Goju-Ryu Karate Training Log

IOGKF News: Nakamura Sensei at Russia Gasshuku

2012-01-31T10:45:00.000Z

This Youtube clip is taken from a Russian news program this week: The audio is in Russian.

This shows the opening of the new IOGKF Russia "Honbu Dojo" (the main dojo in the country). The dojo has been called "Higaonna Dojo". The grand opening was held during a gasshuku (training camp) and the guest of honour was Nakamura Sensei (IOGKF Canada chief instructor).

It looks like a really nice dojo. I hope to visit there one day maybe. Congratulations to Sensei Bogdan Kurilko (IOGKF Russia's chief instructor) and all involved in the construction of the new dojo.

Childwall Dojo Class Plan: 30/01/2012

2012-01-30T23:14:00.003Z

Tonight's class, run down:

It was sub-zero here in Liverpool after the sun went down, so the dojo was something of a tomb. No worries, Sensei had a plan.

Junbi Undo: Quick and to the point, the warm-up at the start of tonight's class was exactly that - a super efficient demonstration of how to raise your skin temperature by a few notches. From toes through to the neck and head, this evening we went from shivering to thoroughly sweating in roughly 15 minutes. Warm-up concluded with knuckle push-ups, straight leg kicks ("leg raises"), stamp thrust kicks ("reverse cycle kicks") and stomach crunches ("fingertips over the knees").

Kata: Continuing with the body warming exercises, we performed Gekisai Dai Ichi kata 4 times in quick succession. Each time the kata began in a different direction - West, South, East and finally North. Sensei kept a count so that everyone moved together, like a mass "team kata".

Yakusoku Kumite: Pre-arranged sparring with a training partner. Began with a few "warm-up" kihon (basic) exercises before this section of the class got into full swing.

We worked on 3 main attack/defence combinations, the 1st was defending against a kick, the 2nd defending against a "kizami zuki" jab attack, the final combination was a defence against an incoming mawashi geri (roundhouse kick). I won't go into elaborate detail, but here is what the block and counter attacks went like:

#1
Attack: Mae Geri (straight kick), right foot.
Defence: From long stance, left foot forward. Block downward (gedan) using right hand and pivot on the left foot at the same time (bring your right foot around behind you so that your body turns so you are facing to the right). Your training partner will land with their right leg in front. Counter attack: Left kick to the right leg (aimed at lower though/hamstring), right hand gyaku zuki (reverse punch) aimed at head/temple, left hand ura zuki (short punch) aimed at rib cage under attacker's right arm.

#2
Attack: Kizami Zuki (Jab punch) from left hand, left foot in front.
Defence: From long stance, left foot forward. Block incoming left hand using your right hand (downward block, open handed). Using the same hand, aim a gyaku zuki at your opponent's chin (or land it on their chest if you lack control for a chin strike). Follow with a quick-paced left hand ura zuki / hook punch aimed at their right rib cage, then either a left leg mawashi geri (at their front leg, underneath) or a right leg mawashi at their left femur bone, with that kick descending to it's target. Black belt students can try a combination of left mawashi followed by right mawashi - one attacking the femur from below, the next kick attacking the same leg from the opposite side above.

#3
Attack: Front leg mawashi geri aimed at rib cage (starting with right leg forward)
Defence: From long stance, left foot forward. As the attacker steps their back foot up (before they perform the actual roundhouse kick at all) lunge forward and punch using your left hand into their lower stomach wall - this would be considered a gedan zuki (lower level punch). Make sure the punch is heavy, so to push the attacker back while he is standing on one leg. The attacker should have their mid-riff tightened up in order to absorb a strong punch aimed in that area. Follow the punch attack with kick combination.

Kata: The class moved on to kata practice. Dan grade students focussed on Kururunfa Kata during this session. In groups of 3 we practiced the bunkai (applications) of Kururunfa with alternating attackers for each successive attack. As it was still quite cold in the dojo we made sure to keep the pace lively throughout this part of the class.
Brown belt students practiced Seiyunchin Kata with Sensei Roy instructing.

Good session.

Spinning Kick Practice Session

2012-01-27T23:34:00.000Z

Needs work, but this is early days indeed.

(I have no need for a critique or breakdown of this video, but thanks in advance if you felt the need to leave a comment and put me right on my poor technique okay!)

Many thanks to the great Sensei Damion Wood (the current kumite English champion / EGKA & IOGKF) for his invaluable instruction... and his endless patience.

Childwall Dojo 23 January 2012

2012-01-24T11:08:00.000Z

A run-down of last night's class at our karate club here in Liverpool:

This was a small class (in attendance) but included three 5th dans, two 4th dans, two 3rd dans and a shodan black belt. Plus 4 brown belt students... All training with Sensei Roy Flatt, IOGKF 7th degree black belt.

Junbi Undo - Followed by 50 push-ups, 50 stamp kicks, 50 straight leg raises, 50 crunch sit-ups.

Kihon - Using movements taken directly from kata.

Moving Basics - Using movements taken from kata

We began by stepping in long stance (Zenkutsu dachi) across the width of the dojo, performing a double handed punch after each step. Another technique (double handed hammer fist strike) was then added to the combination after many repetitions, and so on. All of the movements and techniques used are in fact from kata.
Other kata sections used for moving basics: The "4 palm-heel strikes" section of Shisochin kata. Practiced by one half of the class and observed by the other half of the class. Each person was given one other person to watch and give advice to. Everyone performed this section of the kata several times.

Kata - Focussing on Saifa kata

We worked a lot with Saifa kata this evening, or "The forgotten kata" as Sensei called it. This kata is both a short one (often confusing the fact that it is 'short' with the belief of newer students that it must also be 'easy' to master) and also the first of the traditional kata (from Naha Te) that is taught to students when they attain green belt standard. Saifa is a very tricky kata to perfect: With lot of twists and turns, stepping from low stances (shiko dachi) directly to stances standing on 1 leg (asagi dachi) and then performing double-handed blocks and quickly performing knee strikes and kicking techniques; it also includes several short pounding techniques (tetsui uchi, aka "Hammer fist"), plus a very sneaky punch levelled at the throat that in fact begins as a finger strike (nukite uchi). Finally finishing with another lightning fast body turn and then a whip-like block in yet another stance. All compacted into a kata that takes less than 45 seconds to perform.

As in the 'moving basics' section of the class earlier, Sensei had us break the kata into sections and then practice each of those sections again and again. I was paired with a very capable gentleman this evening, Sensei Guy Keen. I always enjoy training with Sensei Guy, his experience of martial arts is quite different than mine so I always learn a lot from him given the opportunity.

Kumite drills - Training with a partner

1) Sensei had us practising open handed blocks for the last part of the class. Performed whilst facing a training partner who, from parallel stance (heiko dachi), delivers punches towards the center of the chest (chudan zuki). The block that we used to defend is similar to the open-handed block performed in Sanchin kata - Block downward and then deliver a counter punch using the same hand (block and punch with the same hand) then draw that hand back to the position where it started from, ready to continue. Sensei emphasised the point that your elbows stay relaxed when using this block. If you have tension in your elbows when you perform this block you are stifling your technique; Sensei used the following analogy: "Imagine a race car driver trying to make his vehicle go as fast as possible, but he has the handbrake on. It wouldn't work. So relax your elbows and you'll also take the handbrake off, a faster technique".

2) Attacking partner (semete) begins from a long stance, then steps forward and delivers the same chest height punch.

Defending partner (ukete) steps from zenkutsu also; he steps to the outside of the incoming punch, blocking it with the opposite arm (left arm blocks a right hand punch) using a soto uke forearm block. Then counter-punch at the attacker's face using the same hand (in this example, a left hand block followed by a left hand face jab). To continue the combination, and while the attacking partner is still stood with his right arm forwards, the defending partner delivers a further 2 punches into the ribcage area and finishes up with a kick from the trailing leg - the kick is either delivered straight (mae) into the groin or leg, or roundhouse (mawashi) into the stomach area or perhaps even to the face.

Both training partners take turns being both the attacker and the defender in this simulation.

Childwall Dojo, 19 Jan 2012

2012-01-19T23:20:00.002Z

Instructor back from his trip to Japan, we had our 1st training session at the dojo tonight.

Training drills included:

Moving basics (kihon),
Kata Gekisai Dai Ichi (with modified timing),
Sparring with a training partner,
A"boxing" style combinations circuit,
A "4-man attack" kata bunkai circuit,
Sanchin kata (with modified timing)

Great to see Sensei Roy back and with lots of new stuff to tell us about from Okinawa.

Tonight I am aching all over after a beast of session yesterday with my dear friend Sensei Damion Wood. We partook in a "core stability" work-out in the afternoon, including some sparring drill incorporating "Ushiro Mawashi Geri" techniques... spinning reverse roundhouse kicks.

I have never really had that kick figured out but Sensei Damion showed me the correct footwork to get the most from it. The kick seems better suited to be treated as though you are throwing your leg around as though you were swinging a baseball bat, a very smooth motion with your foot passing through the object and not stopping as it connects. I think we did about 20 minutes each of constant spinning kick repetitions, enough to send anyone dizzy.

After that I went across for an evening training session at EGKA Heswall Dojo on the Wirral Peninsular. 6 black belts and 2 white belt students, we went through kata (and "Chokusen Gekisai" straight-line kata too), then some kakie training later on in the session.

As a result of a day of excellent training I woke up this morning aching all the way from my hips to my toes, plus a sensation of pain in the lower abdominal area. It feels both horrible and fantastic. This is all in preparation for Damion's upcoming European Championships attempt in Glasgow this May. Plus it is good for overall training.

Got to get my diet in order next, so I can keep up this level of training for more than 2 or 3 days in a row!

Childwall Dojo Class Plan - 16 January 2012

2012-01-16T22:33:00.004Z

This evening's class at Childwall Dojo was taken jointly by Sensei Steve Walley (snr) and Sensei Steve Timson (both IOGKF 5th degree black belts). Our head instructor, Sensei Roy Flatt, was overseas at the time of this session - training in Okinawa with Higaonna Sensei.

Class Plan:

Jumbi Undo (Warm-up exercises - instructed by ST)
It was quite cold in the dojo tonight, so Sensei was quite thorough with the warm-up. We spent roughly twice as long as normal going through each body part, toes to head. This section of the class ended with a set of very strictly administered push-ups. Sensei Steve Timson is well known for his military-standard press-up regime. The last exercise of the Junbi Undo section of this class was a 'fun' game - 2 students paired together (training partners) and in ready themselves, head to head, in push-up position. The game was to use one of your hands to try and dislodge one of your partner's arms and knock them over (before they were able to do the same thing to you!). The 1st person to 5 knock downs wins. Lots of fun! We performed this short game with 4 different opponents and then moved onto the next section of the class.

Kihon (Basics - instructed by SW)
Sensei concentrated on kicking exercises for the majority of the kihon section of the class. Again this incorporated working with a training partner. The drills began with some light conditioning work - roundhouse kicks (mawashi geri) aimed at your partner's shoulder area. The light kick is to be accepted and met with a form of shoulder barge, before a return mawashi geri is thrown by the opposing training partner.
next the same kind of drill, but with a forward kick (mae geri) aimed at your partner's stomach. The kick can also be 'doubled up' with 2 fast mae geri, delivered with the emphasis of keeping them aimed in the lower stomach region (as conditioning work).
The final combination was a punch off the same hand as the leading leg (kizami zuki), followed by a roundhouse kick (mawashi geri) also off the leading leg. So if you have an orthodox guard you would be punching with your left hand and then kicking off the left foot. The punch is aimed towards your partner's head (no contact) and the kick is once again aimed for the shoulder area. Both training partners are given a turn each being to first to throw the combination, and the other person returns the combination quickly before the entire process is repeated.

Kata (instructed by SW)
With the same training partner as during the kihon section of the class. One person performs the first kata in the IOGKF Goju-Ryu syllabus - Gekisai Dai Ichi - their training partner uses a set of focus mitts for the 1st person to hit whilst they perform the kata. So as an example, when the person doing the kata is stood in "Yoi" (Ready position) at the beginning of the kata, his training partner will be stood to his left hand side with a focus mitt positioned somewhere over the top of his left temple. That way when he begins the kata and performs the first technique (a 90 degree turn followed by a fast Age uke AKA "Jodan block"), his left arm will strike upwards, meeting the focus mitt with his left forearm. The next move in the kata is then performed (a right hand punch), and again the training partner will position the focus mitt accordingly.
Each person performed the kata in this fashion, from start to finish, 3 times in total. Then everyone is the class performed the kata one more time but without anything around him to strike - but maintaining the same striking force in all of his techniques.

Padwork (instructed by ST)
All students once again stay with a dedicated training partner. The entire class then made their way to one end of the dojo, making sure to get themselves a bit of room (so nobody steps on top of anyone else!). We then were given a set of combinations to be performed by one training partner, while the other person held up the focus mitts for him to connect punches with. The person holding the mitts has to be very sure to hold them correctly, to avoid the possibility of injury (I won't go into each of the techniques that we performed, but there were 4 or 5 different combinations in total). Everyone in the class used the entire length of the dojo for this exercise, performing a combination and then moving slightly further along the floor until we reached the far wall... then we turned around and continued throwing punches in combination until we made our way back the the starting position. This meant that we each performed somewhere in the region of 40 combinations during this exercise.

Kata - Sanchin (instructed by SW)

The class ended with Sanchin kata for all students. Sensei explained about how a training partner will check the stance of a person who is performing Sanchin, including a simple explanation of how Shime (Sanchin testing, which may include slapping down onto the shoulders) is administered. Sensei was keen to emphasize that a training partner is not attempting to punish the person performing the kata, but rather he is there to assist him and to help him maintain his stance under tension.

Very nice class, thank you to both instructors. Also a personal thank you to my training partner for this evening, Mr Dave Hurst.

Pre-Internet IOGKF Newsletters

2012-01-16T18:32:00.000Z

I just discovered a folder full of really old karate paperwork... including an official IOGKF Newsletter dated July 1988! 9 pages long and in immaculate condition. If there's enough interest in it I will try and get the whole thing scanned and put online.

Back to the Gym: Week 1 Report

2012-01-14T13:09:00.002Z

It's January, traditional month of doing stuff that you have been putting off. Here in England it's freezing cold, with dark mornings and early nights... what worse time could there be to exert yourself? Anyway...

I started back at the gym this week. 18 months (or so) ago I had knee surgery performed, it's taken me this long to finally get back into action. That is my actual excuse by the way; that it takes roughly 18 months for your body to fully recover from surgery. I personally already know that that is just an excuse, as I was secretly back at the karate dojo a mere 3 weeks after having my ACL reconstructed, against doctor's advice and wishes. I even told the surgeon at the time, he was not impressed with my plans. But you know how it is, you have got to do what you have got to do. Hmm, didn't John Wayne say something along those lines? Wise words from The Duke there.

The gym I joined is a brand new place, it opened at the start of 2012. It used to be a bingo hall (and I know that because my brother used to work there as security). Never stepped foot in the place until this week though, as "two fat ladies" and all that "clickety-click" stuff isn't my bag. But lifting heavy objects in a controlled manner and running on the spot courtesy of high-tech machinery is my bag, so the fact that this new gymnasium facility is a 5 minute drive from where I live was all the reason I needed to get back on the horse, so to speak. (Clearly I am still thinking of how great John Wayne is.)

The "sign up" process was the hard part. A 6 month contract, £38 a month. The last gym I was a member of was £25 a month, but it was also only a quarter of the size of this new place. More about that in a moment though. I didn't need any persuading about joining up, so I signed all of the paperwork -- and by the way there was not physical paperwork to sign, it was all done online via a website, and the "signing up" part of the process was completed via one of those digital signature strip devices that you see now and then. So with all that done, time to get acquainted with the equipment.

I need to get back into the gym habit as I am going to Japan later this year for training. Been there a few times now, both to Tokyo and to Okinawa. In fact my instructor (Sensei Roy Flatt) is over in Okinawa right now, training with Higaonna Sensei. As you can see, we are heavily into the Eastern influence at the dojo! I already know that I am not in full fighting shape at the moment, and it's going to take a lot of effort to get myself back in condition before I step onto the JAL aircraft bound for Narita Airport on July 6th. Coincidentally I joined back at the gym on January 6th, exactly 6 months before heading to the Far East. 6 months should be plenty of time to get my fitness levels back up, right? Right.

The main thing that I want to work on is my cardiovascular condition. Last time that I used a gymnasium properly was when I was preparing for my last karate grading, when I took my 4th degree black belt. That involved going on a diet (which I confess I never really stuck to very well) and a daily ritual of running, stretching and weight lifting. I did all of these things at a gym. The running part was maintained via a machine called an elliptical treadmill (or a cross-trainer if you like). This was partly because of knee problems, partly because I am not very good at running. I also discovered that you can run much easier to music on an elliptical stepper -- but again, let's go into that in greater detail in a moment. So that is my number one "go to" machine for getting my heart-rate pumping. Other stuff that I plan on using to get my in form are: Rowing machine, cycles, the runner and also the swimming pool.

So this new gymnasium - it is huge! Well, it's certainly the biggest gym that I have ever had access to. Seriously, it's the size of a small aircraft hangar (and I say that from personal experience as I used to work at an airport). I was given the guided tour by one of the young ladies who works there when I first signed up, and it offers so much more than the older place that I used to visit. This new gym has been cut into sections (as most modern gymnasiums are) with an area for cardio-related activity, an area for stretching activity (think kettle bells and medicine ball type-stuff), then there's all of the weight lifting machinery, and then an area with racks upon racks of free weights. There is also a wall of swinging bags for boxing and a matted area at the very back of the main hall with a range of strange looking log-shaped implements... they put me in mind of karate-style Kongoken (iron ring) equipment. Very nice! A new gym with all of the little extras is always a nice sight... let's see if it still looks so polished and impressive this time next year, huh?

