Karate-do advanced Practitioners and Instructors

Becoming an Effective Karate-Do

Practitioner and Instructor

for the 21st Century

Dr. Ranjit Abraham Ph.D SANDAN (1995)

Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate-do

Presentation Structure

Dr. Ranjit Abraham Kannur April 28, 2013

Karate-do Grandmaster traits


1. Selfless (egoless)

2. Honourable and Humble (Funakoshi)

3. Sincerity (faithful)

4. Effort (give the best)

5. Self-control (calm and assertive with control

of mind, emotions and actions at all time)

6. Courtesy (respect others) Research work by Christine Smith [2011]

Modern Karate-do History


Apologies- Shown are only a few of the very many Grandmasters and styles of Modern Karate-Do

Choki Motubo(1871-1944)

Anko Itosu (1830-1915)

Kosaku Matsumura (1829-1898)

Gichin Funakoshi (1886-1957)

SHOTOKAN, JKA

BODHIDHARMA (from Tangore, INDIA)

Chinese Kempo (Unarmed fighting method)

Kemp & Te (Okinawa), Tang- Te

Before

Christ

1800

Sokon Matsumura (1792-1837)

Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952)

Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945)

Hiroshi Otsuka (1882-1982)

Kanryu Higashionna (1853-1916)

Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) Zenryo Shimabukuro (1882-1982)

Shoshin Nagamine (1907-1997)

SHORIN-RYU SEIBUKAN MATSUBAYASHI SHITO-RYU WADO-RYU GOJU-RYU

Types of Modern Karate


(1) Traditional – Historical styles, Core values, Beliefs, Principles and Budo culture

(2) Reality-based – Application of

techniques in real-life context, offshoot of Police & Military defensive techniques.

(3) Sports - For competitive sporting

environment, conforms to strict rules, modifications to older styles of Karate.

Modern versus Ancient Karate


Modern Karate Ancient Karate

Self-defence greatly influences a young exponent to learn Karate. (This belief can lead to early student drop-outs)

In ancient karate, to employ self-defence was the last resort.

Here, the teacher has to advertise to prospective students and convince the student of his abilities. The student then decides to join or not.

To study a student had to find a teacher that he had total faith. Later, he had to prove his intent and good character so that the teacher accepted him

The teacher often does not push his students to do something that they do not want to do in case they leave. He answers questions and avoids repetition to keep interest.

The teacher expects students to obey instruction without any questions. As the master he is considered to know what was best for the student.

The teacher instructs on an intellectual plane. He explains verbally over and over again and the student does not have to think. The teacher even places the student’s hands and feet in the right position. The teacher gives the knowledge to the student.

The teacher instructed at an intuitive plane of watch, copy and experience. He repeated the move until the student grasped it. The student took the information from the teacher and used his mind and body to learn. The student took his knowledge from the teacher.

Modern versus Ancient Karate (cont..)


Modern Karate Ancient Karate

The teacher spends a great part of a lesson constantly pointing our error after error, sometimes not allowing time for the first error to be corrected.

Learning as a process of trial and error and making a mistake was part of the process. Teacher pointed out one /two serious mistakes within the training session & the student corrected mistakes himself.

Training sessions only a few a week (1/2) and students often do not have time to practice on their own. To keep the interest , the teachers has to often cover more moves and do less repetition.

Several training sessions in a week & student was expected to practice in his own time. Students were taught fewer moves in a session and had to practise the move time and time again until they got it right.

Character building aspects of karate such as respect for the dojo, instructors and fellow students although spelt out as essential principles - very seldom are they taken seriously by students

Etiquette and gratitude were important character-forming aspects of ancient karate. Gratitude was not just bowing or the lip service of thanks. Respect for the teacher should be from the heart.

Karate & Health


1. Breathing – The quality and depth of your breathing, how

to use your breath in action, connecting breathing and awareness.

2. Resilience - Ability to survive experiences unscathed, to

make physical and mental comeback, imbibe the spirit of

continuous engagement.

3. Movement – To know how you use and treat your body, the

quality and frequency of your movement, how to practice, enjoy,

and improve, and establish the mind-body connection

4. Love - Taking good care of yourself and those you love, the

spirit of giving and protection, as well as the power of healing.

