Stafford Shotokan Karate

Catch all the highlights of the Pressure point session on the YouTube vid below.

Stafford Shotokan Karate 2 likes. "Pressure point training highlights"

Great session with Peter Holmes from Immortal 365, working on pressure points and looking at a different perspective for karate. SSK would just like to once again, thank Peter for his time.

SSK are happy to announce that on Wednesday 15th April, Peter Holmes from Immortal 365 will be coming down to demonstrate Pressure point defense training.

This session will Be for SSK Members ONLY! and will be in the adult session at 19:30 - 21: 00 / 21:30.

Training will include background knowledge of where vital Pressure points are located on the body, how to activate them.

Demonstrations of pressure point techniques, how to apply them to kata and also talks about online safety.

If you fancy watching but not participating you are more than welcome to attend.

For More information about this session please speak to the SSK Black Belts.

Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris (March 10, 1940 – March 19, 2026) was an American martial artist, actor, screenwriter, and author. He held black belts in karate, taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and judo. After serving in the United States Air Force, he won numerous martial arts championships and later founded his own discipline, Chun K*k Do.

Chuck Norris Style (founder)
American Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do (Moo Duk Kwan)
Taekwondo
Karate
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Judo

Rank
10th degree black belt Chuck Norris System/Chun K*k Do
10th degree black belt American Tang Soo Do
8th degree black belt Taekwondo
8th degree black belt Kyokushin Budokai
5th degree black belt in Karate
3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Black belt in Judo

Not everybody who starts karate knows what type of karate they are doing, let alone know what they want to achieve from karate.

Some children join as they want to be the next ninja turtle or power ranger, or because it is a good after school activity to do. Some adults join for the weekly social aspect or for improving their fitness.

But then, you have the rare few that know exactly what they want. They are the students that want to become a black belt. It is those students that begin their journey at the bottom of the karate mountain. However, these students are now faced with a difficult decision.

In front of them at the base of the mountain are two signs. The left one says quick path and has an arrow pointing straight up estimated time 1 year.

The sign on the right says long path and points to the right where there are winding stairs going around the mountain and says estimated time 3 – 5 years.



What path would you choose?

In today’s world people no longer have patience and expect results quickly no matter what, and many believe that by paying for something they should receive something back in return very quickly.

Unfortunately, this is not the way of karate. Just because you pay for something does not necessarily mean you are going to get what you paid for.

There are many karate clubs out there that teach for business purposes, or for voluntary purposes. Some clubs will charge extortionate prices for lessons, suits, gradings and equipment and so on, allowing you to move very quickly up the mountain, as you have paid for that privilege.

So it is possible that for those that decide to take the route on the left and head straight up the mountain, like a rock climber, will at some point reach the top and get their black belt. It is at this point that the student now believes that they are invincible, they tell everybody that they are a black belt and how good they are, and as there is nothing else to learn and they do not want to teach, they stop training.

At some point in their life, just like the mountain climber, they will fall. They will eventually run into a confrontation and end up being put in their place making them feel embarrassed and re-evaluating what had happened. But it is also possible that they may just get to back safely and never have any issues after.

For the student that decides to take the path on the right and walk around the mountain to the top, is it possible that they have time to absorb what they have been taught and ask questions evaluating on the way round, before reaching their next check point (criteria or grading).

Just because they have decided to take the long path does not necessarily mean that they too at some point will fall. But it is how you evaluate what has happened and learn to adapt to move forward that will eventually carry you to the top.



So, what happens at the top of the mountain?

The student that took the quickest way to the top, believes they are a black belt, and they know everything there is in karate, although truthfully, they are just at the top of the brown belt level and the very bottom of the black belt ladder, but even standing at the top of the mountain they can’t see what is awaiting up ahead.

For the student that took the long way to the top, they appreciate the reward more of earning that black belt, and upon there journey they have had time to reflect and evaluate. They know there is more to learn but they are not sure what that is. That is when they understand the mountain is actually a volcano.

The volcano then erupts forcing you back to the bottom of this mountain. The ash and rocks that are expelled through the air landing at your feet and all over the mountain become the new elements of karate that you never knew existed as they have been hidden lying dormant until now. It is these elements that can now be explored.

