As a thank you, were going to send you our Top 10 Tips for Martial Artists. Because when you challenge yourself, you get to understand yourself. Sensei Enkamp, welcome to whistlekick Martial Arts Radio. When I went to a dojo for the very first time, I wasn't able to sleep the night before. That's rotation sorted, now need to figure out by a way to explain by how much ???? Sensei Jesse Enkamp is the mind behind all of those wonderful things coming out of the Karate by Jesse camp, and hes as passionate a martial artist as weve ever had on this show. Well link to the episode with Master Ken, and if you haven't listened, there's a surprise in there as, not too far in, Master Ken, Mister Matt Page, and I realized that we actually have a much stronger personal connection than either of us knew until we were in the middle of that episode, so that was fun. Oh, for me, its not so much about the traditional aspect, but more the contrast, or the way that you can combine the traditional aspect with the modern world, with our todays society, because there are some You know, there are generations of Generations of masters have come before us, and to not use their collective knowledge to improve our current understanding and practice of Karate would be foolish, in my opinion, so that is why I am interested with the traditional side of Karate, because there's so much knowledge there that I think we still have not unpacked, because it has not been properly transmitted throughout the years, throughout the evolution of Karate. The self-proclaimed karate nerd talks about his past, his goals in the martial arts and why he cares so much about what he's doing. It would be really interesting to train with him, to meet him, to talk to him, in my best Japanese of course, to figure out what was his thought process when he modernized Karate? As a white belt. I'm in a bit of a transition at the moment so your words resonate with me. I call it liberating. I know my visitors would value your work. Sensei Jesse Enkamp is the host of Karate by Jesse and a self-proclaimed Karate nerd. I imploded. Hailing from Sweden, he's made a career out of promoting traditional Karate and the values he sees in training traditionally. For a lot of folks, they'd stop. I think i know what you mean. We want moreknowledge, improved skills and advancedtechniques. What do you think about belts and styles? Sensei Jesse Enkamp is the host of Karate by Jesse and a self-proclaimed Karate nerd. I stopped wearing a belt in 2006, haven't looked back since And it only improved my art by removing it and its implications, weight and chains. I am a nerd about Karate, and as you know, nerds don't do anything else other than the stuff they're nerdy about, right? Lately, I've been given the opportunity to teach to young white and yellow belts. This is how I believe the circle of karate and or in this case simplicity of the punch becomes enjoyable and pure. When I opened my dojo, I said that I didn't want to teach kids, but quickly changed my mind, not because someone said "the kids will pay your bills", but because as you said, you really do reach the next level. I needed to be reminded of this. That's one book, Karate-specific. You've impressed us all with that posting! Ah the old dilemma and great expose for the simple fact, bravo. Wonderful Jesse-san! After failing, I think, five years in a row, I was finally accepted to the national team, and I started competing internationally, and of course in my own country, but that gave me the opportunity to see the world, and that was before I was a Karate Nerd, you could say, because I didn't have I didn't write books like I do today, I didn't teach seminars, I strictly did it for myself, and I kept it silent, because for me, competing is not for others. I made these people connect with each other on such a deep level. That bond They're still friends to this day, and that was in 2014. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. What is taekwondo black belt? Itsoundscrazy, but I really wanted to be her! First, I wanted to bow to him, shake his hand, thank him for caring so much about this crazy martial arts thing that so many of us do. it. What do you think he would How do you think he would feel about the way Karate, and martial arts overall, is done today? In a lot of schools, its designed to be that way, and I'm proud that I have that to reflect on. So, KaratebyJesse.com is where you'll find my blog, and many of my other projects and videos and stuff, and of course I'm on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter as well, and you could include those links in the show notes. Each Degree is represented by an embroidered stripe on one tail of the holder's belt. And much more than a blogger and a Youtuber. Its self-discovery and self-development, because you want to be able to face bigger challenges, to compete in the bigger leagues, which means that you have to train not just harder but smarter as well, which means that you start thinking about a lot of things. It's all the same, right? Yeah, those are two of my favorites. Amazing and beautiful article. My point is, don't beat yourself up with nostalgia. I did always feel a bit sad that over time I forgot all my katas! In the experts mind, its full of absolutesolutions and definitive answers. I'm imsdspeer. I started studying Japanese. After that I just decided to go on with my life, raise my kids and spend my time on my work and family. Don't get me wrong, I found the people in the dojo very welcoming and helpful. The idea that martial arts can continue to progress, but its still within tradition because there is so much knowledge there. There's a few of you joining each and every week, and we appreciate that. I was a third dan in karate with 20 years in the dojo when I joined a judo school. If you experienced ballet, then the movements in karate should also suit you. I'm actually used to this because I communicate with people from all over the world all the time, so crossing time zones, using the online digital medium is part of my daily routine these days. Do you like your shins? And me confirming it was ok. You should have seen the glow in their eyes. It certainly helps you to peel off all the complex thinking in my mind and just focus on the real Karate. Another fantastic article, Jesse-San! 