Terry Wingrove Seminar, Lancaster - posted 13/02/08
Following the session on Friday with Alan Ruddock I travelled over to Lancaster (once again with dojo member Martin) on Sunday 3rd February, this time to train both with Alan and with Terry Wingrove. In Alan's session we got a chance to reinforce some of the lessons of Friday night's session. With Terry we spent a good part of the day working on grabs to the pectoral region which, as ever, proved to be extremely painful. Another excellent session from which I've still got a few faded bruises!

Alan Ruddock Seminar, Leeds - posted 13/02/08
On Friday 1st February we held a small seminar with Sensei Alan Ruddock 6th dan Aikido. Alan was passing through Leeds en route to another seminar in Lancaster and kindly offered to teach a session whilst he was here. Kaizen Martial Arts Academy kindly provided a matted room for us to train in, so with a dozen student (mostly from Leeds Shinseido & Leeds Kodokan Ju-jitsu) the scene was set. Having trained with Alan 2 or 3 times before I knew we were in for a good session. He had the privilege of training in the dojo of Morihei Ueshiba (the founder of Aikido) in the 1960's. Two things I enjoy about Alan's teaching are a) his straightforward approach (focusing on what works rather than what looks pretty), and b) his connection to the older teachings of Aikido. He clearly takes some effort to present Aikido as he learned it from O' Sensei (as Aikidoka refer to their founder) and the senior students In Ueshiba's dojo. This not to criticise more recent developments in Aikido, but it certainly provides a useful insight into the history and development of the art. During this session we spent some time looking at several variations of irimi-nage, and also a bit of time on nikyo, sankyo (including the 'Hawaiian police takedown') and kote-gaeshi. A most enjoyable session all round which I hope we'll be able to repeat at some point.

Forthcoming Seminars in 2008 - posted 13/01/08
I'm pleased to announce that we have several interesting seminars coming up this year. On 9th March we're hosting our second seminar with Sensei Terry Wingrove. Last year's event was very well attended, but I'm hoping for an even bigger turn out this year. We're also expecting a second seminar with Professor Rick Clark in April, exact date to be confirmed. Professor Clark hasn't been to the UK since 2006 so I'm definitely looking forward to this one. I'll publish the final details as soon as I have them. And finally (for now anyway) this news just in - we're expecting a short visit by Sensei Alan Ruddock on Friday 1st February. Sensei Ruddock is an excellent Aikido teacher who spent some years training at Ueshiba's dojo in Japan. This will be a relatively short session (about 2 hours), but if you'd like the opportunity to train with Sensei Ruddock while he's here please contact me directly.

Training in Sevenoaks Dec 07 - posted 23/12/07
A couple of weeks ago I went down to Sevenoaks for the last all day Shinseido session of the year. I spent a good part of the morning working with senseis Tony & Jim (plus one of Jim's students who's name I'm afraid escapes me now) working on some spontaneous drills receiving and responding to various random attacks. Much of the afternoon was spent working on Passai Dai, it was interesting to see some of the different various that have been practiced in the Sevenoaks dojo over the years - all of them of course being legitimate variations within the Matsumura tradition. Rog sensei again filmed my renditions of the main classical kata, which hopefully were a bit less sluggish than when I'd last been down to Sevenoaks in August.

Dojo Visits - Steve Parker - posted 22/12/07
Had a couple of visits from Steve Parker of Hull Budo Kai recently. When he visited in November the theme we looked at for the evening was the idea of grabbing/holding with one hand and striking with the other. This is something that can often be seen happening instinctively when people (trained or untrained) fight for real (ie. without any dojo rules). In untrained individuals its effectiveness varies, natural fighters tend to be good at 'riving' the opponent around and unbalancing them so they can easily hit them with the other hand, but most people don't do it very effectively at all. Its interesting to note how often the same theme appears in karate kata. So we explored some of these themes to see how to put the principal to good effect. Although Steve is from a Shotokan background it was easy to see he's done a fair amount of training with Ju-jitsu practitioners - he did an excellent job at thwarting my attempts to rive him around in a clinch situation (demonstrating once again the value of training with people from different styles). This is something I've noted in the yudansha (black belt holders) in Hull Budo Kai before - because the group has teachers of several quite different systems they're able to learn from each other and so significantly increase the effectiveness of their own core systems.

Last week, on Steve's most recent visit, we looked at a few techniques for use with relatively short sticks. Obviously if you have a stick (and the attacker hasn't) then you don't want to end up grappling, you want to use your distance advantage and use the stick to strike with. However, the attacker's natural instinct is to try to grab your stick or your arm to prevent you striking them. So we looked at some techniques, again to be found in the karate kata, for dealing with that sort of situation. This seemed to require quite a psychological shift for most of the small group who were attending ("I'm used to dealing with the attacker having the weapon, not me!") so I think this is definitely something worth revisiting in the New Year.