Achieving freedoms

Karate & Goal Setting


1. Rewards – Motivation to move forward, Enjoy the journey

as much as the destination, being part of the process involving

the awarding of belts and trophies in competitions.

2. Restrictions - Even if the obstacles seem obvious, abiding

to them take them down. “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”

3. Rituals - When you train in the dojo, you are performing a

ritual to take you deeper on the Path. Becoming flexible in how

you think about and perform rituals, but include them to keep

your passion burning strong.

4. Resources – Meeting people with like-minded passions, you

learn to share and contribute. One plus one in the right

combination equals far more than two.

Qualities for a Good Instructor


1. Proper Ethical Behaviour: Not to get involved

in questionable, illegal, or immoral activities.

2. At Peace: The Instructor is focused, not at odds

with oneself, not trying to prove anything.

3. Not Egotistical: The Instructor is not absorbed in himself/herself or

ones own self image.

4. Having Love/Compassion As Main Motivation To Teach: The

Instructor does not teach out of a desire for fame, money, or ego. The

teaching is out of a desire to help the students, and does not need favours

(e.g. companionship, acceptance, friendship .. etc).

5. Knows the Nature of the Fighting Mind, at least intellectually: The Instructor understands meditation, facing things without assumptions,

or how to enter into a situation.

Qualities for a Good Instructor (cont..)


6. Energetic in Teaching: The Instructor is tireless

in teaching and perseveres with joy under difficult

circumstances.

7. Possesses Wealth of Knowledge: not only about

his/her own art but other arts.

8. Exceeds Your Skills: Quite simply, the Instructor is better than you.

9. Skilled Teacher: The Instructor is good at communicating effectively,

verbally and non-verbally, to students.

10. Beyond Giving Up: The Instructor doesn't get disappointed at the

failures of the student, and does not ever give up on them.

Karate Benefits – for Marketing


Karate is excellent Exercise - one of the best forms of exercise today. High

repetition movements improving cardiovascular and muscular fitness. Tends to build lean,

athletic bodies unlike weight training that specialize on specific functions. Karate focuses on

learning a skill (defence & offence) and personal development making it never boring.

Karate improves Athletic Ability - Adults and children can improve athletic

ability while doing karate because proper posture with proper head and eye position is

stressed, improved balance, coordination, and mobility, necessary for good athletic ability.

Reflexes and fitness are improved through training. Direct benefit to other sports and games.

Karate teaches Discipline – By focusing mind and body, student learns to use

both together to achieve proficiency in the various techniques. Student masters basic

behaviours: respect, responsibility, self-control, motivation and patience. Students must be

attentive to lessons in order to learn a new technique, and then must be motivated to practice

them to perfect it. As students progress in rank/belt, they become examples and positive

role-models to less-experienced students. Discipline learned through the martial arts is not

exclusive; favourable behaviours are frequently applied to various aspects of a student's life,

including school, family, and social interactions.

Karate Benefits – for Marketing (cont..)


Karate instils Confidence - Helps in Positive self-image. Students who believe -

achieves the goal. Karate teaches to raise their own expectations and push themselves to

achieve them. Karate gives students the tools to handle themselves in most situations.

Activities such as self-defence training, sparring, and board-breaking teach to dismiss fear and

uncertainly, and focus on preparation, judgment, and self-awareness. As they strengthen

themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally, they begin to realize that one person's

impossibility is another person's reality.

Karate Reduces Stress - Well known to reduce stress. Basic mental concentration

of karate training combined with energetic exercises produces activity for reducing stress.

Focusing on balance, coordination, and improvement of personal skills, karate training leaves

little room for distractions during training. The mental harmony and physical fitness which

are developed during training are carried outside the school and have a long-lasting effect.

Karate Benefits Children - Concentrating and overcoming learning hurdles

imparts a feeling of achievement. Periodic karate belts leads to positive self-image. Karate

moves help to develop coordination, strength, and flexibility. The competitive aspect teaches

fair play and sportsmanship. Self-defense skills result in self-confidence, self-restrained child.

