate myself with karateka who are willing to keep affiliation aside and be true budo practitioners.

Politics seems to find its way into everything. Where ever the is a group of people following the same cause or ideal or even believe, somewhere down the line someone is going to disagree with someone. This then causes friction, which eventually leads to gossip.

Now my question to you today is are you loyal to your leaders? And if so, what is it that will cause you to stop being loyal to them?

Spring Time in South Africa

2011-09-02T13:24:00.001+02:00

Spring is a time for new beginnings.
Well honestly, I am in serious pain! Getting back into shape after loosing 10kg due to illness and stress has taken a lot out of me. I have gained at least 5kg back.

My main focus is to get my body back to where it was three months ago. But as I understand it, this will only happen in about six months.

Spring has brought some major events:
Shotokan Tiger's Cup
Which is the open national champs for the South African Federation of Shotokan Karate, which starts today.
I wish all the members of the KinWashi dojo the best of luck for the event! (Especially Mikaila Kliment.)

Then the All Africa Games is officially starting tomorrow in Maputo, Mozambique. The South African WKF national team are competing next week hoping for gold medals, which will then qualify them for the World Games.
A special good luck goes to Morgan and Shane Moss!

I hope all my readers will take on the challenge of spring and make a change for the better, in all aspects of life.

Affiliation and Association

2011-08-25T07:21:00.002+02:00

Since my return to the DKI Blog, emails have been flowing in welcoming me back.
But there were some who were more worried about my affiliation, or lack there of. So I thought I would let it out here.

I will start by mentioning previous organizations.
Since I started karate many moons ago, I have been faithful to my affiliations, while at the same time using what I call Yahara-Flavour in my training and also my teaching.

I started under the JKA group, then after all the fractions within the Asai fraction of JKA in the late 1990's, my instructor (Michael Kliment Sensei) chose to stay with Malcolm Dorfman Sensei, who opted to go with Yahara Sensei's KWF.

After time passed, my instructor decided to move along with Richard Amos Sensei and join JSKA.
I still remember sitting with him while he wrote the emails to enquire and apply. All correspondence happened late at night, due to the time difference between South Africa and the USA.

After some personal differences, mixed with some growing pains I was experiancing as a karate instructor, I left and moved back to KWF.
After a short stay, because I believed KWF.SA was not looking after my interests, I moved back to JSKA, yet this time under Soon Pretorius Sensei.

This ended up being of the best move I have ever made, because two years later, in the beginning of 2006 I moved from Port Elizabeth to Pretoria to do karate full-time. Which opened many doors for me.

Time spent working for my instructor, I was involved in the WKF national body, which is plain and simple: TOO FEW INDIANS, TOO MANY CHIEFS.
After I realised karate and its ethics were being driven through the mud, I decided to make my way back to KWF.

The main reason for this choice was because when I got to Pretoria until I made the move, I was training more with Mike Dukas Sensei, than with any of my school's instructors. Note, Mike Sensei lives 140km away from where I was living at that time. This is also partly because of Bryan Dukas Sensei and my friendship.

Unfortunately Sensei Mike and Sensei Malcolm parted ways, so I stayed with Mike Sensei, who ended up restarting WSKF in South Africa.

Now that is the long and the short of where I have been.

Due to my biological father finding me.... Along with another mother, two sisters and two more brothers, I decided to moved to the Boland, Western Cape area to catch up on years lost.

I formally resigned from my dojo, and also from the WSKF.SA structure. Which was purely because I wanted to keep everything formal.

Now before I carry on, I would like to mention a group of people whom I spent many hours with training, yet I was never affiliated due to style difference.
Sensei Che Jagger and his students, Morgan Moss (South Africa's best ever WKF competitor) and also Shane Moss (top class fighter, and my favourite person to train with in that dojo, even though he threw me around like a rag doll, and even hospitalised me once).
These guys are just the best people to learn shiai from. Much of my oyo / bunkai concepts were all sparked from chats with Jagger Sensei.

