written by sensei Brian George (3rd Dan)
VOLUME 2: Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5 Issue 6 Issue 7 Issue 8 Issue 9
ISSUE 10
Newsletter date April 2000
Here are 20 views that Gichin Funakoshi had towards Karate.
1) Never forget that Karate begins and ends with respect.
2) There is know 1st attack in Karate
3) Karate fosters righteousness
4) First know yourself, and then know others.
5) Rather than physical technique, mental technique.
6) Let your mind roam freely.
7) Inattention and neglect causes misfortune.
8) Never think that Karate is only practised in the dojo.
9) Karate is a lifelong pursuit.
10) Everything you encounter is an aspect of karate: find the marvellous truth there.
11) Karate is like boiling water, if you do not keep the flame high, it turns tepid.
12) Do not think about winning: think about not losing
13) Respond in accordance to your opponent.
14) Wage the battle with natural strategy.
15) Regard your hands and feet as sharp swords.
16) Step out the door and face 10,000 foes.
17) Learn various stances as a beginner, but then rely on a natural posture.
18) The kata must always be practised correctly: real combat is another matter.
19) Never forget your own strengths and weaknesses, the limitations of your body, and the relative quality of your techniques.
20) Continually polish your mind.
As you know we introduced new methods of training with the hope that this would help the student to understand more about what you were doing. This was done by giving you specific sessions for specific tasks i.e.. Basics separated from kata. Unfortunately this has not been very successful. It has therefor been decided that we revert back to the original training methods. You will train with the three main area's in mind
BASICS
KUMITE
KATA
This method will be backed up with the introduction of a "workbook". The workbook will be there to assist you with your training only and not be used as your own progress manual. Your sensei will decide when you will move from one syllabus to another.
This will only be achieved by your hard work and dedication to the art you have chosen to practice. You will be told how the workbook works for you and that each section of each syllabus must be signed by one of your sensei's before you move on.
This will help you understand that you have the required knowledge on each technique you are taught.
