'BEST SUIT'

 A critical ‘key to success’ in karate is for individuals to find what ‘best suits’ themselves. No Sensei in the world, past or present can entirely guide others in these regards. Only each individual can do for this: irrespective of style or art. Therefore, my policy, as an instructor, is to train others to seriously 'seek what best suits' them and practice/train accordingly. This requires a lot of self-honesty, an open-mind, discipline and, often, thick skin. 

I’d like to add here that I’m not patronizing others but, rather, encouraging them to ‘find their own karate’ and, in this way, maximize their individual potential. Moreover, “…to continue doing this as they age and naturally change through time”. In this way, one’s karate will literally keep improving and enhancing one’s life in multiple domains.

 

One of my senior Japanese trainees suffered a severe back injury from an automobile accident. This injury has, and probably permanently, limited his practice of the kata (plural) and the techniques he can do. Actually, in a strange way the back injury has helped him to become 'a specialist'. Moreover, it has forced him to find the ‘best fit’ for himself. I had the same thing with a terrible back injury in the late eighties and knee injury in 1996. Isn’t that ironic. Injuries, illness and 'wear and tear' are tough but can in fact revolutionize one's karate!

 

Needless to say, these are merely a few examples. But I could say the same thing about numerous other karateka who have aged, had other injuries, battled illnesses, or just psychologically evolved as they’ve travelled through their life. These karateka have sought to find what ‘best suits’ them and “…their skill has evolved and transcended the masses”.

 

Think of it like two people separately lost in a large forest. One has a compass, and one doesn’t. Who would you prefer to be with, if finding you way out was a matter of life or death? Not constantly seeking the karate ‘that best suits yourself’ means that you will eventually be just walking around in metaphorical circles. Perhaps you will make incremental gains here and there, but it will be impossible to reach your maximum potential. Interestingly, many high-level karateka come to me to help them back on this budo path; furthermore, this always underpins any technical training that I give. Referencing this point and introducing waza, kata and applications provides a 'blank slate' to really move forward and make measurable improvements. This is why trainees always return. THEY LITERALLY GET BETTER! MUCH BETTER!!!

 

To conclude, in regard to the application of karate, (and directly related to this topic) always take heed that, “You cannot expect anyone else to protect you if you are attacked”. Accordingly, if high-level budo karate is your aim, inherently you must maximize your potential “…by constantly seeking, practicing and training what ‘best suits YOU”.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2023).