KANSHA

Here's just a quick post, really speaking a reflection, summing up my thoughts about completing a degree at the University of Canterbury—in relation to my karate training; supplementary fitness work which has been slightly neglected biannually; and most importantly to me—my kansha (appreciation) of those who have supported me through my university degree. I end with some conclusive thoughts, which relate back to the psychological and sociological underpinnings of karatedo (in a traditional Japanese sense). Please excuse my subtitled approach; however, I decided to write this post freely without concern for structure. Osu, André

Since I just completed my final test I will begin by reflecting on my training "around exam times" - at the end of each university semester... Again, these are my random self-observations.

Karate never sacrificed for university study: While my karate technical training has never suffered, at times my fitness slightly has, due to all the time needed to research for university assignments, study for exams etcetera. Nevertheless, my daily karate training has naturally kept my base fitness, especially pertaining to the execution of karate itself.

A slight reduction of endurance work: The slight decline in my fitness has been the reduction of additional endurance training, which has suffered at the end of each semester (to avoid sacrificing vital study time). This has been interesting, as it has shown me how my “body reacts” when not undertaking endurance training for a few weeks. Fascinatingly, this reaction was not as bad as I thought: which perhaps illustrates the likes of muscle memory?

University degree finished: Finally, this sacrifice of my endurance training twice a year (yes, it sounds comical now) is no longer required with my degree completed. Needless to say, this sacrifice was of course very worthwhile! Besides completing a degree at the University of Canterbury, it has helped me as a teacher and instructor; shown me how I could readily transfer the discipline of karate to study and constantly achieve high grades (for the young people, who read my blog, – please take note of this); and has also been an achievement outside of my karate, which, after 32 years of karate training, I felt I needed.  

Away from these self-observations I want to offer my thanks to those who have supported me on my university journey...

A big “Thank you”: Of course, just like training, achievements aren’t just our own. They come from love and support from family, friends and yes, my students also. I’d like to use this opportunity to thank some awesome people and express my kansha here. My wife Mizuho, mum (Denise), dad (Tom), mother-in-law and father-in-law (Masato and Emiko), grandmother – “93 years old who still drives” (Gladys), brothers and sisters (Tom, Terry, Lisa and Denise), other family here in NZ and in the US, all my karate students and seniors here in New Zealand and around the world, Lyall Sensei and the guys at JKA (Japan Karate Association) Christchurch, all of great lecturers and tutors at the University of Canterbury, and very-very special thanks to Geoff and Jan...

So where to now? Well, a big change is coming and my karate is being amped up with increased endurance training again… Yesterday it was fitness work with Matt Brew Sensei (3^rd Dan) at Addington School. Nonetheless, It will take a few weeks before my fitness is back to 100%, but things are now well on the way. It is strange not having to complete any assignments or exams, but it is nice to just go for a run and do calisthenics without having any deadlines to meet. My next phase in my university study will be part-time, so now it is just a case of considering “what I will be researching?” and “how can this research contribute towards my profession?” Karate-wise, this means that my study will never hinder my endurance training again. So again, this makes the biannual sacrifice of this fitness (during my time at the University of Canterbury) now seem very trivial!

To all my readers around the world, I hope this post finds you all healthy and enjoying your lives to the maximum; moreover, using your karate training as one of your vehicles to do this. Irrespective of the challenges one has to face, the art and discipline of traditional Karate-Do is a very powerful asset for one’s life; furthermore, it helps us to better appreciate others. I have no doubt that there is a connection between reigi-saho, kansha and inner-strength, which helps us to transcend our personal limits and support others in doing this as well. Osu, André.

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2013).  

Andre Bertel South Africa 2013 (Video two)

Here is `video two' of the karate classes I taught in South Africa earlier this year. These clips, like the others are `little reminders' for those who have attended my classes, seminars and gasshuku. Clips from the official `open seminars' in South Africa will be uploaded soon; furthermore, a number of Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu technical articles. Osu, André

SOUTH AFRICA PART ONE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVww-IUx0Fw

SOUTH AFRICA PART THREE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RzkBfDJMJWI

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2013).

Andre Bertel South Africa 2013 (Video three)

This is part three of my karate classes in South Africa, part one is already on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVww-IUx0Fw). Part two (which has yet to be uploaded), and the official weekend seminar, will be online very soon. This slow process has been a direct result of my busy schedule at the University of Canterbury, which will continue until mid-June. Before I sign off, I'd just like to mention that I loved teaching this class and so much enjoyed the children's efforts and "very big smiles". They tried so hard and are passionate about traditional Shotokan Karate.

 

I hope to see them again in the future and that they continue to study Karate-Do.

 

 Osu, Andre

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2013).

