Squaring the Circle

 Squaring the Circle

A conventional way of thinking about karate is through its three core components:

• Kihon
• Kata
• Kumite

When learned correctly and in balance, these can be imagined as three circles merging into a single circle — a complete technical system of karate.

But karate, when approached holistically, is more than this. Around that central circle sits a wider package of benefits that emerge when the art is used with intention. This broader dimension can be represented as a square fitting neatly around the circle, containing elements such as:

• Philosophy
• Health
• Fitness
• Sociability

How much these matter depends on the level at which you choose to engage with karate.

For me, when I first started, it was the health and sociability aspects that drew me in — both as a way of managing specific medical conditions and as a shared hobby with my son. In fact, karate was recommended to me on medical grounds by my doctor.

During COVID, the health dimension came sharply into focus. It wasn’t just about physical well being anymore; it became a matter of mental resilience. Like many people with underlying conditions, I had to confront the stark realities of risk and uncertainty. As part of my Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I began using kata as structured anchors, assigning one kata each to:

• Mindfulness
• Tensioning and Relaxing
• Breathing

I wrote about this in more detail in

Mindfulness, Tensioning, Breathing and Relaxing (with PJ Broomy):

That period kept my practice alive, but it also created a blind spot. When I returned to the dojo last year, it became clear that while my technique had survived, my stamina had not. This was confirmed during the grading exam I took after my return — something I reflected on in:

Do You Want It? Come and Earn It…

A recent two‑hour lesson on the bo reinforced the point. It also reminded me that bo work — especially when combined with simple exercises like walking — is an excellent way to rebuild stamina. I already had a jo, a toothpick bo, and a full‑weight bo at home. During Covid, I had even stitched together the six bo kihon we are taught into a compact kata suitable for limited space, which I wrote about here:

Kobudo and the H‑Embusen

So I’ve now added a fourth element to my personal practice by resurrecting that simple bo kata. I don’t expect to regain the stamina I had in 2020 — I was 59 then, and one of my conditions is progressive — but I’m confident this will once again be “what the doctor ordered” at my next health review.

This gives my karate‑for‑health model four pillars:

• Mindfulness
• Tensioning and Relaxing
• Breathing
• Stamina

If we return to the earlier metaphor, these four elements sit neatly on the four sides of the square surrounding the technical circle. Together, they form a complete picture of what karate has become for me: not just a martial art, but a structured system for maintaining health, resilience, and balance — one that adapts with me as life changes.

Thanks for Reading,
Robert Young
24/03/2026

Exploring Mawashi Uke: A Circular Block with Hidden Depth

In our dojo, the students were recently set a simple but valuable challenge: research a different uke technique and demonstrate it in class. I chose to explore Mawashi Uke — the circular-style block often associated with Goju Ryu — and to look at how it can be applied in practical self‑defence. My son helped me demonstrate the variations in the accompanying video.

Although Mawashi Uke isn’t native to my own style, Shorin Ryu, it appears in several Okinawan systems. In Goju Ryu it forms part of the foundational kata Sanchin, while in our Shorin Ryu kata Naihanchi it is often interpreted as an outside block followed by a double block. But when you look more closely at the mechanics, the movement reveals a much richer application.

To show how deeply the technique is embedded within Goju‑ryu, it can be found from Sanchin, through Tensho, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Seipai, Kururunfa, all the way to the most advanced kata, Suparinpei.

Beyond Blocking: The “Parry Pass” Concept

Rather than thinking of Mawashi Uke as a static block, it becomes far more effective when viewed as a “parry–pass” sequence:

·         The first hand parries the incoming strike.

·         The second hand passes or sweeps the attacking arm outward, taking control of it.

This two‑stage motion redirects energy, disrupts balance, and creates immediate openings. When combined with a quarter turn of the body, the technique extends the aggressor’s arm and exposes their back — a position that offers multiple follow‑ups.

