A couple of weeks ago I spoke to Jeremy Lesniak of Whistle Kick Martial Arts Radio! It was a conversation quite different from others I’ve had. We covered many topics I don’t normally get to talk about. We talk about martial arts and life, the fear I felt in early training, mistakes I have made, my rebellious streak vs.
The 2.0 version of the app is now live! The new interface looks amazing and takes into account all the great feedback we have received from users. You can now register from within the app and it is also possible to subscribe via iTunes!
Congratulations to the following who have completed their Instructor Awards recently! I only run these courses once every four or five years and it takes a lot of research, two written papers and a multilayer practical assessment to get through it. All have shown a good understanding of my general approach (as distinct from the specific method I teach to my personal students) and have demonstrated the ability to communicate that approach while integrating it into what they do. I would therefore recommend them to others wanting to understand the nature of kata bunkai.
Over the last few months we have had people from Germany, UK, USA and Switzerland achieve instructor status! These are all experienced martial artists who have their own well established and effective approaches. The instructor programs I run are not about getting people to do exactly as I do, but to acknowledge that those who participate understand my general approach, and are people that I would recommend to others wanting to understand the workings of kata in combat. They are all good people who have worked hard, studied deeply, and who really know their stuff!
Demand is always high for our residential courses and, as is only right, first refusal is always given to previous attendees. This means that in 2017 only SIX places will be available to new people!
Congratulations to Cla Gleiser (Switzerland) for recently grading to second dan WCA under Nick Hofele 4th dan WCA (who in turn graded under Iain Abernethy).
The grading took about 2:45 hours and involved kihon, kata, bunkai, pad-work, grappling and life sparring. It was a tough test and we are all very proud of Cla!
Over the last few months a few members of the tribe have achieved instructor awards! These are all experienced martial artists who have their own well established and effective approaches. The instructor programs I run are not about getting people to do exactly as I do, but to acknowledge that those who participate understand my general approach, and are people that I would recommend to others wanting to understand the workings of kata in combat. They are all good folks who know their stuff!
My diary 2016 is looking pretty full so if you are wanting a seminar next year, it’s probably a good idea to act sooner rather than later. At the moment, the following are all that is free for the next 12 months:
Demand is always high for our residential courses and, as is only right, first refusal is always given to previous attendees. This means that in 2016 only sevenSOLD OUT places will be available to new people!
Last weekend saw Peter Consterdine 9th dan and Iain Abernethy 6th dan teach an open seminar in Stuttgart, Germany. Many WCA members and instructors from Germany and Switzerland were in attendance. It was a really enjoyable weekend with Peter teaching power generation and transitions, and Iain teaching a variety of grappling techniques. Thanks to everyone who attended and a very special thanks to Nick Hofele 4th dan WCA and his team for organising the event and ensuring it was such a great success! A selection of photos can be seen below:
USA BUNKAI INSTRUCTOR COURSE: I’m thinking of holding an introductory Instructors Course in the USA next year if the interest is there. We need a minimum of 14 and there will be a maximum of 18 places. The plan is to tie it in with a seminar in Texas in January 2016 (to keep costs down).
In August 2016 we will be running an exclusive 7 day practical karate training camp in Uganda, Africa! Along with the training and comradery, we will also be taking a trip to the top of the breath-taking Murchison Falls, a boat trip on the Nile, and game drives in order to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, antelopes and possibly even lions and leopards in their natural environment!
Just 14 places are available so you need to act quickly if you wish to be part of this amazing opportunity!
The Karate for Life Foundation is a registered not-for-profit corporation whose aim is to promote life skills development and battle HIV/AIDS in Uganda and beyond through the mental and physical training inherent in the practice of the martial arts.
A couple of weeks ago I spoke to Jeremy Lesniak of Whistle Kick Martial Arts Radio! It was a conversation quite different from others I’ve had. We covered many topics I don’t normally get to talk about. We talk about martial arts and life, the fear I felt in early training, mistakes I have made, my rebellious streak vs.
USA BUNKAI INSTRUCTOR COURSE: I’m thinking of holding an introductory Instructors Course in the USA next year if the interest is there. We need a minimum of 14 and there will be a maximum of 18 places. The plan is to tie it in with a seminar in Texas in January 2016 (to keep costs down).