As you move up the mountain / volcano again you start to understand these new and advanced techniques and you start to link them with what you have already learnt and adapt them to other aspects of karate.

So, think about what path you want to choose and how long you want to take, remember it will take your whole life to learn karate and even then, you never stop learning.

The Tiger Scroll
When searching karate on the internet you will come across the iconic symbol for Shotokan karate and this is easily recognisable. The Shotokan symbol comprises of a three elements. An image of a tiger that is enclosed in a circle with kanji in the top right corner.

The term “Toro No Maki” translates into “master text” or “scroll” and this was developed by a friend of one of Gichin Funakoshi’s students by the name of Hoan Kusugi. The characters in the top right corner of the Shotokan symbol represent the initials of the artist Hoan Kusugi.

It was believed that Hoan Kusugi was a massive influence in the beginning of Funakoshi’s karate life and Hoan persuaded Funakoshi to write a definitive text on the art of karate.

Tiger Scroll Logo
Once Funakoshi had completed his text Kusugi was to print the cover for his book. As the word Toro also means tiger, a tiger was printed for the cover and the birth of the Shotokan tiger had begun.

The Shotokan tiger first appeared on a book that Gichin Funakoshi wrote called Ryukyu Kempo: Tode back in 1922. You may know this book now as Karate-Do Kyohan.

Today many Shotokan karate clubs honour this symbol its history and use the Shotokan tiger to distinguish their dojo from others.

However, the JKA (Japan Karate Association do not adopt this image and still insist on using the Inyo as their primary symbol for Shotokan karate.

The SSK Christmas tree has now been decorated and is ready to view at St Mary's Church from the 4th - 10th December. Thanks to all those that decorated babules and to Hayley Sarah and Steve for decorating it.

What the colour belts mean from white to black


Have you ever wondered why we have coloured belts?

The Obi (belt) is not just meant to indicate progression in karate or guide you on where to stand in line. Each belt colour holds its own symbolism and significance.

The Obi represents more than just a colour; it embodies your journey and growth in karate.


White Belt (Shiro Obi) 9th – 6th Kyu

The white belt is your first belt on your karate journey. All though this belt comes with your Gi, you still need to earn this grade.

White is the beginning, (9th Kyu)
White with one red stripe either side (8th Kyu) represents purity.
White with two red stirpes either side (7th Kyu) represents innocence.
White with three red stripes either side (6th Kyu) represents open mindedness.

White is your foundation colour, and all basics need to be developed before progressing onwards.

Yellow Belt (Ki Obi) 5th Kyu

The yellow belt signifies a meaningful milestone in the learning journey. It symbolizes the first rays of sunlight that illuminate the student. It represents the initial progress in acquiring fundamental knowledge and understanding of core karate techniques.

This level indicates that you are now halfway to achieving your black belt.

Orange Belt (Daidaiiro Obi) 4th Kyu

The orange belt symbolizes ongoing growth and development. It reflects the warmth and energy of the sun as the student advances in their learning and skill refinement. This colour signifies consistent progress and a deeper comprehension of fundamental techniques.

Green Belt (Midori Obi) 3rd Kyu

The green belt represents growth and harmony. It embodies the natural progression of development, signifying a practitioner’s advancement and blossoming in their karate practice. This level indicates an intermediate stage, where students start to master more complex techniques and deepen their understanding of their applications.

Blue Belt (Ao Obi) 2nd Kyu

The blue belt symbolizes the sky and tranquillity, representing the growth of knowledge and understanding. At this stage, students develop advanced skills and they learn how to apply them with increased precision and control, recognizing that the potential of their techniques is as boundless as the sky.

Brown Belt (Chairo Obi) 1st Kyu

The brown belt signifies maturity and consolidation. It represents and symbolizes the earth, At this stage, the practitioner has attained a high level of technical proficiency and rooted in their form. they are focused on refining their skills and deepening their understanding of karate.

Black Belt (Kuro Obi) 1st Dan

The black belt signifies a high level of proficiency and the completion of a comprehensive learning cycle within the karate curriculum. However, this belt also marks the start of an ongoing journey of continuous improvement and development. The black belt embodies deep knowledge, a sense of responsibility, Pride and a dedicated commitment to the practice of karate.

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