Specific Techniques Demonstrated

The specific techniques I demonstrated were variations on this parry–pass and quarter‑turn principle. These included: a Pass Parry with a quarter turn into an arm bar applied by the parrying arm, followed by a kick to the head and a drag‑rotate motion on the arm to perform a drag‑down; a Pass Parry and quarter turn into an arm bar or shoulder control, followed by a stomping kick to the rear of the knee; and finally, a Parry Pass with a quarter turn into arm extension and shoulder control, stepping in front with the leg closest to the opponent before pushing down on the back of the head and dragging the arm to execute a throw over that leg.

See the Technique in Action

For those who prefer to see the movements demonstrated, the full video is available here:

Mawashi Uke - Circular Block

The video follows the same structure as this article, showing the Sanchin and Naihanchi interpretations, the parry–pass mechanism, and the three applied examples.

Why This Exploration Matters

Cross‑training concepts like Mawashi Uke helps deepen our understanding of kata, body mechanics, and the shared roots of Okinawan karate. Even when a technique isn’t central to our own style, studying it expands our options and sharpens our ability to interpret movement under pressure.

Thank you for reading.

REY 25/02/2026

Acts of Habitual Violence

Violence rarely arrives as a surprise. It builds in small, predictable steps — the same steps I was taught to recognise first as a security officer, and later, from a very different angle, in karate. What struck me over the years wasn’t the difference between those worlds, but how closely their principles overlap when things start to escalate.

The SIA approach to potentially violent situations was simple and structured:

• Avoid
• Call for backup
• Try to de‑escalate any situation (non‑verbal cues and talking)
• If it escalates, be aware of the laws of self‑defence
• Only act in self‑defence as a last resort, if you can’t walk away and backup doesn’t arrive

Years later, when I took up karate for health reasons, I was struck by how familiar the material felt. Different environment, different purpose — but the same underlying logic:

• Awareness
• Avoidance
• De‑escalation
• Distraction and escape
• Awareness of the laws of self‑defence
• If you believe a threat exists, make sure people around you know you are the victim
• Attack, disable, escape

One thing that was usually not taught to trainee security officers, however, was how to act in self‑defence if it became unavoidable. Proportionality was discussed, but the physical “how” was left largely untouched.

In the style of karate I study (Shorin Ryu), as well as in other Okinawan systems, realistic responses to potential real‑world situations form a fair part of the syllabus. Recently, a friend of mine posed a scenario online to see what responses people from different backgrounds would offer.

The replies were enlightening. The principles of avoidance, engagement, and legal awareness were almost universal. What surprised me more — though perhaps it shouldn’t have — was how similar the physical responses were across styles. Differences in kata references aside, most people gravitated toward broadly the same mechanics, with only minor variations.

The scenario involved escalating aggression: chest punches followed by a swinging punch to the head. The required outcome was to:

• Avoid being knocked out
• Prevent continued aggression
• Control the attacker
• Alter the relationship
• Escape

This matters more to me than it might to others, because one of the standard responses — distract and escape — simply isn’t an option. My health issues preclude me from “making a run for it,” so I have to be more certain than most that my techniques work.

The majority response to the scenario matched almost exactly the example I had submitted based on the brief:

• Frame
• Crash and bridge
• Step back and pull down
• Knee strike
• Drag down and escape

When crashing, the right forearm presses into the side of the neck while the left arm receives the incoming punch, forming a double bridge for control.

This aligned with the general consensus. And that being the case, I can honestly say that this is one scenario which — while I never want to find myself in it — I feel relatively comfortable I could handle within the bounds of proportional response to the violence being attempted.

I still hope I never have to use any of this. But if someone insists on offering me a practical demonstration, at least I know my response won’t be guesswork. Habit is a far better plan than optimism.

Thank you very much for reading if you made it this far.

Regards,

REY

04/02/2026The summarised conclusions from the exercise can be found at: 

Summarised Conclusions

A video with explanation of how it relates to the kata I know can be found at:

  AHV response

Filling the Void

 

This blog takes its name from a karate principle: filling the void. When performed correctly, it looks like this:

•              Attacker: mawashi‑geri

•              Defender: shift into neko ashi dachi to evade and create space, redirecting the kick with ashi uke into gedan uke

•              This movement opens the attacker’s back.

