Karate

Karate and Self Protection from John Titchen

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Hi!

I’m John Titchen. I began my training in the Martial Arts and Self Protection over thirty years ago. I’ve been lucky enough to travel and train with and learn from instructors across the world.

I’m the author of eight influential books on karate and self defence training. I’m also a former regular columnist for Traditional Karate Magazine, Combat Magazine and Jissen. I’ve been a qualified teacher and trainer across multiple disciplines, from University to the Military and to Schools. I’m also a two time transplant survivor. I write articles on personal safety and self protection focused karate and teach seminars internationally.

If this is your first visit, read about my training here, have a look at my books, or check out an article from my blog .

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lots of positive feedback

The more boys and staff I get round, the more positive the comments seem to become. Several staff emailed me, unprompted, to tell me how much they enjoyed it. Comments from feedback forms all very positive from the students. Q. What did you learn? A. Lots!!! …Thanks so much for yet another successful session. I’ve heard lots of positive feedback and I also know that the teachers really enjoyed it

Head of General Education
Bedford School

a remarkable seminar

Sensei John delivered a remarkable seminar, leaving us with a deeper understanding of the 5 Shotokan Heian Kata. His knowledge on the subject is staggering, spanning some 25 years of training. His teaching method was structured and pleasant and kept all of us involved and interested throughout. It was a fantastic experience for all who took part. Truly an amazing experience for us all by a gentleman Sensei who not only shared with us openly an integrated system of Heian applications to make our Karate more complete, but also taught us invaluable life lessons with his example, attitude and indomitable spirit. Thank You Sensei John.

Sensei James Galea, 7th Dan
Malta Karate Federation

a wealth of knowledge

If you want to make your Karate a practical tool for self defence then look no further. John has a wealth of knowledge on his subject, and is open and friendly in his approach and you will learn skills that will stand you in good stead should you ever need them (plus, it’s just plain good fun!).

Sensei Robert Davis, 4th Dan
Redfish Applied Karate

wholeheartedly endorse

I am the Canadian Director of the Jeet Kune Do Athletic Association and have been involved in martial arts and Law Enforcement for many years now (far too many than I care to mention). John is someone who I have known for some time now and I wholeheartedly endorse his approach and his teachings. Everyone – especially “seasoned” or experienced martial artists – should train with John Titchen any chance they get to see how much of what they know is applicable and more importantly how much isn’t. I don’t endorse many people, and believe me I do get asked a lot; this is one I am happy to offer without being asked.

Jay Cooper
Founder, HAVOC Martial Arts

common sense advice

We have used John for a number of years for self protection training as part of our L6th Life Skills days. Different training is offered to boys and girls, reflecting John’s philosophy that such training should be focused and relevant. Feedback from all the students has been very positive, especially from the girls who have appreciated the common sense advice regarding threats and threat avoidance. His two hour sessions have invariably been deemed ‘too short’ by participants and we will continue to make use of Archilochus’ training as a crucial element of our Life Skills provision.

Assistant Head
Ispwich School.

one of the very best I have come across

I first trained with John in 2017 at a seminar In Birmingham, having read the Heian Flow System and Pinan Flow System books, and it was a lightbulb moment in my karate. The interchange between various kata that I had spent years learning all of a sudden made them become much more alive.

Since then, I have been fortunate to train with John on many occasions and each time I find new things learnt or something to go and improve. The clear process of the system accompanied by his wealth of knowledge in karate and self-protection make it a great tool to any karate-ka’s repertoire. The overlap and layers of drills which have a range of applications to various attacks aid the practitioner’s understanding of what these kata are truly about and capable of. From the last Pinan Flow System course, I found the failure cascades and fluidity between drills and kata to be extremely useful with each giving a host of options and subsequent back up techniques found within these kata.

Over the years I have trained under many instructors and John is one of the very best I have come across and his influence on my karate and teaching approach can not be understated.

Dan Young, 4th Dan Shotokan Karate

full of fantastic insights

What an amazing and well thought-out book. It caused me to really question myself and my training in some points. It’s full of fantastic insights and points of view on the process of training karate and studying kata. The analogy of “melting ice into water” is spot on too. Thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to any other experienced karateka.

