new students of both sexes always welcome Since my humble beginnings back in the early seventies with the so called “ kung fu boom “ and the Bruce Lee era I have wondered why we put ourselves through the pain of training our minds and bodies week after week, year after year. in those early years the training was more brutal and far less scientific than today, if you could walk properly and did not
ache from head to toe you were not doing karate! I suppose we all train for a myriad of reasons, mostly my students first started for the same reason I did, self defence. over the years I have come across big egos, belt chasers, and parents and some students who all believed they knew more about karate than their sensei/coach. you have to ask yourself the logic then in bothering to train with that sensei, since they know more what could they be taught? The answer to my question personally is that I have always enjoyed both training/coaching karate. I believe in being honest with yourself and others is important,you must practice what you believe and believe what you practice. I have never thought that I cannot improve,and I constantly strive to better my martial arts ability, hopefully teaching my students to be the best they can be through training in the martial arts. many people believe the trick is to find a good instructor/coach and train with an open mind, the Chinese call this the empty cup. also set yourself realistic goals, above all enjoy your training. generally over the years I have learnt if something feels right stick with it, if it does not feel right it generally is not, never be afraid of change many things in the martial arts are not given you have to seek the knowledge along the way. many people have said to me I used to do karate, do not be a quitter, good luck with your training. Tom Carruthers 7th Dan
