JKS Christmas Course and Dan Grading

The JKS Christmas Course 2012

 The JKS Christmas Course is always a highlight of the year. To be honest we don’t really need a reason other than it is an opportunity to train with both Sensei Alan Campbell and Sensei Scott Langley. But it is also a great opportunity for some of our up and coming brown belts to come along and see the type of training they will be getting on the regular Black and Brown Belts courses, essential if they wish to be consider for their Shodan grading.

Sensei John standing out from the crowd!

This time we came by the bus load! Brenda having once again arranged the loan of the mini bus (which Bob kindly volunteered to drive). Representing the club were Bethany, Elizabeth, Adam, Jonathan, Dael, Brenda, Holly, Lorraine, Pete, Sensei Mike, Sensei Ian, Sensei John, and Sensei Jim.

Dael showing excellent control

The training, as you would expect, was excellent. Sensei Scott focussed on relaxed movement, only keeping kime for a split second, and using kime at any point of a movement not just at the end. This culminated in a different approach to Heian Shoad – where instead of stopping at the point where the attack or block is delivered, you stop at the preparation point for the next move, but still have to deliver the attack or block with full kime. This was a very interesting (and challenging) exercise and also nicely displayed just how useful kata are as a tool for teaching karate. We then finished off with defences from multiple attackers.

Bethany being toughened up by Brenda!

Sensei Alan nicely complemented this theme by looking at more relaxed and circular self defence techniques, and some toughening exercises. Finishing off with taking us through Nijushiho, and advanced kata, which has much to challenge you, but when performed well is very graceful.

All in all it was a hugely enjoyable course, and a great opportunity to train with some friends from the JKS, and make some new ones!

Brenda, Adam, Bethany & Elizabeth

The bus then departed leaving behind just some of the senior members of the club. A couple of whom were trying hard to control their nerves as Lorraine and Pete were going to be attempting their Shodan Gradings.

Sensei Mike, once again was asked to be part of the grading panel, and the rest of us could only watch nervously as the gradings started. Both of our karateka did themselves and the club proud, putting in very strong grading performances – I know that they will provide a whole list of small things that they feel they did wrong – but sometimes we are our harshest critic.

Sensei Mike with the grading panel

All too soon (but having been there it seems like an eternity!) it was the time for the results to be announced – Pete aced both the Kihon and Kata sections, but was asked to repeat the kumite part of his grading at the 24^th February 2013 – to us it looked like he easily dominated his opponent, but there were a couple of technical points that the panel picked up on.
As soon as it was announced that Lorraine had successfully passed her Shodan grading she immediately burst into tears! (Thank you to Sensei Wendy for running over with a tissue for her).

Pete practicing one of the self
defence applications

Well done to both our karateka. It takes a huge amount of dedication and courage even to attempt your Shodan grading, let alone put in the quality of the performances that Pete and Lorraine did. It is a testament to Pete’s character that he was back to training as normal the following week – karate is a journey and there will be the occasional bumps along the way – it takes dedication, commitment and determination to overcome them.

Following the training there was a JKS Instructors meeting, where once again Haxby & Selby were thanked for our donation to the England Squad fund last year.

Sensei Mike ensuring that Lorraine
 attacks with maximum spirit!

The final part of the day was a meal out in Nottingham with Sensei Alan, Sensei, Wendy, Sensei Scott and others. To our surprise the Haxby & Selby contingent made up half the table! It was hugely enjoyable meal, we all relished the chance to socialise with our top instructors in a very informal setting. Thank you to Sensei Wendy for making all the arrangements – not only for the meal and the course, but thank you for all your hard work throughout the year organising the regular Black and Brown Belt courses, other JKS courses and particularly ensuring that everyone who trains holds an up to date licence. This is a huge task considering the size of the JKS and you do it brilliantly!

visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to receive a free training session. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk