Sensei Richard Woo
Black Belt 2nd Dan

 

Richard began training in karate in 1992, shortly after starting an undergraduate degree course at Southampton University. Faced with a myriad of martial arts vying for students' attention at the university, Richard chose the Shotokan style understanding that it was the most widely practised martial art in the country (if not the world), and that it would always be easy to find a club at which to train after leaving Southampton.

After graduating in 1995, Richard returned to Birmingham, his home and birthplace, and promptly continued his karate studies under Senseis Ronnie Christopher and Lloyd Pryce. He attained shodan (Black Belt 1st Dan) in 2001, awarded by the late Sensei Enoeda.

 

 

Richard's Motivation for Karate
For Richard, karate is more than a sport or physical form of exercise. He encourages you to consider the broader aspects of the art as part of understanding your own individual reasons for training (be it for improving yourself, learning self defence, entering competitions, building confidence and self-discipline, examining karate's history and philosophy, and/or even just for fun!)

 

Your Karate Training With Sensei Richard Woo
Sensei Richard's classes often follow a theme and revolve around a particular aspect of karate, sometimes also bringing in elements from other styles for additional perspective (particularly Tai Chi Chu'an, which he has also studied). He particularly enjoys Kata training, and believes that much of the spirit and substance of karate can be learned through the diligent practice of these solo forms.

 

"I think there is much misunderstanding of what karate is about. It doesn't grant you superhuman powers, it won't enable you to fly, and we certainly don't chop wooden planks in half with our bare hands (at least not in our style!). On a more serious note, it is ultimately for defence only. However, it's true to say that your own karate is a reflection of the training you put in and what you want to make of it. In addition though, you may well pick up other positive attributes in the process without realising it - such as a sense of endeavour and greater respect for other people. Probably, and above all, I hope that through your karate training you will develop a confidence in yourself and your abilities which helps to avoid any confrontation in the first place."

Where to train with Sensei Richard Woo
Richard lives in London for most of his time but we are privileged to retain his skills as a Sensei from time-to-time in some of our clubs.

 

 

 

Web construction by Jeff Smith Insight Training