The Difference Between A Man of Do (The Way) and a Little Man

Many years ago, my sensei told me a story,

A student once asked his sensei, "What is the difference between a man of Do (the way) and a little man?"

The sensei replies, "It is simple. When the little man receives his first dan black belt, he can hardly wait to run home and shout at the top of his voice to tell everyone that he has obtained his first dan. Upon receiving his second dan, he will climb to the rooftops and shout to the people. Upon receiving his third dan black belt, he will jump in his car and parade through town blowing the horn, telling one and all about his third dan".
The sensei continues, "When the man of Do (the way) receives his first dan, he will bow his head in gratitude. Upon receiving his second dan, he will bow his head and his shoulders. Upon receiving his third dan, he will bow at the waist and quietly walk alongside the wall so that people will not see him or notice him".
In this materialistic world, karate-ka who follow the way, are few, but to me, the above story epitomises a good martial artisit. The older I get, the more I realise, character is everything!

Ossu

Linden Huckle

karatedo 

                                                                                                                                     

Seiunchin Karate Kata Video Performed by Michael Stevenson

Seiunchin Karate kata video, performed by Michael Stevenson, who just returned from the Hayashi-Ha all Japan karate championships, where he not only competed, but managed to train with some great karate masters, including Shihan Akio Minakami. Michael and James Towle, made the journey to Japan and had some fantastic karate classes before the karate championships.
The great Soke Teruo Hayashi (1924-2004), was the founder, headmaster and president of "Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu Kai School of Karate-do" and "Japan Kobudo Kenshin-Ryu-Kai", it has its headquarters in Osaka, Japan.

karate Moves Kizami Zuki Partner Exercise

Kizami zuki or jabbing punch, is an extremely important karate move, one which many karate classes neglect. Kizami zuki is the closest weapon to an opponent and the fastest. Karate classes should really focus on this punch. Boxers MUST have a good jab, it really is an important karate technique.

Karate For Beginners Front Leg Roundhouse Kick

A karate training exercise for kizami mawashi geri or front leg round house kick, covering close, medium and long range. This karate exercise can be practiced with a partner, by yourself or on a punchbag. When practicing karate for beginners, kicking with the front leg builds a strong supporting leg, which is very important, in all kicks. For some free karate moves on video visit karate classes online

Karate Kumite With Masters Keinosuke Enoeda and Hirokazu Kanazawa

A rare chance to see karate masters, Keinosuke Enoeda and Hirokazu Kanazawa in action, amazing skill from these karate legends. These two people have played an extremely strong part in the development of shotokan karate. Both these masters have skills unique to them, but no one can deny their martial arts prowess!

Karate Kata Niseishi Video

Niseishi which means '24 steps', below is a karate kata video of Niseishi.

The history of Niseishi is unclear, but many believe that it originates from one of the Chinese "Dragon" kung fu styles. Master Gichin Funakoshi changed the kata and the name to nijushiho. The Shotokan karate version of this kata is very dynamic and athletic in it's execution, relying on very long movements and stances, whereas the original niseishi has much shorter stances and karate moves within the kata.

Niseishi has moto dachi which is like a mini front stance, neko ashi dachi (cat stance), shiko dachi (diagonal straddle stance) and Heisoku Dachi. Toes & heels together, (closed foot stance).

Karate Classes With A Master!

Shihan Minakami 8th Dan recently visited the UK, where there were several karate classes for beginners and advanced karateka. His karate is of an extremely high level and his basic karate moves are very hard to master. I have never seen anyone move like shihan Minakami and can't wait to train with him again.

Shihan Minakami focused on basic karate moves, especially choku zuki or straight punch, everybody loved his unique teaching style and ability to get his very advanced karate concepts accross to not only the black belts, but also the junior grade karateka.

All the members at Biggleswade karate club are looking forward to Shihan’s next visit and hope to someday resemble their karate master in technique and character.