People Centric Karate

 Zenshin dojo is a “People Centric Karate” club.  But what does that mean?

In my forty years of karate experiences I’ve travelled the world, practised with many groups, sampled different styles and disciplines and met some amazing teachers and practitioners.  In the course of my travels I've come to the conclusion karate clubs or organisations tend to be fall into one of two categories.

The first I would label "Karate Centric", groups where the central focus is on the karate itself.  I compare this particular genre, metaphorically, to a fitness centre or gym.  The gym owners provide all the necessary equipment for their members to keep fit.  There are staff on hand to help gain the most from particular exercises and there is real benefit from regular attendance.  However the gym centre staff are not personal trainers their role is one of general facilitation rather than bespoke guidance.  If the gym folds the members find another gym and carry on as before.

The second category I've called "Personality Centric". This type of club or organisation are personality driven, that is to say they revolve around an individual. This person is generally a high grade, a “Master”, often opinionated and can be guilty of being blinkered to alternative views. In the worst of cases the phrase “my way or the highway” comes to mind. For groups like this, all too often when the “master” leaves, retires or dies a power vacuum is created causing internal political division and ultimate disintegration of the organisation or club.

To be honest, over the years, I’ve experienced both genres.  However, I assert Zenshin dojo falls outside the two categories.  I should add that neither are wrong or incapable of providing excellent karate tuition, nevertheless I find the distinction interesting but neither very appealing.

Some years ago, following an Iain Abernethy seminar, two young men from differing karate styles and clubs approached me.  I’d never met either before.  They explained that they had attended many such seminars in all parts of the country but found the Zenshin dojo environment unusually warm and welcoming. Their comments got me thinking.

The sun radiates light and heat which enables life on Earth to be possible.  Its warmth nurtures, allowing all living things to grow and develop.  It could be argued that in the aforementioned categories either the karate or the master are the metaphoric sun.  But for Zenshin dojo it’s the members who are central to the existence of life.

Taking the metaphor a stage further, various academics have been quoted as saying “the relaxation we feel when we sit by an open fire can be traced back to our ancient ancestors who saw flames as essential to safety, survival and socialising”. I’m sure we can all agree that on a cold winter's evening there are few things more inviting than a roaring fireplace. The flickering flames draw us in and capture our attention.

The Zenshin dojo “fire” was lit in 1992. Like all fires it needs constant maintenance to prevent the flames from dying. A regular supply of combustible material has to be gathered, stored and added to keep the fire burning brightly. But who gathers the wood?

For many years I have been the primary source and in the past couple of decades that responsibility has been shared with the Instructors and club seniors who are all committed to keeping the fire alive. But here we return to our “People Centric Karate” maxim for it is our members who by their attendance truly keep the fire healthy, bright and burning. Their individual contribution may be perceived as relatively small, nonetheless even the smallest sliver helps and without it the flame dies.

So please remember, every time you attend a class, residential weekend, dojo practice, or social event, you are helping the collective keep the flame eternal thus allowing us all to benefit from the warmth and nourishment our club "fire" provides.