So I used the changing room, got a hand towel and a bottle of water, then heading in there for my 1st work out. Nothing too strenuous to start with, yes? Haha, don't be silly. I had been thinking about this moment for months and months, and I had it all planned out in my head that I was going to start back up exactly where I had left off back in 2010 before my knee surgery. I took my trusty mp3 player in there with me, of course, as I cannot stand that terrible music that they play in public gyms... all of that soft sounding chart music is enough to send me crazy. I have to have 2 particular albums ready to listen to when I am at the gym: 1 album - "Advance & Vanquish" by the charmingly named "3 Inches Of Blood" - is especially for during a cardiovascular workout, the other album - "Friendship, Loyalty, Commitment" by the hardcore punk band "25 Ta Life" - is for during weight lifting activity. That is all I have listened to whilst at the gym for about 4 years now. The 3IOB album is very fast-paced and the idea is to keep your step in time with the beat. The 25TL album is aggressive and full of anger, perfect for lifting up heavy objects and then putting them down again. Okay, time to get on with some cardio.

I hopped onto a stepper and pedalled a little in order to get the machine to start up. Then I popped my headphones on and pressed the play button. The music sprang into life and I started the machine, effort level 5. It was then that I realised, I hadn't listened to this record for at least 18 months now. And suddenly I was not a fan of this music anymore. Doh! Never mind, I wasn't really listening to this album because of the music content, I was using it for the energy levels and as a marker for the speed that I should be moving at. "Advance & Vanquish" by 3 Inches Of Blood is a heavy metal record (I assume you already guessed that though) and it has lots of screaming vocals (think of Rob Halford from Judas Priest and you're on the right track). The album is 45 minutes long, which I would say is perfect for a long bout of cardio, especially if you are using a cross-trainer machine - you can keep your step in time with the beat of the music to great effect. I think that the average beat of this album is about 180 beats per minute. I used to be able to run at full pace to this album, from start to finish, with no problem at all. 45 minutes would just disappear in no time, as I loved the music and (I realise this now) I was in great shape. This week I got onto a stepper and attempted to keep up with the beat as I ran along... I think that I lasted 3 minutes before I was totally out of breath. Oh no, what has happened to all of that energy that I used to have??

Okay, so I now know. I have a lot of work to do if I want to get myself back up to the same level of fitness that I was at when I took my 4th dan. Man, what has happened? Actually, I can answer that question straight away -- I quit the gym for almost 2 years, that's what happened! I have kept up my karate training, that part has never really gone away. But I have neglected my fitness and so, inevitably, my lung capacity has dropped considerably. Dammit. I don't like using phrases that begin with "I cannot believe" but in this instance maybe that is quite apt... I cannot believe I let my cardiovascular activity slip to this extent. So now at least I know that I have 6 months or so to get that sorted out. Thank you, 3 Inches Of Blood. You will be helping me out a lot for the next few months I think.

Right, that will be all for this edition of "SJW gets back to the gym". Let's call this "part 1", as there's plenty more activity to talk about when one finally gets back to the gym after a long lay-off. Stretching exercises, weight lifting, swimming, post work-out activity, etc. For now let me finish this section by saying that it's great to be back in the saddle (so to speak), and it is also good to have a target to aim for.

Look out for another instalment of this story on this blog shortly. :-)

Childwall Dojo Class, 2011.01.09

2012-01-10T12:42:00.001Z

Happy new year to all!

The head instructor at our karate club, Sensei Roy Flatt, is in Okinawa at present (training along side the English chief instructor Sensei Ernie Molyneux) at the dojo of our style's grandmaster Morio Higaonna Shihan. They are there for just over a week for training. In the meantime we have been continuing with classes as normal here in Liverpool.

Last night's session was instructed by Sensei Steve Walley (5th dan) and Sensei Guy Keen (5th dan also). They class included lots of kihon (basics) and then some exercises to help students concentrate on gripping - very important for karate training.

More about this class to follow later.

Sherlock Holmes, Karateka?

2012-01-02T23:52:00.001Z

Happy new year to one and all!

Here is a still from the latest instalment of the BBC television adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes saga. Set in modern day London, and it would appear that this incarnation of Sherlock is a karate black belt maybe? Check out his Shotokan shodan(?) certificate on the wall above his bed. Nice!

It is quite a clear image - and I think that with a little bit of sleuthing (pun intended) it should be quite easy to discover who this certificate really belongs to. Kudos to the BBC if they have gone to the trouble of having the name Sherlock Holmes translated into kanji and placed onto an official looking certificate (although that, of course, would be fraudulent - but awesome!). If anyone out there has the time to find out the real identity of the mystery karateka who this belongs to, please leave a comment on this page and let us all know.

Higaonna Sensei in Conversation

2011-12-06T03:37:00.001Z

A great 10-minute video showing Higaonna Sensei and Terauchi Sensei practicing Sanchin kata (with full shime testing, naturally) and then conversation in Japanese. Enjoy.

EGKA 2011 Winter Gasshuku - Video Clip

2011-12-05T15:22:00.001Z

A video clip taken at the English Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association (EGKA) 2011 Winter Gasshuku, held on the Wirral Peninsula, UK. Recorded on Sunday morning, December 4th 2011.

Tode Jukun: The 10 Precepts of Karate

2011-11-19T04:27:00.001Z

"Karate did not develop from Buddhism or Confucianism. In the past the Shorin-ryu school and the Shorei-ryu school were brought to Okinawa from China. Both of these schools have strong points, which I will now mention before there are too many changes:

Tode Jukun

Karate is not merely practiced for your own benefit; it can be used to protect one's family or Master. It is not intended to be used against a single assailant but instead as a way of avoiding a fight should one be confronted by a villain or ruffian.
The purpose of karate is to make the muscles and bones hard as rock and to use the hands and legs as spears. If children were to begin training in Tang Te ("China Hand") while in elementary school, then they will be well suited for military service. Remember the words attributed to the Duke of Wellington after he defeated Napoleon: "The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton."
Karate cannot be quickly learned. Like a slow moving bull, it eventually travels a thousand miles. If one trains diligently every day, then in three or four years one will come to understand karate. Those who train in this fashion will discover karate.
In karate, training of the hands and feet are important, so one must be thoroughly trained on the makiwara. In order to do this, drop your shoulders, open your lungs, take hold of your strength, grip the floor with your feet, and sink your energy into your lower abdomen. Practice using each arm one to two hundred times each day.
When one practices the stances of Tang Te, be sure to keep your back straight, lower your shoulders, put strength in your legs, stand firmly, and drop your energy into your lower abdomen.
Practice each of the techniques of karate repeatedly, the use of which is passed by word of mouth. Learn the explanations well, and decide when and in what manner to apply them when needed. Enter, counter, release is "The rule of releasing hand".
You must decide if karate is for your health or to aid your duty.
When you train, do so as if on the battlefield. Your eyes should glare, shoulders drop, and body harden. You should always train with intensity and spirit, and in this way you will naturally be ready.
One must not over-train; this will cause you to lose the energy in your lower abdomen and will be harmful to your body. Your face and eyes will turn red. Train wisely.
In the past, masters of karate have enjoyed long lives. Karate aids in developing the bones and muscles. It helps the digestion as well as the circulation.

If karate should be introduced beginning in the elementary schools, then we will produce many men each capable of defeating ten assailants. I further believe this can be done by having all students at the Okinawa Teachers' College practice karate. In this way, after graduation, they can teach at the elementary schools at which they have been taught. I believe this will be a great benefit to our nation and our military. It is my hope you will seriously consider my suggestion."

- Anko Itosu, October 1908

Photos of training (From years gone by)

2011-11-18T17:01:00.001Z

Here are some photos I found online today.

Please note:

I do not own the copyright of any of these photos. If you are the person who took the photos, please contact me and I will happily give you a credit!

Goju-Ryu Demonstration, Paris France

2011-11-18T04:03:00.001Z

"This video was from Paris France, one of the biggest martial arts demo in Europe. By watching the demo, my shoulders start feeling pain."

- Tetsuji Nakamura Sensei, November 2011

Hojo Undo (Conditioning Work)

2011-11-14T23:07:00.001Z

Tonight's class at Childwall Dojo focused on Hojo Undo training - arm conditioning, makiwara (striking board), chi'ishi ("power stone"), striking rocks (to strengthen palms and fists), stepping in stances while gripping jars full of sand (nigiri game waza) and stacks and stacks of push-ups!

We don't get to do this kind of training as much as we would like at our dojo, mainly because there is so much else to cover in the IOGKF Goju-Ryu syllabus. If we work on one area in the whole range of Goju-Ryu style of karate for more than 1 session per month then everything else has to be put to one side as a result. there really is that much to it. Students are expected to take the lessons that they are shown in the dojo environment and then practice at home or in their own time whenever possible.

This is how we progress as pupils and as instructors; by continually pushing ourselves via our training habits.

Childwall Dojo, 10 Nov 2011

2011-11-10T22:35:00.001Z

Tonight we had a great class at Childwall Dojo (Liverpool, UK) - It was the 1st session since our instructor, Sensei Roy Flatt, got back from training at "The Chief Instructor's Gasshuku", held in Fuzhou, China. The lesson tonight was what Sensei called "Advanced self defence", with a set of attacks/blocks constructed to be used against attacks at 3 levels of the body (an attacks to the head, to the chest and one to the groin). These combinations were all practiced with a training partner, several times.

Later in the session we spent some time practicing Sanchin kata - the "core" kata in Goju-Ryu karate-do. Sensei explained the concepts behind the kata's performance and we concentrated on the muscles used during each technique in it. Sanchin employs many muscles in one's back to be performed to it's fullest. Each with a training partner we went over some strength exercises especially tailored for improving the muscle groups used for Sanchin kata.

Training Update (November 2011)

2011-11-06T12:48:00.000Z

Lots of great training going on lately.

Right now a lot of the senior black belts from here in England are visiting Fuzhou in China to take part in a Goju-Ryu karate demonstration/training seminar/competition. My instructor has gone along, as have many of the other instructors from our area. i look forward to seeing them all when they get back to England this week.

Went to Stratford yesterday (Nov 5) to attend a training session instructed by Sensei Nigel Thomas (6th Dan) and Sensei Felix Nelson (5th Dan). The class focused on kumite training drills. It was a 4 hour class, very good level of teaching.

Now and then people will say hello to me and then say "Update your karate page! I need to know what training you have all been doing with Sensei Roy." Well, here's your update. Sorry I don't say much about the class plans for each lesson, it would take about 5 extra hours a week to do that (and I am telling you that from experience). But I will try and get on top of this again soon okay.

EGKA Kata Tournament - 11 Sept 2011

2011-09-15T07:37:00.001Z

We had a kata tournament here in the north of England recently, organised by the English Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association (EGKA). The contest was designated as a "friendly", with competitors from dojos all around the region - From as far as Liverpool and Sheffield. The tournament itself was held at 12 Quays dojo, located on the Wirral peninsular.

Sensei Steve Timson performing Sesan kata.

Childwall, Sept 8 2011

2011-09-08T20:55:00.001Z

Tonight's class at Childwall was attended by students of brown belt level and higher, which meant we had the opportunity to focus our attention on kata practice for an extended section of the session.

Starting with Sanchin kata, then moving on to Gekisai Dai Ichi and then working up through the kata of the Goju-Ryu system, we were able to run through each kata up to Shisochin several times each, with Sensei Roy showing the class points regarding timing, breathing and also the "pauses", or mai, located in each of the form.

After the kata section of the class we turned our attention to Hojo Undo, or conditioning practice. The equipment used during this part of the night included makiwara (striking board), chi'ishi ("power stone"), nigiri game (gripping jars) and we also spent some time "hitting the rock", as demonstrated in the YouTube clip in the previous post on this page.

I really enjoy the opportunity to do some conditioning work like this, it is sometimes difficult to fit so many different aspects of the syllabus into such a tight schedule.

Morio Higaonna Sensei: Kote Kitae

2011-09-06T20:14:00.001Z

Here is a Youtube clip with our very own Morio Higaonna Sensei explaining the principles of hojo undo to a camera crew.

I like to think that the guy operating the camera was unaware of what Sensei was about to demonstrate, and was half worried that he was next! (Well okay, probably not, but it still makes me smile to imagine that scenario.)

This is one of those videos that everyone should take the time to view at least once.

Goju Daytime Training in Liverpool

2011-09-06T15:25:00.003Z

We have been keeping up with our daytime karate practice this week, meeting for a couple of hours each lunch time to go through some kata. There are 3 of us who are meeting to train at present - Myself, Damo and Tom - all black belt level. We concentrated on Sesan kata today, as I have been given 4 or 5 things to work on in Sesan by one of our senior instructors. We also spent a little time running through some kata applications (bunkai) from other forms in the Goju-Ryu system.

There is a Goju-Ryu kata competition happening in our region this weekend, once that event has happened we will then begin training towards the national kata/kumite event happening in Stratford-Upon-Avon in October.

Daytime Training Schedule Update

2011-08-31T14:58:00.004Z

Training again today with my good friend Sensei Damion Wood. We have been meeting regularly to practice Goju-Ryu kata at his dojo in Walton, Liverpool.

Today's session was a bit longer than usual, so we had time to add a couple of extra kata to our training. Starting at Shisochin we then moved through the sylabus up to Suparinpai, plus all of the kata in between. Each was performed 3 times - 1st we perform the kata slowly, for the 2nd turn we perform it slightly faster but more fluently, then on the 3rd time around was slowly again but with emphasis on the breathing pattern associated with each movement.

The reason that we have been practicing our kata this way, never quite up to full speed, is that I feel it is best for now not to worry too much about trying to get everything perfect each and every time. The dojo we are in is located in a great facility, a spacious hall with padded floors and mirrors on the walls, plus we are both black belt grades and have been for some years now - so while we have the opportunity to get together and train for a few hours in the daytime we are able to spot if there are any major faults with one another's movements. However, as we both train regularly with Sensei Roy Flatt, we both tend to agree that we can leave all of the major correction work to our instructor's keen eye. And you can be sure that Sensei Roy is not known for letting any errors, no matter howsmall or insignificant, pass by without correction.

Okinawa Diet Article

2011-08-31T14:41:00.000Z

Seisan

2011-08-22T01:22:00.002Z

As mentioned on here already, I've been preparing for an upcoming karate competition. This event involves performing kata in a contest, so I have been working hard to get ready for it. This involves some extra training during the daytime, which has now possibly resulted with some "over-training" and has manifested itself in a bout of muscle strain. I have either pulled my right hip flexor muscles - the "tensor fasciae latae" muscle maybe - or I have done some minor damage to the "superior gluteal nerve" which runs through that area. Whatever it is, I am getting something akin to a slight dead leg and a pinching sensation when I move my right leg forwards, especially when I begin to raise my right knee. I know how this has happened, without question: This is all due to repeatedly performing a certain movement, a very particular kick known as a "kantetsu geri", as seen a Goju-Ryu kata called Seisan; this is one of the 3 Goju-Ryu kata that I have been practicing quite extensively in preparation for the ever-nearing competition. It's not a debilitating injury that I've collected, though I must confess it is causing a lot of discomfort. I now have to decide whether to refrain from training for a couple of days and let the muscle/nerve have a rest, or instead just carry on with practice as planned and plow through the pain barrier. While my brain says that I should take time to rest, my heart says train on. We shall soon know whether the brain was correct as I will no doubt carry on training, as the contest is now only 3 weeks away. Stretching helps to relieve the injury greatly, and so far this has been my primary form of therapy for the hip flexor strain.

I have taken the time to look about online for more info about Seisan kata, as it is a fascinating kata that I have been practicing a lot over the past month or so. I am curious to discover, why does it contain the same kick several times over, but only ever performed using the right leg? There are no kicks with the left leg in Seisan kata, which is quite unusual. This also happens in some of the other kata in the Goju-Ryu system too - the signature "right-side-only kantestu geri". Over the years I have heard several reasons for this kick; the kata was constructed (or developed) by a person with a problem with their left leg... the kicks are all included on the one side intentionally to make the kata develop in an anti-clockwise rotation... you are supposed to perform the kata as a mirror image, so as to develop the muscles on both sides of the body... and so on. Whatever the reason, the truth behind these kicks will inevitably be incorporated into the kata itself. I guess that it doesn't really matter too much, it's not as though having answers to these questions is going to change the way that one would perform the kata. After all what we are talking about here a set form, not intended to be altered by anyone.

A little background information about Seisan kata, as taken from a Wikipedia page regarding the subject:

The karate kata Seisan (alternate names: Sesan, Seishan, Jusan, Hangetsu) literally means '13', however some people refer to the kata as '13 Hands', '13 Fists', '13 Techniques', '13 Steps' or even '13 killing positions'. However, all these names are made up and have no historical basis.Seisan is thought to be one of the oldest kata quite spread among other Nahate schools. Shito-ryu has its own version and different versions are now practised even in Shurite derivatives like Shotokan (called Hangetsu) and in Wado-ryu (called Seishan). Isshin-ryū also adopted this kata. This kata is also practiced in Korean styles such as Tang Soo Do and Soo Bahk Do and is called Sei-Shan or Seishan in Korean. Due to its difficulty, this kata is often reserved for advanced students.

The following styles have made this kata a formal part of their curriculum: Chitō-ryū, Gōjū-ryū, Isshin-ryū, Moo Duk Kwan, Tang Soo Do, Ryū-te, Ryūei-ryū, Seidōkan, Shitō-ryū, Shōrin-ryū, Shōrinji-ryū, Shotokan, Uechi-ryū, Wadō-ryū, Yōshūkai, Koei-Kan, Meibukan, Katsudo-te-jitsu, Shizuka Do.

