The only way forward is with the humble mind of a beginner

Training is going well at present with special emphasis on the correct contrasting of the fundamental Heian, Junro and Joko kata; thereby, positively influencing kihon and kumite. Overall, the focus remains on the things that matter to achieve ichigeiki-hissatsu, as opposed to merely `scoring points' or 'looking pretty'. On the whole, the key lesson remains: that is, simple is best, and no matter how long or hard one trains, the only way forward is with the humble mind of a beginner. Osu, André Bertel.

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CURRENT TRAINING REGIME:

Kihon
1. (Jiyu-dachi) Tobi-konde jodan kizami-zuki kara sanbon-zuki.
2. (Jiyu-dachi) Tobi-konde jodan kizami-zuki kara chudan mae-geri soshite jodan oi-zuki.
3. (Kiba-dachi) Kosa-aiyumiashi yoko-keage ashi o kaete yoko-kekomi.
4. Ippo-sagatte jodan age-uke kara mawashi-geri, yoko uraken-uchi soshite chudan oi-zuki.
5. Chudan ushiro-geri kara yoko uraken-uchi soshite chudan gyaku-zuki.
6. Sonoba ren-geri: Mae-geri kara yoko-geri soshite ushiro-geri (migi/hidari).

Kata & Bunkai/Oyo-jutsu
Monday: Heian-shodan, Junro-shodan & Junro-issei.
Tuesday: Heian-nidan, Junro-nidan & Joko-nisei.
Wednesday: Heian-sandan, Junro-sandan & Joko-sansei.
Thursday: Heian-yondan, Junro-yondan & Joko-yonsei.
Friday: Heian-godan, Junro-godan & Joko-gosei.

Jokyu gohon-kumite & Jiyu ippon-kumite
Application of the five Joko kata.

* Saturday & Sunday practices are presently `free-training' (no set schedule) i.e. - tokui-gata & jiyu-kumite.

© André Bertel (2011). Christchurch, New Zealand.

ASAI KARATE SEMINARS IN CHRISTCHURCH

I will be conducting a weekend of clinics in December (Saturday the 17th & Sunday the 18th). Click on the poster to enlarge for more details or you can email me directly at: andre.mizuho@hotmail.co.jp

© André Bertel (2011). Christchurch, New Zealand.

Christchurch IJKA Shotokan Karate videos on youtube

Another video has just been uploaded on youtube. The link is below. For other video's you can check out my official youtube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/andrebertel?feature=mhee

PS - Congratulations to the three who passed the kyu-shinsa last night. Well done!

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2011).

Weekend in Amberley

Mizuho and I went on holiday over the weekend and copped the very best weather one could imagine in winter! We travelled to and stayed in the rural town Amberley just north of Christchurch. Drenching in sun and enjoying the beautiful Canterbury countryside, we particularly enjoyed our time at both the Waipara Springs and Pegasus Bay wineries. The combination of delicious cuisine and New Zealand’s very best vino, accompanied by the warm sunshine, was nothing less than magnificent.

My morning practice was glorious under the amazingly clear stars. Who could not resist pausing in the openings of Kanku-dai and Kakuyoku-shodan? What an amazingly beautiful country New Zealand is!

© André Bertel (2011). Christchurch, New Zealand.

Latest self-practice routine

Hasn't 2011 been a lightning fast year… Can you believe it’s already September? Here’s is my latest self-practice regime. At present the Joko series of kata have been pivotal for my technical refinement. They really are superb for polishing one’s kihon, unveiling any errors which inevitably exist in your karate, and subsequently scaffold some very innovative applications which you can capitalise on in kumite. At present training has been productive, tough and enjoyable. So really I couldn't ask for more. Best wishes, André.

KiIHON: (1) Sanbon-zuki; (2) Jodan kizami-zuki kara chudan mae-geri soshite jodan oi-zuki; (3) Mawashi-geri kara gyaku-zuki; (4) Ushiro-geri kara uraken-uchi soshite gyaku-zuki; (5) Ren-geri: Mae geri kara mawashi geri, yoko kekomi, ushiro-geri soshite gyaku mawashi-geri; (6) Ren-geri: Yoko-keage ashi o kaete yoko-kekomi; (7) Jodan age-uke kara mawashi-geri, yoko uraken-uchi soshite chudan oi-zuki; (8) Chudan soto-uke kara yori-ashi (kiba-dachi) yoko empi-uchi, uraken-uchi soshite chudan gyaku-zuki; (9) Gedan barai kara chudan uchi-uke (neko-ashi dachi) soshite chudan gyaku-zuki; & (10) Chudan shuto-uke (kokutsu-dachi) kara mae-geri soshite nukite.

KUMITE: Primarily jiyu-kumite with emphasis on attacking with ukewaza; counter-kicking; and a mix of ‘jolting’ attacks with tsukiwaza, and cutting attacks with various uchiwaza (please refer to the five Joko kata for technical specifics).
KATA: (Standard Shotokan-ryu kata) Heian-yondan & godan; Kanku-dai, Tekki-sandan; and Unsu. (Asai-ryu kata) Joko-nisei, sansei, yonsei & gosei; and Kaze no te (Hushu).

PS - IJKA New Zealand Honbu Dojo, here in Christchurch, is having a kyu-shinsa this Saturday; therefore, I’ll take this opportunity to offer my best wishes to everyone attempting to advance in grade.

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand (2011).