Why is it imperative to develop one’s ‘OWN KARATE’?

Kanku Sho Kata.

An aspect of karate, which is often not addressed optimally in people’s training, is the development of one’s own karate.

Sonkyo no mae-geri.

Obviously at Kyu level, Shodan and even Nidan, developing precise and strong ‘standard karate’ is the prime focus… However, at some stage, after passing Nidan, one needs to “…utilize standard karate kihon—as a reference point/baseline—and moderate their karate from there”. That is, to personalize their karate in order to optimize effectiveness.

Kakuyoku Nidan Kata

This is also for one’s health. Certain techniques are bad for certain body types, with particular health conditions, and so forth.

Kakuyoku Sandan Kata.

In the IKS, we not only encourage but require Dan candidates (above Shodan) to structure their training in accordance with their individuality. While this perhaps sounds revolutionary and modern, it is actually “the traditional way”. It was karate’s long held methodology: prior to the organizational power structures, which have now been in place since the mid 20th Century. Furthermore, this greatly expanded post 1989.


There are two obvious benefits of this more traditional “way”… Firstly, one maximizes their effectiveness and technical precision. Secondly, they do so in harmony with their physical attributes; thus, practices in a way which safely improves the body as opposed to harming it.


I’ll give you a concrete example. I had one Japanese black belt trainee who could do a perfect classical mawashi-geri in form. However, surprisingly, he told me it was painful for him. He asked me “what should I do?” I rhetorically asked him, “do you need this waza?”

Basic mae-geri keage practice. 

He said “Yes, an essential Shotokan waza”. I then said to him, “We both do Shotokan, but we are not Shotokan, only practitioners of it”. In sum, Shotokan is the vehicle, not the destination.


Of course, I’m 100% Shotokan, but this must be understood and trained accordingly if people want to maximize their individual potential.


If something is hindering you—‘in the vehicle’—and you’re long enough on your journey: reassess and, if needed, remove it.


This, of course, includes techniques which are damaging your body (like the aforementioned karateka with mawashi-geri).


I encourage senior grades to develop karate which maximizes their individual strengths and eradicates the weaknesses. This also protects their health; in particular, that of the musculoskeletal system.

Self-training: May 1st, 2025.

Good health and optimal training!!

押忍、アンドレ

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