Szczecin , Poland Seminar 2026: PART TWO — (YOUTUBE VIDEO)

If you have already read the Generic Report: here’s a direct link to ‘Part One’.

Below is a direct link to  ‘Part Two’: the YouTube video. As always, comments—especially from those who participated—are always very welcome.

Please note: Comments, likes and shares literally motivate me to upload more content onto the channel.

BEST WISHES AND POSITIVE ENERGY FROM JAPAN!!!

押忍

André Bertel

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Szczecin , Poland Seminar 2026: PART ONE — (Brief Overview)

The 2nd Seminar in Szczecin, Poland, was held on May 16th and 17th, 2026.

Once again hosted by ‘Klub KaratePomerania Szczecin’:

https://karateklub.szczecin.pl

I was graciously taken care of by Paweł Karpow Sensei, Arsenij Karpow Sensei and Olga Karpow; furthermore, the members and supporters of the dojo.

Besides Karateka from Poland, practitioners from Italy, Turkey,  Germany, Czech Republic, France and England attended.


基本 (KIHON): My focus was on improving the participants “…natural energy via柔軟性 (Junansei) ‘softness’; 地面飯力 (Jimenhanryoku) ‘ground reaction force’; and 重力 (Juryoku) ‘gravity’”.


This, as always incorporated 転身技 (Tenshin-Waza), which were largely introduced into mainstream Shotokan by my teacher, Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei. Needless to say, these techniques and exercises enhance skill in balance, 腰の回転 (Koshi no kaiten) and so on. What’s more, they are particularly effective for defenses/attacks to the side and rear.


型 (KATA): By special request from Paweł Sensei, I taught 鶴翼二段 (Kakuyoku Nidan) kata, which he already practices, but wished to investigate more deeply. Accordingly, besides the solo kata itself, 分解 (Bunkai) and 応用 (Oyo) we’re well covered.


In all three Kakuyoku kata it is essential to maximize the ‘cranes wings’ actions, especially in regards to the use of the shoulders and elbows. Also, repeating myself from past articles here, but the “Kakuyoku” was a samurai battlefield strategy.

Insofar as 組手 (KUMITE) is concerned, I’m continuing on my mission to teach “…the Ma’ai of  Jissen-Kumite”; that is, “to always execute techniques from the distance to cause maximum damage. Aspects of the trained kata and Kihon were seamlessly incorporated here.

Overall, the seminar was a great success and professionally organized. It was also great to see the karateka who’ve really improved since last year. This is a joy for me as an instructor. Outside of the trainings I was very well looked after by Paweł Sensei and Arsenij Sensei, so I’m very appreciative of their kind hospitality.

Stay tuned, I will post some video footage soon.

押忍

André Bertel

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

姿勢と柔軟性

姿勢と柔軟性 (SHISEI TO JUNANSEI) literally translates as ‘Posture and softness/flexibility’.

Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei always greatly stressed these two aspects to me; furthermore, that they influence each other. Consequently, they are of great importance in the IKS (International Karatedo Shotokan).

While I could cover any number of karate-waza, 前蹴り蹴上げ (Mae-geri keage)  vividly highlights the harmony between one’s ‘shisei’ and ‘junansei’. This is simply because the posture is very easy to analyze.

Before that I’d like to, in layman’s terms, establish what is meant by 'Shisei' (Posture) and 'Junansei' (Softness/Flexibility).


姿勢 (SHISEI)

The baseline or reference point for all postures in Karate-Dō is the vertical and horizontal alignment of: (1) the pelvis/hips; (2) back; and (3) head/neck. Please note, this is imperative in ‘foundational karate’; however, as insinuated before, is merely the main point of reference, which means deviations are natural and critical for the optimal instinctive responses in self-defense.


柔軟性 (JUNANSEI)

This is being in a state of muscular relaxation, to remain flexible, light, speedy and adaptable. In particular, this requires avoiding conscious use of the muscles and, instead, primarily focusing on using the joints (thereby, only utilizing the muscles required to make any given movement). This requires that one maximally employs 締め (Shime) to make "...the loading of techniques as compact as possible".


So, how do these two aspects harmonize or, for that matter, negativity influence each other? This was well investigated by Nakayama Masatoshi Sensei and expanded on by mentor, Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei.