Now along the way I chose aspects which I believe enhances my karate from many greats such as Sensei's Nakayama, Tanaka, Asai, Abe, Kanazawa, Osaka, Isaka, Kagawa and Nagaki.

(Local karateka not mentioned who have influenced my karate: Sensei's Shane Dorfman, Ian Duncan and especially Bryan Dukas)

What I did and still do, is I find something that will enhance my karate and then ask myself, if Yahara Sensei did this, how would he do it? Then I incorporated that into my karate. That is where the concept of "Yahara-flavour" comes from.

All this has just made a hybrid of Shotokan Karate. The name of the blog is ironic in this sense: "Shotokan, My Karate, My Way".

So back to all those emails asking me about now.... Well I have associated myself with Sensei Michael Kliment's organization, South African Federation of Shotokan Karate.
I did this purely for reasons of returning to my roots, to my first instructor.

I will be in no way included on any political structure or affiliated to any sporting organization.
I will not change standards or technical aspects of my karate unless the theory of Yahara-flavour comes into play.

I am sure in the future I will be associated with more organizations. But my roots are my roots and teaching and all other preferences will remain with Michael Kliment Sensei.

Facing the waves

2011-08-24T09:33:00.000+02:00

Today's training was full of Yahara Sensei flavoured techniques and methods.

Shinshiku-dachi

Compression stance is a unique aspect of Yahara karate. I have been spending much of my time concentrating on a faster compression and then a more effective thrusting into the next position. Since I started this about 10 years ago, I still struggle with keeping the same height. I suppose I must work more Isaka Sensei slow motion pre-basics.

Oi-Zuki

A mixture of methods have been making me feel more and more like a shiro-obi (white belt).
Firstly I have been training oi-zuki in typical Isaka style, moving from a side on heisoku-dachi, focusing on the heal being the source of power, to the drive of the rear hip.

Now to be honest, this works me to almost breaking point. Keep my feet deep in the beach sand has woken up muscles I never knew existed.

From there I work on an explosive start and ending in a longer than norm stance. Obviously with all the typical Yahara Sensei focus points.

Heian Shodan

When I was teaching, I always told my students what I told myself while training: "always train like white belt".
May it be with regards to keeping to basics, or the humbleness found in new karate practitioners, or plain and simple the enthusiasm that white belts show when wanting to learn more and more.

I always train Heian Shodan. I believe the most fundamental aspects (elements) of Shotokan are found in the five Heian Kata. And therefore the rawest and purest elements are hidden within the first of these kata.

Nijushiho

The kata with endless flow of power, softness and also speed, has been my favourite for many years. In actual fact it all started after seeing Shane Dorfman Sensei doing the kata. I have been madly in love with the "Twenty-four-steps" ever since I found out it was also Malcolm Dorfman Sensei's favourite kata.

The constant flow always reminds me of the ocean. When training the kata, I find myself smiling afterwards while starring at the constant flow of waves.

Until next time.
Enjoy your training!

Training on the Beach

2011-08-23T09:01:00.001+02:00

Training on the Beach

My current training revolves around the three main stances of Shotokan, being zenkutsu, kiba and kotutsu-dachi. As well as kata training.

I have found that foot placement and movement is magnified when working on the shoreline. I seem to focus more on heals being thrusted into the ground and also the ball of my foot being the first and last thing in contact with the ground. I have spent much of the training time working on which muscles are doing work during movement of stances and then training some isolation exercises.

Soon I should be working in the water, but the sea in the Cape is too cold to enter for now. I will have to wait for summer time.

I am planning a trip into the mountains for some training away from the world. I am not too sure if I should do it for just one session or if I should take a tent and have my own private gashuku for a weekend.

Well back to the training. I have lost 10kg since I moved here, due to stress and less training. I need to refocus on my body and include some conditioning exercises into my routine.

Until next time!

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www.twitter.com/KarateInc

Absence from writing & absence from most things.

2011-08-22T09:01:00.000+02:00

Absence from writing & absence from most things.

Many people write about there success stories. I cannot do that, and I am not going to right about the other.

