Author: Ash Prime

Classes resume for term 1 today (26/01/26). 4pm at Harrisville Dojo for our new junior class. All regular classes to follow.

Dojo Kun:

Respect, Effort, Courage, Kindness.

Term 1, 2026 starts next week, Monday 26 January.

Please read over our updated health and safety policy before Term 1 begins on 26/01/26. Thanks.

Health and Safety Policy Update 2026

1. Mouth guards. All students in the 8+ class will require a mouth guard for sparring. These can be purchased online or at stores like Rebel Sport and SMAI. Standard contact sport mouth guards come in a variety of prices and levels of protection. Generally, the entry level mouthguards are fine for our purposes. Note that these require fitting at home prior to use. You can purchase your own or place an order with me once classes resume.
2. Fingernails and toenails. Nails must be cut short for class. Long nails are a safety hazard to yourself and your training partners.
3. Jewelry. All jewelry must be removed before class. This includes, rings, necklaces, watches, bracelets and piercings.
4. Gloves. All students in the 8+ class will require their own personal sparring gloves. These can be the basic elastic mits we have been using or standard MMA style open finger gloves. You can purchase your own or place an order with me once classes resume. Shin pads are optional.
5. Kobudo (weapons) class will see the introduction of a new level system. Based on a student’s control and knowledge of each weapon, their level will determine the level of sparring they can do. Mouth guards will also be required for this class.
6. Hygiene and attire. Please ensure your clothing, sparring gear and self are clean for every class. Deodorant is recommended for teens and adults. Karate-gi (uniforms) are optional but please make sure you wear clothes that are appropriate and that you can move freely.
7. Injuries. Please inform me of any existing injuries before class. Any injuries sustained during class should be reported to me immediately.
8. Personal safety. Please follow instructions in class to ensure safety of all participants. If anyone feels unsafe during class, please let me know.

Moving forward, all students in the 8+ class will require a mouthguard and their own gloves for sparring.

Entry level, contact sport mouthguards are generally fine for our purposes. Note that these usually require fitting at home prior to use.

Gloves can be the simple elastic mits we currently use or standard MMA style gloves. Open fingers required for gripping.

Mouthguards and both types of gloves will be available to order through me at a discounted rate or you can purchase your own online or in stores such as Rebel Sport or SMAI.

Students will need to bring this safety gear to class every week to participate in sparring activities.

I’ll allow a few weeks at the beginning of term 1 to acquire these items. I’ll still have gloves to use in class for now.

Happy new year everyone.

Two locations:
Harrisviile School of Arts, 49 Queen St, Harrisville
Ipswich Girl Guides Hut, 2B Griffith Rd, Ipswich

Term 1 begins Monday January 26, 2026

Age 4-8: $80 per term
Age 8-adult: $120 per term

Free trial. Family discounts. Join any time.

We have a new junior class starting at Harrisville right before the regular class. Age 4-8, from 4-4:30pm Mondays.

Join me for some extra training over the break. 

2-3pm

Saturday January 3 and

Saturday January 10

Ipswich Dojo

2B Griffith Rd Ipswich Girl Guides Hut

$10 per session

All current members welcome. 

My annual reflection/Sensei Ramblings

At this time each year, taking a break from classes, I always reflect on the past year’s training and teaching. What went well? What could I do better? How are my students progressing? Am I happy with my teaching methods? Who is ready for black belt? There’s always a lot to consider and I always make changes. Some minor some more significant. 

One thing people always think about in regard to Karate is black belt. It is often though if as THE goal. Mastery. I’ve spoken about this before. While black belt is a significant milestone, it is far from mastery. It is often said to be the beginning of your real training. I have been a black belt now for longer than all other belts combined and I am learning more than ever before. Karate can be an endless learning. Constantly gaining deeper understanding. 

So what makes a black belt? We now have several students very close to black belt. They are all very different in how they train and express their abilities, knowledge and commitment. There can be specific requirements for black belt, knowing certain kata for example. This is something tangible that can be tested. It’s also something that comes easily to some and more difficult for others. It does come down to the amount of practice to a certain extent. Put in the work and you will get there. Maybe. I am well aware of differences in how we all work and our individual capacities. While I would like to have a clear standard for black belt requirements I don’t think that is truly fair. Equality vs equity. 

If we focus less on the measurable details, what attributes make a black belt?

Firstly, commitment. Dedication to training. Interests come and go in all activities. Sometimes we are inspired. Sometimes we lose motivation. The important thing is to keep going. Just turn up. Do the work (the effort will vary at times with motivation). If you can commit for an ongoing period, naturally you will gain knowledge and skills, but it is also a sign of your determination. Specific levels of progress will vary person to person. Those who are naturally athletic will pick up movements quickly. Those who have a great memory will learn kata more easily. Not everyone has both or even either of those attributes. They can still become a black belt. Commit to the art and you will reward yourself. 

The next thing that comes to mind to make a black belt is the ability to defend oneself or others. This is the primary purpose of Karate. While there are aspects of sport, culture, sprituality, socialisation and more, protection is the original intended purpose or Karate and so it is a key element of becoming a black belt. While a black belt is far from mastery, it is expected that one should be able to defend themselves to a reasonable degree. This doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact it shouldn’t be. Real life defence should be short and simple. Over in moments. While our training, our kata give us many tools and options for defence, only a handful are really needed in the moment. The important thing is that they can be applied effectively. This requires focus, strength, speed, precision, awareness and control. A great deal of practice is needed to get to an effective level. Commitment to training will get you there. The expectations will vary student to student based on age, size etc, but they must demonstrate a level of determination to succeed in protecting themselves. 

A willingness to learn and work on things that need improvement is important. Paying attention to advice and corrections is essential. Working on things in your own time. A student may not enjoy every aspect of training, but nothing is done for no reason. Work on the things you find difficult. Try to bring them closer to the level of the things you like and are better at. 

I personally think every black belt should be gauged on a very individual basis. We all bring something unique to Karate. A solid foundation of basic skills is essential. Being able to apply effective techniques under pressure is essential. An ongoing, long term commitment is essential. Other things maybe less so. I’m always in flux on various ideas about Karate. Nothing is permanent. 

Do some pushups. 

 There’s one Saturday class left and then that’s a wrap on Enso Karate classes for 2025. 

Thank you all for your participation. It’s my pleasure to see the ongoing commitment of students, the effort in class and progression over the years. Thank you for choosing to train with me. Thanks to the family and friends who bring them to class. Your support is greatly appreciated.

The board breaking videos are now up in the private Facebook group. I think everyone enjoyed that. Here’s the link if you haven’t joined yet. https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14MbPF26r6c/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Stay tuned for some updates and training videos over the break. 

Have a safe and happy holiday season everyone. 

All classes are on this week. This will be the last week of term 4 and the final classes of 2025. 

Students will have the opportunity to try their hand (or foot) at Tameshiwari or test breaking. That is breaking a wooden board with various Karate strikes. Suitable for all levels. 

Kata testing has finished. Overall a great effort from everyone. Next week will be Kumite (sparring) and junior grading. 

It’s clear that everyone has put effort into preparing for grading. There are always things to improve and I’ll chat with each participant about this at some point.

We all come to Karate with different strengths and challenges. Acknowledging this is an essential part of teaching, training and grading. One thing that I see as being among the most important attributes is commitment. The ongoing effort over many years. Turning up every week and doing the work. Pushing through the challenges. Karate takes time and we all grow in our own way. Eventually it all comes together. Grading is not a comparison between students. It’s about individual growth and I’ve seen a great deal of that over the past seven years since Enso Karate opened.