So our Okinawan karate family have just come and gone after a week of intense daily training and
sightseeing. The weeks leading up, a number of anxious students had had doubts about not knowing enough nor being able to perform adequately in the presence of a “master”. Okinawan karate masters or teachers are just regular people, well, particularly at the Minei dojo. They enjoy the simple things in life; good food, beautiful nature, and having a good laugh and chat over a couple of pints of beer. The issue with people from all walks of life has always been that individuals with some kind of status be it sports stars, celebrities, or executive-level staff, are often put way too high up on a pedestal. This worshipping often leads them to feel a sense of boundless entitlement; hence, egos can drift into a different dimension. We are, however, fortunate enough that our teachers are down to earth and treat themselves like every one of us, don’t take themselves too seriously, nor think they are superior to anyone else. In terms of training, so-called "secrets" are never held back, all information is shared openly in the hope that the next generation can continue this intangible asset we all love. Hopefully, our students could sense this and gain a taste of Okinawa and understand why we appreciate and respect the Okinawan culture and it's people so much, in particular the members of Minei Dojo. Okinawan Karate is so much more than simply punching and kicking, for us as cliché as it sounds, is a way of life and something that makes our lives so much more mentally and physically fulfilling. Hopefully, your training and teachers make you feel the same way too :)
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