During my 45 years teaching martial arts, one thing has always been a constant: the inevitability of change. My tendency has always been to change something and do it my way, preferring to ask for forgiveness after the fact. Fortunately, during the years, this has allowed me to become the first to achieve many things I’m proud of.
It is not an easy task to be the first to accomplish something; however, when you are the first-or among the first-you will always be remembered. My instructors taught me years ago that my success would depend on my ability to use my resources fully.
An instructor does not owe each of his students his very best, but he does owe it to them at least to make the effort to do his best. I always remember my instructors and why my relationship with them paid off. They had gifts. Each of these gifts enabled me to live my dream, go beyond my initial goal, which was just to be a good Black Belt.
In Okinawa, Kinjo Chinsaku gave me my first Black Belt promotion. He only spoke two words of English. Still, he was able to bring the greatness from me. He had a deep appreciation for my talents, in spite of the language barrier. I remember his essence. I call it “class.” He gave me my “class” as a fighter.
My first instructor was Eizo Shimabuku. He taught me tradition. He gave me my traditional heritage in the martial arts. He also provided me with the best crop of Black Belts for learning on the planet. He taught me how to fight and never miss a workout, always be first to class, always leave last and respect your seniors. He also promoted me to Black Belt.
Seiyu Oyata was my third teacher. Oyata taught me how to be sneaky, ambush, never trust what your eyes see. He taught me instincts. He taught me how to be mean. He was big for an Okinawan, and he loved fighting. He added toughness to my spirit.
My next Karate instructor, Gordon Doversola, taught me style. I love the Chinese style of his system, Okiwana-te. He taught me smoothness, circular movement, camaraderie and how to appreciate Asian foods and Chinese weaponry. He taught me cultural appreciation, and a great deal about healing the body, and introduced me to mental energies, a psychical level of combat. He showed me balance, not only in combat, but also in my teaching skills. He taught me to appreciate the art, aside from the combat aspects, and katas.
John Korab taught me how to train harder than any human and how to fight by never quitting. He taught me about pain tolerance, stress tolerance and mental toughness. He taught me that defense was the key, strategy was important, and your game plan was only as good as your ability to execute. He taught how to help the weak to feel accepted in the Karate school. Mostly, he taught me to think and made me appreciate the value of always raising my bar.
Bruce Lee taught me to use my abstract intelligence, and most importantly, he taught me to conceptualize all aspects of martial arts. I learned the value of fighting principles and combat tactics. I learned to perceive weaknesses and strengths in my fellow humans, and not only in combat. I learned the value of family in the martial arts. He taught me how to outthink my opponents. The most important mental gift Bruce imparted was learning to strengthen my entire attitude by properly focusing. He was a true master and master teacher. He introduced me to the supreme importance of being a great teacher. He taught me a great deal about why it is important to teach others properly, and to be fit, not only as a fighter, but also as an instructor.
I was extremely fortunate to train with this incredible group through the years. Those were unique circumstances during a unique time. These were virtually non-commercial relationships and, in the group classes I attended, everyone was an adult male. Today’s classroom is more diverse and the demands on the instructor are much more complex than the situation in which I was raised. I was lucky I had a fabulous chain of command, to each of which I will be forever indebted.
Still, I’m a Black Belt Hall of Fame Instructor of the Year. I travel to hundreds of schools each year and it’s clear there is little consistency in the methods of teaching and safety in the martial arts. That’s not because instructors don’t care. Most care very much.
If I were a parent, bringing my child to your school, then I would want to know, with absolute certainty that you would provide my child with the very best instruction on the planet. It’s not about making more money. It’s about improving your skills as a teacher. Though many of us may never be great fighters or champions, we can all be great teachers. Let’s be first together.
In a career spanning more that four decades, Joe Lewis has won more competition titles and instituted more innovations than anyone in the history of martial sports. That’s why he is “The Greatest Fighter in the History of Karate.”