•              Defender: step through the gap between the attacker’s legs, pulling the leg back into neko ashi dachi to break their balance. Both hands extend past the attacker’s body, then drive back to force them over the positioned leg.

Technically, it’s an O soto gari — a reaping throw.

Because of my slightly wonky eyesight and the fact that I’m left‑handed but naturally adopt a right‑hand stance in anything confrontational (cricket, martial arts, you name it), I often end up with unusual variations. In practising this technique, I couldn’t understand why my uke looked so confused. Instead of stepping through with my front leg, I grounded it and stepped through with the back leg into shiko dachi, unbalancing them from the opposite direction.

In other words, I performed the throw backwards — and it still worked.

That tendency crops up in other parts of my life too. Every so often I find myself in situations where I’m not entirely sure how I ended up there.

One example was a job interview. The first stage was via Teams, where I explained my medical issues and how they affect me. I was clear: travelling can trigger stress, but complex, time‑critical work tasks do not. I was invited to a second interview — the only candidate — at the company’s head office on the far side of London. I made the journey, arrived on time, and felt I handled the interview well.

A week later, they rejected me on the basis of the very issues I had been upfront about.

To add insult to injury, the next day I received a call from another recruiter — this time directly from the company — inviting me to apply for the same role I had just been rejected for. I declined as politely as I could, but my appetite for job hunting evaporated.

That rejection forced me to confront a much larger void: the financial hole that would appear once my redundancy money ran out. Until late September, I had hoped to secure a job before needing to deal with the benefits system. After that interview, I could no longer avoid it. So I contacted Citizens Advice and other agencies and began the paperwork.

Working through the benefits maze is almost as demoralising as not having a job. It also clashes with the mindset needed to hunt for work. So I made it my primary focus until completed, with job hunting temporarily downgraded.

The process is tortuous. I would have reached the end eventually, but without Citizens Advice it would have taken far longer. Three months in, I think I finally have the last pieces of paperwork — but only the New Year will confirm that.

Before this, the void created by unemployment was filled with job hunting and returning to the dojo — both positive, forward‑moving activities. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t frame benefits paperwork as a positive. But karate helped fill the void in its own way.

During all this, I managed to grade once. My son settled into college, graded twice, and now partly acts as my teacher. I’ve been learning the next techniques for my own progression. The weekly routine, the family time, and the slow re‑socialising after four years of near‑isolation due to Covid have all helped.

So as 2026 approaches, I’m hoping to close out the last of the benefits admin and turn my attention to more positive pathways — courses to broaden my skills, opportunities that arise, and a determined approach to whatever comes next. That includes sticking with my karate and, with time, progressing further.

In the dojo, filling the void means stepping into the space that opens when something unexpected happens. Life has thrown its share of awkward angles and backwards stances at me this year, but the principle still holds: step in, stay balanced, and keep moving forward.

Thank you for reading.

Do you Want it? Come and Earn it...

Before the Grading

I should have guessed the next grading test would be different on many levels from the ones I had done previously, before and during Covid, however when I was asked whether I remembered all my Kihon and had practiced them, my answer was a simple "yes." This was followed by an invitation to attend the next grading. I would be trying for my Blue belt.

In the days prior to the grading, I acted as (my son) Brendan's uke for an element that hadn’t been present in previous gradings that I had seen for the higher belts. The routines to escape from a double choke hold weren’t included in my grading, so I wasn’t really aware how anything was going to differ. The last grading I had done we had no paired elements in that, only basic pad work to demonstrate competence in our Kihon Gata.

The Test Begins

Come grading day I thought it would be tough due to my lack of stamina from COPD and the absence of seriously strenuous exercise prior to returning to the dojo several months earlier. I was told this would be taken into account during the grading, as my examiners were fully aware of my issues.

I'm nothing if not bloody-minded though, and at the start of group Kihon I did my best to fully keep up, only dropping the power but matching the other students’ repetitions.