Karate is fun and a great way to burn off extra energy. Whether a child is outgoing or shy,

athletic or academic, karate can be an effective way for that child to grow and develop.

Running a Dojo – for Business


8 out of 10 businesses fail within the first 5 years

Business is war, and unless you are a warrior, you should not walk onto the battlefield.

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1

SET THE PRICE OF

THE TRAINING /

STUDENT

You should set your price based on hard costs and how much you

want to make. Secondly, do not set your price based on what others

in the area are charging.

2

COLLECT WHAT IS

DUE FOR YOUR

SERVICE.

Pay me later / Pay me when you can ..etc - eliminated from your

vocabulary. Have good collection or billing systems in place so you

get paid for your services you are providing.

3 RUN YOUR SCHOOL

ON YOUR TERMS.

Set your teaching schedule, work hours based on what works for

you, not what you think the students needs. Be aware of activities

and people that slow you down or entangle you in wasteful activities.

4

PROMOTE YOURSELF

AND YOUR DOJO

FORCEFULLY

You must become an expert at marketing and get over the fact that

a humble Sensei doesn’t talk about how good their product and

services are. If you can’t do it, then hire someone who can

(including other Instructors)

Running a Dojo – for Business (cont..)


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5 APPLY THE 80-20

RULE

Eighty percent of your success should come from twenty percent of

your activity. Eighty percent of a business profits should come from

twenty percent of its customers (students).

6 SPEND WISELY YOUR

MONEY.

Never waste money on something you can’t track. Demand high

value from anyone that you spend money with and track results of

any activity you pay for.

7

BE HONEST WITH

YOURSELF &

OTHERS.

When you are being honest, don’t worry about offending others.

Listen to the concerns and needs of others, especially your

customers.

8

DEVELOP

REPUTATION FOR

BEING FAIR &

TOUGH IN DEALINGS

Always do what is right for you and the Dojo, don’t lose your ability

to be the dominant force when it comes to the law of the jungle.

9

BE IMMUNE TO

CRITICISM IF YOU

ARE DOING RIGHT

If you are successful, people can get offended and talk bad about

you, because they feel jealous. Try and hang around people you

consider to be mentors and leaders.

10 BELIEVE IN THE LAW

OF ABUNDANCE

Just because you are successful, doesn’t mean that you are taking

away from others their piece of the pie. See it as an important tool

in the raising of the youth of the nation

Making of an effective Instructor


Keep students motivated- Students gain so much more from wanting to learn

rather than being forced to learn. A favourable attitude aids in retention and the feeling of

accomplishment provides fuel for more learning.

Keep students informed- Students feel insecure when they do not know what is

expected of them or what is going to happen to them. Instructors can minimize the

feelings of insecurity by informing the students what is expected of them and what they

can expect from you.

Approach students as individuals - Each individual within the group has a

personality which is unique and should be constantly considered. This may be difficult in

larger dojos but its importance remains the same. A student called by name or given one-

on-one attention from the instructor has a greater sense of being, as opposed to the one

lost in the back row of a large class.

Give credit when due -When the student does something right, let them know.

However, praise given too freely becomes valueless. But, when deserved, it pays dividends

in student effort and achievement.

Making of an effective Instructor (cont..)


Criticize constructively- To tell students that they have made errors and not

provide explanations does not help them. If a student has made an earnest effort but is told

that the work is not satisfactory, with no further explanation, frustration occurs.

Be consistent- Students naturally want to please their instructors. The instructor’s

philosophy and actions must therefore remain consistent. This includes the periodic grading

Grading of Judo (1950’s) set a good example

Admit errors- If the instructor tries to cover up or bluff, the students will sense it. If

in doubt about some point, the instructor should admit it to the students. Good human

relations promote more effective learning.

Instil a belief in moral aspects -Most students are interested in the immediate

results of fighting techniques and care little about morality, which is the foundation behind

true karate.

Finally - For the beginner and experienced practitioner

"You may train for a long time, but if you merely

move your hands and feet and jump up and

down like a puppet, learning karate is not very

different from learning a dance. You will never

have reached the heart of the matter; you will

have failed to grasp the quintessence of karate-

do."

(Gichin Funakoshi)