Halstead Shotokan Karate-Do
Children: Mondays 7.00pm to 8.00pm
Adults: Mondays 8.00pm to 9.00pm
Costs: £17.50 per month
Taught by: Sensei Glenn Hildyard - Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) and Sensei Derek Gatfield - Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt).
Location: Queens Hall, Chipping Hill, Halstead, Essex.
Beginners: Are always welcome. Karate is practiced by normal people, not super humans. we do not smash Ice or Bricks. You'll be made to feel very welcome and can rest assured that you will be taught in a Safe Learning Environment with a Friendly Club Atmosphere.
Braintree Shotokan Karate-Do
Children: Sundays 10.00am to 11.00am
Adults: Wednesdays 8.00pm to 9.00pm and Sundays 11.00am to 12.00 noon
Children at secondary school over the grade of Green Belt are welcome to train with the Adults if they are of a mature disposition.
Costs: £17.50 per month based on training once per week or £27.50 based on training twice per week.
Taught by: Sensei Jeff Russell - Sandan (3rd Dan Black Belt) in Karate, Honorary Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) in Aikido and Honorary Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) in Ju Jutsu. Martial Arts Columnist and COMBAT Hall of Fame Award recipient.
Location: Braintree Liesure Centre, Panfield Lane, Braintree, Essex.
Beginners: Are always welcome. Karate is practiced by normal people, not super humans. we do not smash Ice or Bricks. You'll be made to feel very welcome and can rest assured that you will be taught in a Safe Learning Environment with a Friendly Club Atmosphere.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Kanku Dai
65 movements taking 90 seconds to complete, Kanku Dai is the longest Kata and means 'To Look at the Sky', referring to it's opening movements. This was Master Gichin Funakoshi's favourite Kata.
Koshokun was a special envoy of the Ming Emperor of China and was also a Kenpo expert. It is thought Koshokun is the originator of Kushanku (Kanku Dai).
Master Itsou used various movements from this Kata to develop the Heian Kata. Kanku Dai is easier to learn and perform if the Heian Kata have been taught and studied correctly.
Formerly known as Kushanku, it became known as Kanku Dai when Master Funakoshi changed the characters used to write Tode Jutsu (China Fist Art) to Karate (Empty Hand).
Koshokun was a special envoy of the Ming Emperor of China and was also a Kenpo expert. It is thought Koshokun is the originator of Kushanku (Kanku Dai).
Master Itsou used various movements from this Kata to develop the Heian Kata. Kanku Dai is easier to learn and perform if the Heian Kata have been taught and studied correctly.
Formerly known as Kushanku, it became known as Kanku Dai when Master Funakoshi changed the characters used to write Tode Jutsu (China Fist Art) to Karate (Empty Hand).
Bassai Dai
Many variations of this dynamic and powerful Kata exist in different styles. There are two forms Dai and Sho. Bassai Sho believed to be developed by Itosu. Some claim Bassai Dai was introduced by Master Oyadomari but a more thorough study should determine whether it was more influenced by Tomari-Te than Shuri-Te from Itosu.
This is a powerful and dynamic Kata that is representative of Shotokan.
Meaning; To Storm the Fortress / Castle. When I perform this Kata I like to momentarily close my eyes and visualise an ancient medieval castle, with huge thick stone walls. I imagine how much energy and power must have been utilised by medieval soldiers to break down the walls of these castles. Once I have a true appreciation of what was required by medieval soldiers I open my eyes and say 'BASSAI DAI', then Hajimae, I can can begin! Try it yourself.
This is a powerful and dynamic Kata that is representative of Shotokan.
Meaning; To Storm the Fortress / Castle. When I perform this Kata I like to momentarily close my eyes and visualise an ancient medieval castle, with huge thick stone walls. I imagine how much energy and power must have been utilised by medieval soldiers to break down the walls of these castles. Once I have a true appreciation of what was required by medieval soldiers I open my eyes and say 'BASSAI DAI', then Hajimae, I can can begin! Try it yourself.