Myth and History: There are numerous theories as to the naming of the kata. These include the number of steps originally in the kata, the number of different types of 'power' or 'energy' in the kata, the number of applications, or that the kata represents defence against 13 specific types of attack. The most likely explanation is the number of non-repeating techniques contained within the kata. It is believed Seisan derives from Yong Chun White Crane Boxing from Fujian Province in Southern China, where the form is known as 'Four Gate Hands'. (This is completely unproven and uncorroborated. There are some other Chinese styles having a form called 'Shisan' (13) in their curricula, but a link from a specific kung-fu form to Okinawan Seisan has never been established).

Versions of Seisan taught today have roots in Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te streams of karate (that is the karate that was traditionally taught in the Okinawan towns of Shuri, Naha and Tomari respectively).

The Goju-Ryu (Naha-te) version of the kata, Higaonna-no-Seisan, is a more complicated version that contains close range fighting techniques such as short-range punches, low kicks, and directional changes to unbalance the opponent. It contains techniques performed under full tension thru the range of motion, as well as strong fast techniques. Seisan is said to complement Seienchin. Although rooted in the same form, significant differences can be seen in the Goju version compared to the other versions mentioned elsewhere.

Shotokan's Hangetsu kata contains many slow movements under tension, popular in Naha-te schools such as Goju-Ryu, but rare in Shotokan and Shuri-te influenced styles making the kata quite unique. Funakoshi was taught by Sokon Matsumura (Shuri-te), Kodatsu Iha (a student of Kosaku Matsumora of Tomari-te) and Seisho Aragaki (associated with Goju-Ryu, a Naha-te style) all of which had knowledge of a version of Seisan. Funakoshi's could have taken the best from these contrasting styles synthesising them into Hangetsu, which possibly explains why the form is so different from other kata in the Shotokan canon.

Here is the text taken from an article about Seisan kata which also had a video of Higaonna Sensei performing the kata embedded into the page (it was not made fully clear on the webpage whether this information was authored by Higaonna Sensei or not):

The name of this kata means '13' but it is often understood as '13 Hands'. '13' in isolation is connected to good luck and prosperity in China which may account for the naming of the form, though another explanation is that the figure refers to the number of non-repeating techniques found in the original (this kata is not only found in Goju ryu karate but several other styles as well, including Shotokan in which it is named Hangetsu).

This kata is however believed to be one of the four originals brought back directly from Fuzhou by Kanryo Higaonna after learning it from his teacher Ryu Ryu Ko. However, a different version existed in Okinawa prior to this as it is known that Seisho Aragaki (an early instructor of Master Higaonna) was teaching this kata as early as 1867. It is believed that the different versions trace their lineage back to the Yong Chun White Crane kung fu style. Some have detected a Hsing I influence. Seisan is the primary kata that author Nathan Johnson argues in The Great Karate Myth is intended to be a sai form, but performed without the weapons. This is supposedly more apparent in the Uechi ryu version.

Here is a little more info about Seisan kata taken from elsewhere on the web; I have added it here merely for entertainment purposes (for myself) as it does not explain too much about the physical development of the Goju-Ryu version of the kata as it exists today.

This very old kata may be translated as 13. It is possible that this kata was named after a Chinese martial artist sometime during the 17th century. Its use can be traced back to the well-known mapmaker, astronomer, mathematician, and martial artist, Takahara Peichin (Lord Takahara). There are two major versions, with many variants: the Shuri version and the Naha version. They are very different in form. It is believed that the wife of Bushi Matsumura (Yonamine Chiru, married 1818) had a great deal of influence on the development of this variant. It is said that the Matsumura Orthodox variant was developed to teach women how to fight with a baby on their backs. Some of the other variants are: Tomari no Seisan, Oshiro no Seisan, Arakaki no Seisan, Inami (or Iha) no Seisan, Kyabu no Seisan, and Motobu no Seisan.

Seisan can be translated as "thirteen" because of the thirteen opponents the karateka faces when performing it. This translation comes from Master Shimabuku's son-in-law, Angi Uezu, who states that sei translates as ten, and san translates as three, making thirteen. According to Harry Smith, Master Shimabuku stated that this kata should be performed with only 13 breaths in order to teach proper breath control in kata performance. Another translation is “ghostliness or gruesomeness”. Meaning 13, some people refer to this kata as 13 hands, 13 fists, or 13 steps. Customarily taught in both Tomari and Naha (towns on Okinawa), this kata, following the tradition of Chotoku Kyan, is the first kata the Isshinryu karate student learns. It is unclear exactly what the number 13 represents. Some think it was the number of techniques in the original kata; some think it represents 13 different types of "power" or "energy" found in the kata; some think it represents the number of different application principles; some think it represents defending against 13 specific attacks; and some think that it is the number if imaginary opponents one faces while performing the kata. Out of all these theories, this author must disagree with the last, as it is highly unrealistic that kata teaches one to handle such situations. On the contrary, kata was designed to teach the principles needed to survive more common self-defense situations, rather than a long, drawn out battle against several opponents. Akio Kinjo, the noted Okinawan karate researcher and teacher who has traveled to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan well over 100 times to train and research the roots of Okinawan martial arts, maintains that this kata originally had 13 techniques, but due to a long process of evolution, more techniques were added to it. He also maintains that the Okinawan Seisan kata derives from Yong Chun White Crane boxing from Fujian Province in Southern China.

Seisan is referred to as Hangetsu, or "Half-Moon," in Shotokan Karate. Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan, chose this name due to the sweeping crescent moon steps in the kata, "C" steps, which are crucial to its proper performance. None of Isshinryu's stances (dachi) have locked knees. Seisan stance raises the center of gravity higher than Zenkutsu, which is the common front stance of other styles. Seisan also provides mobility. The feet are parallel with the rear toes aligned with the front foot's heels and a 50-50-weight distribution. The inner muscles of the thighs engage for subtle shifting without telegraphing and channeling chinkuchi energy up from the earth. Seisan is the most advanced beginner's kata in all of Karate, requiring approximately 60 seconds completing 130 movements. Master Shimabuku dismissed the traditional beginner's kata such as Taikyoku, Kihon, and Heian. Upon satisfactory work with the basics, Seisan is immediately taught. Seisan is a black belt level kata in most other systems of Karate in which it appears. It is complex and lengthy for beginners but utilizes numerous vital techniques, which the student has already, mastered. This natural progression from basics to kata builds on the new karateka's abilities and provides them chances to actually incorporate the basic techniques they have learned into simulated fighting situations.

In addition, the kata introduces several new techniques with which the beginning student is unfamiliar. Seisan brings in the "punch, punch, kick, punch" combination which is executed rapidly, giving students a viable resource to employ in fighting. Each of the kata's series is executed three times; each demands proficiency on all sides and all angles of attack. Seisan utilizes open-hand shuto blocks, front snap kicks, as well as an introductory lesson in focused breathing, ibuki, which the concept of which will be addressed in depth in Sanchin Kata. The predominant stances in Seisan are Seisan, Seiuchin, Nekoashi, and Crane. Seisan also requires proper stance transition to avoid announcing movements during weight shifts.

Seisan lays the foundation with structural principles which will be built on in more advanced kata. It contains clear self-defense techniques and gives the perfect introduction to the "no nonsense" fighting style because it emphasizes fast and effective fighting techniques. Through repeated work with Seisan, students develop a feel for timing and understanding of a stable, resilient base.

August 2011 Update

2011-08-21T16:11:00.001Z

Currently preparing for an upcoming kata competition, due to take place on September 11th. The preparation training involves meeting up with training partners for extra sessions during the day time, performing some Goju-Ryu kata, taking about an hour to get through all of them. (This is as well as normal training sessions, not instead.)

Training at classes here in Liverpool have been very good lately, as always. One of our instructors is preparing to attempt his 5th degree black belt test ("Godan") on September 18th, so a great deal of our training has been geared towards that. This means we have been practicing Sesan kata a lot, as well as the bunkai (practical applications) that accompany this kata. This has been particularly enjoyable training, as there are roughly 10 people who are 4th degree black belt (and above) who are able to meet 3 or 4 times per week and we all do the training for this event together, so everyone is pretty much up-to-speed on Sesan and it's bunkai now.

We also made a journey up to Glenrothes in Scotland at the start of August to train with Higaonna Sensei (10th dan, world chief instructor of IOGKF). The training with Higaonna Sensei was very good, spread over 2 days. All of the training was instructed solely by Sensei, so we had his undivided attention for the entire event.

18/06/2011 Training

2011-07-18T22:56:00.002Z

There was a camera crew in attendance at the dojo tonight, making a recording of our class for some reason or another. (I think it was a university student and an assistant friend.) As such training was altered slightly as Sensei catered for the filming to take place. The class that followed comprised mainly of hojo undo (supplementary training) drills while the recording took place, and continued when people were being interviewed outside the dojo too.

I enjoyed this small "free class" that happened for about 45 minutes, as I got a good session of hitting the stone - which we really don't do enough in the dojo (in my opinion!). I have a set routine when it comes to "slapping" the rock that we keep in the dojo utility cupboard, and I think I spent about 15 minutes continuously striking it before the filming was complete and the class was re-started and the proper training began. (I will locate and post a YouTube clip of Higaonna Sensei doing his best to destroy a stone at the bottom of this post, to give you an idea of what this whole stone-slapping thing is all about!)

The rest of this evening's class centered on kata practice. Seiyunchin kata was chosen for everyone to practice together as a group, with Sensei Roy keeping us together by counting out the movements. Each person was then told to pair up (with a training partner) and then Sensei told everyone to practice a particular section of Seiyunchin kata, one partner performing the kata while the other person watched and then gave constructive criticism, then vice-versa. I was fortunate and was paired with 2 training partners for this exercise (3 of us together as there was an odd number of students training tonight) - my partners were Sensei Cynthia Dare and Sensei Damion Wood. We spent about 5 minutes repeating each section of the kata, then Sensei gave us another section of Seiyunchin kata to practice. This practice continued for about an hour.

The 2011 IOGKF European Gasshuku starts this coming weekend, and although I cannot attend this year, a few students from our Dojo will be going along to Portugal for this event. I look forward to hearing about the training they take part in while they are there.

Video: Higaonna Sensei hitting a stone at the 2006 IOGKF Canada World Championships:

Note: Eagle-eyed individuals may have already noticed, I used a photograph taken during this demonstration for the header for my karate blog.

Small Note

2011-07-12T10:58:00.001Z

I have opened up this blog for comments as of today. This is the first time I have allowed comments on this page in the 6 years I've been keeping this training diary. Often I don't know if all of what I write on here makes sense, so if you have any questions please feel free to add your thoughts and I will happily expand on anything that isn't 100% clear.

Please note: I am not interested in being told that my style of martial arts is not as good as another style. I am not interested in politics, just good training. Also, I am employing a comment moderation system - if you choose to leave a comment, it will not appear automatically on the page, but it will instead have to be authorised for publication by me.

I am only interested in courteous discourse regarding martial arts, I have no time for spam comments and I don't believe there to be any need for bad language on this page - please remember, there will be children who are interested in martial arts that might read your words and take your comments to heart. Hopefully we can have some interesting additions to the training notes I make on this page.

Thanks! ~SJW~

Childwall Dojo - Monday 11th July '11

2011-07-12T10:49:00.003Z

Last night's class at Childwall Dojo (Liverpool, UK) was attended by several high-level karateka - 7th dan Sensei Roy Flatt, two 5th degree black belts (Sensei George Yuen, Sensei Steve Walley), four 4th degree black belts, two 3rd degree black belts and several 1st & 2nd dan black belts too. Sensei Roy commented how he was pleased by the turn-out at the start of the session, then the class began.

Here is just part of the class plan used in this session. you will need at least 5 students to perform this as is shown below; however, it can be practiced with as few as 2 students together, or it can even practiced by 1 student on his own (with imaginary attackers). This exercise is best performed using a lot of floor space.

"4 Man Attack" Training

This class included lots of work with multiple training partners - in the form of "4 man attack" exercises. This is a common training routine used at Childwall Dojo, with 5 people working together in a group.

The concept for this routine is as follows:

1 person (the "defending" training partner, or "center man") stands in the center of the other 4 (each of those 4 "attacker" training partners stand facing inward towards the center person, using a "North/South/East/West" compass-point style formation). The defending person then uses blocks & counter-strikes to fend off incoming attacks from each of the 4 other people in succession. This circuit is repeated several times - usually with the center man repeating the exercise for 5 complete rotations (each rotation includes 4 attacks, 1 of each of the attacking training partners).

The order of attacks (and the defenses used against them) used during this class was as follows:

Note: Each of the blocking techniques below are performed to the "outside" of the incoming attack.

1) Attacker: Jodan zuki - Defender : Jodan age uke, followed by a chudan gyaku zuki counter punch
2) Attacker: Chudan zuki - Defender : Chudan uke, followed by a jodan gyaku zuki counter punch

Note: Each of the following blocking techniques below are performed to the "inside" of the incoming attack. All Mae geri kicks are to be directed at the knot of the belt; all Mawashi geri's are for chudan or jodan height, where possible.

3) Attacker: Mae geri - Defender : Gedan barai uke, followed by a chudan gyaku zuki counter punch
4) Attacker: Mawashi geri - Defender : Morote "Mawashi" uke, followed by a chudan gyaku zuki counter punch.

Attacks 1 & 2 are performed from Heiko dachi (parallel stance). Attacks 3 & 4 are performed from Zenkutsu dachi (long stance).

The person in the center performs blocks and counter attacks for all of the above attacks, in one go. That is to say, they are attacked by each training partner in succession continuously until all of the different attacks (Jodan punch, Chudan punch, Mae geri & Mawashi geri) have been completed.

During this session we each repeated this exercise 5 times in a row - the first 3 rotations were "slow", then followed up with 2 "fast & strong" rotations. That means that 1 student is attacked for a total of 80 attacks in 1 complete turn - and only then will that person finish their turn and someone else (usually the next highest grade in the group) will change places with them and that person becomes the center man.

I imagine that this exercise might take some getting used to if you haven't performed it before. Defending against 80 attacks in a row is quite a high demand for any person, even when you are performing the first 48 of those attacks at half speed!

One final note regarding this training routine - The control and accuracy of each technique is of paramount importance during this whole exercise. The people on the outside of the circle (the "attackers") are expected to perform their incoming attacks so that they would make contact with the "center man" if that person does not sufficiently block it in time. However the defending training partner must never make contact with any of their 80 counter punches - this is to help that person learn focus and control in their karate techniques, plus also as a form of Dojo etiquette.

Childwall Dojo - Regular Class - 4th July 2011

2011-07-04T22:03:00.001Z

This evening's class took place at the end of a very warm summer's day, so we had Okinawan style training conditions (almost!). Roughly 30 students took part in this session.

The class began with junbi undo (preliminary warm-up exercises), followed Sanchin kata training for roughly 30 minutes, with Sensei Roy Flatt explaining technique and timing issues related to this kata to the assembled class. Sensei also lead the class as we practiced "Higaonna Sensei's Turning Sanchin" - slightly different than the regular version of this kata, as Kanryo Sensei's Sanchin uses different timing, as well as incorporating two 180° direction changes during whilst performing it. This kata was practiced by all students 3 times this evening, under the guidance of Sensei Roy.

Next the class moved onto some sparring practice.

Each student was paired up with a training partner and each duo was given a set of pads to use. Sensei showed the class several combinations of techniques to be performed as training exercises.

Note: Each combination is to be repeated by each student 10 times on the left, then the same on the right. Also, all combos begin from long stance (Zenkutsu dachi). Their training partner holds the kick pads in the correct position for each strike performed.

1) Attacking training partner performs thrust kick with the trailing leg (Mae geri), quickly followed by a roundhouse kick (Mawashi geri) with the other leg.

2) Perform side kick (Yoko geri) from leading foot; followed by reverse-hand punch (Gyaku zuki) and finally followed by roundhouse kick (Mawashi geri) with the leading leg once again. The punch can be performed as if striking a makiwara. To clarify - both kicks are made using the same leg (so if you begin with the left leg in front, both the Yoko and the Mawashi are performed with the left foot).

3) Similar to the first combination, but with a finally spinning reverse kick (Ushiro mawashi geri) on the end of the combo.

Randori

Everyone in the class pairs up once again, for sparring practice. Sensei Roy made it clear that this is not full contact sparring and that students should try to use techniques that we had already been practicing on the kick-pads earlier in the session. The sparring rounds lasted roughly 2 minutes, then everybody was paired up with a different opponent and then another 2 minute round.

Kata

This class ended with kata for all students. Everybody was grouped according to their grade. The kata performed differed for each group, and each of the katas were selected by Sensei Roy.

Euro Asia Gasshuku Report, April 2011 by Nakamura Sensei

2011-04-27T09:45:00.001Z

Written by Tetsuji Nakamura Sensei (Chief instructor, IOGKF Canada) on 27 April 2011:

Euro Asia Gasshuku - Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine

I was invited by Sensei Denis Vasylchuk to teach Euro Asia Gasshuku at Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine together with Higaonna Sensei and Kuramoto Sensei (Okinawa, Japan). Over 200 IOGKF members from 14 countries got together and trained hard. At the airport when we came out from the airplane, there was a car waiting for us, and took us to the VIP room. There were local TV and news reporters waiting at outside to see the world best master (of course it is Higaonna Sensei, I was just carrying baggage for him:-). During our stay, we visited city hall to have TV interview, the mayer of the city also came for the demonstration.

