With the restrictions in place during the COVID-19 crisis we have to change the way that we deliver and receive our learning.  Students are moving into a homeschooling  model with support from their school and their parents. This will continue for the foreseeable future, it could only be weeks but will more than likely be for months.

How will this affect your karate training?

Learning anything online is hard, but not impossible. Online studies requires both discipline and commitment on your part. In saying that, just because something is hard that does not mean that it cannot become an important part of your karate journey.  Adaptability is the key to successful online learning.

To get the most out of online classes:

• Be prepared –

  • Ensure that your device is charged, plugged in, has video and sound capabilities and is connected to the internet.
  • Make sure your surroundings are clear of hazards (that there is nothing that you can trip on or come into contact with when you are performing techniques)
  • Allow yourself some time before class for warm up and afterwards for cool down.
  • Have a drink bottle close by.
  • Be ready to start class on time.

• Speak up –

  • Live classes will give you the opportunity to ask questions just as you would in the dojo. Sometimes you may be muted and have to ‘raise your hand’ or else send a text message using the program hosting the meetings such as Zoom to a live IT assistant who can relay your messages to the instructor.
  • Use feedback opportunities offered by your instructor. Our principal instructor invites you to send in short videos via Facebook messenger of your kata or combinations and will provide you with corrections as required and tips to help you move forward in your training.
  • Use your clubs Facebook page to keep in contact with your training buddies.  At a time when we are self-isolating we will miss the feeling of spending time with our training buddies, the banter and general chat that goes on before and after class will be sorely missed so engage with each other when possible on Facebook and other chat media.

• Keep a training journal:

  • Keep a note book close by to use straight after class and record anything that you are learning while it is still fresh in your mind following a live class.
  • Use a journal for Kata mapping a kata or combination that you are learning on video use the stop start features on your device.  Try writing out the kata in long hand to help commit the moves to your memory.

• Get the dojo feel at home-

  • I mentioned above about clearing a space suitable for you to train in, this could be a corner of the family room, your bedroom, carport, garage or in the garden.  Do what you can to make the space suitable for your training.
  • If you can create your own space, bring out your grading certificates, old belts, photos of you and your dojo friends at tournaments, camps or gradings, photos of the past masters of your style,  the logo of your style, bonsai tree, inspirational quotes, your dojo kun and so on.. basically anything that makes you get your karate on.
  • Put your gi and belt on before class, this helps to set your mindset for the class to come.

These are interesting times that we are moving into and there is a lot of speculation on how we will look on the other side.  Let’s uphold our traditions and practices with as much diligence and grace as we can muster.  It won’t be long before we are seeing each other in the dojo again, but until then, do whatever you must to keep your karate spirit alive.