What can karate give you ?

I've been training in martial arts for 37 years and teaching for over 30.

In this time karate has given me a plethora of physical and mental benefits that I'd like to outline here in my blog so that if people are considering joining us in North Leeds to train they can see some of the benefits :

Physical fitness - this is an obvious one but the stretching, resistance training and aerobic exercise have served me well over the last nearly four decades and for a guy in his lates forties I would consider myself in pretty good condition. As an instructor I do feel that it is important to lead from the front and try to do extra workouts to stay in solid shape. But certainly martial arts makes a great basis for any exercise regime.

Discipline - practicing combat, even controlled in the way that we train requires great physical and mental discipline and this is something instil in all practitioners of karate - in particular I think this order and focus is vital for kids and I have encourages my two children to take up the sport as well.

Confidence - being fit, being focused and in good mental shape gives you confidence - I sometimes think that in the same way one can sometimes spot those who have spent time in the military it's also possible to do the same with martial artists. One can see a straighter posture, an ability to cope with stress and a watchful view on entry to unfamiliar locations.

Ability to defend oneself - in line with the above. This is one of the core elements of practicing any sport and personally I view it as a vital part of how I teach karate - avoiding and coping with conflict and an ability to defuse potential problems but also the confidence to deal if situations do go south.

Leadership skills - over the years I've taught in two style of karate, at three dojo's and now run a local club - this has really helped me in developing an ability to manage others and achieve goals.

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If you're interested in learning karate we train twice weekly in Yeadon, North Leeds (close to Leeds Bradford Airport and between Yeadon and Rawdon in an easily accessible local school.

To train or for more information check out our website : www.yeadonkarate.weebly.co.uk

To find out more about our instructor please feel free to listen to an interview he recently gave to a leading American martial arts podcast :

http://www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/?s=knight

Karate Training in Yeadon, North Leeds

I run training at Leeds Premier Karate Club in Yeadon - training on Tuesdays and Wednesdays over Summer 2015 (usually Monday and Wednesday).

If you are interested in taking up this exciting martial art I run a beginners class from 6.00pm to 6.30 - both days and the first 2 sessions are free to see if you like !

If you have previous experience of martial arts you are also welcome to train on an ad hoc basis or join us permanently - just contact me to discuss.

For more information please call me on : 07792 075748 or e-mail : pkn4395@gmail.com

Full information and training times are on our website : www.yeadonkarate.weebly.com

Look forward to seeing you at training.

Kata videos on You Tube

One of the challenges I always find when taking a new belt is to learn the kata. It can often be hard to pick up all the technical detail in a busy class. When I was a beginner and middle order belt I would really have liked easy access to my styles kata on video.

With this in mind for my students (Shukokai style) I have started recording videos of me performing the club's kata's and putting them up on You Tube. The aim is to do the kata relatively slowly to try and develop technique and power rather than speed so the watcher can get an idea of what the kata's look like.

I'm aware that different styles perform the same kata's differently but my version are as per how I teach them at my club (under the tutelage of my own instructor : Sensei Tattersall).

Hopefully as we add more they become a useful library for students to be viewed as part of the process of their learning their new kata. So far I have recorded two :

Pinan Nidan

Pinan Shodan

Click on the above links to view them or you can go via the Yeadon Club website by clicking here.

Sensei Phil

www.karatemotivated.weebly.com

I have just added an update to the new website for Leeds Premier Karate in Yeadon.

There is now a club news page which breaks down important stuff for members and hopefully is of interests to browsers and friends/family of members.

The latest post gives a break down of our recent successes at the club grading in Halton.

Well done to everyone who passed from my Yeadon club.

If you're interested in joining up to train in Yeadon please just call or e-mail me : 07792 075748 or pkn4395@gmail.com

Sensei Phil Knight

Kata Video

I have just uploaded a video of me performing our first, basic kata : Pinan Nidan.

Check it out here at my You Tube Channel.

Leeds Premier Karate in Yeadon - website update

As readers here know I run training and day to day things at my local karate club, a Shukokai Club part of Leeds Premier Karate on behalf of my instructor : Michael Tattersall.

I've recently put together a place holder website for my side of the club so people can find out training times and so forth plus get hold of me if needed.

If you are interested in training with us in Yeadon, north Leeds please just click : Leeds Premier Karate Club - Yeadon

We run an on-going beginners class all year round (no restrictions on new starters as there can often be at some clubs) and in particular I would welcome students who have tried martial arts before and fancy another go - this applies to me. I trained in one style for over 30 years before switching clubs and ending up getting my second black belt at age 43/44 and going on to run my new club (at least the Yeadon branch of it). So if you want to come along you will be more than welcome - no age or sex restriction !

Hope to see you all there !

Read this article if you are considering taking up a martial art

Was idly perusing the internet and came across this article by Jess Enkamp and thought it was really worth reading for anyone considering taking up a new martial art or re-starting training again.

It won't help with the technical side of things but might just get a new students head in the right place.

Check it out here.