Spring Seminar - Ambler PA - June 1, 2024

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Written by Helen Muth

Spring Seminar - Ambler PA - June 1, 2024

2024 Shihan’s Seminars - Kyu belts - kids perspective

Contributors:

• Misha
• Ruhin
• OliverAhmad
• Mariska
• Maryam
• Ekaterina 

Shihan talked about how karate fits into, and connects with everything.  This made us think about what we do in karate class in different ways. He explained the origins of karate, the influences of people from various locations, and why some things are different between styles. He drew on his experiences to explain aspects of the martial arts that we had not thought about, in great detail, which gave us a different perspective. His explanations and analogies connecting karate to everyday life allowed us to better understand the reasoning behind what we practice. His feedback was very helpful, appreciated, and eye-opening.

And of course, Mr. Ed’s M&M’s were a big hit

Shihan’s Seminars - Kyu belts - adults perspective

Contributors:

• Bonnie Keagy
• Noor Tamimi
• Scott Johnson
• Matthew Wander
• Ryan Welikonich

Shihan exposed us to different teaching styles, and details were reinforced from an alternate perspective.  Explanations of Japanese terminology and how some words mean what we think, and others are more vague or have contextual meanings, encouraged us to think of techniques from a different point of view.  Bunkai exercises that were drawn from kata into kihon ido segments expanded the repertoire and helped to explain more of the kata.  Shihan explained, and we practiced moving ki, and how that related to Sanchin and Tensho katas.  He highlighted some historical contexts for the study and practice of karate, including some of the origins of various styles, and detailed the commonalities and differences between them. 

White Belt Session 

By: Steven Rusche - Sandan

Attendance: 8 black belts, 5 brown belts, 4 green belts, 5 white belts

Shihan Yamakura and Sensei Myers split the teaching.  Sensei Myers led kihon, focusing on helping the white belts form good habits by doing each technique with good form.  He also emphasized breathing out with every technique, because when we're under stress we will do as we have trained.  If we breathe consistently while training, we won't have to think about breathing in a more stressful situation.

Shihan Yamakura led the class in kihon ido, with an emphasis on listening to the commands and then executing them as soon as possible.  He talked about the importance of learning the Japanese terminology that is used in karate so the students can understand what is going on in class and so they will be able to communicate with fellow karateka around the world.  Shihan also led the class in an introduction to the flow of ki, which is connected with the breath.

Overall, the class contained a lot of information that is valuable not just to white belts, but to every student of karate.

Green Belt Session 

By: Liz Platonova - Nidan

During the green belt session, there were 4 green belts, 5 brown belts, and 8 black belts in attendance.  As with all the sessions, the number 1 theme was "remember to breathe!"  

The class began with motion study: working through Kihon to practice correct movements.  Kihon started with two moves, this was then slowly upgraded to 3, and finally 4 moves.  As the progression occurred, the green belts were learning not only how to hone their skills but how to make the combinations work well together.  Shihan reminded the students that Kihon can come from kata and that you can develop your own movement combinations based on the katas you already practice. These are the building blocks to any good karate master. 

Shihan told the green belts that karate is more than just a combination of moves.  There is thought behind everything we do.  He reminded the green belt students, "if you have no idea what you are doing when you do a move, start thinking about it at the green belt level."  This is important because all of karate, whether it is kata, or kihon, has real life applications.  This can be practiced during kumite, or sparring ("free fighting").  Kata, unlike kumite, is more rigid and should be practiced how it is taught.  One-steps are another good example of practice that can get progressively more "free" as time goes on.  Shihan explained that there should be a kiai during each one-step when it is done right.  There is no room for self-expression in kata at the green belt level.  To develop good kumite, you must first develop a good, strict kata.  Most important in kata is accuracy, not speed.  Students should focus on making the moves clear and focused on the correct target.  

Karate is taught all across the world by many different teachers.  Shihan reminded the students that, your job, as a green belt student, is to listen to all instructors, never argue, and take in as much information as you can.  Embrace your integrity and accept the differences that are inevitable.  This is important because it is likely that teachers from other Japanese styles may say they do things better.  At the end of it all, you as the student should embrace all lessons and learn what you want to apply to your own style and form of karate.

As is typical in Goju-Ryu, the class ended with the three battle kata: Sanchin.  The students learned a lot from Shihan!

Brown Belt & Black Belt Sessions

By: Jenni Appleby - Nidan

The brown belt session began with Sanchin kata. Brown belt participants partnered with black belts for Sanchin testing. Shihan emphasized the importance of keeping the knees bent and flexible rather than locking them into place and restricting your own movement. Participants then practiced kata as a group before moving on to individual kata. Brown belts enjoyed feedback from Shihan and the other senior black belts in attendance. Topics of discussion included how to incorporate focused breathing, how to improve precision by keeping each technique distinct, and how to perform kata the way it suits the practitioner’s body. After several rounds of group and individual kata, the class shifted focus towards kumite. Brown belts partnered with black belts again to refine their yakusoku kumite skills. Following this was a series of kumite drills which began with restrictions such as keeping one foot stationary and ended with freestyle sparring. Participants switched partners multiple times during these drills, allowing everyone to benefit from the different perspectives of the others in attendance. The session concluded with Tensho kata.

Nine black belts attended the final session of the seminar. Like the previous session, the black belt class began with group kata. After working their way through the entire slate of Goju-Ryu katas, participants each selected a kata to perform individually for personalized feedback from Shihan. More group kata followed, offering the opportunity to incorporate that feedback. Participants then worked in pairs for yakusoku kumite, followed by a fast-paced series of free-form kumite drills involving the defender reacting to a single strike however they chose, with attackers first coming forward one-by-one in a line, then again in a circle formation. The black belts partnered up again for Sanchin testing and a series of kumite drills similar to what was practiced in the brown belt session. Afterwards, it was time for individual kata again, with participants choosing another kata to demonstrate for feedback, this time from one another. After a final group kata, the seminar had come to an end. Many thanks to Shihan and everyone in attendance for such an enlightening and enjoyable day.