I left Pretoria recently and now live in Gordon's Bay, the Helderberg. No reasons will be mentioned.

What I will say is, living by the sea and mountain side has brought some light on my character. I have not taught karate since some time in June. My dojo is on the beach, literally training on the sand. And honestly very little training is happening due to weather and plain and simple being a bit lost.

What I have done a lot of is think about Budo Karatejitsu and have realized that I cannot respect myself without training my best every single day.

I have returned to the roots of my karate and associated myself with SA.FSK Michael Kliment Sensei (South African Federation of Shotokan Karate).
I am in no way involved with any political structure, nor will my karate involve any tournament structure. No affiliation to any such group whatsoever will be made.

Karate is an art to me, and time spent on the sporting aspect is good for some, but it takes me away from try to learn how to save my life. And that is what I want to do with my karate and that is what I want to teach as my hybrid brand of karate.

Study karate, see its beauty....

Live the Way

Shotokan.... my Karate, my Way

Camp.... Karate Gauteng North April 2011

2011-04-18T15:32:00.000+02:00

Karate Gauteng North Hosted a camp for all affiliates over this past weekend.

I joined them and DKI members on Saturday morning.

Training consisted of various aspects of karate. Different style kata, traditional organization kihon.

Each instructor just brought so much to the table. I even enjoyed just watching other teach.

Bad weather conditions made it a challenge to entertain and construct activities for the students. But we had them busy and having fun all the time.

Thank you to Sensei's Godfried and Eugene for the classes taught. Also a big thank you to Sensei Rudi Bruwer for arranging the event as well as teaching.

BLACK BELT DINNER

2011-04-17T15:18:00.010+02:00

Friday night was Sensei Mike's dojo's 27th Black Belt Dinner. Last year was my first visit to this and I promise you, the follow up was just perfect!

Thank you to Sensei Mike and Sensei Bryan Dukas. Also to all those apart of making this happen to such a fantastic event.

Wesley, Tyler and I enjoyed it so much.

Ossu!

......Shotokan: My Karate, My Way.......

South Western Districts Provincial FSK Gasshuku

Opening a great success!

Let's get the show on the road!

New Year Dawning 2012

Ask yourself: "What is MY New-Year's-Resolution"? Important to make this resolution (goal) realistic.... this way it can become a habit and eventually a part of your character.

Wishing everyone a very happy New-Year!

Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas

From myself and all those who have been training in the holidays, we miss everyone at the dojo.

Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish friends

and

Merry Christmas to all our Christian friends.

May everyone have a fantastic festive Season.

Members on Twitter:

Sensei Michael: www.twitter.com/FSKShihan

Myself: www.twitter.com/KarateInc

Evan Louis Sensei: www.twitter.com/lillionel111

Margo Lessing sempai: www.twitter.com/Karate_Freak101

Jasmine De Almeida sempai: www.twitter.com/jazzyfizzle0017

SA.FSK Facebook Dojo Groups Organization's group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/171494166276483/ Hombu Dojo: http://www.facebook.com/groups/310178419231/

Nearing the End of 2011....

Holiday Karate Training

KinWashi Kuro-Obi Gashuku

MigueL Flavour bringing new life!

Nearing the close of 2011

Kuro-Obi Suiyōbi no asa no kurasu

Kihon (Basic) Kumite

My Current Training Regime

BACK HOME

Up & coming visit to Port Elizabeth

Karate Sponsorships in South Africa

Sandan for Wesley Dyssel

Leadership & Loyalties in Karate

Spring Time in South Africa

Affiliation and Association

Facing the waves

Training on the Beach

Absence from writing & absence from most things.

Camp.... Karate Gauteng North April 2011

BLACK BELT DINNER

Ask yourself: "What is MY New-Year's-Resolution"?

Important to make this resolution (goal) realistic.... this way it can become a habit and eventually a part of your character.

SA.FSK Facebook Dojo Groups

Organization's group:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/171494166276483/

Hombu Dojo:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/310178419231/