It took two or three techniques and I was almost gone, anything fast was nearly beyond me. Fortunately, the chief examiner told me to go a bit slower rather than trying to keep up. That way, I just made it through Kihon and Kihon Gata, though I was well aware that much of it was probably more ragged than that of other students.

Kata and Recovery

Fortunately, there was a break at that point as the more advanced students went through their additional Kihon Gata. I only had to demonstrate 1 to 4, while some of the other students going for purple belt had to demonstrate all 10.

By the time I got to the point of having to demonstrate my Kata (Naihanchi Shodan), I was determined to get it right. Unfortunately, I didn’t fully relax into it and there was some stiffness but I did manage to get to the end without any major mishaps. That was it — I was done, for better or worse. Or so I thought.

The Circuit Challenge

The higher grade students went through their choke hold, ground work, and other routines that took up a good while. I thought we were done. Silly me. I should have remembered the last face-to-face grading I did before Covid, where they had started to introduce pad work. To my dismay, rather than ending there, out came the various pad sets for circuit work.

There were to be three circuits to be done, from one end of the hall and back, performing the various Kihon Gata combinations on the pads to the call of the pad holders. This was going to test me to the full — and so it did.

I managed to do the first part of one circuit, which was mostly punching techniques, and started on the back sequence. By halfway down the return leg, I was struggling for breath, and I didn’t quite make it to the end. I stumbled off the mat and ended up in a heap on the floor, with someone kindly bringing my inhaler to help me recover. I was unable to participate in the other two circuits, as they were done before I got my breath back.

The Sparring Surprise

At that point, I felt that I had blown my chance of grading, which was deeply disappointing even though I had tried to the best of my ability.

Then came the last part of the grading — sparring. I had never seen this feature before, and it fully convinced me that I had no chance of passing. There were three rounds of sparring to take place, one minute each, and the first two rounds took place with me simply being an onlooker.

Then came the last twist in the tale. I was told to get my sparring kit on and that if I wanted to grade, I had to complete one minute of light sparring. It was against one of the younger students going for purple belt, who I knew had excellent technique, so I didn’t hold out much hope of doing anything meaningful.

However, having been thrown a lifeline, even if it was a challenge, there was no way I was going to miss out on the chance.

One Minute That Mattered

The next one minute was a blur, but one thing that did stick in my mind was that I was actually happy with — was that in response to a mawashi-geri jodan, I ducked my head, raised my shoulder, and took the kick. One of our black belts might remember why I was happy with that?

I remember my Sensei telling me “20 seconds to go,” “10,” then it was over. Again, I was on the floor needing my inhaler, but at least this time it was with the definite knowledge that I had completely given it my best shot.

The Result

I was still semi-resigned to having probably missed out, but there was this little seed of hope.

Then to the awards. All seated on the mat, awaiting our names to be called one by one.. and WOW, I had passed!! Admittedly it was only a C grade, which meant I had just scraped it from any point of view, but I had made it!!

 To say I was happy was an understatement. If you want it enough, sometimes it is possible to earn it even when you think you don’t have much of a chance. Don’t give up — even if it doesn’t work the first time, stick at it and you might just get there!

Thanks for reading.

REY 30/10/2025

How does this Grab you?

 First three choke defences if Brendan remembers correctly: 1:

In the week before my recent Grading, I was acting as Uke for my Son to practice his choke hold escapes with. As he is one rank above me, these are things that I would need for my next Grading if I was successful, so I thought they would be worth documenting for future reference.

There are actually five, but only three are needed for Grading, so my son decided to practice the first three, which are one to three below. the fourth one is actually one of my own, put together from an online example by PJ Broomy, combined with the attacking sequence from 2 below.

