Autumn Course With Kanayama Sensei

Kanayama Sensei 7th Dan
AKA "The Machine"

It was an unseasonable warm morning as we struggled out of bed for the very early start for our trip to Nottingham for the second day of the annual JKS England Autumn Seminar. The warmth, combined with the rain did not bode well as we had already seen on Facebook how gruelling the first day had been. Despite this there were eight intrepid Karateka (Mike Sensei, Jim, Ian, Helen, Paul (B), Lucy, Romie, Olivia – Paul (D), and Ben had to drop out due to illness and injuries) all looking forward to training under Kosho Kanayama Sensei, 7th Dan JKS Hombu Dojo Instructor.

We all arrived in good time, and took the opportunity to warm up (and catch up with some of our karate friends) before training started. Kanayama Sensei soon showed the quality of his karate and instruction with the first series of exercises (squat then drive into front stance in four directions (forward, each side, and backwards – firstly without any other technique, then punching, then kicking (a different kick for each direction!), then punching and kicking!) which were used to make some excellent technical points about driving forward into stance.

All eyes on Sensei during his
demonstration

Following that we did some work on Tobe Konde (stepping and sliding forward) with the emphasis on landing in Shomen (hips square), and being under control at all times. This was then done with a partner to ensure correct hips position, and then with Oi Tzuki and Mae Geri with the opponent as target, then with the opponent blocking.

Kata came next and Kanayama Sensei took the class through Junro Shodan, Nidan and Sandan. Selecting a karateka to demonstrate each kata to reinforce the key teaching points.

Mike Sensei and Mehrdad Sensei with
"The Machine"

Finally Sensei led the class through a series of exercises and cool downs to finish off what was a truly excellent three hours of karate. It was one of those courses where the time seemed to fly by, but when you reflected on the amount of karate we did (and how much we had sweated!) you realised that it was time well spent.

Once the course was completed, Mike Sensei was once again asked to join the examination panel for the Shodan and Nidan examinations. Once the grading were complete it was time to brave the rain once again for the journey home.

Despite our aching legs I am sure that everyone who attended the course will agree that it was definitely worth the trip to train with an instructor of Kanayama Sensei’s pedigree. We will all retain some of what we have learnt of this course, and our karate will be much the better for it.

The whole gang with Kanayama Sensei

Oss
Ben

visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to find out more about our Club. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk