Sunday 27 October 2019

2020 Deutschland Seminar Announcements

I will be again conducting two International Budo Karate Seminars in Deutschland next year. 


The first will be in April in the South (Seehausen, Bavaria). Direct link: http://bodhidharma.de/downloads/bertel_bavarian_budo_experience_flyer_2004_dft.pdf

The second will be in the eastern side of the country (Freital, Saxony), which will be held in September. Direct link: 


These two technical seminars, while related, will involve different content. As always my objective is to share a wide range of knowledge, however, this early establishment of two seminars in Germany provides a platform to do this with greater effectiveness. For those wishing to attend I thoroughly recommend getting in early. See you next year in Deutschland!


Osu and greetings from Oita City, Japan.
Andre




 © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).

Wednesday 23 October 2019

Morgan Sensei, Brad, Paul and Steve from Aotearoa - New Zealand


Morgan Dilks Sensei from Palmerston North, New Zealand, came with three of his students: Brad Stevens, Paul Mangin and Steve Brown.
The training was focused on a significant number of key points of Kihon underpinning karate as bujutsu; furthermore, this was furthered by practical oyo (applications), which was the requested focus. Primarily sequences from Enpi kata were analyzed—in context with iriguchiwaza, also kihon ukewaza, freestyle and foundational unsoku (footwork) and so on. 
Overall, as always, it was super to be with Morgan: both in and out of the dojo. Also it was awesome to catch up with Brad, and forge new friendships with Paul and Steven. All the best guys for your remaining time here in Japan. We wish you a safe and fun journey home to Aotearoa New Zealand. Osu, André


© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).

Monday 21 October 2019

Renshusei: Peter Lampe Sensei




Peter Lampe Sensei (and his lovely wife Birte) came for private training over the last few days. So much was covered that I am simply going to post a few photos: as opposed to transcribe everything.

Lastly I want to congratulate Peter on his technical progression and greater understanding of budo karate.

Away from training lots of fun was had. A big thanks to you both and congratulations Peter on your karate development. 

Osu, André

Movement one of Shotei (Dai) Kata.








  
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).

Thursday 17 October 2019

"Karateschule Fuji San Munster' Instructors return

Torsten Uhlemann Sensei and Andrea Haeusler Sensei, (the instructors at 'Karateschule Fuji San Munster') returned to Oita for private training here at my dojo. I was fortunate to be able to teach a class at their dojo in Germany just last month! So it was great to see and work with them again so soon.

Based on what was covered this time I know that the students at 'Karateschule Fuji San Munster' are going to have access to some new areas of high-level budo karate knowledge. It was great to see that Andrea and Torsten have improved and, undoubtedly, improve even more from now.

Away from training we also enjoyed many fun times together in and around Oita City.




 Torsten and Andrea, it was wonderful to have you both training here in my dojo again. Kindest regards to you and to all of your students at 'Karateschule Fuji San Munster'. Osu and greetings, André

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).

Wednesday 16 October 2019

Trainee from Kazakhstan

Tuleukhan Iskakov (3rd Dan) came again to learn karate as Budo/Bujutsu. It was wonderful to see his progress. He has a great heart and has a determined spirit to develop his personal karate skills and also, indeed, for karate in Kazakhstan. Osu.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).

Sunday 13 October 2019

落葉 (Rakuyo) Kata

The YouTube video link at the bottom of this page has no explanation as it is for those who attended the September 2019 'IKS ONE' SEMINAR' in Halle, Germany.

It is a reminder of the exact movements, but also, the key points taught. The underpinning aspects of karate as a martial art of self defense: and, how powerful it is when properly done!

落葉 (Rakuyo) means 'falling leaves' and I was only non-Japanese karateka to learn this kata directly from Asai Sensei - there are over 15 kata and, far more importantly, their applications in this category. The version featured here is the correct version of Rakuyo: unlike the others on the internet, which are 'just movement'. Just movement is merely learning kata for just having another kata. From Asai Sensei's view and mine also, THIS IS TIME WASTED. So how to make this kata not a waste of time... Falling leaves seem so soft, but that is the point. The concept connects Newtons laws with human action.

Proper study of this kata is very demanding but results in great improvements in skill, via natural use of energy and the connection with kihon. Please be aware that 'IKS ONE' in September 2019 was the first time I have taught this kata since my seminar in Hawaii 2003 (as Asai Sensei's personal assistant). Nevertheless, after 2003 Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei further corrected me, refining my actions and changing some movements/applications; hence, this is the first time I have taught this kata properly to anyone in the world

Next year and beyond many kata and applications - not previously taught before - will be shared at seminars (in Japan and around the world) and at the IKS instructors class here in Oita City: TO ENSURE THAT THIS SPECIAL FORM OF BUDO/BUJUTSU SHOTOKAN IS PRESERVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Osu, André


© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).

Friday 11 October 2019

Renshusei: Ina, Christian and Christoph from Gießen

Ina Batz, Christian Finger and Christoph Albrecht—all from Gießen, Deutschland—came for private training here in Oita on October 8th and 9th.

It was a wonderful time to have them here: both in and out of the dojo. They all did extremely well in the renshusei training and have lots to take back and share with their dojo in Gießen. I won’t write about what I taught, as that is for them to train/share at their personal discretion; however, it was great to see them expand their physical understanding of karate as budo/bujutsu in a tangible way. This is a big credit to all three of them.

I have to say Christian, Christoph and Ina are not only studious karateka but, also, lovely and fun people... with the exception of Ina’s obsession with ‘yellow things’, which I have also noted (at international seminars for a few years) LOL... 
Yellow aside, overall, it was also a great pleasure to spend time together. We enjoyed many nice times and I got to witness some fine karate improvements, which is always wonderful. Safe and fun travels Christoph, Ina and Christian. Until next time we meet, Osu, André.
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).
(Photos courtesy of Ina)

Monday 7 October 2019

Pre Training for the '2020 Bavarian Budo Experience'


Punito Aisenpreis Sensei, from Murnau (Southern Deutschland), came for another five days of one-on-one tuition here in Oita City, Japan.



This time I focused on sharing ‘Kihon within Kihon’ at a deeper level. In relation to this, Kata and self-defense were covered. The kata included the standard Shotokan-Ryu formal exercises and also Asai Sensei’s kata.



In April of next year I will conduct a seminar in Murnau for the first time, here is a link for more information: (http://bodhidharma.de/downloads/bertel_bavarian_budo_experience_flyer_2004_dft.pdf). Needless to say, it will be a really great event, as since my last seminar in Halle—I began a next phase of  'knowledge release', which will continue in 2020 and beyond. Omedetou gozaimasu Punito on your karate advancement and, also, thanks for great times outside of training.

Osu, André
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).

Sunday 6 October 2019

Halle, Germany Seminar: September 2019 (PART SIX)

OFFICIAL VIDEO


© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).

Thursday 3 October 2019

Visitor from Hungary



Roland Heimgartner Sensei, from Switzerland but based in Hungary, came down to Oita to train with me in my dojo. In addition to time in the dojo we enjoyed some very nice times.

Osu, André

 © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).

Tuesday 1 October 2019

Halle, Germany Seminar: September 2019 (PART FIVE)

Below are links to two new videos from Oliver Schomburg Sensei (3rd Dan). Check them out!!! Furthermore, explore his excellent website: https://olliwaa.com. Once again, thanks so much Olli. Osu,  André


Video One:
https://youtu.be/jRTtVRs5va8



Video Two:

https://youtu.be/rJHJkAE2YJ0


© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2019).