Terry Wingrove Seminar - Lancaster - posted 15/10/07
Oops, been a bit slack of late keeping the blog up to date. A few weeks ago I popped over to Lancaster again to train with Terry Wingrove. The sessions there seem to go from strength to strength with more people attending each time. As usual the group was split into two - an introductory session for those who've not trained with Terry before, and a little more in depth for those who've already done the introductory seminar. This time we spent a bit of time working on techniques for pinning and restraining a prone (ie. face down) opponent. As ever, an excellent and thought provoking session.

Training in Sevenoaks - posted 25/08/07
On Friday 10th August I travelled down to Sevenoaks in Kent to train at the main Shinseido dojo. To my shame, this was the first time this year that I'd managed to make it down to one of the regular bi-monthly training days. With such a long break it was good to catch up with Rog & Tony senseis, and the other students and practitioners in Sevenoaks. On the Friday night we had a go at some semi-free one-step sparring then Rog sensei put me on the spot by asking to see all of my empty-hand kata. I'm feeling a bit rusty at the moment, what with the focus on moving house this year, but I managed to rummage through. Sunday was spent working through the (primarily defensive) principles involved in Shinsei kata - a good refresher for me, not just in the techniques and principles themselves, but also in the manner in which Rog sensei teaches these ideas to students. Its always insightful to see how an experienced teacher imparts their knowledge to students in a way that makes it clear and easy to digest. Unfortunately it looks like I won't be able to make the next all day session in October, so it'll be December before I get back down to Sevenoaks.

50 Years of English Karate - posted 22/08/07
On Friday 3rd August I travelled down to Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, along with club member Martin, to take part in 3 days of training to commemorate 50 years of Karate being taught in England. The event was hosted by Sensei Terry Wingrove, who had arranged training sessions with a number of excellent teachers throughout the weekend. We started on the Friday by working on Goju Sanchin with Sensei Morio Higaonna, followed by a session the Uechi Ryu version of the same kata with Sensei Shinyu Gushi. I took part in several sessions with Sensei Gushi over the weekend, who for me was the star of the show. But that in no way should detract from the excellence of the other teachers - as well as Uechi Ryu and Goju Ryu I was also able to dabble in a little White Crane Kung Fu and a little Iaido. Of course it was necessary to reflect on each day's training with a drink or two, either back at the hotel or in the excellent atmosphere of Henry VIII's hunting lodge at Bisham Abbey. The pictures tell their own stories, check them out at Cyberbudo.com and Alan Platt's blog.

£200 raised for charity - posted 07/08/07
On 8th July this year we hosted a seminar with Sensei Terry Wingrove. The seminar was a great success and, as a result, we were make a donation of £200 to charity. The money was donated to the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals Leeds Hospital. Click here to see a few pics of the seminar participants enjoying Terry sensei's unique brand of pain.

Back Online - posted 06/08/07
Finally I'm back online after moving house. Unfortunately though, its only with a dial up connection at the moment. Its been a frustrating few weeks trying to sort this out. First I was hampered by incompetence on the part of Virgin Media, so much so that I eventually had no choice but to cancel my account with them. Secondly I've been lied to by Sky, initially being quoted one price for a broadband connection, which then more than tripled! So now I'm looking for a new supplier who can combine competence with at least a modicum of integrity - not too much to ask for one would have thought. In the meantime, I can now get back to updating the site, although it may be a few weeks before I can upload any new images.

Moving House - posted 24/06/07
My blog's a bit quiet at the moment I'm afraid. I'm currently in the middle of moving house. Hopefully I'll get back to it in the next week or so, when life isn't quite so hectic.

Website Update - Downloads Page - posted 27/05/07
As promised, I've created a new Downloads page, with video clips of all 5 Pinan kata. They are also available as streaming versions at YouTube. Keep an eye on the Downloads page for further clips showing the different training drills used in our dojo.

Website Update - Kyusho Page - posted 24/05/07
New page added to website - a summary on the art of striking vital points: Kyusho-Jutsu. Click here to read.

Pinan Nidan Video - posted 18/05/07
I've uploaded a video of Pinan Nidan to youtube, showing the way we practice it in our dojo. When time permits I'll also upload the other Pinan kata and also put them all on a download page on this website. For now, here's Pinan Nidan.

Pinan Nidan

Wado Ryu Kihon Kumite - posted 15/05/07
I came across the 10 Kihon Kumite's of Wado Ryu on youtube recently. They're being demonstrated by Tatsuo Suzuki and I think are the best I've seen anyone do them. I wouldn't use most of these techniques quite as they're shown, as they're rather long range techniques, so a bit different from the way I practice Karate. But they do demonstrate some useful principles such as entering, avoidance, simultaneous attack and defence, and leading the opponent (encouraging him to over-commit). I particularly like those (No. 1 being a good example) where the same hip movement is used to power the evasion, block and the simultaneous counter. Anyway, here's Number 1, the other 9 can be found in the related links on the right.