1)

Attacker: - Double choke. Defender: - LH pushes down on RA of attacker. Steps LL back into Shiko-dachi, RH palm strike to chin; Defender: RH goes over back of attacker’s R wrist, thumb along centre; Defender: LH repositions so that thumbs side by side on wrist; Defender: Steps back with RL into Zenkutsu-dach, rotating LW to the right and extending arm; Defender; This lowers attacker’s head for a Mai-geri to the head. 2: Attacker: - Double choke. Defender: - LH comes up and over (attacker’s RA) to protect the head; Defender: - RA describes an arc up and over both attackers arms, trapping them together on descent; Defender: - LH reaches across to hold the arm together; Defender: - RA used to perform consecutive elbow and backfist strikes to the neck Defender: - Maig-geri to groin (or knee, depending on proximity) 3: Attacker: - Double choke. Defender: - LH comes up and clasps attacker’s RH to chest Defender: - RH forces attacker’s LH upwards Defender: - Pivots on RL, LL moving backwards in a semi circular arc. Defender: - Drags attacker’s RH across chest, drop and back into attacker and lift Defender: - RH replaces LH holding attacker’s RH, LH goes behind to attacker’s belt Defender: - RH replaces LH holding attacker’s RH, LH goes behind to attacker’s belt Defender: - Pivots on LL, RL moves forward in semicircular arc, releasing L and RH Defender: - attacker is throw to the floor

Adaptation) - one of my own.....

Attacker - Double choke

Defender - Outside block (L or R) to disrupt the choke hold end put the Defender to one side

Defender - With alternate arm, elbow strike followed by backfist to the head or neck.

 

28/12/2025 And now, since I actually graded as a Blue belt, it's my turn to have to learn the choke hold responses. So here is the fourth formal response.

 

4)

 

Attacker: - Double choke

Defender: - LH palm strike to attacker's chin, in between choke hold arms

Defender: - LA up between choke hold arms, then sharply down, clearing attacker's RA and trapping to defender's side. 

Defender: - Lower LA comes up to cause Elbow lock, with LH up by RH chest.

Defender: - RH grasps attacker's L wrist, pushing arm up and away then pulling down to RH chest, LH grasping attackers RA just above the elbow

Defender: - RH punch to attacker's face.

  

Reflections

 

Now that I’m back in the Dojo, it seems like a good time to reflect on the art I’ve chosen to learn.

I began training in Karate in 2018, initially to support my son — but it quickly became more than just a shared activity. The physical discipline came highly recommended by my doctor, especially given my heart condition and later diagnosis of COPD. But it was the suggested depth of history behind Karate that appealed to the nerd in me.

Training continued steadily until 2020, when COVID hit and separated me from the physical dojo. Online training filled the gap, and unexpectedly opened doors I’d never imagined. I had the privilege of learning from Brian Bates, Paul Broomfield (PJ Broomy), Les Bubka, Jamie Chubb, Tuari Dawson, and Chris Hanson — with seminars by Noah Legel, Christian Wedewardt, Patrick McCarthy, and Andreas Quast. Under normal circumstances, I’d never have accessed such a diverse range of instructors.

In early 2022, as most returned to their dojos, my family and I remained cautious. My wife was also on the “at risk” list, and the idea of enclosed spaces without masks — or crowded trains at rush hour — felt impossible. Returning wasn’t an option.

Still, I didn’t stop. I trained online with PJ, who had become a close friend, and continued learning from Don Came and Russ Smith. My practice became more eclectic, as reflected in my blogs. Then came the crunch: in late 2022, my company announced a return to office work. The thought of commuting triggered what used to be called a “nervous breakdown.”

Thankfully, my employer acknowledged the mental health impact and arranged for me to continue working from home. Emotionally, I turned to an online CBT course — and found surprising parallels with Karate. PJ described it as Shu-Ha-Ri — the process of making the art your own. What follows is a reflection on the physical and historical connections that shaped that journey.

The Physical Journey

Shorin-Ryu — My Chosen Starting Point

When my son began practising Shorin-Ryu Karate, I joined him — encouraged by my doctor to pursue exercise tailored to my heart condition. The style’s core kata, Naihanchi Shodan, became my entry point. I informed the instructors of my limitations and never looked back.

Cardio Vascular Naihanchi — Robey Jenkins

Through a mentoring scheme on Facebook, I worked with Robey Jenkins to adapt Naihanchi Shodan into a slow, Tai Chi–inspired kata. It became a gentle but focused form of cardio, reinforced by insights from my sister, a former Judoka turned Tai Chi practitioner. We refined stretches and punches, improving hip rotation and arm alignment — addressing my “chicken winged” style and supporting posture and conditioning.