Many children and students asked Higaonna Sensei for his autograph and taking pictures together. As always, Higaonna Sensei (73) treated everybody with respect and his generous smile. This was my first time visiting Ukraine and Euro Asia Gasshuku. I made many new friends in this region. I also saw many familiar faces, Sensei Torben, Jacob from Denmark, Sensei Victor from Moldova, and many others. It is always great to be with Higaonna Sensei, and I learned a lot from him. Thank you for Sensei Denis for his great hospitality.

IOGKF Ukraine organized Goju-ryu demonstration. The local TV set up several cameras. I was joking to Kuramoto sensei that it is OK to make mistakes as they will edit for TV program to look good. Then it was my turn for demo, and I made mistake in my Sesan kata!! Hope they won't show my kata at national TV:-) My biggest apology to Higaonna Sensei:-(
But, I was surprised to see my kata in youtube next day. My new virsion of Sesan kata.

In these days, there is nothing you can hide...

Childwall Dojo Class Photo - March 2011

2011-03-09T14:05:00.001Z

Childwall Dojo class photo taken on 7th March 2011 after training.

Childwall Dojo, 24th Feb 2011

2011-02-25T16:40:00.004Z

Instructor: Sensei Roy Flatt

Class:

Junbi Undo: (10 minutes of free form warm up exercises)

Sanchin:
Practicing Sanchin kata to a count (at "half power" with everyone starting and finishing the kata at the same time), then performing the kata again, this time not to a count and at full power.
Sanchin kata then performed for a third time with shime administered by a training partner.

Punching exercises using dynamic tension technique:

1) With same training partner as earlier, the first karateka (you in this example) stands in Sanchin dachi with arms held in a double chudan block (AKA Sanchin no kamae). Training partner then holds back your left arm as you draw it back, performed in the same way as you would during Sanchin kata. Once the left hand is chambered (when the drawing back of the arm is complete), the training partner then moves his open hand on top of your left fist as you punch forward. Though the flow of the punch is restricted by training partner, they do not actually stop the technique from happening. In this way both the pull back and punch forward of your left arm is performed under tension. Perform also for the short pull back movement (so that your arm returns to Sanchin no kamae). Repeat with both arms 10 times.

2) As above, but instead of starting from Sanchin no kamae you now begin the exercise with one hand extended out (as though you have just thrown a punch) and the other hand chambered (ready to strike). Training partner uses the same restriction technique as above, but this time both hands are restricted at the same time (whereas in the 1st example only 1 hand is restricted each turn). Training partner must change their hand positions with each punch, so that one hand is restricted during the pullback of the arm and then also during the punch.

Tip for good technique during these exercises: When you draw your arm back, focus on using your back muscles (latissimus); When you punch forward, focus on using your chest muscles (pectorals).

Training, Heswall Dojo, 16/02/2011

2011-02-17T15:34:00.003Z

I made it along to a karate class at EGKA Heswall Dojo last night, for the 1st time in ages. Since moving to another city I've found it more difficult to travel to this class, although it is one of my favourite places to go training. This class was instructed by Sensei Roy Flatt.

Blocking / Countering practice with a training partner (for me this evening it was a gentleman by the name of Sensei Damion Woods)
Oyo Bunkai practice - The applications of the first Goju-Ryu kata, Gekisai Dai Ichi, constructed in a non-traditional form. Sensei gave examples of oyo bunkai for each of the bunkai in the Gekisai kata (both Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni - 7 techniques in total). He then asked for each person in the class to think of an oyo bunkai from this kata for themselves.
Kata - Everyone was given the option to practice a Goju-Ryu kata of their choosing. I went through Suparinpai, along with Sensei Roy and Sensei Damion.

Lego Karate Man

2011-01-19T17:17:00.002Z

I saw this photo on a pinboard today while I was out on my travels. Did you know you can get lego karateka?

Off to ebay I go...!

2011 Starts Here!

2011-01-06T13:24:00.004Z

Happy new year.

Training at heswall dojo (EGKA, England) began in earnest last night, with a 2 hour "blow the cobwebs out of your system" class with Sensei Roy Flatt.

The Christmas break (2 weeks without regualr dojo classes) was much needed for me, to let my recent ACL knee surgery have a rest. I underwent "Anterior cruciate ligament resconstructive surgery" in June 2010, which has meant training has been altered to accomodate recovery time (9 months according to the surgeon). In the meantime I have been keeping myself busy with lots of push-ups (practice makes perfect) and constant kata application practice in my head. Kata, push-ups, kata, push-up, etc. Not too many kicks however. Got to keep on top of your training during a recovery period.

Last night's class (5th January 2011) included kihon (basics), footwork exercises (stepping, sliding), kata (Kururunfa x 5) and Sanchin kata to finish off.

England is well known for being quite cold in January. Karate training helps warm you up and keep your mind from getting dull!

The Hara

2010-04-07T10:16:00.004Z

A large part of Goju-Ryu karate is concerned with breathing and posture. The core kata of the style, Sanchin, stands as testament to this fact. At the dojo, during Sanchin kata practice, a Goju-Ryu Sensei might take a few moments to explain to his students about the underlying meaning of the movements incorporated in Sanchin. His explanation might often include describing in detail the technique of deep breathing from the lower abdomen area, known as the hara.

Recently I found a page discussing the hara in an old shiatsu massage book, which I have photographed and added here for you to study. The text describes the meaning of the hara, and how this area of the body is considered to be a person's spiritual centre. The tanden, another important area that is discussed at length in Goju-Ryu training, is also mentioned in the text.

Childwall Dojo Training Circuit, 18th March 2010

2010-03-18T23:00:00.002Z

Some severely good training in Liverpool this evening... Sensei Roy Flatt organised a "Hojo Undo night" at our karate club. (For those who don't know, hojo undo is Okinawan for "supplementary training" or words to that effect!).

The session began with warm-up exercises, followed by a training circuit comprising of the following "work stations":

1) Makiwara
2) Ishi Sashi
3) Kongonken
4) Nigiri Game
5) Pad work
6) Chi'ishi
7) Kata

Each of the above is a different facet of the Goju-Ryu karate training regime, all of which are part of the whole circle of training that we practice regularly.

There is a lot more to the training that we do, but it can be difficult to fit it all into a training schedule (it would be IMPOSSIBLE to try to do everything that Goju-Ryu encompasses in one go!). To practice everything that karate has to offer would take several weeks of constant hard work before you were to get through each exercise and routine one at a time.

A very quick explanation of each of the above work station and the equipment used:

1) MAKIWARA
A makiwara is a striking board, used to condition your hands. It is basically a wooden post that you hit in order to strengthen your fists. The board is strong enough to allow the most powerful of punches, but it is also flexible enough so that you don't break your hand in the process! Makiwara is one of the favourite Hojo Undo tools of Shihan Higaonna Morio, our style of karate's chief instructor.

2) ISHI SASHI
This translates as "Stone Padlocks", although the ishi sashi that we use in Liverpool are in fact made of wooden handles and metal bases. I guess that really we should called them "Tetsu Sashi", but let's not worry about that for now. Ishi Sashi are very traditional Goju-Ryu training equipment, they are used throughout the world in IOGKF dojos. Like most of our tools, these are used to strengthen the body - mainly the fists and the grip, but they can also be used as for a type of weight training and can be used both the strengthen the arms (when held at arm's length) or the legs (when slipped onto an outstretched foot!). There are several specific exercises that we perform that make use of the weight and shape of ishi sashi. A very efficient training tool.

3) KONGONKEN
Kongoken is pronounced "Kon-gohken" and translates (so I am told) as "Iron Ring". The equipment we used isn't exactly circular, though it is made up of one piece of metal tubing, something like a piece of modern-day scaffolding that has been bent into a 5-foot-tall oval. A friend of mine who does not train told me they thought it looks like an over-sized paperclip! The kongonken's shape and weight are intended to mimic the human form; when you first use of these things they can be difficult to move about as they are quite heavy. That's the point though. The idea is to learn how to move the kongoken and, in doing so, learn how to grapple with it and shift it's weight like you would with another person. This is by far the heaviest piece of hojo undo equipment that we used in tonight's class.

4) NIGIRI GAME
First of all, here's how to pronounce the name of this equipment - Nee-Gi-Ree Gah-May. Repeat that a couple of times. There you go, you learnt a new (and obscure) Okinawan word. We usually refer to these simply as "The jars". Nigiri game is a set of equipment that comprises of 2 ceramic jars. You don't usually use just one jar on it's own, if you are able bodied. The jars are used to strengthen your grip - and do they ever! The mouth of the jars are the same circumference as the span of the human hand - so it is preferable to have your own set of custom-made nigiri game (if you can find a potter to cast them for you that is!). Nothing can cultivate an iron-clad grip like prolonged use of this vital piece of Goju-Ryu equipment. Every traditional karate dojo should have access to a set these.

5) PAD WORK
Pad work refers to striking a handheld pad repeatedly. This is similar to "bag work", like you might see if a boxing club but (instead of the target being a hanging target) 2 training partners work together with one hold the target pad whilst the other person strikes the pad with punches/kicks/elbows/knees/etc. This is a workout for both the person striking (hard and fast enough to induce a sweat) and also the person holding the pad (as they are in effect being struck by their partner!). So this exercise also doubles as a form of body conditioning.

6) CHI'ISHI
Another traditional form of Goju-Ryu equipment, the chi'ishi (also know as shi-shi) is a long piece of wood, embedded at one end into a heavy weight (usually a stone that has a hold cut in it's centre, although concrete or metal bodybuilding barbells can also be used to the same end). The name of the equipment is quite simple to understand, as we have already established the "Ishi" means stone (the same word used in the name ishi sashi) and the word chi has become commonly known in The West as the Japanese word for Power or Energy. So Chi'ishi translates directly as "Power Stone". Again, like the makiwara, ishi sashi and the jars, this piece of equipment is very much intended to strengthen the grip and the fists. However chi'ishi is also very good at developing other parts of your body, such as your forearms, shoulders, trapezius, triceps, biceps, pectoral muscles and even your thighs.

7) KATA
I've written at length about all of the above-mentioned equipment before on this blog (several times each no doubt), and I have written extensively about the kata of Goju-Ryu also. The final work station of tonight's training circuit was dedicated to kata, also known as form. This work station stands alone amongst the seven exercises that we practiced on this occasion as kata involves the use of no supplementary equipment. I'm assuming that you need no explanation of what kata is (as you're reading a karate weblog!).

Everyone in tonight's class spent some time at each work station, moving from each one in the order shown at the top of this page. The time spent at each station was governed by how long it took for the students who were practicing chi'ishi to perform a particular basic exercise 50 times on each arm (roughly 5 minutes).

Once each everyone had been around each work station in the circuit, Sensei devised a second round of exercises for everyone to go through one more time. The Kongoken, the jars, the pad work and the kata were taken out of the circuit and each group of students practiced some more Makiwara, followed by more ishi sashi, then some another particular chi'ishi exercise 50 times on each arm.

By the end of this session my arms were hanging at my sides, exhausted!

The class ended with 10 minutes of stretching exercises before the traditional Closing Ceremony... followed by our Dojo's traditional "End of class push-ups". 30 push-ups this evening, to celebrate one of our black-belt students (Sensei John Timson) turning 30 years of age. Haha, this is how we say "Happy Birthday!" here in Liverpool... We do push-ups.

(Note: Usually we do 70 or 80 push-ups at the end of each class here at Childwall Dojo, but I think this rule was relaxed for one-night-only... as we'd already done countless push-ups as part of the ishi-sashi work station during this evening's circuit training!)

Yakusoku Kumite, Chi'ishi, Kata & Randori

2010-01-25T23:09:00.003Z

Tonight's class (25.01.2010) at Childwall Dojo follows hot on the heels of an English Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association (EGKA) weekend course which took place in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England.

Large class this evening.

YAKUSOKU KUMITE
Sensei's "class plan" included some pre-arranged sparring (Yakusoku Kumite) drills from the weekend course. This section of the class lasted for roughly 45 minutes with students paired together with a training partner of similar grade.

CHI'ISHI
The class was split into 2 at this point: Black belt students at one end of the dojo and kyu grade (coloured-belt) students at the other end of the training hall being instructed by Sensei Steve Timson.

Each of these 2 classes both focused on hojo undo training and each student took a lever-weighted stone, known as a chi'ishi, from the dojo lock-up. Chi'ishi training is regular practice in Goju-Ryu karate classes, it is used to strengthen one's grip and forearms, as well as shoulders. Legs are also strengthened as box stance (shiko dachi) is used extensively while using chi'ishi. It is important that each student has the correct equipment for their needs, and as such chi'ishi are usually made available in several different weights. As with any weight-training, using equipment that weighs too much for you is not recommended and indeed it can cause injury.

Sensei lead the black belt class in several different exercises employing the chi'ishi. These were all performed several times each (up to 50 repetitions of the same exercise at times). This section of the class lasted for around 30 minutes.

KATA & RANDORI
Students were placed into small groups of 3 for this part of the lesson. Sensei chose who was paired with who, with senior grades and less experienced students intentionally paired together.

The idea for this part of the night was as follows: One students performed kata while the other tow students practiced randori (light sparring) with one another. The time that it took for the kata to be performed was also the time that the others sparred together.

The kata performed were Gekisai Dai Ichi & Gekisai Dai Ni (2 "basic" Goju-Ryu kata). Together, these kata take roughly 90 seconds to perform.

The 3 students in any given group took turns performing the kata, while the other 2 training partners sparred together. There were a dozen groups of 3 for this part of the class, so it proved difficult not to bump into anyone that was performing kata while people were fighting all about them! This part of the class took us to the end of the session.

Class ended with 50 push-ups performed by all students.

2010-01-14T17:47:00.002Z

Just watched a BBC televsion show called "Hai Karate". Part 1 of 10 episodes, it is a game show (of sorts) that is being shown on the CBBC channel in the UK. Higaonna Sensei and several Goju-Ryu black belts are part of the main cast of the series.

I am sure that it will be available on Youtube soon, so keep watching.

2009-12-25T00:01:00.000Z

Happy 71st birthday to Higaonna Morio Shihan!

2009-10-20T22:24:00.001Z

We should try this work-out at the dojo sometime.

2009-10-02T14:06:00.000Z

Torn my adductor magnus, top of right thigh. Looks like I am off training for a month or so. Very frustrating! I am going to try and update with some old photos this week, so the page isn't stale.

2009-09-29T05:29:00.003Z

English Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association (EGKA) Senior Grade Training Weekend

A couple of weeks ago the EGKA held a training course held in Stratford-Upon-Avon which was for students of 3rd degree black belt and above. The course was instructed by our chief instructor, Sensei Ernie Molyneux (IOGKF 7th dan) and took place over 2 days. The primary aim of the course was for Sensei to take a look at his senior instructors and check that everyone is performing all aspects of the karate training to his high standard of expectation.

The course held a second purpose: a senior grade examination, held on the Sunday afternoon, which was for student to be tested by the EGKA Grading Panel. The panel comprised of 3 senior instructors (Sensei Ernie Molyneux, Sensei Roy Flatt and Sensei Paul Nolan). However, Sensei Ernie made it clear that the entire weekend's training was to serve as part of the test, not just the formal examination on Sunday afternoon. As such, Saturday's training included plenty of conditioning work, stamina training and also supplementary training using traditional Goju-Ryu equipment such as chi'ishi (stone-lever weights). The training also included kakie ("push hands"), padwork with a training partner and randori (light sparring). Also, Sensei peppered the session with several hundred push-ups. For good measure.

Nine people took part in the grading exam on Sunday afternoon; 4 tested for the level of Yondan (4th degree black belt) and 5 tested for Godan (5th degree black belt). This test was held in a controlled environment, with all techniques and exercises supervised by the EGKA Grading Panel.

I am happy to report that all who tested achieved their grades.

Here is a list of the 9 who passed:

Yondan (4th Dan):
Paul Bussell
Derek Jones
Lisa Jones
Karl Wolfenden

Godan (5th Dan):
Andy Barber
Simon Bushby
Francis Galtress
Guy Keen
Steve Walley

Congratulations to all!

2009-09-14T20:44:00.004Z

Just got in from tonight's class. Lots of black belts were in attendance... about 20 or so in total.

This session was primarily about moving basics and practicing good technique. Sensei Roy Flatt (IOGKF 7th dan) had the class practice punching, blocking and kicking for about an hour of the class. The lesson also included in plenty of moving basics and some kata practice.

At the end of the session Sensei singled out 4 of our senior grade instructor-level students to be taken through their paces before they try out for an upcoming grading (see below). They each donned a set of sparring mitts and had to perform the following exercises whilst being timed:

30 seconds of non-stop punching a pad,
30 seconds of push-ups,
30 seconds of sit-ups,
30 seconds of squat thrusts.

This 2-minute long circuit was repeated 3 times in succession with no breaks. A time-keeper called out when each 30 second section of the circuit elapsed. The purpose of this circuit was to show stamina and willpower.

This coming weekend there will be a special training camp, held near Stratford, open to EGKA black belts of 4th dan and above. This event will also include a senior black belt grading test, which is open for students who are testing for 4th & 5th degree black belt only. 4 students from out dojo are testing at this event, and all from our karate club wish them all the best for the examination.

2009-08-10T16:22:00.006Z

Yesterday (Sunday 9th August) - Training at Heswall Dojo (Wirral, UK).

There was a new gentleman training with us at the dojo yesterday morning - a guy from Russia who has come across for some authentic Goju-Ryu training with Sensei Roy Flatt. I did get introduced but I didn't quite catch his name... sorry... I will try again if he should be at the club this evening.

Training yesterday was as follows:

JUNBI UNDO (Preliminary "Warm-up" exercises)
The class began with the traditional Goju-Ryu warm-up, stretching each muscles group from the feet all the way through to the neck and head.