Let’s return to Mae-geri keage as a case study.

The usual stationary practice in classical Shōtōkan-Ryu is to stand in heisoku-dachi and zenkutsu-dachi (both with gedan kakiwake-gamae).


However, today please consider standing in renoji-dachi, but still with with gedan kakiwake-gamae.


Firstly, Try a ‘strong kick’ from this position with the rear leg. The application of conscious muscular force will firstly result in a comparatively slow and stiff kick, also a shorter kicking action. But that’s not all.

It is also weaker, more telegraphed, less smooth, and here’s the one: disrupts your posture.

Next, try to concentrate on maintaining perfect posture. Play special attention to face/head/neck not moving. As the picture shows this is not easy, when the kick is executed at high speed, and especially when fatigue sets in: after many repetitions.


Raise the kicking knee as high and tightly as possible, and lightly/speedily whip the leg out, back and back to the floor.


If you: (a) remain deeply relaxed; (b) have  kakato-chushin with your weight on the heel of the sasae-ashi; and (c), your posture is not influenced, your kick will be very effective, as it will be faster, smoother, more flexible, be more adaptable, have more impact, have a bigger scale, be 100% harder to be read by your opponent, and will not waste energy.


What’s interesting about this, if you concentrate on relaxation and just keeping your face set, you will immediately feel the connection. It’s as if facia also comes into play.


Conclusive remarks

High level budo karate preserves 古流武術技 (koryu bujutsu-waza)—old school bujutsu techniques. This is underpinned by harmoniously utilizing “…softness, natural energy and postural awareness” to generate explosive impact power.


Asai Sensei always taught me, this is like the Chinese seven jointed, the nunchaku and his favorite weapon, the kusarigama.
Brute muscular force is therefore not only inferior and unsophisticated, but also a barrier stopping high-level development.



I’d like to briefly mention about the 'psychology of precise posture and being in a state of relaxation'. It also greatly increases one's situational awareness and, therefore, 'reactivity'. Thus, muscular tension not only results in a physical fight against oneself, but it also results in the mental state of what is loosely termed ‘tunnel vision’.


To conclude, as we get older ‘hard karate’ is not only bad for the body, but also unsustainable for on-going improvement. In fact, it will result in regression. However, even for young people in their physical prime, ‘hard karate’ will greatly limit their skill development. This is because the term ‘hard karate’ is misleading. The real term for hard karate is actually ‘incorrect karate’.

We must keep in mind Newton’s Second Law…

F = ma (Force = mass x acceleration)

押忍！

                        André                          

           

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Renshusei from Vlijmen, Netherlands: Alex Hermans

Alex Hermans (6th Dan) came for his second RENSHUSEI TRAINING here in
 Oita.


Training over ten days (for two hours each day).


By Alex’s request I covered the key aspects of Budo Karate Kihon, primarily the use of relaxation and snap, ground power, various ways of using the hip, the contaction and expansion of the body, and so forth.


Many kata were practiced, but most deeply worked on were:


順路 (Junro) for improving kihon;


半月 (Hangetsu) his tokuigata for Dan Examination;

水手 (Suishu), 波手 (Roshu) and 火手 (Roushu) for utilizing/applying ‘natural energy’; and


舞鶴大 (Maizuru Dai) by Alex’s request, via my Technical Seminar in Freital, Germany earlier this year.

The key point here is that both BUNKAI (Analysis) and OYO (Applications) were intensively covered, which is a strong trait of the IKS.

For kumite, I focused on Budo Karate ‘maai’ and hitting from angles which blindside the opponent. This ‘unpredictability’ was at the heart of Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei’s karate.

In sum, I’d like to congratulate Alex on his efforts. He has immensely improved from last year, and during this Renshusei, I saw him improve much more again!


Looking forward to seeing you again Alex!


押忍!!!

©︎ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

2026 South African Renshusei: PART TWO (YouTube Video)

 Please note that this is just a brief video overviewing the Renshusei Training to provide subtle reminders of key points.

