r/karate • u/Paul15759 • 6d ago
Is it worth going to a Karate seminar
Is it worth going to a Karate seminar?
I have been training Shotokan Karate for several months and I train quite regularly, partly also daily. I try to improve myself additionally outside of my normal club training.
Now I have the opportunity to take part in a Karate seminar. The seminar lasts one day. As far as I know, there are supposed to be very experienced instructors there who have high Dan grades. I wanted to ask whether it is already worth going there at my current level or whether such seminars are generally worth going to.
I would be happy to receive your feedback and experiences.😃
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u/MrKarlStrom 6d ago
Honestly it is and I say this also as fellow Shotokan student
A Few Weeks ago me and my buddy who is now practicing Shotokan but prior to that he studied Tang Soo Do.
We went to a seminar in Horsens Denmark with Kyoshi Alejandro Castro Botero.
and we got so much out of that whole experience and actually I did incorporate a lot of what he taught us into my practicing routine but also stances.
So I absolutely recommend it.
And later this month I will participate in SKIF DM in Denmark and hopefully do my Dojo Proud
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u/Throwawayxdryx 6d ago
When you say you "have the opportunity" does it mean that you have been invited to attend by your sensei, or that at least it was advertised as something open also to lower belts (I imagine you are yellow or orange since you mention training for "several months")?
If so, if you can afford it, why not? While it's true that at this level of experience you may not learn more than you would in normal training at your dojo, there is exposure to aspect of the experience you wouldn't normally have access to, such as being inspired by demonstrations of experts, seeing things from a different perspective, socialising with your peers from other dojos if it's a larger event...
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u/Scotla511 5d ago
Quite early in the karate journey. Got recommended to attend a seminar as a white belt. Turned out I was one of 3 white belts that actually attended most of the others were higher level belts. Was definitely worthwhile attending just for the tips and techniques I picked up during the session. Also made the whole learning karate as someone in their 30's thing a lot less daunting
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u/cjh10881 Kempo - Kajukenbo - Kemchido 🥋 Nidan 6d ago
Just the fact that your school promotes, and/or encourages it, should be a good indication of the culture of your school. I got to seminars all the time, we also host seminars and they are always well received by surrounding dojos. I got to a three day martial arts symposium every year and there are high level instructors, about 40 of them, from different styles, and you get to pick and choose what you want learn about.
This year Michael Jai White and David Marcaida are going to be there, among many others
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u/Puzzleheaded-Phase70 6d ago
Yeah, if the person leading it is worth the time.
Those kinds of seminars and clinics are GREAT opportunities to deepen your understanding.
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u/unwitting_hungarian 6d ago edited 5d ago
edit
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u/LifesGrip 5d ago
That would be pretty dope to see though , like a student could learn something from that experience still
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u/mediarenaissance 6d ago
Yes it’s a good way to have a breakthrough and it sounds like you’re enjoying it
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u/WastelandKarateka Shorin-Ryu & KishimotoDi 6d ago
It sounds like what you're going to is probably something like gasshuku--a training camp--where there are multiple sessions throughout the day, with different instructors teaching different subjects.
The answer I'm expected to give, here, is "Of course! It's always good to get out there and experience the way other people teach, and learn under high ranking instructors!"
My real answer might ruffle some feathers, but the fact of the matter is that you probably aren't going to actually learn anything new at the seminar that you wouldn't learn in your normal classes, at some point. You are still very much a beginner and, most likely, you won't be able to understand and remember any of the more advanced material they might show. You'll get corrections on your basics, which your sensei can give you, and that's about it. The only reason to go to such an event, as a beginner, is for the novelty and camaraderie that comes from training in a large group with high ranking people at the front of the class. If that is something you want, then go for it! If not, don't worry about your karate being worse off for not having gone.
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u/EnrehB Shotokan 4d ago
Hi Noah, nerdy question but does a gasshuku in the US mean a full-day event with multiple instructors? I think it's not a common term in the UK, so that's interesting. 合宿 would always entail an overnight stay, to me.
