Page 18 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 2 2025

ESTATE MATTERS
ESTATE MATTERS
ES T A TE MA TTERS
HOME FRONT
HOME FRONT

KARATE

BEYOND THE DOJO

BERNARD BUYS ON DISCIPLINE, LEADERSHIP

AND THE ROAD TO JAPAN

arate has long had a bit of a PR “We promote behaviour first,” Bernard the biggest lesson? That black belt isn’t an
problem. Mention it, and many explains. “It’s not about who can throw ending. It’s the beginning.
people immediately picture kids the best punch. It’s about how you carry
Kthrowing wild punches or breaking yourself—inside and outside the dojo.” “We tell them, Now you start again,” Bernard
wooden boards like something out of a bad And parents see the difference. says. “Because that’s when the real learning
‘80s action movie. But talk to Bernard Buys begins.”
for even five minutes, and you’ll realise just Some bring their kids in out of desperation—
how far off the mark that is. struggling with focus, discipline, or even just This mindset—of perseverance, patience,
basic self-control. But after a few months? and continuous improvement—stays with
As a 6th Dan black belt and the head of IJKA The feedback is almost always the same: students long after they leave the dojo.
South Africa, Bernard has spent decades This child is completely different. Bernard gets messages from former
proving that karate isn’t about fighting but students, now at university or living
behaviour. It’s about respect, self-discipline, The transformation isn’t just at home. overseas, thanking him for what karate
and structure. And, as he’s seen time and Bernard sees it in schools, too. His students taught them.
again, it has the power to change lives. aren’t just learning karate—they’re becoming
leaders: prefects, head boys, top achievers. “I’ve got students in Germany, Holland,
MORE THAN KICKS AND PUNCHES: Karate instils an organic respect for Australia—all over,” he says. “And they still
KARATE AS A LIFE SKILL structure, making discipline second nature. check in, still say thank you. That’s when you
Step into any of Bernard’s dojos—whether know you’ve made an impact.”
in Dainfern Golf Estate, Blair Atholl, or NO QUICK FIXES HERE: WHY
Copperleaf—and you’ll notice something KARATE TAKES TIME BRIDGING CONTINENTS:
immediately. It’s not chaos. It’s not noise. It’s In an age of instant gratification, karate TRAINING IN JAPAN
discipline. offers something rare: a long game. Karate isn’t just about discipline. It’s also
about tradition. And no one understands that
From day one, students learn that karate “You don’t just watch a YouTube video and better than Bernard.
is about more than movement. They place suddenly know karate,” Bernard says. “It
their shoes neatly before entering the dojo. takes years to master. That’s the beauty of Through IJKA’s close ties to Japan, South
They bow as they step inside. They respect it.” African students can train at the Honbu Dojo
their peers, their instructors, and most By the time students earn their black belt, in Yokohama, learning karate as it was
importantly, themselves. they’ve been training for six to ten years. And always meant to be taught.

16 DPL issue 2 2025