Jon McLean 3rd Dan Shukokai Karate
Warrior Spirit Martial Arts

a must do for any serious student

This course (Simulation Day) is a must do for any serious student to park their ego and examine their skills and train under a true pressured environment.

Police Self Defence Trainer with 16 years experience
Sim Day

adds to the body of knowledge

Dr Titchen’s current work adds to the body of knowledge in the martial arts.

Rick Clark, 8th Dan
Chief Instructor AoDenkou Kai International

Karate is undergoing a revolution

Karate is undergoing a revolution. Not a revolution that uproots the past, but instead one that returns to the past to water the roots of our tradition so that, after decades of stasis, it may grow and flourish. There is no doubt in my mind that John Titchen is one of the leading lights of this modern revolution (re-evolution?). John is someone who I always enjoy discussing karate and self-protection with. Every time we talk in person or online I find myself reassured by our commonalities and excited by our divergences. John is also someone who, to me, embodies the warrior spirit. Easygoing and thoughtful in nature, but who has a determination and love of what he does that is as infectious as it is inspirational.
John Titchen and his scenario training is excellent. John would probably be, in the UK at least, the go to guy (for Scenario training). Instructors want to know what they are teaching is realistic, but how can they be sure if they’ve never had been involved in a real situation? Getting involved in real situations is obviously not the answer! So how to we solve the seeming paradox of wanting to gain the vital experience needed without doing anything illegal, stupid or unethical? The answer is realistic simulation training and, for my money, John Titchen is the number 1 guy when it comes to providing such training in a professional, realistic and ego free way

Iain Abernethy, 7th Dan
British Combat Karate Association

highly informative professional presentation

A highly informative professional presentation was delivered to the Lower Sixth students. The feedback from the students was very positive resulting in a repeat booking for next year.

Sixth Form Coordinator
Felsted School

There are supposed, empirical works on Karate and self defence that are simply not in the same league as this work

To say this book is a collection of selected articles written by John over a number of years is to do it an injustice. There are supposed, empirical works on Karate and self defence that are simply not in the same league as this work and most certainly not as thought provoking; this is no small offering either. Running to over 150 pages it is both comprehensive, very well structured and especially well written and in a style that holds one’s attention. Whilst it is a book that one can dip into at any point it benefits from treating it like any book and working from front to back, with each article essentially a chapter, flowing naturally from one subject to the next and with a history of the particular article at the end of each one. The thought provoking thread running through the book is John’s endeavour, over more than two decades of training and researching, to square how an Eastern martial art such as Karate serves the purpose of working against what he terms ‘habitual acts of violence (HAOV) and how he has adapted the key principles of a traditional karate system to the imperatives of this western ‘curse.’ This is a book after my own heart and I thoroughly commend it to anyone who questions what their current karate training is geared towards, but also to those who don’t need convincing about the efficacy of their karate in dealing with real life violence but need a plan to affect change. This book will answer both question and need.

Peter Consterdine, 10th Dan Karate
Chief Instructor, The Combat Group

John’s methodical approach to Kata application is amazing

Excellent book, John’s methodical approach to Kata application is amazing. I can highly recommend this work to every Karateka that is searching for meaningful, useful and no nonsense info on subject of Bunkai.

Les Bubka
International Karate Instructor

an excellent teacher

These self defence classes were an excellent introduction to the skills needed to feel confident about being attacked on the street & in one’s own home. We were taught that the adrenalin of fear is really adrenaline to confront an aggressor. As a woman I am not a mere “weakling” but someone who is ready to defend myself using the skills taught in these classes. John is an excellent teacher with the knowledge to inform about the most effective strategies to tackle an aggressor in any situation. I would recommend these classes to anyone who feels the need to learn how to protect oneself in any confrontational situation.

Head of Careers
Royal Grammar School High Wycombe

will definitely book another course

The course was well run and was much appreciated by the girls. They learnt valuable information about attack avoidance, and then took part in a range of physical activities to enable them to escape physical attacks. All those who took part enjoyed the course a greaat deal and I will definitely book another course for next year’s seniors. I thoroughly recommend that senior girls are given this type of training.

Housemistress
Oundle School, Student Safety Course

absolutely buzzing

I’ve had some really good feedback today from staff. Two members of staff contacted me directly to say how good it was and how much their students enjoyed it, and are still talking about it today. These are some quotes from their emails:
They came back absolutely buzzing in the morning
He pitched it absolutely right for our students with the language he used, and the examples he gave we could all relate to too.
One student remarked,” it didn’t feel like an hour and a half, it felt like ten minutes!

