Renshusei from Wales: Jon and Misty

Jonathan Jones, and his partner Misty, from Wales came for private training on January 14th. They were the first non-Japanese Renshusei of 2024.

They got in touch with me via my friend Lyn Jehu Sensei who came for training back in 2009. It’s hard to believe that’s nearly 15 years ago! Here’s a link: André Bertel's Karate-Do: Trainee from Kitakyushu (andrebertel.blogspot.com)

 

Both Jon and Misty are currently brown belts with KUGB (Karate Union of Great Britain) and came with the objective refining their 基本 (kihon). Based on this request, I focused on the foundational body mechanics of Shotokan as budo/bujutsu: especially focusing on Brown belt/Shodan level 腰の回転 (Koshi no kaiten). In this process, I had them do a lot of work on 前屈立ち (Zenkutsu-dachi): shomen and hanmi. A key aspect was ‘stance moderation’ for optimal functionality, which is largely based on each individual’s physique and flexibility. 

 

In addition, and in support of this, we also covered 五本組手Gohon Kumite, and 型 (kata): especially 平安初段 (Heian Shodan) and 鉄騎初段 (Tekki Shodan). In particular, the focus in my teaching was ‘how kihon, kata and kumite’ are one in the same’ and reinforce each other’ for greater effectiveness.

 

Overall, Jon and Misty were great to work with and I really enjoyed having them here in the dojo. I really hope the training will result in immediate and long-term technical gains as experienced by other Renshusei. 

Lastly, I want to wish Jon and Misty the very best in your respective karate journeys and a wonderful time here in Japan.

 

押忍

André

 © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).