Customer Reviews

Walking the Path of a Sensei:

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What made me curious about this book wasn't the title as much as the subtitle--most people call anyone who teaches a Sensei--but this author used the words "those who came before us"--which told me that the book was going to look back to the past for its answers to questions of the present. That's what made me curious. What made me interested, which can't be seen online, is a photo of the author on the back cover of the book. With sai in hands, the photo was of the author striking with the weapon simultaneously with a kick below the sai strike. The form was perfect--straight lines in the techniques, bent knees, proper stance--but most important--a face that expressed intense focus, yet relaxed, emotionless and calm. Whether posed or candid, none of this is easy at the level of mastery displayed in the picture. THIS is what got me to read the book--to see the words of one who can obviously perform at the level of the book's title. And the book delivered just that.

This is a book about the realities of martial arts--from the obvious facets such as balance, focus and sparring, to the not so obvious truths about perfection, the mechanics of taking a step to the spiritual and mental control and focus necessary for proper execution of a punch--to sizing up our greatest opponent--ourself--the author is very frank, and yet, through his own experiences, shows us that what ever we seek to improve or however high our goals are, they are possible, if only we see the truth and work diligently and accordingly. As the author quotes Buddha: "To live a single day and hear a good teacher is better than to live a hundred years without knowing such teaching."

If Buddha had read "Walking the Path," he'd have said the same thing--that this one book IS that one good teacher.

Sensei Klein is right: A true Sensei is not just a rank, but a person of great ability, insight and wisdom--able to perform with excellence, but also able to communicate his or her years of training in a way others can understand and apply to their own training. In a world where the title of "Master" is no longer revered because too many claim it too easily, Sensei Klein's book, without saying it, takes the reader back to the time of the Great Masters and talks about technique, mental and spiritual balance with the same eye to personal excellence that the forefathers of our Art talked to their students. Very few people of rank "get it," and Sensei Klein is one of those few--and like a "true Sensei" he breaks down the mental, physical and spiritual facets of Martial Arts excellence in an honest and easy to understand manner. Because he talks about the core Truths about Martial Arts excellence, this book is applicable to any student regardless of style. I was deeply impressed with "Walking the Path of a Sensei"--I bought this book because of the curious title--most books propagandize becoming a "great Master"--yet the author chose the more appropriate word of Sensei. Since one can be a Master without being a proficient Sensei, I was glad not only to see a book of this title, but one that lives up to what it says on the cover. In the non-commercial world, a "True Sensei" really is a "True Master"--and so is the author. And any True Student who desires excellence in their Art must read this book. Master J. Dominguez, Shichi Dan

I bought the book after reading the review, and reviews on other online bookstores sites. I've been in Karate for over five years, and recently earned my black belt. I've always loved Karate, but its always been a struggle--for balance, focus, coordination and a sense of that other "something" that makes some people make it look "easy." Sensei Klein's words, insights and exercises will help anyone of any rank be better than they ever thought they could be. He doesn't say its easy, but he does show you how and why its worthwhile to put forth the effort. I wish I'd had it sooner, because it would've made the journey to black belt less of a struggle. But I am grateful for getting it now, because when you get your black belt, the first questions is "what's next?" Sensei Klein's book tells you what's next, and how to get there as well. I'm thankful someone took the time to shine a light on the Path!

Written on a level that anyone can understand, yet deep enough to reach the inner depths of the reader's "Martial Arts Soul," I found this book something the true student has been waiting for: A BOOK THAT MAKES SENSE OUT OF THE MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL FACETS OF MARTIAL ARTS. Sensei Klein takes the reader on a journey of insight, wisdom and personal experience, along with exercises I found to be extremely helpful in achieving my goals. Most book talk too deeply about the mental/spiritual and leave out the physical; many are about "dynamic" this and "dynamic" that, without the melding of the mental and physical. I WANTED TO FIND A WAY TO BRING MYSELF TO THE LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE WE OFTEN SEE, YET RARELY ACHIEVE, AND SENSEI KLEIN'S BOOK HAS PUT ME ON THAT PATH--IN WAYS THAT I CAN TRULY SEE MY GROWTH. AND SO HAS MY SENSEI.

IF YOU'RE A TRUE MARTIAL ARTIST, THIS IS A MUST FOR YOUR LIBRARY!

Students always ask: How do you do that? Why can't I do this like you do? My answer is usually "Dedicate your life and practice, practice, practice!" This book explains it all.

Sensei Klein doesn't lie: Achieving Martial Arts excellence isn't easy--but it IS attainable. He breaks down the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of technique, then puts it all back together again to describe from experience, what technique is when the three planes become one. How a technique is properly thrown? How to achieve balance? Its all in there. By using vivid descriptions rather than pictures, Sensei Klein has created a book that students and Masters of any and all styles can learn and improve from. He breaks down fear and how to overcome it. He shows us how to clear the mind so that the body and spirit can create the speed and power necessary for even a person of small stature can defend themselves against larger adversaries. And through it all are pearls of wisdom about life mastery. "If your life isn't balanced, neither will your Karate be; if your Karate isn't balanced, neither will your life be." But read it for yourself!

This book is on my mandatory reading lists for my students from 5th kyu through yudansha. I find it the best book on explaining the "why" Sensei do what they do, think like they think, and teach like they teach. It also refocuses sensei to "remember" what it is that they are doing. This book gives insight and understanding to every martial arts practitioner on the way that it "should be" and is in traditional karate training. I applaud Mr. Klein and hope to see other books by him. Buy it.

There is linear (external) balance and non-linear (internal) balance; there's speed, power and focus, from a physical standpoint and a mental/spiritual standpoint. In years of study, one would be lucky to learn all of this in just one of these standpoints--not just because they're taught differently, but because their backgrounds are different. OR SO I THOUGHT! In this book, Sensei Klein teaches us that the internal and external are parts of each other, that one leads to another, that one can compliment another. And the result is truly LEARNING EXCELLENCE. He also discusses how teachers and Sensei can be better communicators, and how students can be better learners. The book isn't all philosophy, either: Sensei Klein gives exercises to improve ourselves physically and mentally, and it works. I am a better Sensei AND student today, for having read this book. Good job!

Rarely do we hear teachers talk about the relationship between Martial Arts and life, that balance in one is not possible without balance in the other--and that a life lived in balance, in our work, relationships and Art, is walking the path of the Sensi. This book does just that--while teaching the reader the truths about the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of Martial Arts excellence, it is almost also a "self-help" book about life. A life lived in excellence is not solely a product of practice; its practice and honor, integrity, passion, compassion, humility and confidence and self-respect. Anyone who reads this book will come away with precious tools for excelling in their Art--and if they're smart and read the book closely, they'll come away with precious tools for living a full and happy life. Here are the words of a great Master, and I recommend that anyone who took the time to read my words read the words of this Master in this book.

Sensei Klein has offered us the tools to walk the path of martial arts excellence by taking the three basic elements--mental, physical and spiritual, explaining them, then melding them into a clear conceptualization of the practical application of chi, focus and technique--so that the student becomes not a fighter, but a true master of their art. A true master is someone who is difficult to best, but while he is besting you, he is also teaching you how to become like him. Sensei Klein took great care not to cross the line of opinion into platform, which makes the book valuable to people of any style, but in reading between the lines, one can see that this is a man who walks the path of the internal warrior, and I would have liked to read his insights on the deeper aspects of internal martial arts concepts. Hopefully, he'll offer us another book where he takes us to that even higher level of excellence. Still, even if Sensei Klein does write such a book, it would best be read only if you read this book first, as this lays down the foundation we all need to walk the path of a Sensei.