A Karate instructor is traditionally called a Sensei.
The word Sensei (先生) is Japanese and translates literally as “one who has gone before.” It does not simply mean “teacher.” It refers to someone who has walked the path ahead of the student and now guides others along that same journey.
As a Sensei you are carrying on a tradition that has been around for nearly 300 years and many, many generations.
It is now your responsibility to ensure the continuation of this incredible martial art and maintain the standards and principles that have come from those before you.
A Sensei is not merely a technician, but a custodian of history, character, discipline, and spirit.
Keep in mind that the techniques that you are teaching are tried and tested by generations of martial artists. The techniques that you learn were used by warriors, policeman, sports combatants and even street fighters.
Today these same techniques are used by special forces soldiers and policemen and in all manner of combat.
As you progress through your martial arts career you will learn that having your foot at a particular angle or your stance at a stipulated height or your movement in a specified manner is very important when it comes to combat. The difference between an effective and ineffective technique is often just millimetres apart.
Learn to trust what you have been taught. When you first wear your black belt, you may not fully understand the application of a technique that you are teaching, but trust in the knowledge of those that have gone before you.
In time and with more experience you may understand that the simplest technique has a deadly application. In Japanese this is called Bunkai.
One of the first lessons that you will teach a new student is how to stand in Hachiji-Dachi and punch with one hand pulling back and the other punching forward. I have heard more than one person say “Nobody punches like that in a fight!” In fact, it is one of the most effective fighting tools that you will learn in your entire martial arts career and it is used to great effect by law enforcement, the military and sports fighters – your inexperienced eye has just not figured this out.
Teach the karate techniques perfectly, just as you have been taught, and trust those that have gone before you.