Breathing Through Tensho — Noah Legel

Later, I explored breathwork with Noah Legel, using Tensho to manage a lingering chest infection. We focused on:

• Six-second diaphragmatic breathing cycles to build control and rhythm

• Matching breath to movement, following the internal patterns of Tensho, with deliberate exhalation from the diaphragm

I began with short step sequences, gradually building toward fuller kata practice. The result was transformative. I could train without wheezing, and the breathing routine remains part of my practice today.

Mokuso and the Addition of Sanchin — Paul Broomfield

Mokuso — the quiet ritual of clearing the mind before training — resonated deeply with CBT’s emphasis on mindfulness and breath control. I began combining CBT techniques with kata, choosing three:

• Naihanchi Shodan for mindfulness

• Sanchin for tensioning

• Tensho for breathing and relaxation

Each kata took on new meaning. PJ helped refine my Sanchin, adapting it to my physical needs. Tensho was later enhanced by Les Bubka, adding a layer of relaxation. When I shared the full CBT kata sequence with PJ, he saw how each form supported both physical and mental alignment — and even applied the method in his own dojo.

Rooted in History – Scott Mertz

During one of our sessions, PJ noted that my practice was rooted in Karate’s three core kata. I hadn’t set out with that intention, but it prompted me to revisit the history — and I found something striking.

Karate came into being at a landmark meeting on October 25, 1936, attended by Hanashiro Chomo, Kyan Chotoku, Motobu Choki, Miyagi Chojun, Kyoda Juhatsu, Chibana Choshin, Gusukuma Shinpan, Oroku Chotei, and Nakasone Genwa.

The meeting is best known for formally adopting the name Karate (空手), meaning “Empty Hand,” replacing older terms like Toudi, Tode, Tii, and Te. But the discussions went far deeper.

Three kata were presented as foundational: Naihanchi, Sanchin, and Tensho. There was a clear desire to preserve tradition while encouraging innovation — especially to support Karate’s spread through schools and universities. Uniform standards were proposed, and Furukawa Gizaburo even introduced the concept of sports Karate, suggesting that competitive, educational, and traditional strands were all considered from the outset.

The meeting also revealed how secretive Karate practice had been, with some Masters unaware of each other’s methods. It’s a glimpse into the fragmented, often hidden paths that shaped early Karate — and makes you wonder what else was shared behind closed doors.

Thanks to Scott Mertz and his article on Karate Day, on which these observations are based.

Closing Reflections

Looking back, my journey has been shaped by both necessity and curiosity — by health challenges, historical inquiry, and the quiet persistence of practice. What began as a way to support my son and manage my condition has grown into something layered and personal. The three kata — Naihanchi, Sanchin, and Tensho — have become more than forms. They are anchors. They connect me to tradition, to recovery, to breath, and to the resilience that carried me through isolation and fear. And now, back in the Dojo, they continue to guide me — not just in movement, but in meaning.

Beyond the Dojo - Finding Clarity in Practice

 

Several years ago, I was diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition. Rather than give in to it, I chose to take action. At the time, my son was practising Karate, so I asked my doctor whether joining him might be beneficial. His advice was simple: go for it, but let the instructors know about any limitations. I did just that, and I’ve never looked back.

To support others facing similar health challenges, I began blogging about my journey and how Karate was helping me. Then, during a heart stress test, I was diagnosed with COPD — the result of many years spent smoking. I checked with my doctor once again, and he confirmed that Karate could aid with that too. So I continued, not only to improve my wellbeing but also to share quality time with my son. Naturally, I broadened the scope of the blog to include this new aspect.

Then came COVID. With two co-morbidities, I was classified as high-risk and required to work from home throughout the pandemic. Fortunately, my Dojo embraced modern tech and offered online lessons via Zoom — unlike many others. For two years, those sessions became a cornerstone of my home/work balance.

When restrictions lifted and I was expected to return to office work in the City, everything unravelled.

