2018 Summary and Links

To summarise, here are direct links to each month of posts this year followed by the content in these months for convenient navigation.

 JANUARY 2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/01/

Article 1 - あけましておめでとうございます.
Article 2 - Strong seiken (fore-fists) and shuto (sword hands).

FEBRUARY 2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/02/

Article 3 - MA 間.
Article 4 - The single most important 'training point' of true karate.
Article 5 - Video Links.
Article 6 - 2018 Seminar in Germany: A NEW INTERNATIONAL STANDARD WILL BE SET.

MARCH 2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/03/

Article 7 - Fabio and Alexia from Paris.
Aricle 8 - Special Kata Practice.
Article 9 - Why 'CHUDAN' so much? A bigger picture.
Article 10 - http://olliwaa.com/andre-bertels-karate/.
Article 11 - Newspaper article.
Article 12 - Bob McCallum Shihan.

APRIL 2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/04/

Article 13 - Sakura in full bloom: The first training of April.
Article 14 - Andrea and Torsten Return to Oita.
Article 15 - Video: KAKUYOKU NIDAN KATA.
Article 16 - 2018 SEMINAR IN 'KARATE AKTUELL'.



MAY  2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Article 17 - Trainee from Australia: David Rush Sensei (4th Dan).
Article 18 - Two days of training in Kumamoto City.
Article 19 - Kakuyoku.
Article 20 - WHERE KARATE SITS WITHIN THE MARTIAL ARTS: THE BIG PICTURE.

JUNE  2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/06/

Article 21 - Trainee from Switzerland: Christa Lehman.

Article 22 - 11th Anniversary of this blog.

Article 23 - Mae-geri keage.

JULY 2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/07/

Article 24 - Halle GERMANY SEMINAR 2018 (Part 1).
Article 25 - Halle GERMANY SEMINAR 2018 (Part 2).
Article 26 - Halle GERMANY SEMINAR 2018 (Part 3).
Article 27 - South Africa Seminar 2019.


AUGUST  2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/08/

Article 28 - Kita Kyushu Training.
Article 29 - Ryu Ko Kaku.
Article 30 - Today marks the 12th Anniversary of Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei's passing.
Article 31 - SEMINAR, Dresden, GERMANY (March 2019) - VENUE UPDATED.
Article 32 - Start with Jion, end with Jion.
Article 33 - New videos from Halle Seminar (2018).
Article 34 - Updated Self-Training Regime.

SEPTEMBER  2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/09/

Article 35 - Konishi Sensei visits Oita.



OCTOBER  2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/10/

Article 36 - MASSIVE TECHNICAL BREAKTHROUGH.
Article 37 - Technical variations matter for universal/generic application.
Article 38 - What kata do I teach outside of the standard 26 (not including Hyakuhachiho).
Article 39 - 常行一勢～五勢 (Joko Issei ~ Gosei).

NOVEMBER  2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/11/

Article 40 - REVISION.
Article 41 - UPDATES.
Article 42 - The next step will lift to a higher level.
Article 43 - OSAKA YOSHIHARU SENSEI SEMINAR: 2018 (PART ONE).
Article 44 - OSAKA YOSHIHARU SENSEI SEMINAR: 2018 (PART TWO).

DECEMBER  2018：http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2018/12/

Article 45 - OSAKA YOSHIHARU SENSEI SEMINAR: 2018 (PART THREE).
Article 46 - Wrapping up 2018 and some RECOVERY ADVICE.

For previous years articles (2007-2017) please follow the appropriate links on the right `sidebar`. Furthermore, to access past videos on YouTube, here is a direct link to the blogs official YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/andrebertel

VERY BIG THINGS TO COME IN 2019!!!

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2018).

Wrapping up 2018 and some RECOVERY ADVICE

浪手 (Roshu Kata).

The conclusion of my training this year came the earliest ever, December 24th, as I needed to have surgery (pre-planned and unrelated to my karate training) on the 25th. This also means I will return to the dojo relatively late in the New Year (January 8th, 2019), which is also a first for me in over 25 years. The surgery was successfully completed yesterday, so now I just need to stay in the hospital, for approximately four more days. After that, I've been told that I'll be fully recovered in two weeks. 

鶴翼初段 (Kakuyoku Shodan Kata).

As planned, a long time ago, this time in hospital and recovery will give me a valuable opportunity to reflect; and indeed, do some planning, research and writing in preparation for the New Year  and beyond. In case you are wondering about my fitness, especially, the impact of a couple of weeks 'off training!!!' Well, after nearly 38 years of karate training, I am very experienced with injuries and recovery (although this will be the longest break so far). Right up to the day before surgery I have supplemented my daily karate training and conditioning work with an additional cardio fitness routine. As a result, my resting pulse/heart rate on the day of the operation was 40 BPM (Beats per minute), which according to the doctors is up there with well trained endurance athletes in their prime. Certainly, I'm not old, but I'm still in my 40s. Quick advice here, for recovery irrespective of age, and not just talk... "Always create a buffer: fitness, flexibility, explosive power and agility". The average persons pulse is between 60-70 beats per minute. Check yours, and aim to get fitter. Why not make that a goal in the New Year? Always aim to be the best you can be!! 

My blood pressure and pulse as a result of surgery preparation. Slightly better than usual due to the 'extra training'.

Happy New Year to everyone. I really hope this blog has provided something of use for your personal Karate Journey this year. Stay tuned for 2019. It is going to be a very exciting year. Osu, Andre.

© Andre Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2018)

OSAKA YOSHIHARU SENSEI SEMINAR: November 2018 (PART THREE)

After another excellent three hour seminar, under the masterful guidance of Osaka Yoshiharu Sensei, I was given a private training. Here is some video footage from that. Osu, Andre.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2018).