Hombu dojo of 
Shorin-Ryu Karate
    U. S. A.

Teaching is Learning

When I first entered the Midtown Karate Dojo I did not realize that I was about to embark on a life-long journey and join a society whose foundations can be traced back many centuries to great Karate masters.  These masters of self defense have developed a system of techniques performed in geometric patterns called Kata that can only be absorbed by the practitioner through time, training and repetition with guidance from those who have been training for longer periods of time. 

In addition, through their wisdom and foresight they have created self-guiding principles to teach respect for each other, our Sensei, as well as for our kata; they instill upon us humility to further teach us our way in a self defensive way the essence of Karate-do.

Teaching is learning and all new endeavors are similar to wearing a white belt again.  When I first received Sho-Dan I was excited and felt I had reached an important milestone in my life.  But really I was preparing to start again only this time at a different cognitive level.  I had been taught the basic techniques, the flowing movements and the importance of being rooted as well as having a strong foundation.  I believe now is the time to think about the techniques being used in the kata and to pull out the essence of their meaning from the creator and the practitioner of kata. 

When I first entered the Midtown Karate Dojo I did not realize that I was about to embark on a life-long journey and join a society whose foundations can be traced back many centuries to great Karate masters.  These masters of self defense have developed a system of techniques performed in geometric patterns called Kata that can only be absorbed by the practitioner through time, training and repetition with guidance from those who have been training for longer periods of time. 

In addition, through their wisdom and foresight they have created self-guiding principles to teach respect for each other, our Sensei, as well as for our kata; they instill upon us humility to further teach us our way in a self defensive way the essence of Karate-do.

Teaching is learning and all new endeavors are similar to wearing a white belt again.  When I first received Sho-Dan I was excited and felt I had reached an important milestone in my life.  But really I was preparing to start again only this time at a different cognitive level.  I had been taught the basic techniques, the flowing movements and the importance of being rooted as well as having a strong foundation.  I believe now is the time to think about the techniques being used in the kata and to pull out the essence of their meaning from the creator and the practitioner of kata.