AmblerGKK

  • GKK Seminer at Ambler, PA Dojo on Oct 15, 2022

    On Saturday, October 15th, 2022 the Ambler GKK dojo was pleased to host Shihan Yamakura and
    Sensei Myers for the first time in several years. Classes were held at each belt level with higher belts
    welcome to join the lower belt studies which meant that the class size was much larger at the beginning
    of the day than at the end. After a warmup and kihon where Sensei Myers demonstrated good kicking
    foot positioning, the white belts were introduced to Geki Sai Ichi. This was the first time many of them
    had performed this kata as the Ambler GKK uses basic dojo katas for white belts, but the students
    enthusiastically learned the moves that they had seen green belts practicing. Keeping with our family-
    themed groups, we also welcomed a new adult student (who has two sons in the class) that morning
    who now plans to join the dojo.


    As we moved on through green belt and brown belt classes, Shihan increased his observations
    and focused more on applications and stances. The green belts learned about the origins of Kihon kata
    and how Shihan’s teacher had taught him this particular kata. The green belts also participated in
    sparring and learned about how to use their partners’ moves to their advantage. After a quick lunch
    break, the brown belts performed kata as a group and individually with feedback from Shihan. This
    feedback was very helpful as it gave each brown belt one aspect of their kata upon which to focus. The
    brown belt class performed Saifa, Seiunchin, Tensho, Ukeno and learned the motions of Sanseiryu.
    Sensei Myers helped the brown belts get through this kata which was brand new to them. Shihan
    explained that his teacher had given him two katas – Kihon and Ukeno – to teach and reminded us that
    it was important to do those katas in a manner that demonstrates his teaching.


    Finally, after many hours of training, it was the black belts’ turn. All katas were performed as a
    group through Suparinpei and Sanchin testing was demonstrated to show the black belts how to test
    stances and positioning. Katas were performed in different directions and then each black belt did an
    individual kata with Shihan and another black belt giving one point of feedback to the student
    performing the kata. The black belt class concluded with Yakusoku Kumite at both the jodan and chudan levels.


    After a very long day, we gathered for dinner at a local restaurant. We were very thankful to
    Shihan Yamakura and Sensei Myers for the learning and the fellowship that took place and look forward
    to hosting more such events in the future.

    Written by Bonnie Keagy (Brown Belt)

     

  • Shihan Yamakura teachings and observations from Ambler GKK Seminar on Oct 15, 2022

    YouTube video:

    Please turn up sound.

     

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