I suffered a breakdown at the prospect (having already been on medication for stress-related anxiety) and experienced suicidal thoughts.

I was prescribed stronger medication and referred for a course of online CBT. The concept of mindfulness in CBT immediately reminded me of "Mokuso" in Karate — the practice of clearing the mind. I worked that into my personal routine, combining awareness, controlled breathing, and the tension–release cycle. I documented it all in my blog, hoping it might help someone else, just as it helped me.

That shift got me over the mental hump, and I was offered a work-from-home role with my company. My condition was acknowledged as bordering on a disability by both my doctor and occupational health. Though my fear of travel and meeting strangers remains, Karate has remained a steady anchor.

When I was made redundant, I leaned hard on my Karate routine — especially to clear my head and decide on next steps. Ironically, I’ve always been willing (albeit uncomfortable) to travel familiar routes at off-peak times when needed.

In February, while contesting the redundancy, my 79-year-old sister in Sussex needed help. I took a train to see her — but at Upminster, a gang of suited teenagers boarded and surrounded my table. I nearly panicked. Yet thanks to Mokuso and CBT, I kept my composure. Controlled breathing got me through as they loudly bragged about assaults and unpaid gambling debts.

A week after returning from Sussex, I caught COVID — vindicating my fears about travel and exposure. Unfortunately, so did the rest of my family. 😞

That said, it passed within a week. I had the mildest symptoms thanks to being fully vaccinated. Now, the fear of COVID has eased for all of us, and we can venture out again. My fear of travel and strangers persists — but what’s top of the agenda? Returning to the Dojo with my now 18-year-old son, reconnecting with old friends, and rediscovering the life we once knew.

I’ve also resolved to blog consistently again — sharing how a strong, healthy focus can steady the mind and support you through the hardest of times.

Thank you for reading this far.

REY
16-07-2025

The Drills have it (or is it the Aches?)

 

The weather since I last wrote here has been rather hot, which places a big limitation on what I’m able to do. On particularly warm days, my son and I have shifted our training sessions from Saturday daytime to Monday evenings, to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. This has paid off to some extent — on at least one occasion, I managed to walk home from the Dojo without a break. The first time I tried that, I believe I needed four or five pauses. So getting back into training is definitely proving beneficial there.

I’ve continued making notes on drills — checking them with our Sensei — so I can remember them for practice at home (or in the open space nearby), which we do from time to time. I generally include these in my blogs to help date them for future reference, and this entry is no exception, with three drills listed below from simple to more complex.

This Monday was cooler than most of our previous sessions, and my breathing felt easier, so I decided to push myself a little. The first sparring-type exercise was introduced early in the lesson (following our warm-up, of course): one person attempted to grab the other’s Gi while the other tried to block. If a grip was made, the defender had to break free. My partner was my son, and it began well. The exercise lasted a minute; we each managed a few successful grabs and breakouts (one of mine was an arm bar, which I was quite proud of). However, during the third or fourth attempt, I struggled for breath and dropped to the ground, trying to roll out — but instead just collapsed in a heap.

I’d become so engrossed in the exercise that I ignored the warning signs of overexertion. I was completely out of breath and struggled to recover due to my COPD. It took my inhaler and around 10 to 15 minutes of slow breathing to re-centre myself. From then on, I was ultra-cautious for the rest of the lesson, taking part mainly in Kata. Still, I realised I’d managed 50 seconds in that sparring drill — not far off my pre-COVID level.

In the final third of the lesson, we started full sparring (albeit light contact), and I couldn’t resist having another go. Again, my son was my partner, and again I clocked around 50 seconds, this time pacing myself more effectively and recovering more quickly afterwards. I was then able to take part in the Kobudo segment of the session with much less downtime.

I left feeling pleased with that final sparring round. Although light, we exchanged solid shots, and I didn’t end up on the floor. Just how solid was confirmed the next day when my calf was sore from a well-placed mawashi-geri! But there were absolutely no repercussions for my breathing — so that side of things feels like a definite win 😌.

