In this Issue
:: The Power Is In The Technique!
:: We’re All Cracked Pots
:: Being a GKR Instructor


September 18 2008



The Power Is In The Technique!


In recent weeks I have had the opportunity to run a series of instructor classes and seminars throughout NSW and VIC / TAS. The standard of karate has been great! Every class is full of enthusiasm and camaraderie. Everyone shares the same sense of enthusiasm for their training and development which is inspiring to see!

Of the many areas that we cover during these classes, one thing that I have been speaking about regularly is the simple fact that the power is in the technique!

What I mean by this is that we don’t have to overdo our techniques in order to create more power. In fact, the opposite is true. Our aim is to refine the technique, make it less – not more. And by keeping it simple and to the point (reducing the overall movement etc) it effectively becomes more! (i.e. it generates more power and effectiveness!)

Whether you have young children or not, picture this scenario. Imagine you’re helping a young child colour in a picture. At first, they colour in everything, whether it’s in the picture or not. They cross over all the lines and make a real mess of it. Over time they learn to colour in only inside the lines/objects thereby creating a much better drawing. Makes sense? This is much the same way as the way we must perform each technique. Extra (superfluous) movement only adds extra time and motion. When we block, we must block in front of our body/head to that we cover only that part we are blocking. Starting the block from a foot outside the body only adds extra movement and time into the technique. It’s overdone, unnecessary and it detracts from the purpose of the technique. (Much like the colouring in example.)

Sometimes less is more right? The power that we generate in our karate does not just come from our muscles; the majority comes from within the technique (when done correctly).

Blocking an attack like a punch is done by deflection and/or redirection. The term ‘Uke’ is generally translated to mean ‘block’, but in actual terms it means ‘to receive’. A blocking action is therefore seen as ‘a receiving of’ the attack. We choose how to receive it and defend against it. We only need to use as much motion as is needed to make this action useful. We need to appreciate that if done correctly, the ‘power’ or ‘effectiveness’ is in the technique – not in our need to use all our might and physical strength.

There are many physical examples that demonstrate this. Bunkai demonstrates that quite well as there are times when a stronger student will attempt a block or takedown technique using mostly their physical strength, and then you will see another student with obvious less physical strength who demonstrates the technique effectively thereby utilizing the strength and power that lies within the technique itself.

So the message here is simple. Focus on good technique with the full understanding that the power and strength lies within the technique itself!


Shihan Stacey Karetsian
Assistant Chief Instructor



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We’re All Cracked Pots


A water bearer in Okinawa had two large pots, each hung on either end of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots was perfect while the other had a crack down one side. At the end of the long walk from the stream, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For 2years the bearer delivered only one and a half pots of water to his home. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, but the cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection. After 2years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself. I have only been able to deliver half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts".

The bearer smiled replying, "Did you notice that there were flowers growing only on your side of the path? That's because, knowing about your flaw I planted flower seeds only on your side. Every day as we walk back you water them. For 2years I’ve been able to pick beautiful flowers to decorate my home. Without being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house”.

A challenge many people face is they focus excessively on their flaws, “I couldn’t be a top instructor, I can’t do kata like he can, or I can’t motivate people the way she can”. Guess what? At one time we were all average karate-ka and terrible public speakers. Besides, there is so much more to being a successful Instructor than good karate and public speaking skills, and you may posses many of these qualities in spades! What’s the point of having super-sharp karate if you’re not personable, have an out of proportion ego or don’t have a good eye for detail? If you only focus on your cracks you’re doomed. If instead you appreciate that you have strengths and cracks, then you can plant some flower seeds along your path and turn your cracks into additional strengths.

I was a Regional Instructor at 20 years of age. I worried many of my ‘elder’ part-time instructors might think my youth was a crack. So I studied karate history, trivia, etc. I fed them so much knowledge most of them thought I was years older than I was.

What if your crack is a lousy memory and you struggle to remember finer points of teaching kata, Japanese terminology etc? You could realize that you’re not built for this, or simply study harder, even write down notes after senior classes while information is still fresh in your mind. Discipline could turn your weakness into strength and the acquired habit of discipline would serve you well in your work life.

What if your crack is having so many responsibilities; kids, mortgage payments, a separate personal business etc? Well you could realize that the present time isn’t right for you to reach your karate potential, or you could develop skills such as time-management and budgeting – both skills that would serve you well in life.

Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace won World Karate Titles with a crippled leg – quite a crack! Rather than focusing excessively on his crack, he focused on making his good leg unstoppable! This is your choice to make every day, dwell on your cracks and be blinded by them, or realize you have strengths and cracks, being thankful of your strengths and planting seeds to turn your cracks into more strengths.


Sensei Anthony Ryan


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Being a GKR Instructor


I remember the day I became a branch instructor many years ago back in Canberra Australia. I was so excited to qualify, plus I was also taking over the very class I started my training in. The thrill of being invited to attend senior classes then awarded my instructor belt I was on cloud nine. These memories got me thinking and I thought it was important to put this article together to remind us about our responsibilities and challenges we all face as instructors.

Back then, I was not full time with the club so trying to juggle my work hours and karate hours became a weekly challenge. To teach one night (for some it’s two nights) and train at senior class one night does eat up your time each week. However this is the commitment that’s required if we are to achieve the following result.
• To continue to progress as karate-ka
• To continue to progress as karate instructors
• To teach and develop the students we are in charge of.

Work can and does get in the way of your training at times (which is no fault of yours), it’s just one of those life challenges. In order to teach you need to be able to attend senior class each week. Of course, if from time to time you can’t attend due to work then that’s fine so long as you let your instructor know what’s going on. If you find your schedule means you can’t make senior class each week then it could mean you can’t teach anymore. This has no reflection on you; it’s a matter of circumstance. Your reasons for teaching in the first place would be to teach others and move them forward and you can’t do this if you yourself can’t improve your personal karate and teaching skills on a weekly basis. I summarise it by, ‘if you really want what’s best for your students, then they need you to be getting up to date training and information’.

As an instructor you are a valued member of the GKR team and with teaching should come many benefits, such as being able to attend the best classes, free training, gradings, seminars etc. Believe it or not you also benefit from improved communication and personal skills. If you are unsure as to what your responsibilities are and all the benefits you receive, it’s vital you sit down with your instructor and ask. Your time as an instructor should be a very rewarding one.

What I ask is that you never loose sight as to why you became an instructor and why you continue to volunteer your time for the greater good of others and yourself. Always remember you have a great support group from those above you and next to you. Many great friendships are born on a Tuesday / Thursday night senior class. GKR is a family club and you are now are part of the GKR family.


Sensei Jason Wright
Senior Zone Instructor, UK