Shield training a training system based on Kyokushin karate fitness training. A new concept for those who do not train karate but need to challenge themselves. Not only will you improve your stamina and strength but during the process you will learn to hit and kick safely. The instructors have lots of experience and are qualified by me so you will be in good hands.
The other day I sat down with Sensei Annika from Banzai and Sempai Reine who is the Chairman of Gothenburgs Karate Kai and had an interview for my dojo 50 years celebration. We talked about the dojo, past, present and more importantly the future. Where do we go from here, will things change, lots of questions but very hard to find answers. Is Kyokushin changing? is it for the better? We talked for well over an hour, now Annika has to type everything out, not an easy task. It will be interesting to read when it´s finished.
My question to you the readers is how do you see the future of Kyokushin?
Well it’s the time of year when some students want to grade, for kyu grade and black belt level. Because of my grade I have been responsible on numerous occasions to take care of such examinations, not only in my own dojo but in many others. I was thinking during a recent examination who am I to make a judgment on other peoples abilities, after all no one has taught me how to examine other people.
In mathematics 2+2 is 4, in a grading its not so simple because we are individual with our own way of doing things plus age. Its not easy and who am I to judge. In Martial Arts, introspection begets wisdom. Always see contemplation of your actions as an opportunity to improve.
During my two years in Japan apart from the training there were lots of publicity photographs. At the time I did not appreciate them but now I value the memories they give me of my days at Honbu. Camps, grading’s and competitions.
Sosai liked to see if you could do handstands. At the end of every training there were sit-ups, push ups and hand stands, seiken was preferred. In the end I was doing this on two fingers. Support my legs was a guy from Scotland, John Kerr.
Photographs from Honbu, there were always photographers at the dojo taken some kind of publicity photos and writing stories. These were used in a magazine to show how popular Kyokushin was becoming and that students would travel to Japan to train.
During the early weeks Sosai said that I must try the HUNDRED MAN FIGHT. I said osu and that was that, two years later the day came. There is not much to say about that day only I was determined to do my best. I had already witnessed two failed attempts at the hundred man fight so I knew what to expect.
It’s time to go through the kata updates, first with my sensei who will in turn pass them on to the students. Nobody had any real big problems with any of the technique so that was positive. Over the years whenever there were some kind of change I would hear people say that it was hard to change! Its only hard in your mind.
Seienchin means “calm within the storm”. Different styles perform Seienchin in slightly different ways. This kata helps you maintain a good kiba dachi using different angles and balance, which in turn strengthens your lower body. It also helps you build your spirit, after performing this kata a number of times your legs get tired, you have to push through the pain and keep going.
Here I show a short introduction clip of the Kanku bunkai. The Kanku is our club logo (Gothenburg’s karate Kai), it originates from the Kanku kata. The points of the Kanku represented by the fingers means the ultimate. The wide part of the Kanku represented by the wrists implies strength and power. The center represents infinity and depth, gazing through the center helps unify mind and body. The circle surrounding the Kanku represents continuity.