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u/WastelandKarateka Shorin-Ryu & KishimotoDi 4d ago
The Japanese connotation of "gasshuku" certainly does imply an overnight stay, but in the west, we generally see "training camps" a bit differently, so it can be applied to any event that lasts at least a day with multiple different instructors teaching sessions that are different but related subjects.
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u/vietbond Kenpo 6d ago
I've been training for 30 years. I still go to seminars I'm interested in at least a few times a year.
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u/GrooGrux 6d ago
Who's the instructor and what is the seminar about and are you interested in what it's about?
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u/Paul15759 6d ago
The instructor is Jürgen Kestner, and Klaus Sterba and Gunar Weichert will also be there. As far as I know, the focus of the seminar is on self-defense and applying karate principles in realistic situations. The topic would definitely interest me.
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u/karainflex Shotokan 5d ago
Jürgen Kestner
the answer is yes :-) It's always a good idea to train with someone who needs martial arts for his job. It's not only good for learning technique and application of it, sometimes you get a couple of noteworthy anecdotes. Maybe during classes, maybe in the coffee break. Go there, get in contact with people, watch and listen.
It is also a good idea to see what other people of your rank can or cannot do, maybe you can see how other people do kyu exams and it's also a peek into the future and maybe one day one of those high dan grades will be your examiner in your dan exam. And maybe one day you hit a plateau in your current training and may want to seek something else or something in addition. Then those people are your option. It's always good to know people and get in contact. Think long term :-) And if you decide to become a trainer one day and get licensed... well... guess who is doing those seminars... the karate world is small.
So yes, go there whenever you can. It's fun and educational but it's also beyond technical training.
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u/Administrative-Fix21 5d ago
I've been training for 30 years and I've gone to seminars throughout the years. They're great to learn alot of different things. Go and just have alot of fun. It also allows you to connect with new people and make lasting relationships. Good luck with your training.
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u/Maxxover 4d ago
Almost always the answer will be yes. It’s a chance to train with different instructors, and make new friends.
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u/Sharikacat Shuri-ryu 1d ago
If you're only experience in martial arts is the several months of shotokan you mention, then you may not get a whole lot out of a seminar. At lower ranks, students have a hard enough time remembering the steps for the first couple of kihons and kata, and if that's been your experience, then you may not remember much about what went on unless you are prepared to spend time after any class taking as detailed notes as you can (and possibly getting input from others who attended as well).
Higher ranks, who are expected to pick up and retain movements more swiftly, will come away with a handful of drills or things that struck their interest and be able to bring those back to their home dojo to share with their peers. If anyone else from your dojo will be going to this seminar, this is a great way to maximize value to benefit everyone in your dojo.
Setting all of that aside, there's still some merit in going if you can. You will get a chance to see the collaborative efforts of people across multiple styles. Being sociable helps, and you'll already get the chance to meet many people in classes if they involve partnering up.
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u/Wilbie9000 Isshinryu 6d ago
It really depends on who is teaching, what they’re teaching, what you’re looking to learn, etc.
I’ve been to some really excellent seminars; and I’ve been to a few that were not so great. Most have been pretty good.
If you go, the main thing is to keep an open mind and pay attention. You’re probably going to have a lot of information thrown at you. I’ve personally found that they’re a lot better if I go with people who I know and train with so we can compare notes after; but I also make it a point to work with other people at the seminar.
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u/Different_Coyote_340 6d ago
Not only for the extra instruction but for friendships that are made along the way!
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u/krisolov 6d ago
Absolutely worth it for a one day seminar. You'll be exposed to some great practitioners, and in my experience it's a pretty laid back learning environment. Belt level shouldn't matter; they will expect people from different styles and skill levels.
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u/Eikgander Ameri-Do-Te 6d ago
Like everything, it depends. But most of the time if it's something put on by your association and or approved by your Sensei, then yes. It'll be worth it.