Wado Ryu Kihon Kumite

New Article - The 2 Metre Square Kata - posted 06/05/07
This article has been reproduced here with the kind permission by the author, Mike Sanderson. It first appeared in Traditional Karate magazine in 2006 and presents a different take on the practice of kata. Click here to read.

Dojo visit - Mike Sanderson - posted 02/05/07
This week we had the pleasure of a visit from Mike Sanderson of Hull Budo Kai. Mike runs the Hull Kenkyu Kai Karate club (a member club of the Hull Budo Kai group), which I'd warmly recommend to anyone interested in learning practical Karate skills at that end of the M62. To start the session Mike took us through some kihon (basics) the way his club does them. The emphasis was very much on practicality rather than form for form's sake, with some really nice simple - but straight to the point - combinations. At Mike's request, I then took the class through the classical Matsumura kata Passai Dai, the forerunner of the modern Bassai Dai. As well as looking at the differences in technique between the classical and modern versions, we also looked at some of the stylistic differences (such as different ways of stepping and of generating power). These nuances make the kata look less demonstrative and overtly powerful to most modern observers, but - in my opinion at least - give rise to some highly effective and powerful applications. Speaking of applications, we finished off by exploring and experimenting with a few ideas for bunkai for the classical version. Of course, we could have spent much, much longer on this and still come nowhere near fully exploring the kata's potential. There may even have been time for curry after training too!

Speaking of Passai, here's a video clip I found on YouTube that shows pretty much the same versions as the ones we practice. I've no idea who it is in the video, but he shows versions of Passai Sho and Passai Dai that are very close indeed to ours.

Passai Sho & Dai video clip

Website update - Beginners Page - posted 20/04/07
New page added to the website, describing some of the techniques and exercises that new students learn during their first few months of training. This first stage of training is geared towards teaching the new student a small number of simple self-defence techniques and principles, to maximise their chances of successfully defending themselves (should the need arise) - in the early stages of their training. Check out the Beginner's page for further details.

Masaaki Hatsumi video - posted 15/04/07
I found this clip of Masaaki Hatsumi, the grandaddy of Ninjitsu on youtube. I know there are those who question the authenticity of what he does. Personally, I simply couldn't comment, I just don't know enough about Ninjitsu. But he does show some nice techniques in this clip. Wherever it came from, some of it is pretty good stuff. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did...

Masaaki Hatsumi video clip

New Article - Attacking the Brachioradialis - posted 31/03/07
This is a paper I first wrote for my students a few years ago, in 2002. Here is a version I've expanded upon and updated for the web. In order to effectively attack any vital point, you need to become intimately familiar with it, as if it were an old friend. You need to understand how to get at it with the limb in different positions, how it will move away when you stimulate it, and how to follow it to keep the pressure on. Hopefully this article will help to start a few people on that journey of discovery.

Terry Wingrove seminar - Newcastle - posted 27/03/07
Actually this was in Prudhoe, west of Newcastle, so another long drive on a Sunday morning. This one was being hosted by the Seiken Ryu Shukokai Karate group. One of our members, Martin, came along for this one so I'm glad to say it was another painful day with Terry - so well worth it! Despite the distance travelled it was interesting to see someone there I'd trained with before, although it took us both a few minutes to work out where we knew each other from. Most martial artists don't seem to be willing to travel very far to train, so inevitably I keep bumping into the same ones that are prepared to stretch their legs a bit. Also managed to pop in and visit my mam and dad on the way back, so lashings of ginger beer and biscuits all round. The next session with Terry in the north is at Lancaster on Sunday 29th April and then a big gap until Sunday 8th July here in Leeds.

Tai Chi in Leeds - posted 24/03/07
Added a new link to our Links page - the Yiheyuan School of Chinese Internal Martial Arts. If you're in Leeds and looking for Tai Chi or other internal arts (Ba Gua, Hsing-I) then these are the people to see. I've trained with them briefly myself in the past and, although I'm certainly no expert when it comes to Tai Chi, I can see they approach the subject with a much more pragmatic bent than most. Nice bunch of students too. If 'waving your hands like clouds' is your thing then I'd highly recommend checking them out.

Website update - TCM Articles - posted 17/03/07
I've added several articles written by myself and Zoltan Dienes a few years ago. We conducted several research projects into the use of traditional chinese medical theories in martial arts. Click here to see what we found.

