Presented with permission from Blitz magazine

Life was never easy for Yossi Litvin.  

He's worked hard, lived hard and played hard just to survive. But at times when he feltas if life was dealing him cards from the bottom of the deck, there was always a constant that Yossi Litvin could rely on, could live for, could thrive on. Karate.

Read more: Power & Passion

Sensei Frank Nowak

Born on 6th October 1947 in Germany, Mr Nowak's first contact with Karate-Do was in early 1963. He practised five to six times per week and after four years, at the age of 20, he scored a double success by winning the German National Kata Championship a day after being graded for 1st Dan black belt.

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Tai sabaki (体捌き?) is a term from Japanese martial arts and which relates to 'whole body movement', or repositioning. It can be translated as body-management. It is a term used widely in kendo, jujutsu, aikido, judo, and karate. Tai sabaki is usually used to avoid an attack, such that the receiver of the attack ends up in an advantageous position and it is often wrongly referred to as evasion.

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Dojo Etiqutte

The word Dojo literally means "Place of the Way". The dojo is a place of learning. It is a place to respect, to keep clean and to care for. The dojo is a place to be made special for practising a special martial art. In the Zanshin Shotokan dojo the observation of basic forms of etiquette is integral to the creation of a respectful and attentive atmosphere, which is conducive to learning.

Bowing is an appropriate way of showing gratitude and humility, while at the same time placing one's mind in a state of peace which is necessary for the right training.

Read more: Dojo Ettiquette