Updated training regime

Here's my current training regime. 

Also two announcements: 

1. My first karate textbook is nearing completion. 

2. It is possible that international seminars will resume soon.

OK, on to training...

KIHON

1. (Jiyu-dachi) Kizami zuki kara sanbon renzuki.

2. Jodan age uke kara chudan soto uke, gedan barai soshite jodan gyaku zuki.

3. Shuto chudan uke (Kokutsu dachi) kara chudan kizami mae geri soshite tateshihon nukite.

4. Chudan uchi uke (Kokutsu dachi) kara chudan kizami mawashi geri soshite chudan gyaku zuki.

5. Kizami mae geri kara mae geri keage soshite nidan geri.

6. Kizami mawashi geri kara mawashi geri.

7. Yoko geri keage ashi o kaete yoko geri kekomi (Kiba dachi).

8. Ushiro geri kekomi kara ura mawashi geri soshite ushiromawashi geri

KATA

Tekki Shodan, Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Hyakuhappo, Ansan (Saturday and Sunday: Free choice kata).

KUMITE

A. Jiyu kumite no renzokuwaza to hangekiwaza.

B. Impact training (Oizuki, gyakuzuki, urazuki, tatezuki, kagizuki, kakezuki, enpiuchi, hizageri, kingeri, and kaiten uraken).

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2022).

When's the next international seminar?

 

Many people have asked when will the next seminar outside Japan be? There are, as everyone knows, many set events; however, the timing is dependent on Japan's corona policies, and that of host countries. As soon as possible, Technical Seminars, which were set prior to the pandemic, will resume.

One thing I promise is that the next wave of seminars will more than make up for lost time.

OSU, AB

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2022).

中山 正敏先生

 Today marks 35 years since the passing of Nakayama Masatoshi Sensei. Sadly, I never got to meet him; however, I've been very fortunate to spend much time with his top students here in Japan. Needless to say, the late Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei and Osaka Yoshiharu Sensei really stand out for me.

Over 20 years ago one of my senior students stayed at the Hoitsugan, which was Nakayama Sensei's private dojo in his building.

In sum, I'm really sad that I never got to experience a class under the direction of Nakayama Sensei; yet, nevertheless, I feel indebted via a variety of avenues.

 © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2022).

少しずつ前進

Due to the return of beautiful weather, here in Kyushu, I have returned to supplementary outdoor training.

The IKS Sandan Kihon; Kata (Tekki, Jion, and a random Koten-gata); and Jiyu Kumite summarizes my present technical focus.

40 years on, it is still 'STEP BY STEP'. Big things to come. OSU!!

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2022).

An unprecedented level of speed thanks to a return to lifting

In recent months I've increased my supplemental training.

As many will know, since corona I began an extra running program, which I've been following since early 2020. It is nothing radical, but I run at least three times a week and often up hills and, occasionally, mountains.

This year I extended this by returning to the gym and 'moving lots of plates around'. I'm following a 'strength functional routine' and further intensified my diet (I have always been strict, but I've gone to the 'next phase'). To be honest it has been great to get back to pumping iron in the gym.

Today I made a breakthrough. I executed the fastest tsuki I've ever made. It's very interesting with the increased muscle mass. It really proves that muscle and weight gain doesn't necessarily mean loss of speed. Indeed, on the contrary.

All of this, of course, is common sense; however, it is exciting to experience a higher level of explosiveness than ever before. Literally, a BREAKTHROUGH thanks to weight training. It's also a joy to personally experience the benefits of contemporary sports science.

While I still continue the body weight exercises, the return to lifting has given an edge.

The other aspect is that my muscles are bigger, so I'm heavier; therefore, I have more mass, in addition to the increased speed. Clearly, no need to explain basic physics here. My message here is that if you want to move faster, and impact harder, you need to increase muscle strength and weight, in addition to using relaxed physical action and movement of the center. These points combined with ever-improving technical skill will result in optimal waza.

All I can say is that I am training hard, feeling lots of pain, and having fun doing so.

TRAIN HARD AND TRAIN SMART.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2022).

Streamlined online activities

I've streamlined my online activities by removing Messenger, Facebook and Instagram. My target was to do this on the 15 anniversary of returning to Japan (March 26th, 2022); however, my schedule disallowed this.

This does not mean I am not available! On the contrary, I am fully accessible via my email: andrebertelono@gmail.com ; also, my YOUTUBE Channel, which you can click here: ANDRE BERTEL - YouTube

All the very best, André Bertel

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2022).