'Unless you become as a little child again, (Beginner's Mind)you cannot enter the true Way of Karate.' There certainly is a lot of wisdom in a loss. Growing up, me and my little brother Oliver would spend our days kicking each other's butt in our . I'm going to have to go with a very nerdy answer, since I am the Karate Nerd. Excellent article! My name is Jeremy Lesniak, and I'm your host as well as the founder here at whistlekick Sparring Gear and Apparel. It is well known that Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, created the colored belt system to signify rank in the late 19th . . I am not THE Karate Nerd, though. Thank you Jesse! To pass my blue belt, I needed a tori to attack me but no blue or higher belt was available, I asked an orange belt to be my tori. Last Monday, I got the gi on again. Movies - The Karate Kid, Drunken Master, Iron MonkeyActors - Jackie ChanBooks - Bubishi, Bruce Lee's books from TuttleYou can find Sensei Jesse Enkamp and what he does at Seishin-international.com, KaratebyJesse.com or on Instagram and Facebook.You can find the episode Sensei Enkamp did with Master Ken here, or listen to our episode with Master Ken. It wassurreal. Were going to send you one, two, maybe three newsletters a month. You have a great way with words Enkamp-san: succinct, coherent and to-the-point. Great. Well, then I kept doing that year after year, and I think about a year ago or so, I actually invited Master Ken as the Secret Sensei, the secret guest of my seminar. This is what we call commercial time. Keep studying and practicing until a punch becomes just a punch again. Lost. As shestepped inside, I could sense her vibeshe was as scared as she wasexcited. I've learned (re-learned) so much technical dynamics from teaching kids, especially the little ninja's (4 - 7 year olds). This is a tradition passed by Taishihan Hiramatsu through our Renshi, and it is to get again a grasp of that same feeling: to remember how it was to not know it all. A punch is just a punch. Thank you, Jesse-san, it is exactly my thoughts. Designing cool t-shirts, and hoodies, and bags, and all of these Karate lifestyle things that don't really exist is something that fires me up right now because I love to be creative, I love to have fun, and I love design. So yes, forget your belts and teach and work with lower ranked karatekas and you will see how much left you need to perfect! Jesse-Sensei, couldn't agree with you more about teaching kids & beginners! The other side loves competition. When respected high ranks emerge as assholes (actually just as humans but you know what I mean); when wisdoms you thought were truths are revealed as myths and when your belief in your own amazingness is shattered by exposure to the big world outside the dojo. To me, competing is just a vehicle, or a tool, something I use for a different purpose than just the trophy at the end, because a lot of times, the biggest lessons come from when you don't even get that trophy, when you fail or lose, and you have to look yourself in the mirror and think, Hey, why didn't that go as planned? That teaches you a lot. Trying to explain it in a way they understand. Let's welcome him to the show. A great point. If you spend any time on social media looking at martial arts content, you'll know today's guest. Okinawa agreed and many masters backed up from 12 and 13th Degree to 10th Degree, although one in Hawaii refused and kept his 13th Degree til the day he died. Beginners mind is a beautiful thing. I appreciate it. I felt like I was right there with you. Hes done a lot to further the arts for sure, and I really appreciate what hesdone. No style, no competition, no pressure- just the pure fun of learning a new art taught with the heart and spirit. In order to really understand something, explain it to someone who doesn't understand. If someone is willing to take you up on that and they want to start exploring his books, is there a place you would suggest they start? That's why I started Karate, and I liked the whole aspect of having weapons as well, because I love fighting with weapons, too. A lot of people from different countries around the world decided to help me make this seminar a reality, and in return they would get videos, because I had a professional guy record this whole seminar. At events, I demo our shin guards by shin kicking door frames - full force. At first I was assigned the students and was really hesitant. Exactly, and this is expressed perfectly in the old saying from Japan which goes, On Ko Chi Shin, meaning, To learn from the old is to understand the new. If you don't understand history, then you're doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past, right? Its funny we spend years striving to achieve a high level in Karate. The self-proclaimed Karate Nerd talks about his past, his goals in the martial arts, and why he cares so much about what hes doing. I decided to compete because I like challenging myself. Secondly, I really want to train with him. Do take heart and keep training. For one moment, I wouldve traded my arm and leg to be in her position. For instance, I was trying to get those 8 to 10 years old kids to understand (to grasp the concept) how to move while keeping a low stance (avoiding the bouncing head syndrome for example). Once again I donned a white belt despite my sensei telling me that I may wear my black belt with a white stripe. Then, if I had to say another more