Our
teaching methods represent a radical departure from the "see and
do" techniques that are so prevalent in Dojo's around the world. Students
of Kan-Zen-Kai learn to ask questions. We expect students to question everything.
If the explanations are not 100 percent logical, scientific, understandable,
and obvious, then the student should not accept them. They must be allowed
for endless freedom of thought and expression. The student must understand
everything completely. Only when you know the scientific reasons behind
the body dynamics can you practice correctly. In this way, we are revolutionary
and getting away from the traditional system. We tear techniques apart,
literally, as far as the body dynamics are concerned and we explain it in
great detail. Our techniques are part of Kan-Zen-Kai Karate, which rules
are followed by instructors all over the world.
On Performance Style - "The Criterion for a good technique is one that works. Karate was not supposed to be beautiful. It was supposed to be effective." On Competition - "In competition, people speak of a precarious balance of power. I want an overwhelming preponderance of power. We should be so good that it doesn't matter what the judges do. We assume the judges are our mortal enemies, but they have to give the victory to us. I don't accept excuses. If you're good, you win. No judge can ignore more than 10 or 12 points.
On Technique - "Technique is your weapon, as if you are soldiers at war. Tactics is how you use the weapons to create diversionary attacks. You get the opponent to look elsewhere, be deceived, go after the wrong thing - just like war. The master of Kan-Zen is a master of deception and camouflage."
On Self-Confidence - "Karate teaches self-confidence and serenity. Karate is a miniature of life. The world does not leave us alone. It creates obstacles. One must confront them, not run away. The way of Karate teaches one how to solve and confront problems. To me, the meaning or confidence is an accumulation of positive experiences. If you have not done something successfully on a number of occasions, you cannot have confidence. I take students progressively through steps, through competitions, and they learn they can confront situations."
On Concentration - "Karate is psycho-physical synchronization, development, and concentration. Concentration helped me tremendously. Because of Karate practice, I would get to the library two or three hours later than the other students. However, I would put a book before me and completely absorb everything with total concentration, like a laser beam. Other students would be distracted, reading the same material several times. For me the whole world goes away, and I think of nothing else. I learned this from Karate."
On Proper Teaching - "The consequence of teaching History wrong is that the student must learn it again some time in the future. However, the consequence of faulty training in martial arts can be injured tendons and irreparable damage to ligaments and cartilage. It is dangerous for a child to have his life wasted in this type of training and have cracked up bones, bad attitudes, and become a punk who thinks of nothing but hitting and punching."
On Certifying Instructors - "I would like to see in North America something like what they have in France. The French Karate Federation covers Karate, Tae Kwan do, and affiliated martial arts. Consequently, it is very strong. Before you can become an instructor, you must go before a committee to receive a special instructor's permit good for two years, after which you must be reviewed in order to have it renewed for another two years. Without a permit, you cannot open a school."
KANZEN RYU KARATEDO LIST OF KATAS