Effective physical skills
Chief Instructor John Titchen – Founder, DART Karate
One of the UK’s foremost self protection and practical karate instructors, John Titchen is best known internationally for his highly acclaimed safe self defence scenario training and his critically acclaimed books and blog on traditional karate kata application and self protection.
John’s books, articles, youtube videos and seminars are recommended worldwide by those in the know amongst the growing number of groups and individuals looking to enhance their training through a pragmatic and safe approach to effective self defence. John writes articles on self defence and applied karate for his blog, and travels internationally to deliver self protection and karate seminars in addition to teaching regular self defence classes in High Wycombe.
John gained his first Black Belt in Shotokan Karate with the English Shotokan Karate Association in 1995 under Shihan Roger Hall 8th Dan. A former University and Secondary school teacher and co-curricular education specialist, John now has over 25 years experience of teaching in the field of martial arts and self protection, and has taught seminars in Canada, Europe and the USA.
In addition to his Qualified Teacher Status John holds a number of different coaching and instructor qualifications and various Dan grades in Shotokan Karate and AoDenkou Jitsu and is registered as an instructor with the British Combat Karate Association and the British Combat Association. John has a passion for research and has shared his knowledge in interviews with a number of magazines and podcast channels and as a former regular columnist for Traditional Karate Magazine and the ezine Jissen. John is recognised as one of the leading providers of safe scenario training for self defence in the UK. You can read more about John on his personal website here.
Written in 2004, John’s first book Heian Flow System: effective karate kata bunkai was published in 2007. In 2014 and 2015 John published his new internationally best selling four part book series Pinan Flow System: karate kata application for beginner to black belt and in 2016 he published his sixth book: Karate and Self Defence – Selected Articles. John featured as one of the guest authors in the 2018 book The Problem of Practical Karate. In 2020 John published Karate Beyond Kata – melting ice into water. John also contributed to the free ebook Rules for Success in Karate in 2020.
In addition to his research projects, international seminars and karate classes with the Practical Karate Association in High Wycombe and Princes Risborough John engages in voluntary work supporting expeditions with the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. John has an enhanced CRB/DBS, undertakes regular safeguarding and child protection training, has up to date first aid qualifications and is fully insured.
Instructor Daz Gill – 3rd Dan Shotokan
Daz started training in 1978 at the age of 9 under Charlie Potter Sensei with the English Shotokan Karate Association and was awarded his Shodan (Black Belt) grade in December 1989. He enjoyed training with ESKA and competing for a number of years and was awarded his 3rd Dan in 1996.
Daz taught karate at his own club for approximately ten years in the 90s and really enjoyed passing on his knowledge. He found it very satisfying watching his own students made the grade to ‘Black Belt’.
Daz is interested in a range of martial arts and tries to train with world class instructors wherever possible. He now predominantly trains with John Titchen in DART Karate and Kyohan Shotokan Karate, and Simon Oliver in Shindo Jinen Ryu. Daz trains on a regular basis at the Practical Karate Association’s lessons at Wycombe Leisure Centre. Daz also trains in Kobudo (weapons) namely Bo, Sai, Jo, Tonfa, Kama and Kobutan.
Outside the martial arts Daz runs his own business in the servicing and repair of vehicles in Northamptonshire.