Heian Kata
In 1905 Yasutsune Itsosu decided to introduce and promote the practice of basic techniques as a subject in secondary schools. He developed a form of gymnastics practiced in groups instead of training in secret for fighting. For this reason in the Heian Kata, techniques like Ippon / Nihon Nukite to the eyes, kicking to the groin / joints were eliminated. Heian Kata now began and ended in Uke, expressing humility.
When we start Karate the Heian Kata are the first Kata we learn. Often as we progress we forget to practice them or neglect them. Heian Kata are extremely important later on in training and for many reasons we should not neglect or forget them.
Shotokan Karate Kata are traditional, have meanings and value. If performed in any other way, other than there traditional form, Kata lose their authenticity. Compared to Kanku, Heian are not fighting Kata but merely basic techniques, for gym training. This brings a different concept into the history of Kata.
The origin of most Kata are unknown except for the Heian Kata. Many ancient Kata were taught in secret from Master to student. The real reasons for this are still unclear.
Heian Kata stems from Koshokin, the creator of Kanku. Although there are also theories claiming Heian Kata stem from Bassai Kata.
Heian means 'Peaceful Mind' and this should be borne in mind when we practice or perform the Kata. Empty your mind, be at one with yourself and focus on nothing but the techniques.
When we start Karate the Heian Kata are the first Kata we learn. Often as we progress we forget to practice them or neglect them. Heian Kata are extremely important later on in training and for many reasons we should not neglect or forget them.
Shotokan Karate Kata are traditional, have meanings and value. If performed in any other way, other than there traditional form, Kata lose their authenticity. Compared to Kanku, Heian are not fighting Kata but merely basic techniques, for gym training. This brings a different concept into the history of Kata.
The origin of most Kata are unknown except for the Heian Kata. Many ancient Kata were taught in secret from Master to student. The real reasons for this are still unclear.
Heian Kata stems from Koshokin, the creator of Kanku. Although there are also theories claiming Heian Kata stem from Bassai Kata.
Heian means 'Peaceful Mind' and this should be borne in mind when we practice or perform the Kata. Empty your mind, be at one with yourself and focus on nothing but the techniques.
Friday, December 21, 2007
FIGHTING
Something for you all to think about if you are contemplating getting hands on and fighting or defending yourself.
Usually when two animals fight one loses and limps off injured or worse, the victor will usually always limp of injured to some degree.
As you may or may not know I am, for my sins, a Police Constable. Yet again last night I had to effect the arrest of a violent man. In comparison to me it was a miss-match in my favour. In any violent confrontational situation there are certain factors you need to take into consideration before thinking about going hands on. These include age, size, gender, alcohol, drugs, mental derangement, etc.. I can go on and on.
The guy I had to arrest was a extremely violent offender who's violence was fuelled by a mental instability. In a nut shell, your usual run of the mill techniques simply do not work! All 5' 6" of his stocky frame held off three of us. All Pressure Point techniques failed, simple compound strikes bounced off of him and in terms of strength it was like fighting a Gorilla.
After 5 minutes of wrestling, during which ALL of my Ju Jutsu techniques were tried, tested and failed I emerged battered, bruised and injured (busted shoulder).
The guy was 5' 6", stocky build and weighed approximately 14 stone. I am 6' 2", heavy build and 17 stone. I have 20 + years experience in martial arts, I am not a cage rage fighter and I do not profess to be the ultimate martial arts guru. However, I can state firmly that I can look after myself. This guy held me and two others off him for a considerable time and I emerged injured.
Just bare in mind, no matter what size your opponent is, no matter how good you are at Karate, Aikido and Ju Jutsu. Fighting still carries a risk of injury for whoever is involved. Unfortunately I had to fight as I had to apprehend the suspect. If you have the choice, walk away, it's not worth it. Injuries suck! That's Christmas, training, work messed up for a few weeks now while I recover.
Oss
Sensei Jeffrey John Russell - Sandan
Chief Instructor - Braintree Shotokan Karate-Do
Usually when two animals fight one loses and limps off injured or worse, the victor will usually always limp of injured to some degree.
