Sensei Tim Wood | Karate Instructor

Karate
Instructor

Sensei Tim Wood (4th Dan)

About Sensei Tim Wood

My son Jack was 6 years old when he decided he would like to study karate. Together we enquired at our local dojo in Aylestone and booked him in for his first session. His karate instructor was Sensei Kevin King (5th Dan at the time) in August 2008.

As I sat and watched my son enjoy each lesson more and more, I wondered if I should join in. Initially I just wanted more exercise and a few months later I decided to take the plunge. One of the best decisions I have ever made!

Under the brilliant guidance of Sensei Kevin King, my son and I progressed through the grades with a full understanding of the basics and later more advanced techniques. I also regularly attended classes with the late, great and irreplaceable Sensei Tony Conroy (R.I.P.) (8th Dan) and benefitted greatly from the additional advanced and varied techniques he introduced me to.

Black Belt: The Start of the Kokoro Karate Dojo Journey

My son and I graded shodan together in October 2012. A beast of a day as anyone who has done the same will no doubt testify but a day I will remember for the rest of my life, in more ways than one!! My eleven year old son profoundly remarked afterwards “congratulations Dad, we have made it to the beginning”. Such a true comment and we both eagerly anticipate furthering our studies in years to come.

Karate and my Karate instructors have inspired me not just to increase my fitness levels through regular training and thousands of press-ups!! but also to improve my concentration levels, confidence, respect for others and patience. They have also given me the focus to be able to completely forget about the pressures of modern life from the second I walk into the dojo.

In March 2015 I graded 2nd dan, soon after I started working towards my 3rd dan which I proudly passed in November 2018. In December 2022 I passed my 4th dan. Dan grades are all utterly gruelling and difficult experiences but worth the years of blood, sweat and dedication.

June 2015 saw the birth of my own dojo, Kibworth Karate (name changed to Kokoro Karate Dojo in 2017) to further my teaching knowledge and to pass on the physical, spiritual and mental health benefits of Karatedo, to all my students whether beginner or black belt. It soon became clear that just one dojo wasn’t sufficient to keep up the demand for our special blend of highly dynamic and efficient karate instruction so Arnesby, Claybrooke Magna (now Sharnford), St Cuthberts School and Wigston dojos were all added during 2021. In the following years, further clubs in Leicester, Sharnford, Laughton and Market Harborough were added.

Training in Japan

I have recently trained with Fujita Sensei (7th dan) on a two week intensive course in Japan where I furthered my studies and gained some vital experience to help improve my own skills and provide even more “food for thought”. The future will bring more trips to Fujita sensei’s highly esteemed dojo and all members of Kokoro Karate Dojo will be invited to join us for the chance of a life time to experience not only training in a Japanese dojo but also the amazing Japanese culture and language.
Jack and I have also attended two vital point classes with Sensei Rick Clark (8th Dan) and two Masters of Shotokan Classes organised by Sensei Tony Conroy (R.I.P.) all of which were incredibly useful to further our knowledge and improve our ability as dedicated and fascinated Karateka. Further seminar attendance is detailed below.

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS
& Inspirational Seminars

Since the beginning of my training I have been fortunate enough to train under two of the most gifted and generous sensei’s any karateka could ever wish for; Tony Conroy (8th dan) (R.I.P.) and Kevin King (6th dan) who both gave me a great understanding and a passion of the highest order for the fantastic martial art of Shotokan Karate. I am eternally grateful to them.

I have also attended, and will carry on attending, many seminars with the worlds most eminent and highly decorated karate instructors (dan grades shown were correct at the time I trained with them) such as Masao Kagawa (9th dan), John Johnston (8th dan), Professor Rick Clark (8th dan), Dave Wilkins (8th dan), Matt Price (7th dan), Masaharu Fujita (7th dan), Yoshinobu Ohta (7th dan), Iain Abernethy (7th dan), Rick Hotton (5th dan), Katsu Tiru jr (5th dan).

If I have Seen Further it is by Standing on the Shoulders of Giants (Isaac Newton c.1675)

The aim of my on-going seminar attendance is to keep the fresh eyes of worlds best karateka on my own karate performance to ensure that I am always at the top of my game. Also to absorb any useful techniques learned that can be integrated seamlessly into my own brand of dynamic and highly effective Shotokan Karate and to share them with my own students across all of our dojos to heighten all of our knowledge and enjoyment.