While the job hunt continues to be much tougher than expected, Karate provides structure to my week — a routine to build around — and a chance to do something positive and creative like writing this blog. If you’ve read this far, thank you for taking the time. I hope you found it of interest.

REY
16-07-2025

Below is a key to the abbreviations and the exercise listings.

a) = attacker d) = defender Rh = right hand Lh = left hand

1) Both in fighting stance. a) Jabs d) Lh counter with outside block, controlling the arm d) Steps past on outside with right leg d) Rh back-fist to face, then pushing a) down over right leg

2)

a) Wrist grab d) Sweep grabbed arm up as in outward block d) Sweep other arm under and outward, as in matching outside block, grabbing attackers raised wrist d) Continue sweeping motion to extend arm and open opponents back d) Hook punch to ear/neck area with free hand d) Added extra drop elbow onto back of attackers extended arm d) Perform arm bar and turn to throw opponent to ground

3) Both in clinch, left arm behind neck, head down to prevent head butt a) Pushes rh up inside clinch for eye gouge (simulate) a) Locks rh behind head, left leg knee strike to abdomen/groin a) Releases grips, sweeps left arm under and round d) right arm a) Grabs left wrist with lh and pulls d) across a) Right arm raises to perform arm bar, right elbow goes on top of left elbow of d) a) Extension of arm continues to complete arm bar and lower head a) Right hammer-fist to l side of d) head under ear, push hand past head and pull up (chin, nose, eyes) a) Right leg back to complete pull up. a) Release both hands and lh punch to exposed throat, chin, etc

Karate: A Family Affair

OK, the title might be a little misleading — but to me, the dojo members are like extended family, and my son is family, so you could say Karate is a family affair for us. 🙂

This week we were lucky enough to train with — tongue in cheek — the “Granddad” of our dojo: Sensei Nohara (10th Dan), President of the Ryukyukan International Karate and Kobudo Federation. He came to give a seminar, and I think he brought the Okinawan weather with him, as the dojo was distinctly hot and humid! Due to my condition, I couldn't train nearly as much as I wanted — but opportunities like this don’t come around often, and they’re not to be missed. 🙂

We trained again on Saturday, marking the first time in five years that both my son and I had been to the dojo twice in one week. That session was a bit of a struggle, thanks to the after-effects of a rather large and spicy pizza the night before! Still, I managed much more of the lesson than I expected, and my son picked up a few more drills than I did — which led us nicely into a Father’s Day follow-up.

My Father’s Day suggestion to him was:

“Go beat me up — then I can do the same back.”

Given that he's bigger than me and a higher grade, it felt like a fair challenge! 🤣

We began with a drill I wrote down two weeks ago (see below), then moved on to material from our previous session — before I inevitably ran out of steam. We practiced kata up to Pinan Shodan, and I shared a few ideas I’d been exploring from a White Crane form I’ve been working on. Honestly, it was some of the best father-son work we’ve ever done. We both finished soaked in sweat, and with grins to match.

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Starting Drill

1. Attacker (with pads) advances toward defender
→ Defender: verbal command + fence stance

2. Attacker strikes pads to sides of defender’s head
→ Defender: backhand palm strike to pads (head)

3. Attacker throws a roundhouse punch
→ Defender: triangular frame block, protecting head

4. Attacker drops pads to simulate a knee strike
→ Defender: bridges onto attacker’s shoulder and pushes down
→ Then: two knee strikes, followed by release

5. Attacker raises pads for an elbow strike
→ Defender: bridges to pads, delivers two elbow strikes
→ Then: releases bridging hand

6. Defender grabs attacker's wrist (opposite side of bridge)
→ Former bridging hand slaps attacker’s head
→ Body rotates in direction of pull, extending and rotating attacker's arm
→ Slapping hand moves to attacker’s elbow, forcing it downward
→ Rotation continues into an arm bar

7. Attacker is taken to the ground

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To all the dads out there — Happy Father’s Day, and I hope you get time with your loved ones to sweat, laugh, and share a few bruises in good spirit.  And to all the mums, thank you for putting up with us.

Thanks as always to those of you who read this.
– REY, 15/06/2025