About me
Hi, I'm Richard Cooke, I believe in the universal energies and that opportunities are available for us to further understand our place and what we can achieve. Whatever you believe in, if it keeps you going, gets you out of bed on a morning and motivates you to do what you desire then, what else can you ask for.
For over 35 years I've attended martial arts classes, sparring, competed in competitions and taught at various seminars, all to a high standard. As much as I loved the many years in martial arts, I eventually came to realise there was something missing, something more I could get from my experiences. Now there is more to martial arts than fighting and testing your skills against another person. The ability to do better, to be a better person and push your limits, to chase that next technique, to practice the same kicks a thousand times!
The tenants of Taekwondo are... Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit, these are drilled into you as you go through your life in a martial arts world in one way or another, and all martial arts have their own ways.
I had an urge, a calling if you like, I felt I wanted to heal people. How good would it be to help another person feel better, to help another human being improve their life, helping to heal someone. That's a different game, and so that brings me to another path in my life.
Enter Anma, I have been having treatments myself for around 15 years and always felt so much better afterwards. A few years ago, I realised Anma was the therapy I wanted to pursue.
They say the master appears when the student is ready, so it didn't take too long! Pestering my now mentor Eric Birbeck for months, he agreed to teach me Anma, a four year intense course of studying, homework, and practical sessions. The course is split into four disciplines consisting of Anma, Seitai, Shinden Jutsu and Kenku Jutsu.
Having completed all the training over four years, we never stop practicing and learning, and regular chats to explore what's next, if you think this sounds interesting and you'd like to know more please contact me. Thank you so much for reading my page.
The journey continues...