Lyons karate club

Karate ni sente nashi. " There is no first attack". Is there a more misunderstood, misquoted phrase in karate circles?
We would all like to live in some zen-like , Holywood style version of life in which we are the sage going through life dispensing justice to the obviously deserving evil criminal type.
Firstly, you have to be willing to use violence to defend yourself. Most people are not at that stage. Secondly, you have to be able to recognise and willing to act upon the signs of aggression before you are attacked. Even less people are at this stage. It is vitally important. Not just for you, but it is also a way of ' helping ' your assailant.
So signs of aggression:- Agitation, shouting, encroaching on your personal space, kicking the ground/objects, hands raised above to waist, change in skin colour, repetitive phrases etc. Experience with aggression and violence have taught me that the earlier you intervene, the better the outcome for you and for them. Escalation means increased levels of violence and violent response.
Some of it is pretty obvious. If someone tells you they are going to pull your f**king head off, its probably sensible to nip it in the bud! If I was going to hit you, I would not give you the slightest hint it was going to happen!
Learning restraint technique or quick finishers is actually an ethical thing to do and certainly far less risky than waiting to be hit.
So karate ni sente nashi is about intent. We never look for trouble, we actively avoid, de-escalate, diffuse and run away. If none of that is either working or possible, we strike pre-emptively using reasonable force. This is a far more accurate if more nuanced interpretation.

A reminder, and sempai Kevin will be reinforcing this in class, that wearing of full gi is mandatory in class unless I have specifically given permission in hot weather that the whole class can wear a tshirt and or shorts. Only new students should be turning up without a gi.
This is about correct etiquette and discipline. If I can press my gi before class, so can the rest of you.

Last night's class concentrated on kicks. Specifically the difference between Yoko-geri keage and kekomi and the importance of form and balance and tension in the ankle.
After practice against pads we moved on to the opening sequence from kata Nijushiho and its emphasis on preventing your assailant from gaining the initiative.
Great work from everyone and good to see the return of some of our adult students.

Recent gradings have seen a drop in both those eligible to grade and in the standard of those participating, resulting in more temporary or failed gradings.
As instructors we of course re-examine our own teaching methods and seek to address any failings. However, the main reason we see this is simply a lack of discipline. Not enforced discipline but self-discipline.
Martial arts are complex, difficult and require focus. Many times over the years i have not felt like training but have turned up anyway. I treated it like going to work. My reasoning behind this is that if I am training for self-defence, my attacker is hardly going to care how I am feeling, either mentally or physically. " Oi ! What the f #×k are you looking at? I'll smash your face in!" Me: "Sorry mate , I don't feel in the mood for this today" "Aww ok mate....shall we try again next week?"
Not happening. Equally as a parent, if you allow your kids to quit when it gets difficult, you are teaching them a life lesson. If a child is genuinely not enjoying training then of course they should stop, but if its because its becoming more difficult, its important to support them over what just be a hump. This teaches them to set goals and push through difficulties making them more confident and resilient individuals.
So, there may be areas we as instructors need to improve on but if you are honest with yourself, are you prioritising everything else over your training? Is this something you do in life? Comfort over results? Excuses over ownership? Life boils down to actions and consequences. Let's set some goals together..and stick to them.
I am 66 years old, I have systemic arthritis and need a new knee. I am in the gym 3 days a week and on the treadmill the other 3 days with a recent return to heavy bag and makiwara. I can find endless excuses. I just choose not to.

W are holding gradings this Thursday so if you are not invited to grade, there will be no class ( 20th August).
Those of you attempting your next belt, gradings will start prompt 6.00pm. You MUST be at the dojo by 5.45 to present your licence and grading fee of £15.00. If your licence is out of date you will not be grading!
You must be properly attired in full gi, no tshirts or shorts are permitted.
Good luck to all attempting grading.

Martial arts in general, especially in the media and movies are mostly depicted as militaristic, gung-ho and flashily violent.
Of course this is a one dimensional view of a complex subject but even taken at face value, imagine practicing for twenty, thirty, forty years for a scenario that never happens?
What a waste of time.
Of course, practicing martial arts is a many faceted , enriching experience and the benefits are many fold. For me the most enjoyable aspects are the people we meet along the way and if by coming together we can contribute to society through supporting charities and deeping our students knowledge, making them healthier and happier ; then that is the essence of karate . Just focusing on violence produces thugs. Sharing experiences, finding " your tribe" and installing self discipline makes a positive contribution to your community and is my real motivation.

Answers to karate FAQs
No, you do not need to be fit to start karate.
No, its not like Cobra Kai! 🙄
No, you won't be forced to compete in tournaments.
No, you don't need to register your hands as lethal weapons with the local police 🤣

If you meet someone who says they train in karate ,suddenly shrieking like a constipated Bruce Lee and randomly slicing the air with your hands may get you a punch in the throat!
Announcing you also have a blackbelt ( its holding up your trousers) is neither original nor funny and may get the same reaction as the epileptic Bruce Lee performance 😉
Now we have established we have a sense of humour; get yourself along to Lyons karate. Its fun, healthy, life-affirming and has far too many benefits to list here. In a lifetime of dubious decisions, decide on karate and buck the trend!

Only 3 weeks to gradings. If you've not been attending classes, you cant expect to grade!
For those first timers you need your grading fee, licence and you must wear a full gi ( no tshirts etc. )
If you are unsure whether you are grading or not please see me in class to discuss.

There seems to be a mistaken belief in class that a full gi is somehow optional. Students are frequently turning up in tshirt and shorts with an obi badly tied around their waists and this is simply not acceptable.
I will let you all know if weather is so extreme thst you can wear a tshirt but do not randomly turn up in civvies in future. It is not just disrespectful, it shows poor discipline.
I can also assure you all that should the weather be 100° in the shade and you turn up for gradings improperly dressed, you will be turned away.