50 x push-ups,
50 x scissor kicks,
50 x "reverse cycle thrusts"
50 x crunches (fingertips over the kneecap)

KIHON (Basics)
The class began with everyone lined up (in order of grade) with instruction from Sensei Roy.

Zuki/Uke Waza - Punching exercises.
50 x Choku zuki chudan - mid-level punches from heiko dachi (parallel stance).

Next we practiced punching & pivoting on the spot - turn your body, using the ball of sole of the foot as the pivot point. Turn to the left and punch gyaku zuki chudan (mid-level) with the right hand, then pivot to the right and punch chudan with the left hand.

Next, a head-height block (jodan uke) is practiced from heiko dachi (a static stance with your feet approximately as wide as your shoulders).

(Note - In the Goju-Ryu style, there is very little in the way of extra movement made with the hips or the shoulders when punching or blocking during basic techniques practice - all of the movement is made with the arms & back, primarily using the triceps and the latissimus dorsi muscles. If the instructor notices a student adding extra movements to basic techniques, he will often take extra time to correct any unnecessary shoulder movements.)

The original "pivot & punch" exercise was then repeated, with a jodan uke block added into the combination. Pivot to the left and block with the left hand (jodan a-ge uke) at the same time; then quickly counter-punch chudan gyaku zuki with the right hand. Before turning to repeat the exercise on the right hand side, first of all the student should look over his right shoulder, towards an imaginary attacker. The next jodan uke block is performed using the same hand that has just counter-punched (right hand in this instance).

The "pivot / block & punch" exercise is now practiced in groups of 3; with one person in the centre of the 3 (performing the exercise) and the 2 other training partners in attacking positions on both his left and right. These 2 attackers are positioned so that, when the person in the centre looks to his left or his right, both training partners are stood waiting to attack, roughly 45° to either side of his starting position.
The attackers do not move towards the person in the centre until he looks at them (as demonstrated earlier on, without training partners). The 2 attackers should try to hit the person in the centre, but the counter-attacks must be controlled.

-----

KATA
After practicing lots of attacks & counters, we moved onto kata. Today we focused on Gekisai Dai Ichi kata, and broke it down into individual movements, which were repeated several times each.

At the end of the day's session, Sensei had senior students in the class perform the higher kata in the Goju-Ryu system, while Sensei explained the meaning of the kata to the Russian gentleman (via a translator). Sensei Roy then performed Suparinpai kata, and explained how this is the "link kata" between Haishugata ("Closed tanden" kata - Sanchin & Tensho) and Kaishugata ("Open tanden" kata - Gekisai through to Sesan kata).

2009-08-08T03:37:00.005Z

Thursday night's session at our dojo in Liverpool this week comprised of kata training. The class began with brown and black belt students practicing Sanchin kata several times, with instruction from Sensei Roy Flatt. We then practiced stepping in Sanchin dachi and Sensei explained about how the foot should remain in contact with the floor at all times during each step. Sensei was very insistent that the heel should be hard against the ground during each backwards step (a very difficult movement to achieve) and so we practiced this step for about 10 minutes solidly, with a training partner assisting in keeping the heel down against the ground.

Later in the class students were divided into groups (according to grade) and each section was given a different kata to practice several times. Senior black belt grades (3rd & 4th dans) started with Sanseru kata, which we went over again and again, sometimes with instruction from Sensei and sometimes with instruction from one another. Later in the session we moved on to practice Sepai kata, again several times over.

There are currently a handful of students at our dojo who are preparing for a senior black belt grading that will take place in England sometime during September. This grading is to take place after a weekend of training with Sensei Ernie Molyneux (EGKA Chief Instructor in England, 7th dan). This weekend of training has to be attended for anyone wishing to take part in the grading - the training prior to the grading is also available for senior students who are not grading. As such, the training weekend is only open to students who are attempting 4th degree black belt (yondan) or students who are already 4th dan or beyond that.

In preparation for this grading, the kata training at our karate club has been studied very intently of late, with a lot of emphasis being placed on even very small and apparently trivial movements from each of the kata. Sensei Roy has been very strict in the build-up to the big day, often singling out particular students and taking them for extra tuition, focusing on certain aspects of their training so that they are best prepared for the test ahead.

2009-07-02T17:02:00.004Z

DONKEY KICK PRESS-UPS

Tennis player Andy Murray was pictured doing a strange kind of exercise as he prepared for his Wimbledon quarter-final, what looked like a press-up with a kick. What was the point of it?

Much has been made of Andy Murray's improved speed and endurance on the court, and his new, more honed physique.

And seeing the pictures of the Scot's face, contorted in agony as he tried to execute a series of complicated press-ups under the guidance of his personal trainer Jez Green, it wasn't hard to see how he's got there. Through pain and hard work.

Although the photographs showed him appearing to defy gravity by elevating his legs while doing a press-up, Murray was in fact kicking his legs up in the air as he pushed his body away from the ground.

So what was he doing?

What is Andy Murray's weird press-up for?

Andy Murray
Murray kicks his legs up in the air and as his legs fall to the ground he pushes his upper body off the ground. Which muscles are taking the strain?
1: Pectorals (the chest)
2: Deltoids (front of shoulders)
3: Triceps
4: Transversus abdominis (part of the core muscle group)

Hidden from view, the serratus anterior under the armpit is also being worked

WHO, WHAT, WHY?
The Magazine answers...

Andy Murray was pictured doing a strange kind of exercise as he prepared for his Wimbledon quarter-final, what looked like a press-up with a kick. What was the point of it?

Much has been made of Andy Murray's improved speed and endurance on the court, and his new, more honed physique.

THE ANSWER
Plyometric exercise that builds power in the muscles
It mainly works the chest and triceps.

And seeing the pictures of the Scot's face, contorted in agony as he tried to execute a series of complicated press-ups under the guidance of his personal trainer Jez Green, it wasn't hard to see how he's got there. Through pain and hard work.

Although the photographs showed him appearing to defy gravity by elevating his legs while doing a press-up, Murray was in fact kicking his legs up in the air as he pushed his body away from the ground.

So what was he doing?

How to do a Murray press-up

It's commonly known as the "donkey-kick" press-up, says Simon Richman, a physical training instructor with British Military Fitness.

"It's quite an explosive movement. You do the kick when you're down, then push up as your legs are coming back down to the ground.

"It's much more intense than a normal press-up. You need much more strength to support yourself, so it's a much more advanced press-up."

The pectorals (chest) and the triceps do most of the work, he says, but the deltoids (front of the shoulders) and the core muscles - a large group of deep-lying muscles in the torso helpful for balance - are also being exercised.

The explosive strength of the donkey-kick can be replicated by clapping your hands as you press upwards, and doing the clap behind your back is even harder, he says.

The Army tends to use a variety of press-ups in its training, and there are many variations, such as "the frog" and "the seal" (also known as the Hindu or the dive bomber), says Mr Richman.

"We wouldn't use the donkey-kick that much because the kick up in the air arches the back and can put pressure on the spine.

"It's not a controlled press-up and you can get the same power in a clap press-up. If done incorrectly, you're unstable for a fraction so I wouldn't recommend it for beginners."

No pain no gain

This kind of exercise is called plyometrics, says personal trainer Ryan Bull. "It involves shortening and lengthening the muscles at speed to generate power and create more force.

"It's normally used on lower body exercises, so for example footballers do plyometrics for their legs.

"You can use it on the upper body but it's a very difficult movement to perform. These guys are training at a very high level and Andy Murray has obviously been doing these exercises for a while."

One of the benefits for him would be creating power in his serve, says Mr Bull, although his training would also include normal press ups, because these tone the muscle and help with endurance.

"I don't think he's playing for the cameras here. It makes sense that he's doing plyometric exercises like this on a day when he doesn't have a match, because he doesn't want to exhaust the muscles on days when he's playing. Rest is important to get the benefit from the exercise.

"There are lots of different plyometric exercises he could do, like lying on his back and catching a medicine ball thrown by his trainer, then throwing it back at him."

(Taken from the BBC News website.)

2009-05-18T10:49:00.002Z

Photo at the end of the EGKA karate course with Teruachi Sensei (IOGKF 8th dan), 17th May 2009

EGKA Terauchi Sensei Course - May 2009

2009-05-16T09:06:00.003Z

Hello all, how are things with you!

Apologies for the lack of updates (again!). I have been training a lot lately, and I have no real excuse for not writing it all down, it's not as though I have had a break from karate after all! Anyway. The last few months (since I last updated on here) have been very eventful, in karate circles I mean, there is so much that has happened and a lot of things that I should have reported on have occured. The main thing that I wish I had mentioned earlier is the sad passing of An'ichi Miyagi Sensei on April 28th. Also, Higaonna Sensei travelled to China to perform some research into the origins of Goju-Ryu (Sensei Ernie Molyneux was there with him), there has been a big IOGKF martial arts festival in Cananda, and lots of other stuff too. The list goes on!

This weekend we have Terauchi Sensei here in the north of England for a 3 day course. Sensei has been in Europe for a couple of weeks now, he was in Denmark last week and then travelled across to Britain to spend a little time training with us lot. Last night (Friday 15th May) Terauchi Sensei instructed a senior grades class at Greasby Dojo, based on the Wirral Peninsular (northwest England). The class was almost identical in content, pace and style to the classes that Terauchi Sensei would normally give at his home dojo in Kiyose, Tokyo. The photo at the top of this post is of everybody that attended the session (except for myself, who took the photo!).

2009-03-26T22:16:00.005Z

Tonight's training at Childwall Dojo in Liverpool with Sensei Roy Flatt (IOGKF 7th Dan):

JUNBI UNDO
Goju-RYu "warm-up" exercises. Followed by push ups (60) & sit-ups (100).

KIHON (basics):

ZUKI - Punches
Tonight's class was geared towards kumite (sparring) drills. As such Sensei spent a lot of time prepping the class with lots of light & fast attacking techniques that could be strung together into combinations of punches & kicks.

1) From Zenkutsu Dachi (long stance), punching off "the front hand", also known as Kizame zuki (Jab punch).
2) Kizame zuki is then then followed up by Gyaku zuki (Reverse punch).
3) The 2 punches - Kizame followed by Gyaku combine as 1 attack.

The footwork for each of the techniques is very important. Although it is all from a "long stance", the feet are not static or rooted to the spot. It is somewhat similar to a fencer's stance. The front foot freely moves forward at the same time as a strike is delivered, and can also be retracted back to it's original position in between each punch. Each punch is delivered quickly; its speed is its power. When showing the class how the technique should be delivered, Sensei Roy made the combination look effortless.

UKE - Blocks
Sensei demonstrated blocking actions to stop each of these attacks, and also a counter punch to be delivered afterwards. Like the attacks, this defence is from a long stance (zenkutsu dachi).

1) Kizame zuki counter block: Block the incoming front hand punch with an open hand, with the same hand as the attack (so if the kizame is a left hand punch, block also with the left hand). Block so your hand passes from one side of your face to the other side, drawing the attack away from it's target.
2) Gyaku zuki counter block: The same hand that blocked the kizame zuki also blocks the gyaku. Bring your open hand down in a circular motion. Your blocking arm travels from head height (the kizame zuki was aimed at your face), downwards towards belt-height, exposing your opponent's chest and mid-riff.
3) Counter punch using Gyaku Zuki. Both of the above blocks mentioned in 1) and 2) were performed with your "front hand". The counter-punch is performed with your "reverse hand". (So you were stood with your left leg forward, the blocks were both left-handed, but the counter punch is right-handed). Aim your punch at the centre of your opponent's chest (his solar plexus).

Next we partnered up and practiced this for a while. Sensei went about the dojo giving timing advice to those who needed it.

PRACTISING BLOCKING ATTACKS UNDER PRESSURE
Sensei Roy has devised a way of blocking and countering incoming attacks so that you have to "stand your ground" and force yourself into dealing with an opponent instead of stepping away.

With a training partner, 1 person (the "defender") makes neko ashi dachi ("Cat Stance") and stands in this stance with his back to the wall. The attacker stands opposite him and throws a series of punches at him - slowly at first - and they must be either Kizame zuki or Gyaku Zuki, or a combination of the 2. The defending partner has to deal with these attacks from cat stance, without moving to the side (and he can't go backwards as there's a wall there!). Each training partner takes a turn with his back to the wall.

GERI - Kicks
Still working with a training partner:

Both training partners facing one another in left zenkutsu dachi. Each person takes a turn performing a technique (so as not to clash legs).

1) Step your back leg up to your front leg. The back leg then becomes your "supporting foot" and perform "front leg mawashi geri" (roundhouse kick) towards your training partner.

The way the you position your supporting foot is very important in this technique.

2) Step your front foot down after the 1st kick. The front foot then becomes the supporting leg and you pivot on the spot and deliver a second mawashi geri towards your training partner, this time off the back leg.

It is important to note, this combination is delivered in a perfectly straight line. Almost as if on a tight rope. So an easy way to avoid being hit with the 2nd kick would be to step to the side, so that you are not in your partner's line of attack. However, as this is merely a training exercise, do not step away for the time being.

KATA
The class continued with students split into different groups, according to grade. Black belt students were grouped together and practiced Sanseru kata with instruction from Sensei. Kyu grade students (students below black belt) practiced Gekisai Dai Ichi kata with instruction from a senior student.

2009-03-19T22:19:00.002Z

Tonight's class was split into 2 soon after junbi undo (warm-up exercises). Children in the class were taken to one side for the session.

Meanwhile adults were instructed by Sensei Roy Flatt - tonight he focussed on Sanchin kata and shime (focus testing). Sensei Roy was very thorough and gave several different exercises to the class to develop different areas of Sanchin kata, such as the hara (stomach area) and also exercises to give students a better idea of which areas of the body should hold tension at different times during the kata.

We also spent some time practicing kakie (Okinawan "push hands" training), concentrating on the basic form of the exercise and also adding several different "kakie applications" with a training partner.

This session ended with ude tanren (arm conditioning).

2009-03-09T21:37:00.005Z

Just got back home after a class at Childwall Dojo (Liverpool, England) with Sensei Roy Flatt. Tonight was a very large turn-out for a Monday session... 25 black belts. 26 including Sensei! Even with 10 people standing on a line we still had black belt grades stood 3 rows back. I've been to some national courses with less students in attendance.

JUNBI UNDO / TENSHO
Tonight's class began with Tensho kata for dan grades and a separate warm-up (junbi undo) for kyu grade students. Sensei Roy explained a lot about Tensho and about small movements that are performed during the kata that we should give extra attention to. Tensho is a "breathing kata", that is to say that it is both a "basic" form and yet also very deep and is very difficult to master. As a group we spent a lot of time practing this kata tonight, each repeat performance was a little more concerted than the one that went before it.

MOVING BASICS
Next up: Stepping & Attacking / Defending. Sensei asked for everyone to partner up and form orderly lines along the dojo floor, standing face to face with your training partner. With our training partners we then moved up and down the length of the dojo in zenkutsu dachi ("long stance"), with 1 training partner stepping forwards and attacking while the other partner stepped backwards and performed basic blocking movements. This began with Jodan attack / block (each technique was performed slowly at first, but then more speed & power was added after each 10 repetitions), then we moved on to Chudan attack / block and then (after a *lot* of reps) Gedan zuki / uke. The 4th exercise in the block was to step forwards (or step back as the case may be) and then do all 3 strikes / blocks in quick succession. So 1 count would be to step forwards and attack jodan / chudan / gedan all in a row, and to defending partner did the same but with blocks. (In case you aren't sure - Jodan/Chudan/Gedan translates as Head Height/Chest Height/Groin Height.)

Next exercise (again with the same training partner): Stepping to the side and using Hiki Uke ("Hook block") to defend from an incoming Chudan zuki attack to the centre of the chest. The step used in this movement is called Suri Ashi ("Sliding feet"). In order to make sure that everybody in such a large class was moving in the same direction at the same time (in order to avoid people bumping into one another), Sensei Roy told everyone to "Slide towards town" on the 1st count (One end of our dojo is closer to the city centre, so everybody understood what Sensei meant!).

KATA & BUNKAI
Again, everybody was split into groups (according to grade) for the next part of the class. Each group comprised of about 10 students and we were given a specific kata to practice together. Then, after performing the kata, the group then formed a circle and the senior grade stood in the centre with everybody facing towards him, as though ready to attack.

From this position we then performed the kata bunkai - the fighting applications for each individual movement in the kata. Each person on the outside of the circle took turns and attacked the person in the centre, slowly at first in order to get the order of techniques correct. Then the person in the centre repeated all of the bunkai, with a different attacker for each movement, going over the entire set of fighting applications 3 times in total.

After the routine was finished (and before the next person in order of grade had their turn in the centre of the circle) everybody turned to the front of the dojo and we performed the kata together in time with one another. (Senior grade black belts practiced the kata Kururunfa during tonight's class.)

Performing kata bunkai in this manner can be a little confusing at first, but after a while you become used to the order of the applications. This is a really good way of learning kata applications!

2009-02-27T22:41:00.002Z

Training has been very hectic this week. Our instructor here in Liverpool, Sensei Roy Flatt, has recently been across to Okinawa to train with his own instructor, Morio Higaonna Shihan, Chief Instructor of the IOGKF. Higaonna Sensei is "where the buck stops" with regards to Okinawan Goju-Ryu. Sensei Roy travelled to Japan along with 4 other English karateka (all graded 6th dan and above) and they all came back to England with stacks of new knowledge to share with their students.

2009-01-29T22:05:00.005Z

Tonight's Training:

Sensei mixed things up for tonight's class plan.

JUNBI UNDO
After mokuso (meditation) everyone was instructed to find some free space near to one of the walls around the dojo. This evening's junbi undo (warm-up exercises) made use of the wall as a form of training equipment. This included leaning onto the wall for stretching exercises, and also making use it as a balance aid (for a series of head-height kicking exercises).

