SEMINARS (past)  This page to be updated soon!

ELWK Spring Course - Chingford, 29th March 2009

This was the first course held this year with the ELWK, the turnout was good & as the 'usual suspects' had turned up (the regulars) it was decided to hold the course for free of charge! - A good start to the afternoon for everyone.

Peter Howells 3rd Dan took the warm up which was followed with partner stretching. then it was practice all techniques (Kihon Waza) followed with all the combination techniques ( Renkei Waza ), from 8th kyu (yellow belt) through to the Dan Grade(black belt) syllabus (20 different combinations in all).

Eric then took everyone through the Pinan Kata, then the lower grades practised Yakusuko Gumite while the higher grades practised all the remaining kata. It was onto Kihon Gumite (basic fighting techniques) nos. 1-5, folowed with Kumite Gata nos. 1-3. The class was split into two camps of choice - Ohyo Gumite (fighting techniques) & Tanto Dori (knife defences).

The course finished up with Keri waza (kicking techniques) combination drills on one leg only (tricky stuff) - the 4 hours went really quickly, so it was off to the local Pub to discuss the finer points of karate - another succesful course!

Ken Harrison 5th dan

Sensei Sugasawa Course - Chelmsford, 28th February 2009

Attended by Eric, Peter & John

There were two sessions, the first one was meant to be for up to 4th kyu and followed by a second session for the higher grades. As usual the first session was populated mainly by Black belts doing both sessions to get the most out of the day. We began with static stretching exercises followed by basic punching and blocking drills, to ensure correct movement. This was followed by sliding step movements in all directions.

Sensei then decided to concentrate on the nagashi movement that is so unique to our style. He then tested the effectiveness of this by allowing a boken (wooden sword) to drop down towards us. To reasure us he said he wasn't actively putting force into it, and that it was only gravity (funny not everyone seemed reassured by this, especially those who got hit). We finished the session with some Sanbon & Ippon Kumite (which was taken from the association syllabus).

John Grantham 3rd Dan

ELWK Winter course - Chingford - 16th November 2008

We had a reasonable turnout with Mike Hart 5th Dan & Leslie travelling from Witham, Yvette Holyoake 2nd Dan making the long trip up from Little Hampton + the usual suspects.

Eric took the warm up, reminding us all of his favourite knuckle push ups! (ouch) then it was staright into the kicking drills, combination of many kick (great fun). Basic (Kihon waza) followed.

we then paired up & practiced Kihon Gumite, Ohyo Gumite, Kumite Gata & kneeling defences. The mats were laid out ready for the heavy throws found in Ohyo Gumite no. 3 & 5, Kihon Gumite no. 10 & kneeling defences carried out standing up no. 5.

To finish of all 15 Wado Kata were practised with Bunkai (application) to Pinan Shodan & Sandan.

In all another succesful course - fast paced, covering many different aspects of the Wado syllabus. As Ian said afterwards that 'the course absolutely flew by which iis always a good sign' & Florian said that these courses do give you an opportunity to practice different things as we have more time - couldn't have put it better myself!

As Victoria mentioned in the pub afterwards (oopps!) as a green belt she really enjoyed the course and she would definately train at the next one!

Ken Harrison 5th Dan

BWKS National Competition - Wanstead sports centre - 2nd November 2008

As usual John & I are kicking our heels & wondering what to do with our selves this fine sunny day ? Then out of the blue we thought that we would visit our old friends at the BWKS.

The competition wasn't as well attended as previous years, this may be due to the latest ruling by the EKF ( that you have to belong to them to be able to enter most Wado Competitions or something politically similar ? anyway apologies if I have that information completly wrong).

Our friends Chase Wado Kai were there with Instructor David Jillings ( we have attended many courses ovet the years with Chase & David with Sakagami sensei) also Fran Nangle had brought over students from Ireland - again always good to see old friends !

We managed to meet Bill Mossman, Richard Patrick, Dave Walling, Sue Hampshire, James, Tailha & many more - all our ol' training buddies from yester year (many hours of sweat, blood & tears we all remember) - it is great that most of us are still training in Wado !

The standard of both Kata & Kumite was very good, with good / fair refereeing - no complaints at all! It was very enjoyable to watch & the trophies were fine too!

With Sensei Yoshi Shinohara refereeing the Final of the open Men's Black belt kumite Final (I believe that this was the BWKS 30 th Competition - a great achievement).

John & I enjoyed the competition & seeing all our friends made it a special day !

Cheers Guys !

Richard Patrick is holding his annual club Dance / Disco - very soon !watch this space!

Ken Harrison 5th Dan Karate

Sugasawa Sensei Course - Woodham Walter near Chelmsford - 4th October 2008

This made a nice change for us to go to a course so much closer to travel than our normal trek to the Midlands. Though this time only Eric, Peter & myself (John) made this trip as Ken was otherwise engaged (at a party). The day consisted of two sessions, one from 12.30 - 2.00 pm & the second from 3.00 - 5.00 pm. The first session was supposedly for up to 4th Kyu, but was populated mainly by the same Dan Grades as the later session.

Eric last saw Sugasawa Sensei some 25 years ago (Eric thinks he may of been a green belt back then - Eric that is of course) and wondered if he would still remember him ? When we walked in & he said don't I know you from somehwere ? As I said to Eric afterwards, how many short Austrians do you think that he knows ? ?

