Training continues...

I bring this new regime to you with burning leg muscles from very hard training. I missed a day of practice (due to the earthquake we had here in Christchurch), so there has been no holding back in my self-training since then. Here is my new routine for September.
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Kihon: (1) Chudan oi zuki kara chudan gyaku zuki, jodan age uke, chudan gyaku zuki, chudan soto uke, chudan gyaku zuki, gedan barai, chudan gyaku zuki, shuto uke (kokutsu dachi) soshite nukite; (2) Long distance mae geri; (3) Close range mawashi geri; (4) Seiken jodan juji uke kara tobi mae nidan geri soshite uraken tatemawashi uchi; (5) Ushiro geri kara uraken yokomawashi uchi soshite gyaku zuki; (6) Yoko keage kara yoko kekomi ; (7) Shuto yokomawashi uchi kara kaitenshinagara empi uchi (kiba dachi) soshite mawari nagara sagata shuto uchimawashi uchi; (8) Uraken yokomawashi uchi; (9) Hidari jodan kizami zuki kara migi chudan gyaku zuki; and (10) Migi jodan kizami zuki kara hidari chudan gyaku zuki. {The repetitions remain the same as my previous training schedule}.

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Kata: (a) Kihon-gata: Heian & Junro; (b) Jiyu-gata: Unsu; & (c) Koten-gata: Kakuyoku. {I'm typically doing between one and three kata multiple times each session. {The technical focus at present is on economy of motion, smoothness/fluidity, relaxation and snap}.
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Kumite: I’m presently working a lot on variations of kaeshi ippon kumite (reaction one step sparring) a training drill I used to enjoy doing with `very energetic’ Japanese university karateka. This form of kumite is based on the strategy that “the best defence is offence”. {My typical routine at present is one round warming up applying slow motion fundamentals, followed by four or five bouts at full pace}.

© André Bertel. New Zealand, 2010.

Technical Seminar in Palmerston North

I'm being hosted by Morgan Dilks Sensei (Universal Shotokan Karate New Zealand) for a seminar on the 5th of December.

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You can click on the seminar poster for all of the details. The course will include a koten kata of my late teacher Asai Shihan.This will be used to reinforce the points covered in kihon & kumite. The seminar will not be a hard workout, but rather educational, ensuring that the participants really benefit from the practice.

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© André Bertel. New Zealand, 2010.

The Most Important Shotokan Kata

I was recently asked “What are the most important Shotokan kata?” To respond optimally, I thought I’d once again quote my teacher, Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei’s instructor, Masatoshi Nakayama. To supplement this, pictured here is Asai Sensei performing his tokui-kata `Nijushiho’, which ironically is not amongst the core shotokan-ryu formal exercises.

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So what are the most important Shotokan kata? According to Nakayama Sensei “The basic Heian and Tekki kata and the free kata from Bassai to Jion are all the essential Shoto-kan kata. In 1948, disciples from Keio, Waseda and Takushoku universities met with Master Funakoshi at Waseda University. Their purpose was to form a viewpoint for the unification of the kata, which in the period after the war were subject to varied individual and subjective interpretations. The kata as presented in Best Karate embody the criteria for standardization established at that time.” (Nakayama, M. `Best Karate’. Kodansha International Ltd.).

© André Bertel. New Zealand, 2010.

NIJUSHIHO

Paul Kallender just wrote an excellent article on my late teacher Tetsuhiko Asai's tokui-gata, NIJUSHIHO. I was honoured to contribute to this post, especially in relation to Asai Sensei, as I have many special memories of him performing (and "applying") this Shotokan-ryu kata.

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Rather than ramble on, here is a direct link to the article on Paul's site: http://yaharakarate.blogspot.com/2010/08/kicking-back-with-nijushiho.html

© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

Kangeiko at Arthur's Pass

Today I did Kangeiko (Special Winter Training) at Arthur's Pass in the South Island of New Zealand.

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To break the current training routine and push myself beyond my personal limits I concentrated on high repetitions of gyaku-zuki, mae-geri, koken (kakuto) yokomawashi uchi and four kata (Tekki-sandan, Empi, Wankan and Sensho). For strength training I utilised various plyometric forms of squat thrusts, tobi-keriwwaza (as pictured) and variations of elevated push ups. Needless to say, five minutes into the practice and the coldness was no longer noticeable!

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After completing training amidst the beauty of the South Island scenery, Mizuho and I enjoyed the incredible sights for the remainder of the afternoon. The conclusion is that the South Island of New Zealand is nothing less than breathtaking!

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In addition to the photos kindly taken by Mizuho as I trained, I've posted some pictures to showcase Arthur's Pass a little. I hope you enjoy them. OSU!
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© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

Jun-kaiten vs. Gyaku-kaiten

Paul Kallender has just published a new article on his excellent karate blog which is focusing on fundamental koshi no kaiten (hip rotation). It really was a pleasure for me to contribute to this article, however the real treasures are from Paul's quotes from recent training with Sakae Ibusuki Sensei.

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Click here to check it out: http://yaharakarate.blogspot.com/2010/08/hanmi-or-to-shomen-jun-kaiten-vs-gyaku.html

© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

Talking with one's karate

I decided to title this post "Talking with one's karate". Why? Because this outlines my philosophy, and is turned into a reality daily, via predetermined practices (which I engineer in an effort to avoid mediocrity). I hope this finds you well and training hard!