CHI'ISHI / PADWORK
After the warm-up everyone was paired with a training partner for the next section of the class. Each pair was then given 2 chi'ishi (a "stone lever weight", which is a piece of traditional Goju-Ryu training equipment) and a pad to be shared between the two people. Training during this part of the session was lead by Sensei Roy Flatt and went as follows: We began with a basic chi'ishi routine, then a punch / kick combination utilising the pad, then another (more advanced) chi'ishi routine, then another padwork combination, and so on with each exercise slightly more complex than the one before it. Altogether we practiced a continual series of roughly 10 different chi'ishi routines and 10 different striking padwork combinations.

STRETCHING
Tonight Sensei Roy spent quite a long time taking his class through a thorough series of stretches for the legs and hips. 90% of the stretches performed made good use of having a training partner, who assisted with the stretch in an organised and heavily controlled manner.

KATA
Students were split into different groups, according to level of grade, for this part of the class. Senior black belts (four 4th dans) performed Sesan kata, as one of our senior instructors is preparing to take 5th degree black belt (known as "Go-dan") this summer. Occasionally Sensei Roy would make his way down to our end of the dojo to come and check on our progress and explain some of the finer details of Sesan kata. Sensei Roy spent this part of the class moving between 3 or 4 different groups of students, giving direction to each group about the particular kata that they were working on.

2009-01-15T12:09:00.002Z

Wednesday 14th January 2009 - Heswall Dojo (Wirral, England)

Tonight's class was all about uraken uchi - using the back-fist strike in combinations.

Sensei Roy demonstrated several different ways that the back-fist can be used effectively as a strike. As such, the kihon (basics) section of tonight's session used this strike in almost every combination performed. This included using hiraken to the front (elbows drawn into the front of the body and arms parallel to one another), and also to the side (yoko hiraken) - both to the face (jodan hiraken) and to the body (chudan uraken). These are 2 different strikes, in as much as the jodan strike is called hiraken, which focuses on the 2 fore-knuckles of your fist, and the chudan strike is called uraken which uses the entire back of the fist.

Later in the class Sensei expanded on using this strike and showed the class how it can be incorporated into San-Dan-Gi (3-step sparring).

2009-01-13T13:15:00.002Z

I would like to wish a big "Otanjou-bi omedetou gozaimasu!" (お誕生日御目出度う) to my dear friend and training partner Sensei Cynthia Dare for her birthday today!!

One press-up for every year please!

2009-01-13T12:22:00.005Z

Hello from 2009!

Regular training has recommenced at our dojo here in Liverpool after a short break for Christmas and New Year. And as usual Sensei Roy has slowly worked us back in to another year of training with some slow and easy classes... not! As always with classes in the new year, everything has been fast-paced and full-power leaving no doubt that Sensei is already gearing himself towards a new goal for the year, taking the rest of us along with him at 7th dan levels.

Last night (14th January 2009):

JUNBI UNDO (Traditional Goju-Ryu preliminary exercises)
There were 3 brand-new students taking part in last night's session, so Sensei was sure to give extra explanation of every movement during the warm-up section of the class.

Push ups - 30 reps, 20 reps, 10 reps
Sit ups - 150 reps
Scissor Kicks ("Single leg raises") - 150 reps

KIHON (Basic techniques)
This section of the class involves students taking direct instruction from Sensei. Everyone follows the same count (sometimes Sensei will perform the same technique several 100 times) and everyone is urged to keep good form and try their best. Kihon in this session included:

Jodan Zuki (head-level punch)
Jodan Age Uke (head-level block)
Chudan Zuki (chest-level punch)
Chudan Uke (chest-level block)
Ura Zuki (short punch delivered as though to the stomach area)

At this point everyone in the class was paired with a training partner to practice all of these techniques as though against an opponent. Each technique is practiced slowly at first, then with more pace, so then eventually each training partner feels able and capable to perform to the best of their ability (and maybe a little better!). Again, this section of the class was mainly performed to Sensei's instructions and everybody moved to the same count.

KATA
At this point in the training session the class was split into groups according to level of ability. We are fortunate to have many black belt level students at our dojo, and so Sensei Roy was able to assign a capable instructor to guide each group in his absence.

Black belt kata training: Sanchin kata
Sanchin kata is the core of the entire Goju-Ryu Karate training system. Originally it is said that students who trained with Chojun Miyagi Sensei (Goju-Ryu founder) would be taught exclusively using Sanchin kata for their first 3 years of training. Tonight we practiced Sanchin firstly as a group (following Sensei's instruction) and then with a training partner. All black-belt level students here in Liverpool are shown how to perform Sanchin shime (Sanchin testing - pronounced "Shee-may") as knowing how to correctly test your training partner's form for posture and technique is very important. Poorly administered shime is not useful and can in fact be dangerous. (Tonight I was given shime testing from Sensei John Birch, IOGKF 3rd Dan, who is a fine and capable instructor). By the end of performing Sanchin kata with someone who is applying good shime, you will often find yourself to be very tired from the concerted effort that you put into the performance and you may also find that you have slight marks on your shoulders from the shime testing.

SANSERU KATA
Wheras Sanchin kata is a "Heishugata" (closed fist kata), Sanseru kata is known as a "Kaishugata" or "open fist kata". In reality though the difference between Heishu and Kaishu kata has more to do with an open or closed tanden, as opposed to an open or closed fist. Sanseru is the kata that you need to have full knowledge of in order to grade to nidan (2nd degree black belt) and it involves a lot of knowledge of stepping movements, timing changes and uses a Goju-Ryu "trademark movement" of performing the same attack 4 times in a row in 4 different directions. Attacking in 4 directions is used in 2 other Goju-Ryu kata as well as Sanseru, namely Shisochin and Suparinpai kata. Performing these techniques well involves practicing the movements in 4 directions countless 1000s of times of many years.

2008-12-08T22:58:00.002Z

Photograph of Sensei Roy Flatt and students who train with him. Taken shortly after the EGKA black belt grading exam, 7th December 2008. All students in this photo trained regularly with Sensei Roy in the run-up to their grading, we all wish to thank Sensei for his time and effort in preparing us for the test.

2008-12-07T18:53:00.002Z

EGKA Winter Gasshuku (Training Camp) 2008

This weekend was the annual English Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association training camp (also known as "Gasshuku") which took place on the Wirral peninsula in northwest England. The event has become one of our karate association's 2 show piece events during the calendar year, along with the "Summer Gasshuku" which takes place every June in Bournemouth.

This weekend's training camp has been very well attended and was a great spectacle to take part in. This was also our 1st chance to train together as a big group since this summer's trip to Okinawa when 6 of our senior instructors were graded to 6th degree black belt (Rokudan), and so our chief instructor Sensei Ernie Molyneux made sure to point this out to everyone in attendance.

As for the training, well this was also very good and of the highest quality. We had 2 days of classes (Saturday & Sunday) with each session involving several sub-classes being instructed by the afore mentioned senior graded instructors. As an example, the 1st class on Saturday was taken by Sensei Ernie who instructed the whole group of 100+ students. After that everyone split into smaller groups, each organised by order of grade - a group for senior grades (4th dan and above), a group for 2nd & 3rd dans, a group for shodan black belts, a group for brown belts, and so on. These classes all run side-by-side in the same venue (which is EGKA Woodchurch Dojo in Wirral), it is a big sports centre complex with a large floor space that we used to the full.

Training on Sunday started at 10am and was followed by a black belt grading which began at roughly 1:30pm and lasted about 3 hours. This grading was so big that it had to be divided into 2 distinct groups, running in the same hall at the same time, which had separate instructors for each exam. One grading was for students trying for brown belt and the other grading was for students attempting black belt. The black belt class was overseen by the EGKA's 3 top instructors: Sensei Ernie Molyneux (our Chief Instructor), Sensei Roy Flatt and also Sensei Paul Nolan.

An EGKA black belt grading is a difficult test to take part in. It involves showing the examiner every aspect of your karate ability to the highest level that you can, each element of the test is scrutinised by Sensei Ernie and the others, each of whom have each graded literally 1000s of people in karate gradings over the past 30 years. Today there was a high pass-rate for this gradings exam, including 4 students who succeeded in attaining Yondan (4th degree black belt).

2008-11-03T22:29:00.003Z

03 November 2008
Childwall Dojo, Liverpool

Tonight's class plan as used at Childwall Dojo (IOGKF Goju-Ryu), Liverpool.

KIHON

Punch chudan zuki (punch to the mid-riff)

Punch chudan whist pivoting to the left (for right hand punch) and to the right (for left hand punch)

Empi Uchi - Elbow strikes. The elbow strike used was mawashi empi uchi, roundhouse elbow targeting the jaw line.

Ura Zuki - Short punch. This is a kind of close-in punch, aimed either into the stomach (chudan ura zuki) or to the chin (jodan ura zuki).

Combination: Jodan Ura Zuki & Jodan Mawashi Empi - both attacks are from the same hand (as an example, the right hand would strike to the chin and then draw back before delivering a roundhouse elbow to the side of the jaw).

From heiko dachi (parallel stance) step forward into Sanchin dachi and strike chudan ura zuki with the trailing hand (ie - if you step with the right leg, punch ura zuki with the left hand). Then deliver a second ura zuki, this time to the chin (jodan) with the other hand. Repeat again and again on both the forward step and the return step also.

Kicking - From heiko dachi, kick forwards using kin geri (snap kick) directed towards groin height, AKA gedan. 30 kicks, left & right.

Mae Geri - The same kick, but instead of using the instep to make contact with the target, this time use the ball of the foot. Again, 30 times left and right.

From zenkutsu dachi (long stance) - 2 kicks in combination. Firstly perform mae geri using the back leg, then step back to the original long stance. Second kick - slide your back foot forward along the floor (so your feet meet) and attack forwards using kin geri. Both kicks are aimed towards the same target, the groin. Repeat on both sides of the body.

Ushiro Geri (Back kick). Practice kicking behind, from parallel stance. Look over your shoulder towards your target - do not kick blindly at an unseen object. Children practice ushiro geri from on their hands and knees. Be sure to kick with the heel and not with the side of the foot, as this is a completely different attack.

At the point in the session, the class was split into 2 sections; Sensei Mike Lyons took all of the kyu grade students in the class to one side to practice sparring drills. Meanwhile, Sensei Roy Flatt instructed all of his other black belt students in kata applications.

KATA & BUNKAI (Kata Applications)
For this lesson Sensei devised a way of practicing kata bunkai in groups of 3. This is so 1 person can be attacked by 2 others, in order to practice movements from kata in a simulated sparring situation. The person being attacked begins each bunkai from neko ashi dachi (cat stance), and each of his training partners stands diagonally in front of him to the side (one to his left, one to his right). Each of the attackers takes turns attacking the man in the centre, each attack is pre-arranged so that they correspond with the each successive movement in the kata. As each attack happens, the centre man moves and blocks in the same way as is used in the kata, then he delivers the correct counter-attack. Even more, each movement must also incorporate the correct footwork and the counter-attacks must use stances. The kata used for this lesson was Goju-Ryu SHISOCHIN kata. The attack sequence began slowly at first, then slightly quicker with each progressive repetition of the sequence of the bunkai.

KATA
All black belt students now practice the kata Shishochin in time to Sensei's count. This was done at a noticeably slowed-down pace, but the kata was in fact performed 3 times in succession without stopping in between each performance. Next, Sensei had smaller groups of students perform the kata in front of the rest of the class. After they finished the kata Sensei pointed out to each student something that they had to improve in the kata.

KUMITE
Straight after kata we paired up with a partner to practice "randori", a form of light sparring.

KIHON - SPIRIT TRAINING
The night's class ended with everyone stood in order of grade. Next everyone was instructed to make Shiko Dachi (box stance) and punch to Sensei's count for an extended period of time. Afterwards Sensei Roy explained that this kind of training is meant to build character.

(Note - At the end of each class at Childwall Dojo, after the Goju-Ryu "closing ceremony", everyone gathers together to do some push-ups. It is the custom that one of the senior grade students in our class tells everyone how many push-ups to perform and then we all do them together.)

2008-10-28T17:41:00.003Z

The next IOGKF "Miyagi Chojun Festival" has been announced, to be held at the end of April / beginning of May 2009 in Canada.

2008-10-27T12:33:00.003Z

Poland Gasshuku - Oct 2008

2008-10-16T21:40:00.003Z

Tonight's class at Childwall Dojo was a "circuit training" session. We began with junbi undo (Goju-Ryu warm-up exercises) mixed in with running around the edge of the dojo floor. After that the session began in earnest.

Sensei Roy set up several "stations" around the dojo floor, each one comprising of a different activity. These included:

1) Chi'ishi
2) Makiwara
3) Sparring
4) Padwork

Students were put in groups of 4 and assigned a starting point in the circuit. While 2 people worked on the activity at hand (chi'ishi practice, as an example), the other 2 people in the group performed a given kata 4 times in a row before the 2 sets of students in that group switched tasks.

After completing 2 stations Sensei told everybody to partner up with somebody and perform "light randori" (sparring) for 2 minutes. After that we got a new partner and sparred for another 2 minutes. Then we continued with the circuit and moved on to the next station.

This whole routine lasted for almost 90 minutes before we ended the night with some basic techniques (punching and blocking jodan, chudan & gedan) and then an extended period of stretching and "warming down" before the class ended.

2008-10-09T11:51:00.004Z

Lots of training going on here in Liverpool right now. Mainly it is stuff preparing people such as myself for a grading exam that will be happening at the beginning of December, about 8 weeks from now. We're spending a lot of time practicing Goju-Ryu kata and being corrected by senior black belts at our dojo. It's good having so many people at hand to correct errant technique, especially when you are going to be trying for a senior grade yourself. It is easy to simply go through the same old moves and expect a good result. Having someone watch your kata and not only be able able to tell you that something is not quite right, but also be able to explain what you need to do to correct your kata and improve your method, this is priceless training information. Lately I have been having my kata picked apart and reassembled by a team of 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th degree black belts, all of whom have my great respect and appreciation for their help getting me on track to try out at the gradings. I don't want to let them down so I am trying hard to get things done.

Last night I trained with Sensei Roy Flatt at his Heswall Dojo, based on the Wirral peninsular. Sensei Roy is a 7th dan black belt and I have trained with him now for nearly 15 years. He is not only my instructor but also a role model to me (and to several 100 karate students here in England). But more than that he is a very good friend and someone whose judgement I have a lot of trust in. There are currently about 5 or 6 people at our karate club who are preparing for their black belt grading examinations, so Sensei spent a lot of time with us going over kata movements again and again. We spent a lot of time in last night's class going over single movements from Goju-Ryu kata such as Gekisai Dai Ni and Saifa, both "beginner kata" (that is to say, you are shown them within the first few years of training), but when at black belt level these kata become easy to overlook - so in that case, it is even more important to practice them more, so that you don't neglect them!

We also did some sparring during this training session. Sparring in this instance is not full contact or hard and in-your-face, but rather it is light and good-spirited and practiced with a training partner so that both of you are moving about a lot and not trying to injure one another. But, at the same time, it is definitely not play fighting! This kind of sparring is called Randori, it is fast, light and involves both attacking an opponent *AND* defending incoming attacks. Sensei Roy is always telling his students that footwork is very important when practicing randori; stepping in to attack your opponent but then also being able to step away, shift your body weight to the left or the right (rather than just stepping forwards all of the time) and being able to keeping thing light (rather than stiffening up and attacking like a robot!).

The training method employed during this class was as follows: Sparring with an opponent for 90 seconds, then stop and perform Saifa kata. Then, with a new opponent, another 90 seconds of sparring followed immediately by Saifa kata once more. Then another round of sparring for 90 seconds, then Saifa kata again. And finally one more time, sparring followed by kata. So it went something like this - Randori, Saifa, Randori, Saifa, Randori, Saifa, Randori, Saifa. This took about 8 to 10 minutes of time to perform and to do it takes a lot out of you! Going from sparring with an opponent straight into performing kata and then back again is a very definite change of pace and it is a true test of your ability. It can be quite difficult to keep your breathing and heart rate under control too, but that is the idea of this exercise - to keep trying, so that when it comes to the big day you will be able to switch from sparring mode to kata mode without being disconcerted.

2008-09-26T15:52:00.002Z

Thursday 25th September 2008 - Childwall Dojo

The class was split in 2 to begin the session, senior grades (black belts of nidan and higher) went over Tensho Kata with instruction from Sensei, while junior grades (including shodan black belts) went through a traditional Goju-Ryu warm up (junbi undo), instructed by Sensei Chris Spencer.

The rest of the session was based around Hojo Undo training, AKA supplementary training. This included punching the makiwara (striking board), using chi'ishi (strength stone) for grip, kongoken (iron ring) for strength training and core stability, and also lots of padwork. The padwork included performing 100 mawashi geri (roundhouse kicks) on each leg... so, 200 kicks in total.

I have been preparing to attempt my next grade in a few months, yondan. I have picked up a lot of stuff for the grading this week, mainly points about kata and technique. I owe a lot of thanks to Sensei Roy for spending extra time with me going through the movements of Kururunfa kata, and also huge thanks and appreciation from myself to my good friend Sensei Steve Timson for his help both before and after each training session at Childwall Dojo.

Also, we are currently performing extra push-ups at the end of every karate class at our dojo. This is to help people such as myself, to gradually get better and better at performing this exercise. The reason being is that you need to be able to do 100 push-ups at the end of an IOGKF black belt grading, so this is a very important thing to practice!