martial arts, more general, then perhaps why not the books that Bruce Lee wrote? My name is Jesse Enkamp. If you study sport karate or mma take up escrima or Silat. Tell us about what's got you fired up right now, and what you're moving towards. You're entering the competition season in Europe right now. Not to mention, we put an extra layer of foam right over your tibia - that's your shin bone - so you're sure to survive those brutal shin clashes. I'm a passionate "Karate Nerd", who loves helping people improve their Karate. You had my nodding along here. 1/4-turn, 1/2-turn, 3/4-turn? If I had to pick Karate or martial arts books, first of all, the Bubishi. But because itsthe#1 waytoreach next levelin your journeyas black belt. Since that day, I went back many times as I got older as well. The class I enjoy most in the week is reaching white belt adults that come to learn while their kids learn with another teacher. What a lovely sentiment, and I agree 100%. Check out this Karate black belt grading in the traditional dojo (martial arts center) of Jesse Enkamp, a.k.a. After all, there plenty of class members who out-ranked me If you do, you should check out our shin guards. I think that's pretty much a classic as well. If you had it to do over again, how would you handle that match, that fight, with what you know now? I never fail to be amazed at his ability to gauge my character and training requirements. When did you first realize that you could be completely, not just satisfied, but enjoy your life if it was end-to-end Karate? Yeah, because like I told you earlier, I had this Like the first story I told you about the Karate Nerd Experience. 10th degree black belt in Okinawa. It seemed like most karate uniforms were not made for practitioners who enjoyed every aspect of karate; including kata, kihon, kumite, bunkai and self-defense. Right now, I am in training for the first belt exam but I am not sure if I'll be in shape until early February. My mind is clear after reading your article. For most people its a little bit easier. It stops loading when I click a couple of times. That moment told me that what I'm doing is bigger than myself, and it was such a cool memory for me, or moment, that throughout the whole experience from that seminar, that's the one thing that I remember most. That was like stepping into a different world. Generations of masters have come before us, and to not use their collective knowledge to improve our current understanding and practice of karate would be foolish in my opinion. As featured in this Youtube vlog by Jesse Enkamp (11:45 mark) Excellente article. He loves to teach Karate, Kobudo . Every real black belt should try that challenge as this is the ego test,please share your experience afterwards,it would be interesting maybe as another article? Thank you Jesse-San for a wonderful article. Little details such as "imagine we are entering a small play room where the ceiling is 5 foot high" goes a long way First thing I notice, they all move with their head steady and low, doing perfect zenkutsu dachi transitions. It is very personal, and its not research with footnotes or anything boring like that. Do you hate clashing shins when you're sparring? That was so cool to me because, as you know, it is the birthplace of Karate, and being there and seeing a live master in the flesh, right in front of you, with these huge, badass knuckles, that was like the coolest thing ever to a I was like 8 or 7 year old fat kid from Sweden. My story starts in the dojo. Thank you to the returning listeners, and hello and welcome to those of you trying us on. A few things that have always helped me keep this perspective, is teaching kids and beginners a lot, but also remembering that cho dan means beginning level. But sometimes it makes me sad to see all thoses "master" having answer to everything and only thinking one way, like a block its only a block. I didn't realise it until I started teaching the kids that changing direction in a Kata is sooooo complicated, clockwise or anti-clockwise? This proven to be the hardest and most revealing belt exam I ever did. At my last training session there were also two beginners, one for whom it was the first lesson. Id like you to think of a time in your life that made you look on your black belt test, or in some other way you used your martial arts experience to get through that tough time. Hailing from Sweden, he's made a career out of promoting traditional Karate and the values he sees in training traditionally. The color Black represents Unification and Darkness or Night. I love that title, and its something that I myself am a martial arts nerd. Of course, I jumped to it -- but not without thinking to myself why had my senior instructor called ME out to help? I now am 2nd kyu and heading towards 1st kyu and eventually that coveted black belt and the more I train on my own in front of the mirrors I can see all my flaws so clearly that it's disheartening. He really influenced me with the way they practiced, and his whole character and his spirit, because like I said, I had never met a real master before, unless you count my parents, but I guess they would never call themselves masters. When we went there the first time, we stayed at this masters house, which is also his dojo, and he also has a Karate museum in this house. Excellent article sensei Jessethis is the real Karate do mentality.. "Sho Shin" : Our Club motto: Translates as "Beginner's Mind", 2022 Jesse Enkamp. In the beginners mind, Karate is full ofamazing opportunities and unique questions. And humans, were hard-wired to make mistakes and to learn from those mistakes. It was all or nothing, and that's why, of course, the stronger man won, because I didn't have that physical capacity that was needed to go all-in against this particular opponent. Yet another anecdote. At some point, we are all beginners.