The Kaizen Way

Our karate school couldn’t have a more perfect name!  Kaizen Karate.  The word Kaizen is a Japanese word that means “Improvement”, and refers to a philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement.  So, literally, Kaizen Karate means continuous improvement in karate.  So, why is this such an apt name for the school?

Using a kaizen philosophy to tackle any project is a great way to accomplish just about anything.  By breaking down the thing you want to do or learn into very small chunks, it allows you to more easily learn what you need to know because what you are working on is such a small and manageable piece.  By continually working in this manner, you slowly but surely can make great strides in accomplishing your goal.

This method is perfect for learning karate.  Karate involves soundly learning fundamentals and then building upon them.  Learning footwork, stances and the basic blocks and punches are essential before you learn how to spar and perform complex katas.  Continually learning small pieces and practicing them daily will allow you to not only learn the material, but also become very proficient at doing it.  Working on these moves often (continuously) will lead to bigger improvements, and before you know it, you are on your way to blackbelt.

At Kaizen Karate, we stress the kaizen philosophy in every aspect of how we teach.  From the very beginning, students are drilled in working on the fundamentals, and continually working on making small improvements.  As the student progresses through the system, they build upon what they have already learned, and add more and more skills and complexity.  By the time a student reaches the advanced belts, they are truly ‘advanced’ students and ready to tackle anything!

The beautiful thing is, you can apply Kaizen to your daily life.  Do you want to be better at something?  Do you want to get ahead in your job?  Do you want to learn to play a musical instrument?  How about learn a new language?  You will find no better way to tackle these and many other projects by applying the kaizen philosophy to it.

So, if you wish to see more positive results in any project, try applying the kaizen philosophy to it…you will be amazed at the results you get!

-Coach David Matusow-

If you are interested in a very good book on the Kaizen philosophy, consider the book, “One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way” by Robert Maurer, available on amazon.com