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AUGUST TRAINING REGIME

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Sonoba-Kihon: (a) Migi chudan gyaku zuki; (b) Hidari chudan gyaku zuki; (c) Migi mae jodan hiza geri; (d) Hidari mae jodan hiza geri; (e) Migi chudan mae geri kara migi jodan mae geri soshite hidari jodan mae kekomi; (f) Hidari chudan mae geri kara hidari jodan mae geri soshite migi jodan mae kekomi. {30-50 repetitions of each}.

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Ido-Kihon: (1) Chudan oi zuki; (2) Jodan age uke karate chudan gyaku zuki; (3) Chudan soto uke kara chudan gyaku zuki; (4) Chudan shuto uke kara shihon nukite; (5) Chudan uchi uke kara chudan gyaku zuki; (6) Tenshin gyaku zuki (7) Jodan mae geri; (8) Jodan mawashi geri; (9) Jodan ushiro geri; (10) Jodan yoko keage; (11) Jodan yoko kekomi; (12) Henka-waza involving several variations of shuto uchi & kaiten uraken uchi. {Only 10-30 repetitions of each}.

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Key focal points within my current kihon practice include: 1.0/ Correct and optimal use of the jiku-ashi; 1.1/ The "shisei-unsoku connection"; 1.2/ Legs first, hips second & limb third; & 1.3/ Target penetration (applied in my corresponding daily makiwara training).

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Kata: Keeping in mind the previously mentioned focal points, my kata practice at present strongly reflect these, but with a more direct `flow' into kumite (especially in regards to smooth and effective transitions). To achieve these comprehensive refinements I've employed the following kata in my routine: Heian-shodan, Heian-nidan and Heian-sandan, Junro-shodan, Jion, Empi & Shinobiyoru-hayabusa. I am also blasting out Fudoken-sho and Gojushiho-dai purely to shock my body. {Typically I do each kata three times each or just one, or two of the kata, multiple times in succession}.

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Kumite: I've been stressing correct shisei in my attacks and counterattacks. In fundamental terms this effectively permits a properly connected/co-ordinated johanshin and kahanshin to get the business done. To achieve these targets I've been using limited jiyu-kumite and a relatively varied mix of yakusoku-kumite drills.

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OSU, André.

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© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

Asai Sensei Memorial Practice: Christchurch, New Zealand.

The 4th Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei Memorial Training was held at the Christchurch Shotokan Karate club. The session was not a big class, but nevertheless had ample spirit and was a great tribute to Sensei.

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The training included exclusive practice of Asai Sensei's kihon (fundamentals) and his tokuiwaza (favourite/specialised techniques), specifically focused on drills he taught at the JKA Honbu Dojo in the early 1990's. We also practiced the kata Junro-shodan, and some very special kumite points from it, which are directly applicable for self-defense. The session concluded with a demonstration of advanced Asai-ryu kata and several points emphasised by Asai Sensei in jiyu-kumite (with both errors and correct methods modeled). In addition to this class, a black belt session was held focusing on refined kata and bunkai/oyo-jutsu. The kata and corresponding kumite covered were Kibaken, Junro, and the Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu versions of Gankaku, Nijushiho & Tekki-nidan.

© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

Four years since Asai Sensei passed away

Today marks four years since the passing of my late karate teacher, Asai Tetsuhiko.

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This post in has been made in remembrance of Sensei whom I miss dearly. There will be an official Asai Sensei Memorial Training this week at the dojo. This evening I did a special self-practice of some of the more obscure Asai-ryuha kata.

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Osu, André

© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

WHAT IS KARATE?

Rather than giving my own definition of karate-do I thought it would be most appropriate quote Nakayama Sensei. But before I do so, I’ll explain why, by extracting a section from an article I wrote for my dojo newsletter in 1993.
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“My karate teacher and Japan Karate Association Chief Instructor Tetsuhiko Asai was taught by none other than the late master Masatoshi Nakayama Sensei. Nakayama Sensei was a genius insofar as coaching is concerned, and this was manifested by the quality of students he produced. Besides Asai Sensei, barrages of other living legends come to mind such as Hirokazu Kanazawa, Keinosuke Enoeda, Masahiko Tanaka, Yoshiharu Osaka, Mikio Yahara, Keigo Abe and so on. What I am trying to adamantly convey here is that Nakayama Sensei was greatest and most influential karate instructor ever.” (Bertel, A. JKA Christchurch Karate Club Newsletter, March 1993. `The Golden Era of JKA Shotokan’).
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Masatoshi Nakayama Sensei’s definition of Karate - The Way of the Empty Hand.

“Deciding who is the winner and who is the loser is not the ultimate objective. Karate-do is a martial for the development of character through training, so that the karateka can surmount any obstacle, tangible or intangible. Karate-do is an empty-handed art of self-defence in which the arms and legs are systemically trained and an enemy attacking by surprise can be controlled by a demonstration of strength like that of using actual weapons. Karate-do is exercise, through which the karateka masters all body movements by learning to move limbs and torso backward, forward, left and right, up and down, freely and uniformly. The techniques of karate-do are well controlled according to the karateka’s willpower and are directed at the target accurately and spontaneously. The essence of karate techniques is kime. The meaning of kime is an explosive attack to the target using the appropriate technique and maximum power in the shortest time possible… Training transforms parts of the body into weapons to be used freely and effectively. The quality necessary to accomplish this is self-control. To become a victor, one must first overcome his own self.” (Nakayama, M. Japan 1987. `Best Karate Volume 11’. Kodansha International Ltd.).

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© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.