A snap insight into my training credentials

I began my journey in 1972 aged 15, after reading an advert in the Southport Visitor. ‘Learn karate as taught to the emperor of Japans’ body guard.’ And that was it - I was hooked. I remember watching the instructor Sensei Gary Spiers and thinking how the hell would I stop him? Over the years many had the exact feeling!

Three years later I became his first senior Dan grade, thereafter he convinced me to begin my path of instruction. I founded the Southport Miyagi Karate School in 1975 and taught out of Hampton Road Dojo for six months before deciding to turn professional. This was a decision I have never regretted. As a young man I had found a dream lifestyle.

Life moved along and in 1976 Gary took me to meet another instructor, a decision I initially rebelled against.  However, I was soon to begin another journey. The decision to pass me on to another mentor was an act of unselfishness, the ego of many instructors would prohibit. The instructor was GM Ronnie Colwell.  Entry into LSKC was not a formality. Seated at the heart of Toxteth, Liverpool it was a tough school. Hard work, spirit, giving and receiving lumps  was the key – I was in! It was a truly enlightening time and for the next ten years I simply taught and trained hard.

Times passes. Eventually I retired from teaching to embark on solitary training. After passing the club onto my senior students, I began to seek the depths of karate practice. Under the watchful eye of GM Colwell, using the forest as a training base, I studied striking, weapons and mind-set, a path few choose. Twenty years later I was coerced back into teaching.  I was shocked. Karate had hanged its hat on the masses, something it does not suit. In order to do so it had changed dramatically. And so I set about forming a system that is pure. A system that is based on truth – not myth.  GM Colwell named it Sho-Hikari. It fell on deaf ears. The forest called - I returned saddened, disillusioned.

And so we reach today. Having taught at the GM Cowell’s Memorial Old Way Seminar I have found a new desire. People listened, people nodded in the acceptance that we are human. They began to see that many techniques inside all systems require reactions we do not possess – so why pretend?

After much thought I decided not to promote a new style but to inject a theme into my teaching – I call it “Narutake” – meaning "If Possible". I am now set on a pilgrimage to erase "practice of the impossible" to those who chose to listen. If I can plant seeds to elevate karate to a place it once was – then I will have succeeded and can settle down back amongst the trees a happy Budoka.

Pete Woodrow McDowell

Narutake - If Possible.