There are few things in life that can really mess with your head, however, being in Higaonna Senseis' dojo and realising that you might be responsible for the dojo kun (in Japanese) is certainly one of them. This was my last opportunity to train in Okinawa and it was already roasting when I arrived. Today … Continue reading Dojo Kun- Day 11
Category: Okinawa October 17
Karate gold… Day 10
It's not often you get walked home after a night out by Higaonna Sensei, Nakamura Sensei, Sensei Linda and most of the IOGKF delegation from Denmark. OK so they were just going home and my apartment happened to be on the way... but what an end to the day... As the days here winds down, … Continue reading Karate gold… Day 10
There is no point if you don’t inspire others…Day 9
The people where I am staying in Okinawa are lovely, they say good morning when they see me head to the dojo and when I am on the return and soaked in sweat they often have a bottle of water for me. I see them walk away sometimes laughing and sometimes they seem to be … Continue reading There is no point if you don’t inspire others…Day 9
Emotional times…Day 7/8
It has been a packed few days. Okinawa does that... you land and think you have ages and ages and then suddenly it's down to the last few days. The dojo has thinned out as all the super duper grades are now at the chief instructors gasshuku in the Karate Kaiken. To keep the focus … Continue reading Emotional times…Day 7/8
Very busy now…Day 6
You can get all sorts of things here that I have not easily seen in the UK. One that I tried last night was this foot 'patch' that was supposed to pull out all the toxins etc. I decided last night was the time to try it and to say I was sceptical is putting … Continue reading Very busy now…Day 6
Goya Champuru-Day 5
It's probably because I am old, but there are not many circumstances where I would get home from training, wash, and then head out... albeit only as far as the café but all the same. At home, if I get home it's shower and generally fall asleep on the couch, or straight to bed. Not … Continue reading Goya Champuru-Day 5
Being true-Day 4
We are all a product of our decisions... which is a really stupid way to start a blog and is, to my mind, such a hackney saying. In any case today was incredible. To the degree that I am now back in the apartment and shattered. Furthermore, despite its huge highlights brought many thoughts to … Continue reading Being true-Day 4
Busy… Day 3
The jet lag is finally starting to abate and I made it to 04:30 this morning before I was wide awake and ready to go! Kokubo Sensei was in the dojo when I arrived just before 09:00 and it looked as if he had done a fair amount of training at that stage. Morning training is … Continue reading Busy… Day 3
Lessons learned… Day 2
I arrived into today at 04:00, totally awake and ready to go... the transition from UK time is still a challenge at the moment. No relaxing, stretching or drinking of peppermint tea was going to allow me to get those vial extra hours of sleep, until an hour before I had to get up. Sensei … Continue reading Lessons learned… Day 2
Don’t fall over… Day 1 Okinawa.
Yesterday I arrived to Okinawa... It always feels great to come here, the stress and hassle of 'normal' life seems to dissipate along with most of your body fluid... After getting some supplies in, a quick nap, it was off to Higaonna Senseis' dojo for the first training of the trip. To say I was excited … Continue reading Don’t fall over… Day 1 Okinawa.
