Michael Scott - Sensei

Sensei/Instructor Michael Scott is a 1st Degree Black Belt in the discipline of Shotokan Karate. His degrees were earned through the American Shotokan Karate Alliance (ASKA).  Michael’s many years of training comes through Sensei Jeannie Byrnes (3rd Degree Black Belt) ASKA and the late Chief Instructor, Randall G. Hassell (ranking of an 8th Degree Black Belt) ASKA. Sensei Hassel was a first-generation American to pioneer Shotokan Karate and can trace his instructional roots back to the "Father of Modern Karate," Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957).  

 

Sensei Funakoshi was the founder of Shotokan Karate, starting the first dojo in Okinawa, a prefecture of Japan. His students named the dojo "Shotokan" though he never named his teaching Shotokan. The name derives from Funakoshi's pen-name "Shoto" meaning "pine-waves" (the movement of pine needles when the wind blows through them) and "Kan" which means house.  Micheal learned the rich tradition and discipline of Shotokan Karate from Sensei Hassell who instilled the importance of the history, tradition, philosophy, and discipline of Shotokan to his students so they will carry it on for many generations. 

 

Shotokan Karate is derived from three main points of focus: kihon (karate basics), kata (patterns of movements), and kumite (sparring). Michael's teaching strength is in Kata, yet he finds all points to be equally important in the discipline of pure Shotokan, and he is proud to carry on this tradition and instill it in all of his students. 

 

Michael now is honored to co-found, teach, and train with Sensei Neil Sutton at Community Karate Center in St. Charles, Missouri.  Through the Community Karate Center dojo Michael's desire is that his passion for teaching the Shotokan Way will be passed on to his students for generations to come just as his sensei instilled in him. His disciplinary focus comes from the basic philosophy, which is centered on respect, self-control, confidence, leadership, focus, and responsibility. His goal is to instill these precepts in students of all ages. 

 

Funakoshi suggests why Shotokan Karate is ideal for self-defense:  The art offers total self-mastery, not just a mechanical system of blocks, hand strikes, and kicks.

 

"The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of the participant." Gichin Funakosh