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I’ve been sent numerous emails asking for video links of my karate. While these links are not everything freely available on the internet, there are a significant number here. Irrespective of this, as I wrote in an article earlier this month “karate is a work in process”, so for me, these videos are naturally disappointing—Karate-Do is path of constantly moving forward—as Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei always said “today must be better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today.” 
Keigo Abe Sensei conduct two seminars in Christchurch on the 5th & 6th of May 2012.
How can anyone who practices karate-do think they are “great”? It is impossible if one has an honest view of themselves. Irrespective of competitive wins, tenure, rank and other accolades, Karate-Do is always about “where to next?” Intrinsically, the Japanese concept of ‘Do’ (way or path) does not imply a destination, only a journey.Now, my approach to karate now is far better because of ‘balance’ and ‘self-honesty’. The combination of these attributes motivates practice through `step-by-step’ technical improvement, the construction of constant challenges, and the occasional truck stop where long-term goals are reached; nevertheless, the contemplation of oneself being “great” can never be a part of this equation. Overall, the idea of ‘gre
at’ to me is a dead end… Train well and enjoy your improvements, but the only thing, that is great in Karate-Do, is the thought of “Where to next with your practice?” That truly is great! Osu, André.
© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2012).
On Thursday night I enjoyed participating in one of Hanshi Renzie Hanham’s black belt classes (at the Seido Shibu on Barbadoes Street, in the Christchurch CBD). It was super to catch up with the Kyoshi Ellen Hampson and Sensei Tony Cope both of whom I haven’t seen in 20 years! Also, I was honoured to meet many other senior club instructors and fellow karateka. Many thanks to Kyoshi Harry for the ride and the beverages after class.
In addition to training in the general class at the Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club 
(CPIT dojo) here is the current instructors class training. Please note: the exception of the tokui-gata, which of course dependent on the individual.
soshite chudan gyaku-zuki; (4) Chudan shuto-uke (kokutsu-dachi) kara mae-ashi mae-geri soshite nukite; (5) Chudan uchi-uke kara kizami-zuki soshite gyaku-zuki; (6) Tenshin gyaku-zuki (Kaiten-shinagara gedan-barai kara chudan gyaku-zuki); (7) Ren-geri: Chudan mae-ashi mae-geri kara mae-geri; (8) Chudan mae-ashi mawashi-geri kara mawashi-geri; (9) Ushiro-geri; & (10) Yoko-keage ashi o kaete yoko-kekomi (kiba-dachi). – A minimum of 10 reps of every technique with maximum speed.IV. Kumite: (a) Jiyu ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, mae-geri, yoko-kekomi, mawashi-geri & ushiro-geri); & (b) Kaeshi ippon kumite (as per jiyu-ippon kumite attacks). – Changing partners at least three times for both forms of kumite.
V. Kata: Presently tokui-gata ‘Unsu’ and general training of the 15 shitei-gata (Heian, Tekki, Junro, Bassai-Dai, Kanku-Dai, Empi & Jion). – Generally speaking three kata are practiced each day (three times with regular speed and twice slowly).
VI. Calisthenics: Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu kihon taiso and the typical impact work. The sessions are concluded with isometric stretches and a variety of comprehensive warm downs.
© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2012).
Matthew Brew Sensei (3rd Dan) has returned the dojo after more than a decade in Tokyo. 
is now teaching Luke karate-do and has him in the beginners class at the Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club.© André Bertel. Christchurch, New 
Zealand (2012).
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to establish that many of the techniques, movements and positions in karate are clearly not directly transferable for self-defence; however, everything has a purpose and can be readily traced back to a critical aspect of combat. Clearly, such an obscure comment has little weight as "anything" could potentially be related. Nevertheless, this is where intention/focus of one's training comes in.
From this perspective, the classical stances and techniques (such as those depicted) can serve to either improve the body and range of motion, and specific principles/applications for self-defence, or set us up with more things we can't use in reality. 
Shulman (2005) states that “Habit makes novelty tolerable and surprise sufferable. The well-masked habit shifts new learning into our zones of proximal development, transforming the impossible into merely difficult” (p. 56). 
