Michel Pierini was born in Europe in 1961.

Michel practiced Tibetan Buddhism for over 8 years under the spiritual guidance of H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche. His name is Karma Thutop Dorje.
Michel is a Karate Master, black belt 5th dan. He practiced Japanese karate Shotokan style for the last 30 years with different masters such as Master Kase, Master Shirai and Master Enoeda. He was as well the main student of Master Lavorato for 25 years.

Michel has been teaching for the last 25 years in his 3 Dojo in the South of France. His main student Christophe Augier, 3rd dan, teaches as well in those dojo. Karma (Michel) is skill in Tibetan yoga, in Athanga yoga and Japanese Shintaido martial art.

Interview with Karma:

Every person starting in the practice of any martial art should ask itself 3 questions:

First question:
-Why do I wish to start practicing a martial art ?

Second question:
- Where do I want this practice to bring me to ?

Third question:
- How will I use these knowledge for ?

Karma answers:

1) I practice every day to develop a maximum concentration which itself will create a perfect relation body and mind. This opens the mind and the connection to the Universe. It brings serenity and inner strenght.

2) Practicing a Martial art is very often done nowadays only through the body but your full capacities can only be develop through the association of body and mind together. The mind will develop your discipline, your strength.

As you will become more aware of your capabilities, you will apprehend this art on an another dimension and became non violent with humility and compassion.

3) Practicing a martial art should bring you to develop the mind and the body at the same time. The body will be strengthen and more flexible, fluidity and speed will arise protecting your body from injuries. A rigid body is due to rigid mind, rigidity brings to force on the body and worn it out quicker.

With mind and body working in harmony, you will be able to find within you resources you couldn't imagine you possess.

Through my experience I developed a different way of teaching. The movements are done on different levels of speed from very slow to very quick, repeated on different rhythm to apprehend the awareness of the body in different motions. Sitting meditation will relate the mind to the body, building the maximum concentration, blending the strength. Proper breathing are also a key to build deep concentration as well as persistence and perseverance.

My teaching develops concentration, well being, flexibility, balance and harmony, self confidence and motivation. All those ingredients blend together will lead you to the path of non violence and happiness with yourself and so will it be with your relation to others.

I wish that my own path through my martial art experience and my teachings will develop in my students a durable well being and a strong self confidence in their life.

I wish to thank my students from all over the World for being very serious-minded in their practices and congratulate them for their huge progress. It brings me a lot of joy to be able to see such tremendous changes in themself, to feel their confidence and serenity.

I wish them all to keep up with their practices for being one day able to teach to others and make a difference.

Karma Thutop Dorje

Om Mami Padme Hung