Updated schedule for prospective hosts

 

UPDATE: From June 11th, I'm available for private lessons and seminars nationwide in New Zealand. However, these seminars must be booked via andrebertelono@gmail.com

 

I am booked on Friday the 7th of June. Then from June the 20th to 27th Mizuho and I are in Melbourne, Australia. After the 27th of June I'll be available again, but only in New Zealand (up to the 3rd of August). Thanks and apologies for the invitations to Brazil, Israel, Egypt, UK and Russia -- which I am unable to do this year. Of course, I want to conduct courses everywhere, but sometimes it is impossible to schedule. Irrespective of this, I am deeply honoured to be receiving such invitations. Osu!

 

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2013).

Busy at the University of Canterbury

Sorry for my lack of posts, my workload at the University of Canterbury has been pretty extreme, but soon over…

 My target is to keep within the "A-A+ range", so I am doing the hard yards, but will have to see what happens...

Anyway, once I wrap this degree (in mid-June) I will post several articles and videos. So stay tuned for these! 

Until then, in addition to my assignments, I will continue to focus on my Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu training and supporting JKA Christchurch (www.jkachristchurch.blogspot.com).

 
 Osu, André

 © André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2013).

Andre Bertel South Africa 2013 (Video one)

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2013).

Is self-training in karate really essential?

I sometimes get asked whether or not self-practice in karate is really essential.

 

To answer this, I ask people “If one attends university lectures but does not study outside of class, can they expect to pass their assessments and benefit long-term from the material they are being taught?” Unambiguously, going to the dojo and training with others is utterly essential; nevertheless, this must irrefutably be supplemented by one’s own practice: in order to groove learning and skill refinement into the subconscious.

 

Using the analogy of university study again, I treat my study the same as karate, that is, I give it 100%. Anything less is cheating oneself. My thinking is that we don't need to be the best, but rather, to push our limits and become the best we can be. The battle is always with oneself... Correspondingly, this is how martial arts practice benefits other domains of one's life.

Taken as a whole, self-training in karate-do is not only important... It is imperative!

 

OSU, André.

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2013).

Visitor from Australia

JKA Christchurch had a guest from Australia this week, Rebecca Hann (2nd Dan), who attended the two general classes at CPIT. On the second session, I was invited by Lyall Sensei as a guest instructor, so I covered the basics of Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu; namely, koshi no kaiten (hip rotation), tai no shinshuku (the compression and expansion of the body) and junansei (softness). The kata Heian-nidan, Heian-godan and Tekki-shodan were practiced, some light jiyu-kumite, as well as a variation on Heian-shodan. All in all, the emphasis of the class was on developing a foundation for ichigeiki-hissatsu - the essence of karate technique; that is, to develop the ability to down an attacker with a single blow.

 Rebecca was very polite and keen to train so I'd like to wish her all the best with her karate-do back in Australia. Here are some photos from tonights session. Osu, André.

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2013).

New Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club website

Here is a link to the new Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club homepage: www.jkachristchurch.blogspot.com

 

The club has recently affiliated to the Japan Karate Association through Zel Unkovich Sensei (www.jkaauckland.co.nz). For those interested in studying at the dojo you can email the clubs chief instructor, Lyall Stone Sensei, at: christchurchshotokan@hotmail.com.

 

Osu, André Bertel

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2013).

My Current Training Regime

My current self-training is focused on koshi no kaiten, tai no shinshuku and waza no kankyu. Nevertheless, due to all my university work (just like this time last year) I feel my stamina is a little down. Irrespective of this, explosiveness is up... An interesting point to ponder, which well correlates with my knowledge of biomechanics and physiology. I'm hinting at balance here... Enough said, I'll now leave you with my current
regime. Osu, André.

Kihon –

1.    Kizami-zuki kara sanbon ren-zuki (Jiyu-dachi)

2.    Jodan age-uke kara chudan soto-uke soshite chudan gyaku-zuki

3.    Chudan uchi-uke (kokutsu-dachi) kara kizami-zuki soshite chudan gyaku-zuki

4.    Chudan shuto-uke (kokutsu-dachi) kara kizami mae-geri soshite nukite

5.    Ippo sagatte jodan age-uke kara mawashi-geri, uraken-uchi soshite chudan oi-zuki

6.    Ren-geri: Mae-geri kara yoko-kekomi, mawashi-geri soshite chudan gyaku-zuki

 

7.   Ren-geri: Mae-geri kara yoko-kekomi (same leg) soshite gyaku-zuki

8.    Sonoba ren-geri: Mae-geri kara yoko-kekomi soshite ushiro-geri (same leg)

KATA: Heian, Tekki-shodan, Bassai-Dai, Kanku-Dai, Empi, Jion & Gojushiho-Dai

KUMITE: Jokyu gohon kumite

  

"The beauty of karate-do is its unveiling of our weaknesses and its pressuring of us to strive forward to overcome these. As we overcome our weaknesses, more arise to challenge us. Consequently, a true karateka can only by humbled and, from this, develop their character".

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2013).