2008-09-19T17:54:00.005Z

Thursday 18th September 2008 - Childwall Dojo, Liverpool

There was a surprise guest visitor to our dojo last night - Sensei Mike Han from Florida, USA made an appearance and took part in the class. It has been a while since we saw Sensei Mike at our club, he is back in Liverpool visiting family and, since he packed his karate gi and black belt in with his luggage, he decided to drop by and pay his respects to his old Sensei. Sensei Roy was also there (the last time that Sensei Mike came to the dojo was a night when Sensei Roy couldn't make it) so this was the 1st time in years that the 2 of them trained together at Childwall Dojo.

MOVING BASICS:

This evening's class focussed on "Moving basics" - basic karate techniques performed whilst moving up and down the dojo floor. Most basics drills in karate classes are usually performed on the spot while stood in heiko dachi (or another appropriate stance), but adding movement to basics adds a sense of momentum and attacking form to your techniques. This kind of training also relies on good footwork, so that you don't move awkwardly across the dojo floor.

Moving basics in this session included combinations such as:

1) Mae Geri (kick), followed by Gyaku Zuki (punch)
2) Mawashi Geri (kick), followed by Mawashi Jodan Hiraken Uchi (backfist to the face)
3) Yoko Geri (side kick), followed by Gyaku Zuki (punch)
4) Ushiro Mawashi Geri (spinning back kick), followed by Gyaku Zuki (punch)

After moving basics we organised ourselves and got hand pads out of the dojo lock-up. Once set, we practiced kicking and hitting against a target. Punches and kicks thrown into fresh air are useful for basics, but it is also useful from time to time to practice striking against something with power. We practiced the above combinations by striking into pads (held by a training partner), several times on both sides of the body.

SPARRING DRILLS:

Next, the hand pads were put back into the lock-up and we got back with our training partner to go through some sparring drills. Sensei Roy called out some combinations for us to practice, slowly at first, then quicker once we were comfortable with the techniques. This was an intensive part of tonight's class and we went over lots of different variations of what we could achieve during sparring, lots of combinations involving good timing and precise footwork.

Example sparring combination: A punch towards the head, followed by a kick to the groin, quickly followed by a punch to the mid-riff and then a finishing roundhouse kick to the ribs.

The sparring combination above does not mention the timing or the footwork, which are very important for getting all of the shots into their targets without giving your opponent enough time to perform adequate counter punches towards you. Timing and footwork are crucial to good sparring.

The class ended with kata training (Sanchin kata with shime testing & Kururunfa kata for senior black belts), followed by stretching.

2008-09-16T16:44:00.005Z

13th IOGKF Germany Gasshuku, Hamburg

This event was held over 3 days and included instruction from Sensei Ernie Molyneux, Sensei Roy Flatt & Sensei Sydney Leijenhorst. This primarily comprised of 3 "workshops" being held in the training hall (dojo) all at the same time, with each Sensei taking a separate class simultaneously.

Classes during this weekend included both basic and advanced training, with lots of emphasis on sparring as well as kata. The 1st night's class (Friday evening) was for 3 hours, Saturday was 4 hours of training and then Sunday's session ran for 5 hours. Topics covered at this Gasshuku included Sanchin kata, advanced San Dan Gi ("3 level sparring"), kumite drills and also kata training (which included an in-depth session regarding Kururunfa kata and its fighting applications for the senior class). Our instructors seemed to fit a lot into such a small space of time.

Many thanks to Sensei Peter Lembke (IOGKF Germany chief instructor) for organising this Gasshuku, the event went very well and the German students were very friendly and helpful to those who travelled across from other countries to take part in this event.

Next IOGKF Gasshuku in Europe will be in Poland next month (October 2008) with Higaonna Morio Sensei.

2008-09-14T22:29:00.002Z

The Gasshuku here in Germany is complete now, it was great stiff while it lasted. I have plenty of photos & class plans to share once we're back home again.

2008-09-12T13:11:00.003Z

Hello from Hamburg!

I am here right now with Sensei John Timson, also from Childwall Dojo in Liverpool. We are here for a training weekend with our instructor Sensei Roy Flatt and EGKA Chief Instructor Sensei Ernie Molyneux. We have just seen Sensei Ernie in his hotel in downtown Hamburg and we're going for a bite to eat with both him and Sensei Roy shortly.

Training is at 1830 this evening, cannot wait!

2008-09-10T18:20:00.004Z

Wed 10th Sept, EGKA Heswall Dojo, Wirral.

We had 2 guests at our dojo tonight; senior instructors from a Goju Kai karate dojo based in an area called Garswood.

Sensei Roy took us through the movements of Kururunfa kata and it's bunkai (applications). Sensei explained each movement in detail. As Sensei explained we practiced each of the bunkai with a training partner.

Tomorrow I am traveling over to Germany ahead of a weekend Gasshuku in Hamburg.

2008-09-07T23:57:00.000Z

I would like to wish many congratulations to my dear friend and training partner Dr Jason Gould on his marriage today to his lovely wife Tara. They were wed in London, England in front of a gathering of family, friends and well wishers.

2008-09-04T11:18:00.008Z

Liverpool Echo Arena photos, taken by Mr Paul Brown:

A photo of Sensei Mike Draper (IOGKF 6th Dan) performing Sanchin kata at the Liverpool Echo Arena. Shime testing by Sensei Roy Flatt.
Also in the picture: Sensei Peter Galer (IOGKF 6th Dan) performing Sanchin kata, with shime testing from Sensei Ernie Molyneux (IOGKF 7th Dan, Chief Instructor).

Female students from our dojo using Chi'ishi ("Power Stone") for strength training.
Sensei's Cynthia Dare, Lisa Jones, Bev McParlan, Hayley Bradford, Antonia Bradford.

Damon Woods & Steven Walley using Kongoken ("Iron Ring") for strength training.

Paul Molyneux & Paul Meeks demonstrating kumite (sparring).

Sensei Steve Gouldson (IOGKF 6th Dan) performing Sanchin kata, in boxing ring (shime testing from Sensei George Yuen).

Padwork demonstration - Sensei Phil McClemence & Sensei Roy Flatt (IOGKF 7th Dan).

2008-09-02T21:00:00.000Z

Details of an EGKA training event in Wirral, Northwest England on Sunday 14th of September 2008:

"All the Wirral regional instructors will be teaching at Woodchurch High School (where the junior competition was held). Seniors and juniors over 14yrs are welcome to train. Cost for under 18's is £15 and over 18's is £20, for the weekend.

All students are welcome.

For more information you can contact Sensei Steve at: steve [at] inspectionconsultants.co.uk."

2008-09-02T18:21:00.002Z

Article in tonight's edition of The Liverpool Echo:

Paul Molyneux & Paul Meeks performing kata applications at The Liverpool Echo Arena as part of the Goju karate demostration in front of 3,000 people.

2008-09-02T08:46:00.003Z

The demo at the arena went really well. It was a different atmosphere than the practice night... the arena was floodlit and the floor layout was changed. We did kata as a group (Gekisai Dai Ichi) and then performed straight-line Gekisai (Chokusen Gekisai) with a partner.

Next it moved onto Sanchin kata - senior grades stepped into a boxing ring in the middle of the arena floor and performed their kata with spotlights on them! The crowd made a lot of noise when they were given shime tested.

We also performed Hojo Undo - supplementary training exercises - and then the lads from Bournemouth performed Kururunfa kata and applications (more crowd reaction during this) and then Sensei Roy performed Suparinpai kata, followed by applications.

Our demo ended with kumite - I took part in the ippon kumite demostration part of the show, which went well.

Lots of people in the crowd took photos and videos, I will try and get some of them to put on this page.

Thanks to everyone at the Liverpool Echo Arena for letting us take part in the event, special thanks to Sensei Guy Keen who not only organised the World Fire Fighters Games (which is the event we performed at), but he also won a gold medal for karate during the games.

2008-08-31T22:08:00.004Z

Liverpool Echo Arena - Demonstration Practice Run

Tonight we went along to the big waterfront arena in Liverpool city centre to practice our demo for tomorrow night's Combat Night at finale of the "2008 World Firefighters Games".

It started with us getting everything organised and ended with a decent looking display. We will look great tomorrow night!

2008-08-28T21:05:00.002Z

We've been rehearsing our part in a big combat demonstration that is happening next Monday night here in Liverpool. The event is being held at the Liverpool Echo Arena and we (the English Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Association) have been asked to give a 20 minute demo of our style as part of the proceedings. One of our instructors, Sensei Guy Keen, is also an organiser of the World Firefighters Games which are currently being held here in our city and he has arranged our place on the night's bill.

Tonight's class began with a warm-up (junbi undo) followed by basic technique practice (kihon) and then we moved on to practice our display for Monday night. There are people from other EGKA dojos who are traveling up to Liverpool to also take part in this demonstration which will take place in front of a crowd of roughly 7,000 people. It's going to be great!

2008-08-23T01:41:00.003Z

Nowhere near a gym and you want to do some dips? Well maybe you could try taking a leaf out of Tony Jaa's book and use a passing elephant instead!

...but whether the elephant would have anything to say about being used as training equipment is another matter entirely! It still looks quite awesome though, you have to admit.

2008-08-22T15:24:00.004Z

WEDNESDAY 20TH AUGUST 2008 - HESWALL DOJO, WIRRAL

A class held at Sensei Roy Flatt's Heswall Dojo. This turned out to be a kata session with different grades of student split into groups according to the kata that they were practicing. Sensei gave us different parts of kata to do several times in a row. The group I was in started with sections from Shisochin kata - specifically the "middle section" of the kata which involves turning in 4 directions and striking forwards using the open-handed shotei uchi (palm-heel block) technique. We then focussed on Sanseru kata for the remainder of the evening - again, focussing on a specific part of the kata. Like Shisochin, we practiced the section of this kata that incorporates turning in 4 directions. However in Sanseru kata the strike is performed with your right leg rather than with your arms (as used in Shisochin). This kick is called kansetsu geri (joint kick) and it is performed several times in a row. By the end of this class I could hardly use my right leg thanks to doing too many kensetsu kicks!

THURSDAY 21ST AUGUST 2008

This class was not instructed by Sensei Roy, he was elsewhere this evening. Sensei Steve Walley took the class in his absence. We began with a long series of warm-up exercises, before going over some basic techniques and moving on to some Hoju Undo stuff.

Hojo Undo - Supplementary Training.
We are taking part in a demonstration to be held at the World Firefighters Games here in Liverpool in a few weeks. As such, we are preparing for this by practicing a lot of different activities. This includes using Goju-Ryu strengthening tools, such as chi-ishi ("power stone"), kongoken ("iron ring"), ishi-sashi ("stone padlocks") and makiwara ("striking boards"). We also ran through some forms of pre-arranged sparring for a fighting display.

2008-08-19T00:38:00.007Z

MONDAY 18TH AUGUST 2008 - CHILDWALL DOJO, LIVERPOOL

These days, Monday night classes at our karate club are always well-attended events. The class went along like a blur, at least that's how it seemed to me... very fast paced, lots of technical things to consider, plus plenty of correction from our instructor, Sensei Roy Flatt. It's difficult to get away with anything under the watchful eye of a 7th dan black belt! But I am very glad to be told when I am doing something wrong... no wait, not wrong, rather "not quite right". Sensei Roy has the rare ability of not only noticing several minor points that need addressing, he also has years of experience and the knowledge to correct those points and put you right back on track. He's a great instructor in that regard and the high attendance rate of his club only serves as a testament to his ability.

A quick run-down of tonight's class:

JUNBI UNDO:
Goju-Ryu warm-up exercises, devised by Miyagi Chojun Sensei to prepare the body for the physical exertions of martial arts training.

KIHON:
Basic technique practice. Most karate classes begin by going over "basics". Basics should not be thought of as a chore, but rather a way of teaching your body to move in the style of your martial art. Once you have been training for some year kihon also becomes a method of keeping the body at peak condition. Karate training, when performed correctly, shapes the body in both a physical and a mental way. During a typical karate class we go over the same techniques again and again, several hundred times for each movement, in order to hone "muscle memory" and to perfect technique as much as possible.

Tonight's kihon training focussed on blocking practice. Sensei had us block an incoming attack at 3 levels (jo, chu & ge) all using 1 arm in quick succession. This involved training with a partner and keeping to a count. (This was one of the many times during tonight's class that I had my technique corrected by Sensei... It has been pointed out several times now that I need to block more using my arm and not relying on using the muscles in my back!)

KATA:
The class was split into 2 groups at this point. The main group of the class took part in some "Moving basics" trainng with Sensei Roy; while this went on 4 of us were sent to the far end of the dojo and given instructions to practice kata for the rest of the night's session. The 4 students involved with kata training were Sensei Guy Keen, Sensei Tony Dempsey, Sensei Lisa Jones and myself. We went over the movements of Kururunfa kata several dozen times, in preparation for an upcoming public demonstration that our karate club is involved with. We went through the kata many times, slowly at first, adding speed and power with each successive performance. After a while we alternated watching one another's kata and gave criticism - which will (hopefully) help to make our kata better in the future. I really enjoyed practicing Kururunfa kata this evening and I felt that there was a marked difference between the first time that we performed it and the last time.

I am not 100% sure of what the rest of the class got up to while we were busy at work with Kururunfa - which is a sign that we were concentrating hard at the task at hand! I do know that everyone else moved on from moving basics to practice kata & bunkai (kata applications).

2008-08-15T01:15:00.016Z

THURSDAY 14TH AUGUST 2008, CHILDWALL DOJO, LIVERPOOL

Tonight's class was a "circuit training" session. This means that Sensei had us create numerous work stations around the dojo, including:

Several hanging punch bags (similar to a boxing gym),
A selection of chi'ishi for grip strengthening exercises,
A makiwara,
A heavy punch bag used for throwing between 2 people,
A gym bench used for stepping practice,
An area for sit-ups,
Punch bags, laid down on the floor and straddled to be used as groundwork punching target practice.

This session was very hot and sweaty, everyone in the class took part in each of the activities. We were all told to split into groups and then each group was designated a starting point in the circuit. Then we each began working at our station for 2 minutes (someone kept check on the time) - once we began there was no holding back allowed, you had to try your best and keep going until the timekeeper shouted "YAME!". Then we had a 1 minute break to move onto the next piece of equipment before the next 2 minutes began. And so on until we had covered all of the workstations in the training circuit.

One of the students at our club, Mr Colin Platt, is also a photographer - here are some of his photos taken during tonight's class:

The beginning of the session (after the "warm up") comprised of footwork exercise - stepping across the dojo floor in karate stances. Sensei Roy had us practicing stepping in stance such as neko-ashi dachi ("cat stance") whilst giving a piggy-back to a training partner. This was both quite comical and also very difficult! My sincere apologies to Kev who had to step across the dojo floor several time with 100 kilos of my weight across his back as ballast.

2008-08-11T21:48:00.006Z

A big turn out for training at our dojo here in Liverpool tonight.

This evening's class plan:

JUNBI UNDO
Warm up exercises to prepare the body for training. This lasted for about 20 minutes and was followed by push-ups & "scissor kick" leg raises.

KIHON
Basic technique practice this evening focussed on open-handed blocking, chiefly hiki uke "hook block". Sensei Roy had us practicing this block to a count for quite some time, then we were paired up with a training partner and practiced it some more.

Ashi waza: After blocking practice, we moved onto kicking practice (you might have noticed by now that we seem to practice things a lot at our dojo!). Still with a training partner, both people stood in zenkutsu dachi (long stance) - front leg kick to the knot of the belt (called mai ashi geri) quickly followed up with a mid-level roundhouse kick (chudan mawashi geri) One partner kicked first (not both at once, to avoid clashing legs). This is only a training exercise - these kicks should not be thrown at full power, remember that it's only practice for now!

KUMITE
After the practice we get to try some sparring. At Sensei's mark everyone began some light sparring. Again, sparring in the dojo is not your chance to kill your opponent but rather an opportunity to try out some techniques with your training partner. Before we began Sensei Roy made it clear that anyone who decided to go too hard and hurt their partner during sparring would be harshly dealt with. A sparring bout such as this should last for about 1 minute, then everyone changes around to find a new sparring partner for another bout. We went through about 5 or 6 bouts before a quick water break.

KATA
At this point Sensei Roy split the class into groups according to grade. New starters were instructed by Sensei Hayley and taken through the movements of Gekisai Dai Ichi. Kyu grades were taught by Sensei Lisa; their kata was Saifa. Brown belts were instructed by Sensei George Weston who took them through the moves of Seiyunchin kata. 1st & 2nd dan black belts (10 of them!) practiced Sepai kata as a group. Senior dan grades were instructed by Sensei Roy, their kata for this evening was Suparinpei.

SEIZA
At the end of the class, after seiza (meditation), Sensei Roy explained about an upcoming demonstration that we will be performing in a few weeks time at the Liverpool Echo Arena. He also mentioned about 2 upcoming Gasshukus on mainland Europe - 1 in Hamburg, Germany (in September) and a Gasshuku being held in Poland with Higaonna Sensei.

2008-08-11T20:42:00.001Z

Here is a poster for an upcoming Gasshuku in Germany this September... we might just see you guys over there!

2008-07-28T19:55:00.005Z

IOGKF Budosai 2008 - Complete!

Back home now after a 12 hour flight from Osaka to London Heathrow then another 6 hours from there to home. I'm presently stood in my kitchen with a cup of tea, listening to the sound of my gi in the washing machine. Heaven.

The last 10 days now seem like a dream. I will add some details about the final day of training (Friday) and also the Masters Demonstration (Saturday) tomorrow. I also have handwritten notes from Higaonna Sensei's lecture from Friday afternoon that I will type out for you to read.

