I have been so fortunate to meet a man that would change my life. I have traveled the path in pursuit of the Martial Spirit for most of my life. I began my training at the age of 13 and quickly fell in love with the more philosophical and traditional aspects of the Martial Arts. The lessons of self development and seeking the inner strength we all posses, while using the technique as the vehicle to obtain it really appealed to me. I was at the very beginning, like all karatekea, not to mention a young man, always looking forward to the next belt. That's the natural order of things.

When I was awarded my San Kyu Brown Belt, I began to see that there was something more than the next belt, or the next kata to learn. I heard all the lessons my instructor, Jerry Devine, would teach regarding not needing to know a lot of kata to truly understand the deeper meaning of the Martial Spirit, but couldn't comprehend that until then. I began to understand what the true path of the Martial Arts was, and how incredible the journey could be. Just think of it, not worrying about what's coming next, merely embracing every day and enjoying the surprise on a daily basis!

I was training 5 days a week at the dojo, and on the weekends at remote locations with seniors and leading my own groups as well. I was absolutely consumed with the training, it became my life. I thought, spoke, ate, drank and slept Karate. All my friends around me just thought I was crazy for putting so much time into this.

Along my path, I've had ups and downs. I've hit rock bottom, and stood up in the Rocky Mountains doing Sanchin breathing in the clean air in quiet with not a sole near me feeling the most intense feelings of being one with all around me.

In the early 90's I separated from my instructor of the last 10 years, and began my road education not knowing what I would find, or who I would meet. The people I met helped me to take those all important steps at the beginning of the journey that would determine what type of Martial Artist and person I would become. I completely pulled myself out of the petty politics and federations that had come to rule the world of the Martial Arts, and had begun to muddy the clear waters of purity that I had found as my focus on the path.

I learned, continued teaching and sharing the most fundamental precepts as I understood them without the politics of rank and who's belt has more stripes on it, who's school was bigger than the next, and stuck to my guns. I knew I was in the minority, but knew that it was ultimately important to maintain my course and not allow others' politics to dictate my direction. Politics in the Martial Arts do not make you punch better, or do a better kata. Politics in the Martial Arts, turn Humble people into those that are so blinded by their own ego, they truly think they seek truth and honor. Rank is irrelevant to whether or not these individuals are or can be affected by the negative aspects of power and over all control.

These are the things I wished to avoid, and still to this day refuse to engage in.

In 2009, I met a man that would restore my faith in the Purity of the Martial Arts. While on Facebook one morning I received a friend request from "Ronnie Colwell". I didn't know who he was, but saw that he was a Martial Artist and quickly approved him. He happened to be on line at the time, and I popped in to chat and thanked him for his request, and that I looked forward to getting to know him.

He and I struck up a conversation that would change my life. He told me of his vision and asked me to help him build a non political Federation that would encompass the best virtues of the Martial Arts. The sharing and fellowship of individuals making up something that is more than the sum of its' parts. I jumped at the chance and that day, The World Kobukan Federation Facebook Page and web domain were created. I threw myself into this, because the goals of unity for all Martial Artists regardless of style under one large roof with no political bickering or lust for power appealed so strongly to me. In the best traditions of Reishiki, I offered all I was able to do to Colwell Sensei as I quickly realized that this man was a true treasure of the Martial Arts.

He's been there and done it, and has the wisdom and compassion that are so lacking en mass in today's busy and interconnected world. A voice of calm and rationale in a world of as he likes to call them, "Budo Babblers".

I am honored to know him, and honored to have him be the President of the Wa Bu Do Academy. He provides so much guidance and counsel to me and anyone he meets, and does so freely and without pretense.

I wanted to share this story with you, because I know it is not the only time it has been told by others whom Colwell Sensei has met and shared his time with. Below you will find a brief description of Colwell Sensei, and thank you for indulging me in the telling of my story instead of just seeing the same resume style description of Colwell Sensei that can't scratch the surface of the depth of the man.

A.Fox

Ronnie Colwell is a legendary figure in British Martial Arts. He is one of the founding fathers of British Karate and British Ju Jutsu. Indeed he held the post of first chief instructor to the British Ju Justsu Association, the governing body for Ju Jutsu in the UK.

Colwell's life has been spent in the study of the martial systems of Japan. From a young boy in the back streets of Liverpool to today, he has tirelessly devoted himself to pursuing excellence. A renowned International instructor, Colwell has taught throughout the world. He is known as a very direct and straight talking budoka who doesn't suffer fools gladly. In Colwell's own words "I live my life as I train, always getting straight to the heart of it. Life is too short to waste on superfluous or wasted action. This is as true in the dojo as out of it.".

World President of the WORLD KOBUKAN FEDERATION
Chairman of the Board WORLD KOBUKAN FEDERATION
Chairman of the Technical Board WORLD KOBUKAN FEDERATION
Patron of the DISABLED MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION
President of the JAPAN INSTITUTE
President of the SEI-BU-KAN KOKUSAI KYOKAI
President of the TRADITIONAL SHOTOKAN KARATE ASSOCIATION
President of the SEN-NO-SEN KARATE and JAPAN CULTURE INSTITUTE
President of the MIYAGI SCHOOL OF GOJO RYU KARATE, SOUTHPORT
President of the KOKUSAI KOBUJUTSU JYU JUTSU KORYU KYOKAI
President of the SHOTOKAN KARATE SCHOOL of MALTA
President of the LIVERPOOL FREE STYLE KARATE ASSOCIATION
President of the MUSHINKAI
Chief Supervisor of the World Union of Karate do Organizations Technical Commission
Technical Advisor for the European Ju Jitsu Union
Technical Advisor for Kobudo to COMBAT MAGAZINE

Technical Advisor to Martial Arts Illustrated

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