Deputy Head of Student Services
Amersham and Wycombe College

Well constructed

One of the most enjoyable days training ever, after many years of traditional tkd training this felt like the missing piece of the jigsaw! Well constructed with good feedback, a great leveller, physically tough and emotionally challenging but ultimately most enlightening……. must come back!

Tom Coleman, 8th Dan
Tae Kwon Do Association of Great Britain

transformed my understanding of kata, karate and self-defence

Even as a Third Dan with long experience of Karate (Shotokan and Goju Ryu), plus Aikido and MMA, it was John’s books that fundamentally transformed my understanding of kata, karate and self-defence. Drilling the book series through, against habitual acts of violence, really gave me the insight to unlock the full genius of the katas; the multiplicity of applications and how to flow them together fluidly and dynamically. After 20+ years, it wasn’t until I put this series of books into practice and drilled them through that I really got it. Each book is about the cost of two karate lessons and I guarantee you that the insights gained in each will impact you much much more.

Mark Jervis, 4th Dan

informative, instructive and enjoyable

Highly informative, instructive and enjoyable. I feel more confident inside already.

Mr D Thompson, Stress Inoculation Course
Southwell

thorough, considered and pragmatic

Having had John do a number of seminars for me I can say that he is thorough, considered and pragmatic in his approach, detailed in his explanations and also extremely knowledgeable on legal aspects of Self Defence training. I would recommend him to anyone.

Paul Mitchell, 4th Dan
TAGB

a true understanding of his subject matter

I have been training in the martial arts for over twenty years and have been fortunate enough to have had some very good instructors. It is not often that I am truly impressed by another instructor, but John Titchen struck me as being on a different level to most. A true understanding of his subject matter, backed up by a very impressive CV. Since training with John and his students I am keen to expose my own students to his training.

Simon Sheridan, Chief Instructor
HAVOC Martial Arts UK

highly recommend

I have been training in Shotokan Karate for around 30 years and came across John after attending one of his scenario days (which I would highly recommend). Chatting with John after the scenario day I decided to try out one of his classes. Since the start of 2016 I’m at the High Wycombe dojo once a month making the 2hr round trip to train with John. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to make their karate work in modern day situations.

Sensei Brian Bates, 5th Dan
Zanshin Karate Academy

Excellent session as ever

This is my third time visiting with John. Excellent session as ever, development of everybody that comes up here. It is a challenge for any martial artist to come and test what they’ve done through the years, and see how they cope in enclosed environments and tough challenging situations, wearing the body armour just makes it so much more real for people. Fully endorse it. Thank you John.

Alan Murphy, 7th Dan
Mushin Bushikan JuJitsu

Fantastic

Sensei John was fantastic as an instructor and as a person. His teaching method was structured and pleasant and kept all of us involved and interested throughout.

Sensei Jesmond Schembri
5th Dan, Malta Karate Federation

All Karateka should read this

All Karateka should read this and really understand how to turn their Kata into a meaningful and relevant part of their training. I like how everything starts from the basic principles – John has done a very thorough job of analysing and explaining his applications. This is a book I feel I’ll be referring back to frequently!

Paul McGuire, 3rd Dan

loads to take away

My second simday, another enjoyable and rewarding day. It reassured many aspects of my training under pressure. It also showed some weaknesses and areas to concentrate on. Again loads to take away. I highly recommend John Titchen’s Simday, if you want to test what you think you do.

Graham Palmer, 6th Dan
Norfolk Practical Karate

a great teacher

If you’re looking for practical applications to your kata John Titchen is a great teacher, his mix of traditional kata, his own flow system and the use of body mechanics leads to an insightful use of techniques. The club is very welcoming and everyone there is very friendly. I always look forward to training there when I can.

Sensei Barry Payne, 2nd Dan
Minakami Bushido Karate Dojo Black Belt Academy

Fantastic seminar

Fantastic seminar today with Sensei John Titchen, thanks to everyone that came …. fantastic turn out, we look forward to more in the future.

Renshi Martyn Harris
Karate Academy Cardiff
“We do not rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.” Archilochus