Ruven Sharf, a European and US Champion who trained and taught at our Shotokan karate dojo for 10 years, is visiting from Israel to train with us again. Ruven shared a powerful analogy between the F-16 fighter jet, karate training, and high-level movement. He originally heard it from his Alexander Technique teacher, Meir Amit, a wise man I also had the privilege of learning from.
The F-16 was the first fighter jet intentionally designed to be inherently unstable, also known as “relaxed static stability.” This unique design allowed for greater maneuverability and speed, unlike most aircraft that are built for stability but sacrifice agility.
This idea connects deeply to karate practice and martial arts training. For students in our karate classes in Los Angeles—whether kids karate classes or karate classes for adults—the lesson is the same: the softer and more relaxed we keep our torso (without sloppy posture), the quicker and easier it becomes to shift balance, change positions, and adapt direction. Our “flight control system” in karate is our feet, positioning, and footwork, which help us stay centred and ready to move.
By breathing correctly, engaging the body’s centre, and using strong yet flexible footwork, karate practitioners learn to be nimble and responsive while still able to generate power when needed. This is exactly what we teach in our Shotokan karate classes: how to remain mobile, adaptable, and powerful at the right moment.
When we try to control everything with tension, we become rigid and immobile. As Aiko San wisely said: “Give up control, to have control.”