YouTube Video: Technical Seminar in Königs Wusterhausen (September 27/28, 2025)

Below is a direct YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK providing some 'subtle brief reminders' (for the participants at my first Technical Seminar in Königs Wusterhausen on September 27th and 28th of 2025).

Hosted by Jan Gebhardt Sensei (6th Dan), Iris Gebhart (4th Dan) and the KEIKO-DOJO, the seminar was titled by the organizers as 'THE SPIRIT OF BUDO INTERNATIONAL KARATE SEMINAR'. Here is a direct link to the Keiko Dojo Website: Workout und Fitness | Keiko Dojo - Schule für Kampfkunst & Bewegung

Besides the organizers, I'd like to thank all of the participating karateka and hope that this informal video will remind you of some of the key points that I taught. 

In these regards I'd also like to thank Oliver SCHÖMBURG Sensei for his filming. A professionally filmed version (with great artistry, top level equipment and high resolution) will be uploaded on this channel soon. Here is a direct link to his channel, and I'll provide a direct link from my blog later when it is released:  olliwaa - YouTube 

Already there is an upload of the kata 'NIJUHAPPO' on his channel. It was the kata performed slowly at the very end of the seminar. I will be sending written notes on Nijuhappo to Jan Sensei and Iris Sensei, to share with all attendees of the seminar.

Please note, the version of Nijuhappo I taught was the 'Asai Shihan Version', which differs from the rendition practiced by the SKIF. The version we have is closer to the Chinese/Okinawan form. That is by no means claiming a superior rendition, but merely to clarify that it has many differences. 

Lastly, I want to wish everyone the best from IKS (International Karate Shotokan) SOHONBU DOJO, here in Oita City, Kyushu, JAPAN.

ありがとうございました

押忍!

アンドレ 

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

その場基本 (SONOBA-KIHON) of the JKA Instructors Course in the late 1950s and early 1960s

After the downing impact, sweep, take-down or throw, make a true KIMEWAZA.

Below is a typical その場基本 (SONOBA-KIHON) of the JKA Instructors Course in the late 1950s and early 1960s. For those unfamiliar with this term ‘Sonoba-kihon’ is “…practicing the foundational techniques on the spot, as opposed to ‘traveling across the practice area with your technique(s).”

Instructors such as Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei, Nakamura Masamitsu Sensei and Abe Keigo Sensei, all personally told me that this routine—or something very close to it—was how every session began. 

Moreover, that they often did 100+ repetitions of each waza on a daily basis!

Don’t worry! For those of you "envisaging" to try this routine—but know such training would be—(a) physically too much; and/or (b) your basic form would be compromised — I advocate a simple way to overcome these hurdles.

IKS Shodan Kihon

My advice as a professional karate instructor is: ‘WHY NOT TRAIN IN A MANAGEABLE WAY?’ I even say this when I coach All-Japan and World Champions.

Why not only do 10 reps of each technique? Or even just six reps? But each repetition as perfect and sharp as possible!? MANAGEABLE QUALITY!!! 

Or even, slow and light with precision, and with low reps?


Build up to doing a couple of repetitions with maximum explosiveness, but without compromising basic form.

YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU DON'T MAKE IT TOO HARD FOR YOU!!!

Training Sonoba-Kihon, in such a way, will build up your technical skill, speed and strength—mitigating the risk of injury and grooving bad habits into your karate.

OK, to wrap up: Here's the SONOBA-KIHON routine... Best wishes from Oita City, Japan.

その場基本

自然体 (八字立ち)、左縦手刀中段構え

Shizentai (Hachiji-dachi), Hidari tateshuto chudan kamae

1.  中段直突き (Chudan choku-zuki)

2.  上段直突き (Jodan choku-zuki)

3.  ニ本連突き (Nihon ren-zuki)

4.  三本連突き(Sanbon ren-zuki)

閉足立ち、下段掻き分け構え

Heisoku-dachi, Gedan kakiwake kamae

5.  中段前蹴り蹴り上げ (Chudan mae-geri keage)

6.  上段前蹴り蹴り上げ (Jodan mae-geri keage)

Gankaku

左前屈立ち、左縦手刀中段構え

Hidari zenkutsu-dachi, Hidari tateshuto chudan kamae

7.  右中段逆突き (Migi chudan gyaku-zuki)

Hangetsu

Enpi

右前屈立ち、右縦手刀中段構え

Migi zenkutsu-dachi, Migi tateshuto chudan kamae

Jion

8.  左中段逆突き (Hidari chudan gyaku-zuki)

左前屈立ち、右中段逆突き構え

Hidari zenkutsu-dachi, Migi chudan gyaku-zuki kamae

9.  左上段刻み突きから右中段逆突き (Hidari jodan kizami-zuki kara migi chudan gyaku-zuki)

Nijushiho

右前屈立ち、左中段逆突き構え

Migi zenkutsu-dachi, Hidari chudan gyaku-zuki kamae

10. 右上段刻み突きから左中段逆突き

Migi jodan kizami-zuki kara hidari chudan gyaku-zuki

左前屈立ち、下段掻き分け構え

Hidari zenkutsu-dachi, Gedan kakiwake kamae

11. 右中段前蹴り蹴り上げ (Migi chudan mae-geri keage)

右前屈立ち、下段掻き分け構え

Migi zenkutsu-dachi, Gedan kakiwake kamae

12. 左中段前蹴り蹴り上げ (Hidari chudan mae-geri keage)

左前屈立ち、下段掻き分け構え

Hidari zenkutsu-dachi, Gedan kakiwake kamae

13. 右上段前蹴り蹴り上げ (Migi jodan mae-geri keage)

右前屈立ち、下段掻き分け構え

Migi zenkutsu-dachi, Gedan kakiwake kamae

14. 左上段前蹴り蹴り上げ (Hidari jodan mae-geri keage)

騎馬立ち、左縦手刀中段構え

15.  中段直突き (Chudan choku-zuki)

Nijuhappo (Koryu Nipai)

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

NEVER THINK: "I AM GOOD AT KARATE"

As a professional full-time karate instructor in Japan, my job includes my own self-training, for two-hours, every day. This doesn't mean that I always practice intensively but, rather, in a way which maximizes my technical and physical goals. In this brief article, I want to share my mentality in my daily training.

As an instructor, QUALITY is paramount. And THE ONLY WAY TO ACHIEVE THIS IS... 

BY NEVER THINKING "I AM GOOD AT KARATE".

Such thinking is absolutely counterproductive for on-going skill development. Actually, it's worse that: it is "GAME-OVER".

In 100% honesty, "I AM NEVER SATISFIED WITH MY SKILL, EVER!" Instead, I'm constantly hunting to improve each and every day in my practice. GOAL ORIENTATED, MONITORING, EVALUATING and re-assessing.

No emotion/feelings... No pride... Just self-honesty and focus.

My image of TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE is from my personal training from Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei, Nakamura Masamitsu Sensei, Osaka Yoshiharu Sensei, and other greats.

I'll never be as good as these masters, but that doesn't matter, because they've personally shown me the amazing heights that can be attained. I also share this when I teach others here in Japan, and all around the world

To conclude, here are some images from my self-training today. INSPIRED BY THE AIM OF ONE DAY "BEING OKAY AT KARATE".

To reiterate, even if this is not achieved ("being okay at karate"), I know my improvement is constant, and that's most important thing. 

押忍!!

アンドレ  

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).