Sensei James Edwards - Owner & Instructor
Me:
If you couldn't tell by the title my name is James and I opened and run this Reading based Martial Art School. You could address me as Sensei, but I don't ask for it. I believe that it is a title that is earned and not demanded. When my students feel that they can call me that, then I know that I have done a good job, and that they respect me as both a teacher and a fellow practitioner.
Alternatively, I have plenty of other names that my personal training clients call me, but that is mostly behind my back, and probably not suitable on a family friendly site...
My Teaching:
Ultimately, what you need to know about me is that I am laid back, but have an eye for detail. I have spent over two decades honing my own skills, and the last 13 years of that teaching. I certainly don't take myself seriously, and often play the fool with the kids, but I know when to be stern and can gain their trust and attention.
I believe in modernising martial arts while respecting the tradition of it, therefore intertwining linework and repetitive practice with drills and games to further develop necessary skills and maintain interest.
My Qualifications:
- 5th Dan in Shotokan Karate
- Senior Instructor & Grading Assistant to the SSKA
- Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training
- Certificate in Strength & Conditioning for Boxing
- NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Supporting the Delivery of P.E. and School Sports
- Emergency First Aid
- Enhanced DBS Checked
- Licensed Badass, short ass, and everything in between
More About Me:
Other things you might be curious to know about me is that I am a big kid and a huge nerd. I have and always will love my Sci Fi and Fantasy. Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Marvel have, of course, always been a staple. I may not have been able to lift Mjolnir, but I am determined that I am still worthy! I love my big toys too, and if I'm not working (or practicing), then you can probably find me at home building a LEGO or Gundam model, probably while watching anime.
Fun Facts:
Favourite Film: Avengers Endgame
The pay offs are crazy and the feels hit you hard, especially when you grew up with the series!
Favourite LEGO Model: UCS Millennium Falcon
You can't beat the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy; it's HUGE and the details are insane! It took me roughly 40 hours to build!
Dungeons & Dragons Character: Currently playing as a Tiefling Monk called "Fyre" - He is very acrobatic and even more chaotic. For example, he arm-wrestled a fairy while in a bandits basement. He lost. He's also very unfortunate and believes he is cursed (but it's just my rolls that are bad)
My Journey
My journey began in 2004 when I started Karate. I wasn't a particularly popular kid, and still am a bit weird, just now comfortably so. I thought it would be a great bully deterrent, but I didn't realise at the time it was so much more.
Many years passed, jumping from belt to belt, just kind of going with the flow. I then hit a bit of a wall and struggled to pass my black belt. It was at this point I found the right instructor to inspire me and ignite my passion for Karate. Shortly after I passed my black belt.
During my sixth form years I gained my 3rd Dan and began to instruct under the guidance of Sensei Tracie Quelch, who I had trained alongside for some years, and respected me and what I wanted to achieve.
Before I knew it I was in a coaching apprenticeship visiting schools to teach various sports, and then straight into another apprenticeship as a fitness instructor. This was where I thrived in an industry that supported my passion, and allowed me to help and better other peoples lives. Following this, I quickly passed my personal trainer qualification and built a client base. Meanwhile, I began to run the very first Empowerment Self Defence Courses in an attempt to expand into running more martial art based services. It was here where I begun to refine the practical technique that I taught. It was then in 2017 I decided to take the plunge and open EmpoweringPT, my combat and fitness specialist business.
In both 2018 and 2019 I entered into an amateur Karate competition, where I won the Solo Kata performance twice both years, and came second in Kumite in 2019. Unfortunately, Covid hit shortly after, which put a halt on things, and I had to adapt to keep the business alive and manage my mental health while grieving from some significant loses in my life.
It was during 2021/22 that I began to make plans to split EmpoweringPT in two to help me focus more on Martial Arts training. I designed the logo and made the plans, knowing exactly what I wanted to be doing. Unfortunately though, there were some complications with the arrival of my little girl, and those plans stopped in order to put my family first.
Three years later, here we are! I'm a 5th Dan and life has finally settled, and I am ready to expand!