Hans started Karate at the age of 14 while at a private boarding school in Cape Town, South Africa. By chance, his best friend had found a Karate book by MASTER MASATOSHI NAKAYAMA Head of JKA and Chief Instructor. The book was was bound in Japanese reed (circa 1967). His friend gave him the book and Hans gave 50 cents to the gardener who had found it in a dirt-bin. A lucky day for Hans which led him on a spiritual path very different to the average school boy.
Hans studied the book every night after lights out. To be caught in those years meant a caning – this did happen but he was not put off. A kind house master (Housemaster D.C. Hunt) signed an Exeat Form for Hans to travel from Rondebosch to Cape Town on Saturdays (after rugby matches) to train at a Dojo. Hans is forever grateful to Master Hunt.
After finishing school, military service, and studies, Hans trained diligently for many many years, teaching and taking part in many competitions. He graded to 3rd Dan.
As he rose in the business world Dojo training times became difficult to stick to. Hans eventually left his club (sadly) and joined a gym where a group of karate-ka (with the same problem) trained at 5.30am before work 3 times per week. This suited Hans and he trained there for 10 years.
The Karate style was Kyokushinkaikan, full contact, very different from the more disciplined style of Goju. However, both styles had exceptionally good qualities and Hans reveled in it. Time moved on and Hans moved to Mallorca, Spain, his three children had grown up and found their professions.
After training at a few Dojos, Hans started working on a rhythmic method to utilize the ancient customized work-outs taken from kata, kumite and basic moves so that participants could train away from training centres and still maintain their speed, skills and super-fit levels.
This ultimately led to Cardio Karate and within a short amount of time the workouts became increasingly popular.
Cardio Karate provides a ‘total body workout’ whilst teaching people ‘self defence techniques’ plus Students use ‘their spiritual energy (chi)’ with the concise movements.
Cardio Karate is the ‘only’ fitness training that works with an ‘Holistic’ approach …. Training from Within – using your Mind, Body & Soul…