Course Report - March 2002

 

- Saturday 2nd-

We were joined for this course by Jim Reilly (1st Dan) and Angus Galbraith (1st Dan) from another club who also practice Shotokai karate. Welcome back to both of them.

 

Session 1
The good doctor himself (Stuart Hendry) gave of his usual, and entertaining warm up assisted with some stretches by Paul Livingstone.

As is normal in our courses, Hugh and Sanny outlined what they wanted to improve over the weekend and what they hoped we'd get out of it.

The usual kata to get everyone moving together and then the stamina killing stuff. Running from each side of the hall towards each other, a twist of the hips at the last moment, and pass by. Unfortunately the more rotund of us present a larger target side on that front on. This had the undesirable effect of a few "belly crashes". Ah Well!

From there we moved to one person running towards a static attacker and twisting again to evade the attack.

More kata as a cool down and then a well earned break.

 

Session 2
Yet another warm-up, then back into kata again. We did Heian Shodan and Nidan.

The next bit was a little strange as most of us hadn't practiced this before. Two partners stand facing each other with their palms touching. One leads and moves his/her hands wherever they want. the other has to try and follow their movements. Sounds easy - it isn't!

We were then split into Kyu and Dan grades for kata again. The Kyu grades practicing Heian Sandan with particular empisis on the shape and form of the techinques. The Dan grades went through the Tekki katas (Shodan, Nidan and Sandan) which are all performed in Kiba Dachi stance (sore legs or what ?).

We must have done something right 'cause we got a wee break again.

 

Session 3
The third session started with kata again and quickly moved to practicing Chudan Uke and Uchi Uke with a partner. We then moved on to practicing parts of the Heian Godan with different partners.

It was getting a bit sloppy so Hugh and Sanny had us go back to following our partner for a while, and finished with a run through the Heian katas.

 

 


- Sunday 3rd -

Session 1
Ok, so you're sore and you haven't started yet! As Sanny told me, "you have to remember how you felt walking out the hall yesterday and get your body into the same condition now".

After some kata we practiced side kicks. Starting in Kiba Dachi, we side kicked across the hall and back. Still not right! Back to basics...

Started with side kicks to the ankle as we walked across the hall trying not to disturb the rythmn. Then up to the knee. The thigh and finally the waist. Then it got complicated.

Fudodachi (stamp to the shin) and then a side kick. More kata and a very welcome break.

 

Session 2
More kata for starters and then into Kiba Dachi. Practicing Tekki Shodan and staying the same height (not easy, but possible).

Some of the movements from the kata practiced with a partner (which seemed more like Aikido than Karate) proved very popular. In particular, the moving with and wrist lock combination seemed to be well appreciated. Then off for another short break.

 

Session 3
This session was purely kata and used to practice the first and second timing needed to evade an attack without being under pressure.

Finally, Jim Brady was presented with his 2nd Dan Black belt by Hugh. Well done Jim !

 

 


- Saturday 16th -

 

This was a short course for 3rd Kyu and above juniors in preparation for tomorrow's junior course.

We checked out (and corrected) their basic techniques and then had them doing kata (Heian Shodan, Nidan)

This was the format for the whole morning, with a short break in between.

 

- Sunday 17th -

I don't believe it ! After Hugh managing to avoid Mother's Day and Father's day, some fool went and had a Scottish Cup Final at Hampden today between Glasgow Rangers and the local Ayr United ( who, by the way, lost 4-0 to Rangers ).

 

Session 1
After a short warm-up (the hall was a bit cool for the kids) the whole group practiced basic Kihon while the black belts circulated and corrected.

The group was then split into White belts (about 40) and the rest.

Because of the football, and people wanting to go up to see it, we had the gradings in the first session which is unusual. As the white belts were being graded, the rest of the grades were practicing Heian Nidan kata. They in turn were graded.

 

Session 2
After a 15 minute break the white belt group practiced kata again, while the red-up-to-green group worked on their posture and relaxation. Sanny Hunter took the blue-upward group through Heian Godan kata and finished with Bassai Dai.

The grading results were read out by Andy Vallance and Aileen Tait. Well done to all who moved up, and better luck next time to those who didn't.

Finally, Hugh announced Robyn Gray's grading to junior black belt - well done Robyn.