Dojo visit - 'Moosey' - posted 17/03/07
This week we were visited by Moosey from Martial Arts Planet. As usual when we're visited by karateka I like to run through some bunkai for a kata that they're familiar with. This time we looked at Pinan Shodan (aka Heian Nidan), specifically the opening sequence of moves (Haiwan-uke, ude soete - if you like a bit of Japanese terminology). This sequence was used to deal with various blows to the head. Although we ran out of time we also managed to touch briefly on various grabs to the arms and body, seeing how the sequence could be used to deal with the classic combination of 'grab and strike to the head'. We even used it to deal with grabs to the arms from behind. As usual, it was nice to have a visitor from another style of karate. Our door is always open to karateka (or other martial artists) who are passing through Leeds and would like to pay us a visit.

Kaze Arashi Ryu Seminar - March 2007 - posted 11/03/07
Today I attended another Kaze Arashi Ryu Aiki Ju Jitsu seminar near Burnley. I wasn't able to attend both days, so I'm not quite as zonked as I might usually be - lets just say that I'll still probably be able to hold a deep horse stance tomorrow (should I in fact wish to of course). Henri Vilaire sensei had flown in from the states to teach for the weekend. He spent the morning covering a number of generic combat principles, and the afternoon working on refinements of a number of joint-locks. My joint-locks needed a lot of refining! The day finished with a presentation for Kirby Watson, as he formally steps down as chief instructor of the UK Kaze Arashi Ryu. I'm glad to see that Kirby will still be involved in the organisation, as I've found him extremely friendly, helpful and welcoming to someone who, at the end of the day, isn't even a member of Kaze Arashi Ryu. He was presented with a dulcimer, which is a celtic harp to you and me, and I don't envy him getting to grips with an instrument with quite that many strings.

Website update - Articles - posted 08/03/07
I've added a new 'Articles' section to the website - been meaning to do this for some time but just haven't got round to it. First off is an article I wrote a while ago about the difference between do (way) and jutsu (method) arts. More to follow soon.

Training with Terry Wingrove & Alan Ruddock - Hull - posted 04/03/07
Travelled over to Hull today with Paul, one of our dojo members, for a full day's training in Karate-jutsu, Yawara and Aikido with these 2 excellent sensei. As ever, training with Terry sensei made me feel like a white belt again - any skills I have or knowledge of anatomy are just a pale shadow of Terry's. The way he effortlessly causes enough pain to have big strong dan grades begging for mercy simply has to be seen. Paul, being a former Aikidoka, was particularly pleased to get a chance to train with someone who trained at Ueshiba's school in the 1960's. Alan sensei is one Aikido teacher who definitely has both feet on the ground, with a very pragmatic approach to his art.

And how much did this excellent training session cost? Not a penny! Yep, that's right, it was free - even including the splendid lunch thrown in by the organiser, Jack. And despite that, there were still only about 20 people or so training. It never fails to amaze me how so many martial artists fail to take up good training opportunities. Either its too far to travel, or too expensive, or "we don't train outside our style", or whatever. When its free, well more fool them, that's all I can say. All the more personal tuition for me, so I'm not complaining!

Dojo visit - Matt & 'WombatOneSix' - posted 14/01/07
Last night (13/01/07) we had the pleasure of a visit by Matt & Tom (aka WombatOneSix), both members of the Australian Karate-do Forum. Matt's here in the UK visiting family and friends - you can imagine that I was flattered that they should both come up all the way from Birmingham just for a normal night's training. So I was keen to make sure that they got as much as possible out of the limited training time. Generally when we have visits from other karate practitioners I like to focus on kata bunkai (applications of the karate kata) to give a clear indication of the differences in traditional karate-do training and the more practical 'jutsu' approach that we take. We had a couple of other new guys with previous training that night too, so it was doubly appropriate that we should look at bunkai. I chose to look at some bunkai from Pinan Sandan, the third in the Pinan/Heian series, for no other reason than that's the kata one of our members is working on for his next grade. As well as looking at some examples of bunkai, it was a good opportunity to look at the principles of combat that underpin the applications - I'd much rather teach a man to fish for himself than to keep feeding him fish for the rest of his life. Matt and Tom evidently enjoyed themselves, here's what they had to say about it afterward on the forum:

www.karatedo-forum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1740

www.karatedo-forum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1931

We finished off, of course, with a few drinks in the pub afterwards. Just a shame it had to be such a brief visit. It was a real pleasure to meet Matt and Tom, two sound blokes who clearly share my own passion for practical Karate.

Introduction - posted 01/01/07
One of our members said to me "Why haven't we got a blog on the website?". Good question, I thought. So, if only to show that an old dog can learn new tricks, here it is. I'd like to use this space to keep members and visitors updated on dojo events, seminars, website updates, anything really that I think may be interest. I'm also hoping to write some new articles (and maybe the odd rant or two), which I'll mention on here too, but don't hold your collective breaths - I might type like the wind but I'm also the prince of procastination. Mike Flanagan, 01/01/07.