Durham Karate Academy

30/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14tzVXgErN4/

27/09/2026

Well today's class was like a reunion of sorts seeing so many "old faces" returning back.

Very action packed and full of hard work and effort.

25/09/2026

I just had a talk with a parent about this earlier today. As our societies become historically speaking safer, less and less people experience violence. So they don't understand it, nor develop skills in handling it. They then pass on their world view that doesn't have violence in it to their children. These do the same to the next generation. That's where we are at right now, multiple generations living in (relative) peace. When this generation is then confronted with people who don't care and use violence to get whatever they want, they don't know what to do, their worldview shatters and they end up traumatized.
This in turn is used to decry the horrors of violence some more and we see policies getting put in place. Policies created by people who never had a punch thrown at them (nor did they ever throw one themselves) in their lives. E.g.: zero tolerance for fighting in school and suspending all parties involved by default. This by definition means the bullied kid will be punished if he ever has to defend himself. So the only lesson he truly learns is to be submissive and take the beating...
The most self-destructive lie well-meaning adults ever told is that violence never solves anything. It is a stupid thing to say at a level that is almost pathological and it only takes two minutes to show just how wrong this is. Accepting violence as a reality doesn't mean you favor it or think it can just be used indiscriminately.
I taught my kids to not start fights but to end them. And if I they had successfully defended themselves in a situation like this, I would have confronted any teacher or principal who would have dared to punish them."

22/09/2026

Just finished the class at Framwellgate and I'm absolutely blown away by everyone this evening.

The intent, the power everything just amazing to see.

So amazing👍

Remember it's not pretty, but the right type of ugly.

21/09/2026

Returning to karate after years away isn't always as straightforward as walking back through the dojo door.
Time away doesn't stop everyone else's progress.
But returning doesn't have to mean starting from nothing.
Full article on the new Applied Methods site: Link 👉 https://applied-methods.org/returning-to-karate-after-years-away/
New articles are now published at applied-methods.org and sent by email from [email protected]. If you’ve subscribed but haven’t seen them, please check your spam or junk folder and mark them as not spam.

20/09/2026

Great Start to the week with a well attended class at St Aidan's.

Very hands on lesson today, nice to see some familiar faces from my after school clubs turn up.

Great lesson, keep it up.

19/09/2026

18/09/2026

The Nights are drawing in and the school year is in full swing.If you are looking for something to do, a new hobby or getting back into something you did previously?

We have spaces in our classes, located around the Durham area and on most weekdays and Sunday afternoon.

Our classes have students from 5 right up to 76, all levels of fitness and experience.

Our instructors are fully insured and DBS checked and more importantly experienced, friendly and helpful.

We have no joining fees or need for direct debits, our classes are £4 and you only pay for the ones you attend.

Our lessons are always practiced in a safe and respectful manner in a relaxed atmosphere, no egos. We aim to enjoy the sessions with good humour, whilst taking the training absolutely seriously.

We don't teach sport type karate but adopt a more self defence practical approach. If you're interest is in winning cups and medals or entering competitions, we're not for you.

15/09/2026

Well today was a bittersweet moment as we say "Au revoir" To Sempei Alex Bell, who's off to University and pastures new.

We will miss him however, we know that Alex is to return in December so wish him the best of luck.

Being a pleasure training you for all these years starting at finchale first grading in 2015 😯😱.
Thank you so much for the wonderful gift.

14/09/2026

Very proud of tonight's class at Merryoaks Community Hall after a quick recap for our returning new starters we were back in business with partner and pad work.

Great work, lots of enthusiasm