For those wishing to apply for the Renshusei Program contact us via the following email: 

iksjapanhq@gmail.com

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

2026 South African Renshusei: PART ONE (Overview and Images)

Wesley Dyssel Sensei (5th Dan) and his students from his dojo in Pretoria (www.kimekarate.co.za) came for IKS RENSHUSEI TRAINING here with me in Oita City.

Students from his dojo were:

Lesego Mabe (2nd Dan)

Sherilee Knox (3rd Dan)

John Kuhn (4th Dan)

Also, it was absolutely fantastic to have Jody Young Sensei (6th Dan) again, who is presently based in Canada. Needless to say, it was Jody Sensei and Wesley Sensei's second time here as Renshusei.

Overall, it was a wonderful time of high-level technical training and fabulous camaraderie.

The focus was on IKS Budo Karate in Kihon and Kamite; furthermore, the kata 舞鶴大 (Maizuru Dai) was trained in-depth. However, I will leave it there!

 

Accordingly, a brief video—subtlety reviewing the key points of the trainings—will be released on YouTube soon.

Lastly, I'd again like to thank and congratulate Wesley Sensei, Jody Sensei, John, Sherilee and Lesego for their studiousness, and wonderful spirit. Also, my deepest thanks to Jody Sensei. I deeply value all of your friendships and your Karate-Do.

OSU! – AB

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

OFFICIAL FREITAL, GERMANY 2026 VIDEO: Martial Arts Media

 The OFFICIAL SEMINAR video is now available on YOUTUBE.

Please subscribe to Martial Arts Media if you want to see more content.

Freital, Germany Seminar 2026: PART THREE - YouTube VIDEO TWO

 This second video footage, from the Freital 2026 Seminar, is courtesy of Oliver Schömburg.

He gave me permission to use a few clips from his footage; however, stay tuned for a very professional rendition (with many-many other features). 

This will posted on his top-class YouTube Channel: OLLIWAA 

Until then be sure to check out his other videos

Here's a direct link if you haven't subscribed! 

https://www.youtube.com/@olliwaa

About this short and VERY SIMPLE video ... It is basically conveying some key points, of which, I hope assists those who attended the 2026 Freital Seminar. Especially when the event is still fresh in the minds of the participants.

Again, I'd like to thank Oliver very much, and are also really looking forward to seeing the official footage on his channel in the near future. Needless to say, I will also post a link here on my blog.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Renshusei from Loxstedt (Niedersachsen), Germany (Part 2): YOUTUBE VIDEO

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Renshusei from Loxstedt (Niedersachsen), Germany (PART 1): Written Overview

Joshua Block (2nd Dan), Stefan Kurkowski (2nd Dan), Niklas Rudolph (1st Kyu) and Fabian Wolf (1st Kyu) came for two days as a 練習生 (Renshusei/Trainees). Their hometown of Loxstedt is located near Bremerhaven and Bremen.

It was the second time for Joshua to be a Renshusei here in Oita, but the first time for Stefan, Fabian and Niklas.

Based on their technical requests, I establised that 地面反力 (Jimenhanryoku), 腰の回転 (Koshi no kaiten) and 体の伸縮 (Tai no shinshuku) were the focal points they were seeking to better understand and improve.

Accordingly, I decided to primarily utilize 基本一本組手 (Kihon Ippon Kumite) as “Kihon training” to address the aforementioned three aspects; furthermore, practice basic 間合い (Maai). To expand on this, and to bridge to freestyle, 自由一本組手 (Jiyu Ippon Kumite) was also practiced.

Kata covered included 慈恩 (Jion), 壯鎭 (Sochin), and a requested  review of both 波手 (Roushu) and 舞鶴大 (Maizuru Dai), which they’ve learned at my seminars in Europe.

Like for other Renshusei participants, the focus was not on hard physical training, but on traditional ‘Budo Shotokan’ technical development; that is, boosted karate skill development and knowledge.

Our Renshusei Training Program here is now recognized all over Japan as extremely high level for instructors, elite athletes and any karateka seeking to really improve their karate technique. Applications to be a Renshusei must be made via email to: iksjapanhq@gmail.com

To conclude, I’d like to thank Joshua, Stefan, Fabian and Niklas for their efforts whilst here in the dojo. We also had many fun times outside of training as well. I wish all four of you the very best and hope to meet you again in the future.

 

押忍!

André

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).