We celebrated Shiranamikai’s 14th anniversary at the beginning of the year with a morning training session swiftly followed by tea/coffee and homemade cake!
Category: Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings
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 December | 6.30pm O2 Centre |
| Wednesday 21st December | 7pm Harrow |
| Saturday 24th December | No training |
| Sunday 25th December | No training |
| Tuesday 27th December | 10.30am O2 Centre |
| Wednesday 28th December | 7pm Online |
| Saturday 31st December | No training |
| Sunday 1st January | No training |
| Tuesday 3rd January | 6.30pm O2 Centre |
A big thank you to Ohta Sensei for visiting Shiranamikai on Friday to lead keiko and conduct a kyu grading for our students. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a high level instructor lead our karate association in the UK, and who takes the time to develop every grade at club level.
Shiranamikai students had a great training session with Ohta Sensei this September. Lots of fundamentals; lots of partner work! It’s amazing where the time goes when training is this good, and so enjoyable!
We enjoyed a session with our association’s chief instructor this month. Through kihon waza and ippon kumite, the emphasis was on muscle elasticity, release of tension and quick reactivation. Katas studied were Heian Sandan, Godan and Tekki, each featuring kiba dachi and drawing from the basics and partner exercises.
At Shiranamikai, we have a ‘training first’ core principle. While competitions offer up an exciting challenge alongside other clubs, gradings are a way in which to assess an individual’s development. Underpinning this is regular, consistent, training and practice for which there is no substitute.
Congratulations to everyone who graded on this occasion.
A great session with Ohta Sensei, our association’s Chief Instructor this March. We had a warm up and grading for our younger members followed by training for all. After a short break, senior grade students studied katas Bassai Dai and Jion before the main exam.
Congratulations to all those who graded!
Ohta Sensei, Chief Instructor of The Japan Karate Association in England, visited Shiranamikai this December to lead keiko. A brilliantly constructive lesson as always; technical, and with a full-body workout. We finished off with a master class on the kata, Sochin!
It was great to welcome our karate association’s Chief Instructor, Ohta Sensei, back to our dojo for a brilliant training session and grading.
Although we hosted these special classes online and in the dojo with limited, and age-appropriate numbers, this was the first time since 2020 that we were able to open the session up across age bands. It’s almost unbelievable to think that nearly two years has passed since the onset of the covid pandemic, but inspiring how, despite all the restrictions and closure of facilities, Shiranamikai students continued with karate training online, outside and by whatever means possible.
Well done all. There were some hard-earned certificates and new belts this time.
Our association’s Chief Instructor, Ohta Sensei, delivered a special class for Shiranamikai students at the end of 2020.
Adults just missed out on being able to attend in person due to increased tier restrictions that came into force in England on the day. But with Sensei’s keen eye, there was nowhere to hide, even when at an online height of just 10cm!
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!
