During my school years I was a target for the bullies because I was fat. They tend to go for people who are different from the group i.e. tall, thin, fat, wear thick glasses etc. They made my life a misery and forced me to leave school without any qualifications.

When I was 19 years old I saw a Bruce Lee film and decided that I wanted to be able to do that ( I still cant - but then again, I dont want to now! ). The only martial arts available then were Judo, Aikido and Karate - I tried them all. Didnt like Judo - kept getting dizzy! Quite liked Aikido, but same problem arose there.

I tried a few different styles of "sport" karate, but as Im not really an aggressive type of person I always ended up under pressure and making mistakes which resulted in me getting hurt. I finally tried Kyle and the Shotokai system of practice seemed to suit my character best. It was still hard work, but I enjoyed it.

Because the aggression is controlled during our practices the Shotokai style of karate attracts a particular type of person. Yes, we do go in full power with all our attacks - but only when we have the control to be able to stop it hurting someone if they make a mistake. Karate is not about showing off the bruises you received at your last practice. In all the years Ive practiced with Kyle, I think Ive had two bruises and both of them were when my feet were so sweaty that I slipped.

The lack of competition in our practice tends to breed an air of helpfulness between practitioners. Were not there to punch lumps out of each other. As you improve the attack of your opponent it makes you in turn improve your own defence and the feedback you invariably get from your opponent adds to that. As your defence improves your attacker has to improve his/her attack and so this cycle continues... hopefully until the end of the practice.

To me, Karate is not about learning how to fight, its about having the confidence to be able to stand in front of someone being really aggressive and make him/her back down without having to hit him/her. To quote someone dear to me "when you raise your hands you lose your argument".

Andy Brown

When we start to practise Karate all of our concentration is focused on form and all the movements in Kata. These techniques are then put to the test practically with partners during Kumite. After some time a mental picture can be built of how parts of the Kata may be used. We become more aware of the importance of timing, distance, and the need for correct form. It is only then we can start to visualise an attacker during Kata.

This can be a "chicken and egg" situation, if we dont practise Kata then proper shape and form will be poor, if we do not test the form then the mental image of the technique will also be poor. Therefore both forms of practise are used so that the complete picture can be built up. The Kata can then come to life and be a "real situation".

To bring any Kata to life a certain amount of mental stamina is required. I have found that often it is all too easy to sit back and just perform the Kata without any real imagination but little is to be gained by doing this. I feel a higher level of concentration is required and hopefully with practise this will improve.

I have, very briefly, touched on a subject that many people have written books on, but I hope it might explain a little why we practise Kata so much and encourage other to do so

Andy Vallance

One evening while teaching some kids how to improve their postures, we were practising kiba dachi when some of them started making sure everyone knew their legs were sore. I stopped them and proceeded to tell them that what they were feeling was not pain but their legs learning.

Towards the end of session one of them said he had to sit down as his leg was giving him bother. I was checking just in case he was actually injured when I heard one of the other juniors say to one of his friends "HIS LEG MUST BE A GENIUS".

Hugh Hastings

I came to practice Karate almost by accident, it is not something that I would ever describe as natural to me.

The combinations of physical dexterity, timing, relaxation and mental focus are extremely hard to pull off, especially while under pressure. Although it only takes getting it right once, even if it is a fluke, to see what the human body is capable of.

I'm not really interested in Karate for the purpose of self defence, I'm fascinated by the body sciences behind the techniques. It amazes me how subtle physical/mental differences can have such a huge effect on both my opponent and myself.

Trying to understand and improve in this aspect of Karate is what keeps me practising. If Shotokai Karate was only a physical pursuit, it would be little more than a lesson in brute strength and something I feel would become very boring very quickly.

It can be very frustrating to practice something which is so demanding, but this is also the hook which keeps it fascinating and always interesting.

John McCracken

Learning any new activity can be very frustrating and Karate is no exception. It can be both physically and mentally demanding but it is often surprising how quick some people can pick up the basics with very little verbal instruction if left with a group to practise Kata.

As a beginner we all tend to be very self-conscious or self-critical and tend only to focus our attention on our own performance. During Kata we are encouraged, in time, to look outwith our own space, in doing so our ability to learn should increase. At first we feel out of sorts with the rest of the group and are aware of all our mistakes but this can work to an advantage. Very few people like this feeling and they will naturally try to "fit in". The sub-conscious will work double-time telling the body to keep correct posture etc. to blend with the rest of the group.

If the group is kept tight where possible it can allow the beginner to observe techniques closer and he should then begin to get the "feel" of Karate from others. Only then will he adopt a good low posture, execute correct techniques and keep his concentration etc. Without the mental effort involved in telling himself to do so. This is a bit like hitching a lift, letting the others do the work while we cruise along and allow our bodies to learn the form.

After some time practising Karate and finding the physical work that is demanded, more comfortable, then the mental aspect of Karate becomes more apparent. Any attack or defence against an opponent can only be successful if it is carried out in harmony with him, and this can only be achieved by following.

Andy Vallance

I remember the course being in what is now the City Halls in Glasgows Albion Street, 1966. Something that was to happen at the course has influenced me as much as anything else in my Karate career, even though it lasted only a few seconds.

I vividly remember that at some time during the second day we were practising evasion and were all paired off and in line.

Harada Sensei was moving along the line making comments to one of the club instructors. Just as they reached me, my partner attacked and somehow I managed to have my part completed almost before he had started.

Almost at the same time I heard "Aaahhhg him your pupil----aaahh very good, very good". This all lasted time-wise a couple of seconds. Which most of my karate since then has been geared to find out about them.

At the time I thought:
  - I was so nervous that I moved in panic.
  - I fluked it.
  - Perhaps I was faster than the other guy.

On the way home (and for years after) I wondered:
  - Why did I move so soon?
  - Could what I had done be cultivated?
  - How do I use it?

Since then I hope I have mostly found the answers.

As an Instructor I have always remembered this and it keeps me aware that even though perhaps to some a particular incident is small, to someone else it may be the spark that lights up there enthusiasm, fires there imagination and hooks them for life.

Hugh Hastings