Many thanks to all my great friends from here in England who I spent time with in Okinawa, especially the people who I traveled to and from Merseyside with. Also I wish to say a big HELLO! and thank you to all of the great friends that I met up with in Naha, both for training and for the odd beer or two. I would write a list of names but it would take me an hour to complete. Special regards to my training partner John Marrable (congratulations on your 5th dan mate!), Hiro (a legend of a guy), the lovely Reena Prasad and to the one and only Joseph Tait. Great guys!

On the way home we all sat on the coach and took a look through our photo collection from the trip to Okinawa... its well over 5000 pictures, 75% of them are priceless.

Here's to Sweden 2009, South Africa 2010 and Okinawa 2012!

2008-07-26T18:09:00.001Z

A few photos from the 2008 IOGKF Masters Demonstration at the Budosai in Naha, Okinawa, Japan.

We've just got in following the sayonara party and ensuing night on the town.

More tomorrow....

2008-07-26T10:26:00.001Z

Headline taken from today's newspaper here in Okinawa: "Bald thug attacks man in wheelchair"

2008-07-26T07:24:00.002Z

Final day of the budosai - Master's Demo

The demo was great, lots of activity and amazing displays of martial arts.

We're running around busy right now, getting ready for the "Sayonara Party" that is happening in a few short hours.

I still owe you a run down of Friday's training and also some photos from today's event.

Shame it's all over but the week has been glorious!

2008-07-25T06:49:00.003Z

2008 Budosai - Grading Results Announced

The results from Tuesday's grading examination here in Okinawa were announced at the end of today's training. I am not sure of the entire list but there were several dozen names read out by Nakamura Sensei & Higaonna Sensei in front of everyone who had been training in the main hall of the Budokan.

Some results that I can recall off the top of my head:

Steve Gouldson - 6th Dan
Steve Hallam - 6th Dan
Mike Draper - 6th Dan
Neville Kinghorn - 6th Dan
Terry Read - 6th Dan
Nick Burr - 6th Dan
Peter Galer - 6th Dan
Paolo Spongia - 6th Dan
Katsuya Yamashiro - 7th Dan

There were many many others as well as the above mentioned... congratulations to all who successfully graded at this Budosai!

2008-07-24T13:55:00.009Z

Thursday 24th July - 3rd / 4th dan training at IOGKF 2008 Budosai, Naha City, Okinawa

Here is a quick list of the training that we did today at the Budokan here in Okinawa.

JUNBI UNDO:
Warm-up exercises with Higaonna Sensei. This included Kihon (basic) training which we have performed at the beginning of every class during this week's Budosai. Higaonna Sensei had us perform many punches at 3 levels, also blocks at 3 levels and kicks in several directions. All of these were performed in the main hall of the Budokan as a mass group of 500 or 600 students. Sensei kept telling us to kiai when he counted out the techniques. My voice is very low and gravelly this week thanks to all of the kiai'ing that we have been doing during Sensei's warm-up!

1ST SESSION: Yamashiro Sensei (6th dan, Okinawa)
I have never trained with Yamashiro Sensei before, so this was a special class for me. Sensei talked via an interpretor for most of the session although his English was more than adequate. We went over Sepai kata one time to begin with, before Sensei had us practice Tensho kata. We then stayed with Tensho for the rest of the class. Sensei spent a lot of this class explaining about different aspects of the kata, especially Sanchin stance and "Sanchin feeling".

Yamashiro Sensei talked at length about different "images" that he has in mind when performing Tensho kata, it is a very soft kata (ju). One of his images included the concept of a leaf that has water dripping off its tip; the leaf bows slightly as water wells up on its surface before it finally bows too far and a drop of water naturally falls down off the end of it. Sensei said that the leaf does not know that water is welling up on its surface or dripping off the end of it, likewise the water does not know that it is falling from the leaf. It is a natural process that flows and is not restricted. This is the image that Yamashiro thinks of when performing Tensho.

Sensei also said that he could tell whether a person has been practicing Sanchin kata even if he is standing with his eyes closed. He said that, out of the 70 or so people in the room, only 2 had grasped the feeling of Sanchin at this point. The rest still had to practice to try and grasp the Sanchin feeling. There was a lot more to this lesson, including other images that Sensei explained in great detail via his translator. I finished this class feeling very relaxed, although it was very hot in the dojo and I was sweating hugely.

2ND SESSION: Nakamura Sensei (6th dan, Canada) & Aragaki Sensei (10th dan, Okinawa)
Nakamura Sensei's class focused on kata, specifically Shisochin kata. Sensei explained a little about the kata's origins - the name is not Okinawan but rather from Fuzhou (China). The name refers to 4 directions of battle, although the kata moves in 8 directions (4 sides of a compass and 4 diagonals). Nakamura Sensei then explained about the use of focus in kata and gave examples of how kime should be correctly used in Shisochin kata. He also explained about the differences between kaishukata and heishukata - the difference is that kaishukata use both a closed and open tanden, whereas the tanden is permanently closed throughout heishukata (I have heard several people commenting in the meantime that they have found this particular part of the class to be very profound indeed).

40 minutes into this session Nakamura stopped when he noticed that Aragaki Sensei (IOGKF 10th dan) had entered the dojo. We all stopped, turned and faced Aragaki Sensei and bowed to him. Nakamura Sensei then told us that we should perform the kata again for Aragaki Sensei to watch - and we should perform it well so as not to get him into trouble! After we went over Shisochin kata again Aragaki Sensei spent some time with our class showing us how he now performs Shisochin and how the breathing in this kata is very important. Sensei also told us that our use of nekoashi dachi could be better and we then practiced using this stance.

3RD SESSION: Luis Nunes Sensei (6th dan, Spain)
Luis Sensei's class was all about ippon kumite and timing issues. This was a similar session to the one that we had with Sensei George Andrews one day earlier, Luis Sensei had us practicing different timings for the block / attack combination of jodan uke / jodan gyaku zuki. We partnered up to practice several attack and defence techniques and I was paired with a gentleman from New Zealand called Sensei John Marrable. Sensei John is a wheelchair bound black belt, but this has no bearing on his karate performance - I found him to be a very fast and able (and very funny) training partner. Sensei Luis's class finished with a "game" that we often use in our dojo back in Liverpool which is akin to gunslinging. 2 opponents stand face to face and one tries to touch the other's chest before he can block. Great class.

After training today I went along (with a few others from England) to see Higaonna Sensei's home dojo.

2008-07-24T06:40:00.002Z

6 of us went along to Higaonna Sensei's dojo this afternoon, simply to see where it is and have a look at where he lives in Naha City.

Hopefully one day I'll return and get to do some training with Sensei in his home dojo!

2008-07-23T05:33:00.008Z

Wednesday Training @ The 2008 IOGKF Budosai, Naha City, Okinawa

Here's a list of today's training at the Okinawa Gasshuku (from a 3rd dan perspective).

JUNBI UNDO
Preliminary "warm up" training today was lead by the World Chief Instructor, Higaonna Sensei. A distinguished karate master whose name is Aragaki Sensei (IOGKF 10th dan black belt) was in attendance during the warm-up, he wanted to watch all of us students training. He was stood at the side of the hall while everyone trained and he walked up and down the many rows of people looking as we sweated and trained hard! Today there were about 500 or so people training together during this session, it was blistering hot and very humid.

As usual I took part in classes for 3rd dan & 4th dan students, so the following "Session reports" all regard those sessions and the instructors who lead each of them. We trained from 9am (beginning with the warm up lead by Higaonna Sensei) up until 1pm - that is the times for each day of the Budosai from now up until Friday which is the last day for general training.

1st SESSION: Sensei Ernie Molyneux (7th dan, England)
Sensei Ernie's class was a kumite session. It began with us practicing several simple combat techniques (kizame zuki, gyaku zuki, mae geri, etc) and then combining them into quick bursts of attack and defence. Sensei had us "partner up" and go over what he had shown us several times with the emphasis of the lesson regarding speed of technique. Sensei Ernie also explained about respect for your training partner.

2nd SESSION: Sensei Henrik Larson (7th dan, Denmark)
Sensei Henrik based his class on elbow strikes (empi). There were 5 different strikes in total - forwards (age empi), round (mawashi empi), side (yoko empi), back (ushiro empi) and downwards (atate empi). These strikes were all performed in quick succession to begin with, then later in the class they were each used as part of pre-arranged sparring situations. These situations were practiced both with a partner and then as part of a larger group of 5 people - 1 in the centre of the attack and 4 others surrounding him. Finally, Sensei Henrik showed us counter attacks to each of the original pre-arranged sparring situations - counter attacks to counter counter attacks!

3rd SESSION: Sensei George Andrews (7th dan, England)
Sensei George's class was a variation on basic techniques. The session started with punching jodan for about 50 strikes, then chudan, then gedan. Sensei then added blocks on 3 levels (jo chu & ge) and he explained about timing between block and counter punch. This lead to us all practicing several different attack & defence situations and playing about with the timing of each block and strike. This included 1) Block then counter punch 2) Block and counter punch at the same time 3) No apparent block but an immediate counter punch.

After training ended for the day everyone gathered in the main hall of the Budokan for photographs. Today we had our pictures taken in groups according to country.

Some more photos from before and after training today:

Aragaki Sensei is due to hold a lecture at 5pm this afternoon in the main hall of the Budokan. The subject for the lecture is Goju-Ryu Karate-Do history.

2008-07-21T09:26:00.004Z

Budosai - Monday 21st July - Training

More from the Okinawa Budosai Gasshuku here in Naha City.
The weather has been glorious non-stop sunshine without a cloud in the sky for the past 4 days, we have really touched lucky so far!

Today's training at the Okinawan Prefecture Budokan was scheduled to run from 9am until 1pm with separate classes for different grades of students. I took part in the 3rd/4th dan group and we had lots of great tuition during our day.

The 1st session of the day was a group Junbi Undo class for everyone with Higaonna Sensei. This was held in the main hall of the Budokan for the first time during the gasshuku. This session also included plenty of kihon (basic training).

All of the sandan/yondan group's training from here on was held in a different dojo - still in the Budokan complex but away from the main room.

Our 2nd session was instructed by Bakkies Sensei. His class was advanced moving basics. This included tai sabake & suri ashi training (body evasion & sliding movements). Sensei also added punches and kicks to make this a very energetic session indeed. By the end of this class my gi was completely wet through, as though it had been submerged in a tub of water! Training in the Okinawa heat makes me sweat like never before.

3rd session: Terauchi Sensei (from Tokyo) took this class, he began with Sanchin kata practice. We went over Sanchin about 3 or 4 times before he showed us the turning variation of this kata, also known as "Kanryo Higaonna Sensei's Sanchin". He emphasised that the turning kata uses different timing in the chudan uke block that is performed directly after the turn. Sensei also explained about the actual turn, it is performed using a stance known as Benzoku Dachi. Next Terauchi Sensei moved on Seiyunchin kata, which also uses Benzoku Dachi (shortly before the kata's kiai point). Sensei demonstrated how different techniques from Seiyunchin can be effectively used on an opponent, with assistance from his student Higa Sensei. This was a very entertaining part of the class! We finished this session practicing Tensho kata.

The final class of the day for 3rd & 4th dans was with Higaonna Sensei. With Shihan Sensei we "warmed up" with Sanchin kata before we moved on to practice Sepai kata & Kururunfa kata. Sensei had us run through particular moves from Sepai several times over and often stopped the class to explain in detail just how the moves are performed and how they apply not only to Sepai but to other Goju-Ryu kata.

After the final class of the day everyone gathered in the main hall once again for a group photo of everyone who is taking part in this year's Budosai.

Tomorrow is a free day for most of us - there is no training as there is a grading exam.

2008-07-20T23:23:00.003Z

The IOGKF 2008 Budosai "Welcome party" last night was a sterling success. It was held in a hotel in downtown Naha (on Kokusai Dori) and it was very well attended. The Okinawan hosts really pulled out all the stops for this event and layed on a huge banquet of food and drink. There was also traditional Okinawan dancing as well as music supplied by a music group that included Higaonna Sensei's sister!

2008-07-20T07:44:00.002Z

Day 1 of the IOGKF 2008 Budosai in Naha City, Okinawa.

Today (Sunday) was the 1st day of the event and included registration and training with Higaonna Sensei at the Okinawa Prefecture Budokan (known simply as 'The Budokan').

We registered for training and received our "Welcome packs" which included a booklet all about the event as well as information regarding training times and also other things such as tourism and day trips.

We all gathered on the 2nd floor of the Budokan (there are 3 floors of martial arts dojos in this one building) and after a while the room became full with people from all around the world who have traveled here, just like us guys from Liverpool, to take part on the Budosai.

When training started Higaonna Sensei stood at the front of the class with hundreds of students in rows in front of him. Then Nakamura Sensei (IOGKF Administrator and Higaonna Sensei's translator) told everyone about the Budosai & the Budokan. Then training began.

For the 1st class Higaonna Sensei split everyone into groups according to grade. Kyu grades went into another room, as did 1st & 2nd degree black belts. People who are 3rd dan & above stayed in the 2nd floor dojo to train with Higaonna Sensei. A small children's class also took place on the 2nd floor, instructed be Nakamura Sensei.

Higaonna Sensei's 1st class of the Budosai focused soley on Sanchin kata. We spent a lot of time practicing the kata and Sensei explained in great detail what the kata represents and how it should be correctly performed. He used a translator during this class, Joe Tait from Tokyo. However Higaonna Sensei spoke in both Japanese and in English for most of the time.

We practiced Sanchin quite a few times, although Sensei often stopped us to explain further points - he kept seeing people performing the kata wrong, and he was very keen to point out the correct way that Sanchin should be done. Sensei was especially keen about strong legs during the kata and had us practice the footwork again and again.

After a small break Bakkies Sensei took the main class for some blocking practice. This involved doing several open handed techniques, mainly shuto uchi. Bakkies Sensei combined 4 strikes into one combination and explained that he wanted them all performed as though they were "one movement". He told us that Goju-Ryu is derived from White Crane kung-fu and that, as such, the strikes that we were performing should all flow into one another like the movement of a bird's wing.

We practiced the combination of strikes again and again, occasionally adding footwork and then changing the combination to suit different situations. Then we were told to "partner up" to practice the combination properly. This involved being attacked by somebody using a furi zuki (hook punch) technique - the blocking combination that we had been practicing was all put together in order to block and counter an incoming hook punch.

Training today was very hot and sweaty. After training I got a shower - as soon as I dried off with a towel I was sweating again. It was like a sauna!

This evening we are going along to the official Budosai "Welcome Party".

2008-07-18T23:36:00.003Z

Morning training with Sensei Ernie Molyneux

Today (Saturday the 19th) will be our first full day in Naha City - we arrived in Okinawa yesterday afternoon and unpacked our bags before going to a local steakhouse for a big group meal (then back to the hotel for some late night beers!).

This morning some of the senior graded students - who are grading during this week's Budosai - went for some early morning kata training with Sensei Ernie. It is already a very hot day here in Naha City, even now at 08:30 in the morning.

2008-07-18T22:41:00.003Z

Hello from Okinawa!

We arrived yesterday, there's 32 of us (so far!) in our group who have traveled from England to Japan to train at the 2008 IOGKF World Budosai. The trip over involved a 12 hour flight from London to Osaka followed by a further 2 hour flight from Osaka to Naha.

Training starts tomorrow!

2008-07-16T18:55:00.001Z

One Hundred Push Ups - That's the exact number needed to be performed at the end of a Goju-Ryu black belt examination. (Along with 100 sit-ups and 100 squat thrusts.)

2008-07-07T22:51:00.000Z

Childwall Dojo - Class Photo, 7th July 2008.

2008-06-24T10:56:00.004Z

Class Plan: 23rd June 2008 (Monday)

JUNBI-UNDO (Preliminary "Warm-up" exercises)
Full warm-up followed by 50 push-ups, leg extensions & crunches.

KIHON (Basics):
Punching & Blocking at 3 levels (Jodan, Chudan & Gedan - Head, Chest & Groin). This was done alone at first and then everyone was paired up with a training partner to practice using the blocking movements against a strong attack. One partner punched while the other blocked. Sensei Roy explained different ways that a blocking movement can be used and how the feeling of each block "changes" when you have been training for a longer period of time.

Again, with a training partner, we practiced blocking and counter-attacking against a set attack. One partner was stepped forwards and punched to the centre of his opponent's chest, oi zuki chudan (leading hand punch to the chest). The other partner blocked this attack however he liked (there are several possible ways to block a chudan attack) and followed this block with a counter attack. This was repeated 10 times and senior students were encouraged to alternate the defences used each time. After 10 attacks on either hand the defending training partner had a turn being the attacker (and vice versa). When this was finished everyone in the class changed training partners and then started again.

YAKUSOKU KUMITE:
Yakusoku kumite is a form of sparring where all of the moves are pre-arranged and can be repeated again and again without any changes. This can be used to practice kihon (basics) with movements - it can also be used to practice single movements taken from kata and place them in a fighting situation. In this class we took a simple stepping movement (stepping backwards and then forwards in Zenkutsu Dachi) and added an attack/defence combination (attack oi zuki jodan / defend using jodan uke and counter attack jodan gyaku zuki). This was practiced again and again to a count. Then everyone is the class watched while each pair of training partners in the class took a turn performing their routine with the rest of us watching. Some people did not get the routine correct so Sensei made them go away and practice and then try again after everyone else had a turn showing the class their routine.

UDE TANREN (Arm Conditioning):
Goju-Ryu is a style of karate that incorporates conditioning exercise in order to strengthen the body. This is known as "Tanren". Tonight we did some arm and body conditioning after Yakusoku Kumite ended. This included striking forearm to forearm, leg to leg, chest to chest, shoulder to shoulder and even back to back. Body conditioning exercise are never performed on soft parts of the body (such as the neck and groin) and are always performed under the instruction of a trained instructor.

The class concluded with leg stretching and announcements from Sensei.