As you may or may not know I am, for my sins, a Police Constable. Yet again last night I had to effect the arrest of a violent man. In comparison to me it was a miss-match in my favour. In any violent confrontational situation there are certain factors you need to take into consideration before thinking about going hands on. These include age, size, gender, alcohol, drugs, mental derangement, etc.. I can go on and on.
The guy I had to arrest was a extremely violent offender who's violence was fuelled by a mental instability. In a nut shell, your usual run of the mill techniques simply do not work! All 5' 6" of his stocky frame held off three of us. All Pressure Point techniques failed, simple compound strikes bounced off of him and in terms of strength it was like fighting a Gorilla.
After 5 minutes of wrestling, during which ALL of my Ju Jutsu techniques were tried, tested and failed I emerged battered, bruised and injured (busted shoulder).
The guy was 5' 6", stocky build and weighed approximately 14 stone. I am 6' 2", heavy build and 17 stone. I have 20 + years experience in martial arts, I am not a cage rage fighter and I do not profess to be the ultimate martial arts guru. However, I can state firmly that I can look after myself. This guy held me and two others off him for a considerable time and I emerged injured.
Just bare in mind, no matter what size your opponent is, no matter how good you are at Karate, Aikido and Ju Jutsu. Fighting still carries a risk of injury for whoever is involved. Unfortunately I had to fight as I had to apprehend the suspect. If you have the choice, walk away, it's not worth it. Injuries suck! That's Christmas, training, work messed up for a few weeks now while I recover.
Oss
Sensei Jeffrey John Russell - Sandan
Chief Instructor - Braintree Shotokan Karate-Do
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
BSKD Training Time Changes
On the following dates Karate Training at Braintree will be as follows; Children 4.00pm - 5.00pm and Adults 5.00pm - 6.00pm;
Sunday 18th November 2007
Sunday 9th December 2007
Sunday 6th January 2008
Sunday 10th February 2008
Sunday 17th February 2008
Sunday 18th November 2007
Sunday 9th December 2007
Sunday 6th January 2008
Sunday 10th February 2008
Sunday 17th February 2008
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Punch Bags, Black Belts and Freestyle
There are a couple of questions / points that I need to clarify and have chosen to do so via this blog. Please feel free to add your comments and discuss this topic further.
Firstly, I want to explain the difference between a Punch Bag and a Black Belt. In the picture you see a Black Belt training on a Punch Bag. Punch Bags are a great training tool, they enable you to practice all of your techniques with 100% speed and power.
That point brings me nicely onto my other question / point - Freestyle. We have already established that you can practice your techniques with 100% speed and power on a punch bag. Black Belts are not Punch Bags and during your Freestyle training sessions, no matter who you are, you will not treat a Black Belt as such. There are reasons for this;
- Traditional Shotokan karate-Do Jiyu Kumite (Freestyle) is about control and the execution of skilled techniques. At no stage during any bout with any student should you be freestyling with optimal power - speed and control yes!
- Respect - Black Belts have usually trained long and hard to earn their grade and belt. A black belt costs approximately the same as a punch bag to buy. However, the effort that goes into purchasing a punch bag is very little, where as the effort that goes into buying a Black Belt stems into years.
- Physical Ability - Just because somebody wears a Black Belt does not necessarily mean they are extremely good at Freestyle. Being a Black Belt encompasses much more than simply fighting. I can recall a Green Belt beating a Black Belt once. That Black Belt is still training and teaching, better still they are an ambassador to Karate. The Green Belt is nowhere to be seen.
- Finally, EDUCATION - if you chose to let a Black Belt lead you and teach you during your Freestyle bouts you may learn a little more and enjoy your bout more.
I am not disappointed to have to write this because it happens and we all need reminding of the rank system, etiquette and training. Whether these points are achieved by reading this article or learning the hard way by a disgruntled Black Belt giving you one dig for the hundred you've just attempted to hit them with (speed and power) it doesn't matter, so long as you understand!
Summary:
Black Belts are not Punch Bags
Punch Bags are for practicing your techniques with 100% speed and power
Black Belts will hit back 100% speed and power, usually because they are fed up of a lower grade thinking they are a Punch Bag
I think my stance on this is clear, oss.
Sensei Jeffrey John Russell - Sandan
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