John Titchen
Nidan, Shotokan Karate Do
Name:
John Titchen
Rank:
Nidan, Shotokan Karate Do
Style(s):
Shotokan Karate Jutsu, Aikido
Main Style:
Shotokan Karate Jutsu
Why is this your main style?
I started training in Shotokan Karate Do as a club had just started at my local school when I first decided to take up a martial art. There was nothing else around at the time. I have tried a number of other styles and trained with many different people - and they've all been good - but generally I find that what they are doing is in Shotokan (usually in the Kata and not stressed in regular classes), so I feel no need to change. They just help me to continue to develop the depth of my own understanding of my own Karate style. I don't train in Shotokan because it is the best style, it is merely a style that I am comfortable with and as I'm still challenged by it every day I see no reason to change! I have yet to come across a martial art that I thought was bad, merely martial artists with bad attitudes to others.
How long have you been training in the Arts?
I'm quite a beginner. I began training in 1991 in Shotokan and took up Aikido to help me with my understanding of Karate locking techniques in 1995. I've stayed with the Aikido because the people in the Club (Norwich and Reiyukai and its sister club Fudokai) are so nice. My training has been helped by working part time and being in University education for most of those years so I've had the luxury to put in long hours on the mat almost every day.
Any advice for people starting up in the Arts?
Shop around. Look at a few clubs (even of the same style) before training and deciding. Walk away from people who put down other styles. Listen to people who suggest other clubs if you mention an interest in other styles. Watch how the students treat each other - that will give you a clue to the safety of the club and the true nature of the teacher. Once you have chosen something, stick with it for at least 3 months before you decide - you will be able to make a more informed decision. If you decide to cross train on a regular basis, gain a good level of proficiency in one art before mixing - otherwise you will get confused and undo all your hard work.
Greatest personal achievement in the Arts to date?
Starting my own club and seeing my students grade with one of my peers.
Reason for continuing to train?
A constant thirst for knowledge and self development. I like the exercise of training but I also feel that there is so much more to Karate than that. In the martial arts you exercise, meditate, study bio-mechanics, anatomy, history, philosophy, psychology and learn ways of defending yourself. There is always something new to look at or something that could be improved and in the end, no day when you've learnt something is wasted.
What else would you like to do and why?
I would quite like to learn some Tai Chi or Chi Kung to further my understanding of the importance of different types of breathing and relaxation.
Is your style a 'complete' style? If so, why?
Define complete! Shotokan is famous for its long range approach, but the Kata are packed with short range trapping, grappling, locking and throwing techniques. If I have one big weakness it is probably my groundwork - but since I can't approach Kata Bunkai with a knowledge of these techniques which would enable me to identify them, I can't say for sure that it is a weakness of the style.
Have you competed? If so, in what? (Kata/Kumite)
I compete every day, with myself, and that is the only competition that has any relevance for me. I have trained a friend to win Kata competitions for the English Shotokan Karate Association and correct form is important to me - but the appearance of a Kata is not so important as knowledge of and proficiency in its content. I don't object to Kumite, even though it is very unrealistic, but I prefer to drill Kata Bunkai against HAOV.
Who you most admire in the Arts and why?
I admire teachers who travel round the country or globe sharing their knowledge and those who are prepared on a regular basis to do the often mundane (yet essential) task of drilling students through basics week in week out.
Do you think it's appropriate for kyu grades to help teach? If so, why? If not, why not?
I think senior Kyu grades should help teach as it can help them be more introspective of their own techniques, which is important for development. On the other hand I would object to a senior student teaching beginners every single week and paying an instructor for the privilege. Teaching should only play a very small part of their training.
Website:
Not yet. But the Aikido clubs I train in are
http://www.fudokai.org.uk/fudokai.php?page=home
http://www.norwich-reiyukai-aikido.org.uk/
Contact details:
boamund@yahoo.co.uk
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