Courses - 2006
Training with Sensei Abe - (28th Oct)
Shihan Isaka in Luton Dojo - (14th Sep)
On the 14th September Luton Dojo had the privilege on hosting Sensei Isaka to their new High
Town recreation centre venue.
84 students turned out to see this amazing instructor perform on the floor. Isaka Sensei had only one
evening to show his very personal style of training so he had to cram everything in. And he did, and
what an evening!!
It has to be understood that Sensei developed this himself to gain more
flexibility, speed and power
in his kumite and kata.
He advised that this type of training was to be carried out prior to training or using Shihan's own words "training before the
training".
Sitting on the floor we were all taken through sensei’s remarkable system for stretching and
loosening up the hips.
Then still on the floor we were shown how to make front stance on our knees, the front knee bent
and the rear leg straight out, twisting our hips left to right. This allows the student to work on hips
while not actually on the feet in stance but in stance position.
Firstly sensei asked us to stand with our feet together, find our centre of gravity and place our
weight on the ball of our feet. We then used our hips to turn or pivot in this position in all directions
eventually making 360 degree turns.
Next we were advised to go through all the basics as slow as we could moving up and down the
dojo, though obviously we all moved too fast as the slower you move the harder it is.
Sensei gave us a demonstration of how slow we were to move. Sensei made this look easy and for a
man of his age he is remarkably fit.
The next exercise, Sensei had us stand in the ready position and bend our knees
moving our weight left to right so as to make kiba dachi stance. We then moved up and down the
dojo in this position.
Notes to observe
Sensei Fred was advised that Sensei kept his weight on both feet all of the time, and this was harder
than transferring weight from left to right (Tai Chi transfers weight). This type of exercise was
carried out for front stance and back stance also. The centre of gravity is very important and the
shifting of body weight with stance using the hips to maximum efficiency.
Sensei Isaka put on his Geta (metal shoes) and demonstrated an amazing array of kicks and stances
to full height.
Nicholas Edwards and Louis Edwards were allowed to try the same kicks wearing the Geta and
Sensei helped them.
Notes
On taking off the Geta Sensei explained how important it is not to use the muscles to make a
technique but to make the hips move the legs, or to open up the hips allowing maximum
efficiency and more power to the kicks.
Referring back to the first exercise, the point was to open up the hips and free them up. Not to
stretch them as most students thought!!
To end the session the Dojo was presented with new black belts from Japan presented by Isaka
Sensei to Darren Scott, Mark Slattery and Liam Mills.
It was good to see Sensei Barker from Wales and Sensei Sidoli who travelled with Isaka Sensei
from Wales and other karate ka from other dojos.
Sensei Sidoli Course at JKA Luton - (18th Mar)
Once again Sensei Sidoli proved to be a true master of Shotokan and especially of the Yahara way.
The years he has spent training with Yahara Sensei have more than proved his abilities. Not only
spiritually, but technically enhancing Sensei Sidoli's masterful smooth JKA style Shotokan Karate.
Sensei Sidoli held nothing back, he taught Karatenomichi hip compression and the one hit principle,
which is the proven Yahara trademark.
Everybody enjoyed the course and walked away with something to train on. We look forward to
more visits by Sensei Sidoli, as this will continue enhancing the standard and style of the JKL dojo.
