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Articles Outside The Dojo

Ohta Sensei cover feature on Shotokan Karate Magazine

JKA England’s Chief Instructor is the cover feature on June’s Shotokan Karate Magazine along with an interview in which he opens up about his initial selection, assisting the late Enoeda Sensei and the formation of JKA England in what is now more than 40 years of his teaching karate in the UK.

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Events Outside The Dojo Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings

50th Birthday Celebration

Dear karate friends, thank you for your warm wishes, artwork, messages, company, and generosity. It is all very much appreciated. 50 feels so much better than 49!

Here is some of what transpired plus a x50 recording of training.

Austin

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JKA Competitions Outside The Dojo

JKA England National Karate Championship June 2023

Shiranamikai members participated in the JKA England National Karate Championship at the weekend. Well done to everyone who took part, especially those who competed in a karate competition for the first time, and thank you to parents for their support during the day (and photos!). Results as follows…

Ella: Bronze in Kumite 🥉
Ariana: Bronze in Kumite 🥉
Blanche: Gold in Kata, Gold in Kumite 🥇🥇
Lara: Bronze in Kumite 🥉
Jacqueline: Silver in Kumite 🥈
Alex: Silver in Kata 🥈
Austin: Gold in Kata 🥇

Congratulations!

This was a great result so it was nice to relax and catch up over dinner after our regular training session a few days afterwards!

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Outside The Dojo

Sakura Hanami London Spring 2023

Shirahanamikai members outside the dojo with the beautiful cherry blossom. It felt almost as if we were among the clouds 🌸

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Outside The Dojo Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings Uncategorized

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas & New Year Training Schedule

Sessions run as normal up to and including 21st December.
We make a full return to schedule from 3rd January 2023.

Tuesday 20th December6.30pm O2 Centre
Wednesday 21st December7pm Harrow
Saturday 24th DecemberNo training
Sunday 25th DecemberNo training
Tuesday 27th December10.30am O2 Centre
Wednesday 28th December7pm Online
Saturday 31st DecemberNo training
Sunday 1st JanuaryNo training
Tuesday 3rd January6.30pm O2 Centre
All sessions pre-booked
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Outside The Dojo Uncategorized

Happy Christmas 2021

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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News Outside The Dojo

Sakura 2021

Ahead of our return to group training, Shiranamikai Karate members took photos of themselves with the theme ‘cherry blossom’.

The aim was to foster the spirit of togetherness by creating a montage despite being unable to meet up in person.

The last year has shown us unprecedented challenges but we persevered, stayed in touch, and continued with training.

Cherry blossom hails the start of spring and calls to mind a feeling of renewal. Now is our chance to move forward as we resume our outdoor karate sessions, and look ahead to what we can achieve together.

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Events News Outside The Dojo Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings

Shiranamikai Karate participates in Japan Matsuri London 2020

Each year since 2009, we have enjoyed Japan Matsuri London, a cultural showcase for all the family, including: martial arts, food demonstrations, flower arranging, documentaries, theatre, music and dance.

This year it took place online in the form of Japan Matsuri Presents, and was a great example of how we can all overcome challenges and continue to enjoy our hobbies, interests and passions, by coming together, however possible, in difficult times.

Shiranamikai recorded a karate demo session adjacent to Trafalgar Square and The National Gallery, the home of the festival for the last few years, which was broadcast as part of the 2-day event.

Well done to the Executive Committee and team at Japan Matsuri and to all participants. Shiranamikai is proud to have been a part of it!

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Articles News Outside The Dojo Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings

Our karate classes continue live online

All of our classes have been running live online since 24th March. We have a stable, interactive feed, with instructor-student interaction just as we would in our regular sessions.

Let’s not forget the importance of looking after one’s mental health in these challenging times. Enjoy the fresh air and sunshine of the beautiful spring weather to exercise, whilst maintaining a safe distance from others. And indoors, follow the sessions, watch the details, check the technique and practise safely.

Join our online classes…

Training guidelines

  • Use common sense
  • Be mindful of your surroundings
  • Consider your neighbours
  • Try not to stamp
  • Practise is in basics and kata (patterns)
  • No kumite (partner work/sparring) 
  • Restrained/quiet kiais (shouting)
  • Wash hands before and after training and/or use sanitiser
  • Try not to touch your face or anything else
  • Have tissues at hand, then dispose and sanitise
  • Keep a face towel to hand instead of using sleeve
  • Wash gi after every session
  • If practising outdoors, use suncream
  • Stay hydrated but avoid public water fountains
  • Maintain a distance of at least 2m away from others
  • Parents should monitor their children during practise

Keep up to date

Feel free to reach out via the contact form. Email is still the best method of contact for club members and I will send session weblinks and updates using this method so make sure the club email address is added to your email whitelist, and Follow our Twitter and Facebook accounts @Shiranamikai

Follow Gov.uk and NHS.uk advice.

Stay safe, stay in touch, and keep practising!

Austin

Categories
Articles News Outside The Dojo Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings

Shiranamikai Karate on TV News

[Fully in line with official guidance at the time]

Shiranamikai instructor, Austin Biesty, talks with London-based TV correspondent Alexander Khabarov about the measures adopted by the karate club in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

With gyms, schools and halls closing because of concerns about virus transmission by touch and being in close proximity, we moved to hold a contactless class outside, thereby also ensuring good ventilation and distancing by remaining at least two meters apart.

One of the unique benefits of many Japanese martial arts is the ability to practise effectively without contact. Karate training comprises three core elements: Kihon (fundamentals), Kata (set patterns), and Kumite (partner work). Having already dropped the kumite aspect we were able to continue practise whilst adhering to official guidance.

In budo, the overwhelming aim is the development of oneself, and as such, by being able to continue practising alone but with direction, one places a much higher demand upon their own state of mind and physical form than they would do when facing an opponent directly.

Alexander, it was lovely to chat!

See part of our TV broadcast feature…

And how quickly things change! We had the pleasure of the next morning’s sun together which was to be our last lesson in person before moving all sessions online.

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