We always look forward to the special karate courses held at Guildford over bank holiday weekends. These present an opportunity to catch up with friends, enjoy a few days of intensive karate training and to benefit from the tuition of some of the finest instructors in the world.
This spring’s course featured JKA England’s Sensei Ohta, as well as visiting instructors Naka Sensei, Osaka Sensei and Mori Sensei. Osaka Sensei delighted us with refined technique, good humour and an endearing variety of facial expressions. Naka Sensei also inspired us, combining charisma and physical talent to share JKA’s highly technical approach to concepts such as hip rotation, body alignment and moving centre of gravity. Mori Sensei, Chief Instructor of JKA New York, reminded us of the importance of putting maximum effort into everything we did.
With Naka Sensei having recently starred in two martial arts movies, Kuro-Obi (‘black belt’) and more recently High Kick Girl, there were quite a few self-confessed fans among the course attendees, keen to see if their hero was just as dynamic off-screen. They were not disappointed!
As ever this course provided a wealth of information to assist our karate development and further knowledge to be shared at Shiranamikai. Some of the highlights of the course for Austin and myself were:
- Naka Sensei’s session concentrating on correct posture, maintenance of centreline and awareness of the tanden (the physical centre of gravity). Throughout basic training we often try to think of the centre of gravity as sitting at a fixed point as a means to maintaining stability. At a more advanced level, Naka showed us the dramatic effect of becoming aware of the changes in the balance point as we move, creating instability temporarily to result in a smoother and faster technique.
- A variety of detailed kata practice sessions, including detailed instruction in Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, Jion, Unsu and Gojushiho Sho. Kyu grades were treated to sessions focused on the Heian katas. Ohta Sensei’s Gojushiho Sho was smooth, flowing and with beautiful variations in timing. Osaka Sensei’s signature Sochin featured a dynamic and elastic hip rotation that he made look so easy!
- An assortment of lengthy combinations to exercise the brain and body, with the detail presenting a challenge for both senior and junior grades alike.
These international courses are open to all grades and participants are put in groups according to grade. Kyu grades were taught in their own group, allowing Shiranamikai students Sheila, Rupert, Peter and Mo to benefit from lessons fully tailored to their needs.
The next JKA International course takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend with another impressive line up of instructors flying over specially from JKA Headquarters. Check the events page for full details!
Sasha