The first session started with some static stretching exercises that were good but much harder that they looked! Judging by how flexible Sugasawa Sensei is himself they certainly must work. This was followed by various basic exercises involving punching & blocking on both sides in a set pattern, all good exercise in proper movement.
During the first session we also broke down Pinan Nidan & we were asked how we turned, heel or ball of the foot ? and more importantly why ?

Interesting that you can do something for years without being able to answer something straight away ? After about 5 or 10 minutes he said so far how come the 7th Kyu was the closest to the correct answer ? among all these Dan Grades (doh), and it was to do with Sei - Chu - Sen (centre of the body axis).

The second session covered some of the same plus more practice of Kake Te & Ohyo Kumite with the emphasis on moving forwards into the attack. As usual, it was a shame the lesson wasn't longer and we look forward to more of the same in the near future!

John Grantham 3rd Dan Karate

ELWK weekend camp - Clacton - 20th - 21st September 2008

The camp was well attended once again with Yvette & her students travelling from Littlehampton, Stuart from Chelmsford, Robert from Witham + all the regulars.

These days it's almost a tradition as Stuart took us all through a quick warm up. After Eric had taken everyone through the basic techniques, the lower grades were passed onto Ken. This allowed the Black Belts to concentrate on the more advanced Kata's, Kihon waza, Kumite Gata, Ohyo kumite etc. The lower grades practiced Pinan Nidan, then spent time on the Bunkai i.e. some of the punches, strikes,kicks, take downs, locks etc.pads & kickbags were used for this purpose. Jiyu Kumite (free fighting) then followed, all the lower grades worked hard (as did the higher grades of course) then it was into the swimming pool, the weather was fantastic.

A (civilised ) party was held to celebrate Ray & Barbara's 33rd Wedding Anniversary late into the night.

Sunday & Stuart took us through our paces with a different warm up, then after basics the class was divided again. Ken took the lower grades through many kicking techniques & combinations, then punching combinations on the pads. This was followed with self defence 'stuff' the usual take downs, strikes, arm & wrist locks. Ground work basic mount & guard position escapes.

Most people know that Vincent Gardener who trains with me is a yellow belt & is a working Priest, but did they know that Vincent is a 3rd Dan Aikido Instructor ? Vincent took & talked us through basic Aikido movements & locks - very enjoyable!

The higher Grades going through more pair work & we all finished up with Tanto Dori (knife defences) & Ohyo Kumite & Kimite Gata.

Another great weekend, well attended & a lot of fun too! I can't wait for next year

ELWK Dan Grading - Walthamstow - 6th July 2008

This Dan Grading was slightly different, as Geraldine Weiss was the only student attempting for her Black Belt today! (not as easy as it sounds). In fact as the eyes of the Grading Panel were obviously on her the whole time, I think Geraldine was more determined than ever to perform to her best - as she did.

Geraldine (even now s a young woman) has been training at Waltham Forest Wado Kai ever since she was very young, some nine years I think. She performed technically very well & strong throughout all her basic Kihon / Renkei waza & Kata.

In fact I thought that her Kata was performed to a high standard. The pair work followed Yakusuko Gumite, Kihon waza & Ohyo Gumite with Peter Howells 3rd Dan.

Jiyu Kumite (free fighting) & Shiai (contest) followed on.

At the end of the Grading Geraldine was awarded her 1st Dan - a fantastic achievement - her first attempt!

Eric has said that Geraldine has really taken her Grade seriously at the club, she has really grown in confidance & really enjoying her regular training!

She takes amean warm up too!

ELWK Course - Walthamstow - 18th May 2008

This was the first 'in - house' course to be held for 2008 & it was a great success! The turnout was excellant with Yvette & Alex bringing students all the way up from Littlehampton. Stuart McCann from Chelmsford attended and he is becoming very popular with the students for his warm up routine and did indeed warm us all up ready for the techniques ahead.

Eric took everyone through all the basic techniques - kihon Waza followed with Renkei waza. After a short break it was Kata's, all the Kata's were covered, with Ken & Carl taking the Black Belts through the advanced Kata's.

Eric then took everyone through Kihon Gumite ( 1-5), Ohyo Gumite ( 5 & 7). we ended practicing our breakfalls. In all the 4 hours went very quickly, everyone seemed to enjoy the course & we are all looking forward to the weekend camp at Clacton - see you there!

Keep on kickin'

Sensei Yanagawa 8th Dan 'Maximising the body's potential' - 17th &18th November 2007 - Horsham

This was a truely amazing course, Sensei Yanagawa was a student of Grandmaster Otsuka & continued his training through the years in Budo style. Assisted by Sensei's Sakagami, Peter May, Kida & Takayanegi. Sensei Yanagawa guided us all through the basic's in stance work, kicks, blocks & punches in his own formidable style. Great emphasis on breathing when performing techniques together with 'squeezing' your shoulder blades together was just one way.

The way Sensei performed smooth stance movement, it appeared as if he was almost floating (honest). Sensei's teaching of Pinan Yodan, Godan & Naihanchi was again much different to any Wado teaching that I have had before, great emphasis was given to speed of movement with maximum power (including correct breathe control & relaxation). Their definately was a difference in the power I thought.