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u/foxydevil14 6d ago
I love experiencing other teachers methods of instruction. Anytime I go to a seminar, I am happy if I leave with 1 thing that I keep for my own karate. More than that, it was REALLY worth it imo.
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u/kitkat-ninja78 TSD & Shotokan 4th Dan | 3rd Kyu Shorin-Ryu | Iaido | Jiujitsu 6d ago
If you have the time and want to go, I would say go for it. This is no reflection on your instructor and how they teach, it's just about getting some extra training in and getting a different perspective.
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u/Budokan_B Wado-ryu 5d ago
I went to a couple of seminars, one of them hosted by the Grandmaster of my style.
Firstly, it's always good to confront yourself with different approaches. You usually don't do a lot of different stuff in the seminar, but you get a lot of input about basic moves or kata.
All in all, I'd suggest you go
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u/Shadeylark 4d ago edited 4d ago
My dojo association hosts a convention annually where we bring in people to give seminars from all over the region to train in both our style and do cross training for a weekend, as well as give topics such as how to teach and how to build and run a dojo.
It is without a doubt one of the best martial arts experiences I attend.
If you have the opportunity to attend any sort of martial arts seminar, presuming it isn't just some ad hoc last minute thing, I'd highly recommend it no matter what your style or martial art.
Even as someone new to martial arts, a well done seminar can expose you to so much more than you might get in your own dojo and that is always valuable.
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u/Arokthis Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito 1d ago
How much is it? Is there a syllabus already planned? If there is black belt material being taught/reviewed, what are the white/yellow belts expected to do?
I assume a one-day event is going to be close enough that you can drive there, attend, and get home in less than a day and a half. A hotel stay for a one-day event is dumb.
99% of the time I would tell you to go, as long as the price doesn't FUBAR your budget.
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u/zorbacles Shotokan 6d ago
i would generally go to seminars for styles that i dont normally train in rather than for ones that i did. all training is worthwhile however
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u/belowaveragegrappler 6d ago edited 6d ago
I am unclear on the measurable outcome you're looking for?
What's your goal for being in karate in the first place? What is the seminar covering? Do they mesh? What does this person do special that you can't get at your gym?
For example, if your goal is to apply karate to self-defense, will they be running scenarios, mock attacks, sparring with weapons vs. no weapons, kinda stuff?
Are you having trouble landing your spinning hook kick and this instructor is known for a mean hook kick? You might get some valuable insights.
If you're looking to eventually step into the octagon, is the instructor planning on covering karate for MMA, and what kind of sparring will be happening?
If it's just fun, what makes this seminar fun? Fun sparring with pro level guys? Demos that you enjoy?
My experience/feedback: on a lot of these is I am no better at fighting when I walked as to when I walked out with a few exceptions. I find them talking about "how we do it" and making minor corrections that are really nothings and talking about history of things. It made me a bit jaded in many ways. I'm, just $40 lighter and burned an afternoon. Not to say I won't go to these things, but outcomes need to be clear. Best coaches I have worked with are solid organized and outcomes are pretty measurable.
If the seminar isn't advertising what they are actually covering and/or that doesn't line up with your goals, then it's probably not worth your time.
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u/EnrehB Shotokan 4d ago edited 4d ago
Ooof, dude, sorry to hear about your bad seminar experiences. On the other hand, I think not everything needs to be justified by a SMART goal. Beginners don't even know yet what they don't know, but if they trust the person who invites them to a good seminar, they can have a truly eye-opening experience.
It sounds like you have access to a good instructor but not much access to good seminars. Or no good info on the instructors before you signed up. A shame.
I agree it's best to be clear about our training goals and seek out experiences that further those goals, avoiding scammers and time-wasters. Good to encourage that, but I'd always encourage a beginner to at least try one seminar their sensei recommends, and see how it goes.
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u/TepidEdit 6d ago
it's always good to get to different instructors, they sometimes explain things in a different way and things can click