Richard Walters

Richard Walters
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Joined Nov 12 2008

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MALE
62 years old
Trooper, Pennsylvania

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Rich Coppens Kenpo Karate Studio

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Richard Walters posted a new topic Martial arts and self defense laws Dec 14, 2008 - Reply

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2 Comments

Reply Ryan Stagliano

04:56 PM on December 29, 2008

I could not agree more!! I had the privilage and honor to train with Rich for many years, and a great teacher and friend he is!! I hope to train again with Rich very soon...

Reply Richard Walters

04:27 PM on November 12, 2008

I wanted to post my thoughts about Sensei Coppens but I feel compelled to warn you I?m not very good at this sort of thing. It might help if you keep in the back of your mind while you read this, an image of the family member that is always invited to functions but with hesitation since no one knows what he might say. That would be me. Over the years I have studied several styles of karate from different instructors; some excellent, some good, some that have seen far too many kung fu movies and a few that were just plain, well, scary. Every so often I would encounter a practitioner that has taken karate beyond the mastery of skills and has crossed over the barrier from technician to artist. This is the person that everyone would watch while on the mat. A person that is rare to the point of mythical. In truth, karate isn?t easy. Though it always gives back something more than what it takes, often it is demanding, mentally and physically exhausting and, at times, not even a whole lot of fun. As a student I have wondered why I do this? I think the answer, at least for me, is maybe I will find it in myself to pass through that curtain and discover I am, after all, a Martial Artist.

Sensei Coppens is a Martial Artist. Watching him effortlessly perform a series of ?gee I wish I could do that? moves is inspirational. He seems to not only understand the meaning of karate but has incorporated it into his state of being. For him, it seems as natural as breathing. In keeping with his personally, if he reads this, he will probably deny every word and contend that he still learning. That figures. Just when I see what I hope to one day achieve, he starts talking about jumping into hyperspace.

If he has a failing it might be that he expects excellence and simply doesn?t recognize anything else. He isn?t the easiest teacher I?ve encountered, but his corrections are made not from some lofty egotistical tower, but simply because he sees something that is, well, wrong. There have been times when I have thought, ?so, what?s so wrong? This looks so good I want a picture of me doing this.? To his credit, he will take the time to explain the dynamics to me rather than walking away shaking his head. I?ve never felt he was thinking, ?because I?m the sensei and you are an undisciplined slug?.

Sensei Coppens sets a high standard in the old tradition. He is willing to pass on what he knows to those that want to learn. If the goal is to obtain a black belt after, say, one year of ?intense? training, unless you are Bruce Lee reincarnated, it isn?t going to happen. But if you are curious about the enigma known as karate, you can find no better teacher.