This morning in Class Sensai Sandra talked about Pushing the lines of your Comfort zone, not only in karate but every aspect in your life. But talking in a karate circumstance like this morning, Sensai Sandra led us through some very high intensive high speed basics and kata’s, it was hot, sweaty and sticky,  what you do is push through it keep going at your best ability, don’t worry if your techniques are off target or you feel as though your all over the place and nothing is working, just keep going, keep pushing and if you can do that you expand your abilities and your expectations of yourself expand. There is obviously times to relax and be comfortable and then expand outside your limits, if you can keep this going you will always be moving forward in life, you will grow and change and expand. The challenge is to not only be out of your comfort zone when other people are pushing you, but learn to push yourself out of your comfort zone as well, just like self discipline learn to be able to do it to yourself and that way you can grow faster and in your own time.

I found today I was pushing through all the hotness and fatigue, I tried to set an example so I could help the people around me to not give up and to push through it with me, so they could look to me and share my spirit and energy with me.

I like to think I’ve always done this since I’ve been doing karate, I remember always looking to the more advanced belts and tried to do what they was doing following by there example, I think that helped me get to where I am today not just in karate but my life outside of karate as well.

1st Morning Class of 2017

It has been two weeks off from regular training classes, and it sure is good to be back in the dojo. Training started early at 6am, which is a change for me as I don’t normally do the morning sessions (I am not an early riser). The focus on this morning’s class was mainly kihons (basics). Doing kihons after a two week break is a great way to get the cobwebs out. Even a short break from regular training I can find myself a bit out of sorts, but by the end of the lesson things were feeling familiar again. As a welcome surprise I was presented with my 1st Dan black belt and certificate by Sensei Martin, having been sent all the way from Kumamoto, Japan by Soke Sensei.

1st Evening Class of 2017

The 6 to 8 pm class is where you will normally find me most days. Training at dusk suits my schedule and it usually has cooled down by then (not tonight though). There was a good turn out of students in the class, and a good spread of belt colours. We did the majority of the class in groups or with partners, with a focus on using our reach for the first part of the class. Reach is important for a couple of reasons, first it will give you maximum distance in the least amount of time. It also helps with not coming within range of your opponent. To achieve maximum reach, good posture and turning of the hips is very important. The latter part of the class we were focusing on getting our left and right sides of the body to work together in unison. Especially looking at the pull back to finish at the same time as the punch, by going through many different kata. Sensei Martin asked us to look at two things from other’s kata; observe one thing that they did really well and try to incorporate it into our own kata, and one thing that needs improvement and see if we are also needing improvement in the same area. It was a great first day back and I am looking forward to the consistent training over the next two weeks.

So was a great start to the two week intensive, was great to see so may people there for the first morning class of the week hopefully everyone keeps up the great work. Was a nice intensive class to start off with. Cant wait for the afternoon session!

A bit about me and training scholarship

Hi, I am Sam Hunt and I am one of three participants going for the 2017 training scholarship in Japan. My karate journey started just over three years ago, never being involved in any martial arts before. I will be turning 30 this year and I feel that after achieving my First Dan black belt only a few months ago, my best karate is ahead of me. I will using the two week training intensive to get back into the swing of things. Updates will be provided via this blog to share my learnings and what motivates me to train every day.

I cant believe the 2 week intensive is starting tomorrow. been waiting for it for a while now. I’m so keen on learning so many new things in the upcoming weeks and probably doing lots of hard work and sweating, what a great way to start the year. I shall see everyone at the 6:00 am start tomorrow morning.