Sensei Says

"We must be careful not to overlook the fact that kata, and the body positions that comprise them, are just templates of a sort; it is their application in combat which needs to be mastered."

"Train with both heart and soul without worrying about theory. Very often a person who lacks the quality of deadly seriousness will take refuge in theory”.
-Gichin Funakoshi

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. 

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. 

- Theodore Roosevelt.

I was asked one day: what is your profession? And I replied, ' I teach martial arts. The response I received surprised me, and after some chuckles and listening to a few comments on what an easy profession that must be, I, with my head high, said firmly: 

I don't work in a company, but in a space where I promote knowledge and discipline in children, young people and adults.

I don't discriminate anyone because everyone is capable.

I'm not a boss, but others see me as a leader or a model to follow.

I'm not a psychologist, but I can make everyone believe in themselves.

I'm not a doctor, but I can diagnose needs and help.

I don't have hours of work, because while you watch tv or sleep, I'm planning for everyone to have better learning.

I'm not an architect, but I help build dreams and values.

I don't scold anyone, I teach them the way to succeed in difficult times of life.

I don't use clay, but mould virtues.

It wasn't easy to get here, it wasn't just years of practice. It was days of the week and weekends without family, skills, hard training and injuries. All this to become alone in a mirror... that is also fragile, who also learns, who makes mistakes and suffers.

I'm an instructor - I don't just teach, I share a little of life and share my knowledge. 

Whatever you do, do it with the love and affection

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- Sensei