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 and 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 and 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 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).

Interview translated in Spanish

Víctor López Bondía of Spain has just translated my interview (that was published in 'The Shotokan Way' online magazine) into Spanish. I am glad that Shotokan Karateka in Spain are studying Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu Karatedo. Again, thank you very much Victor for wanting to translate and publish my interview on your site.

Here's a link: http://www.shotokankaratedo.es/lectura_tsw_entrevista_andre_bertel.php

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

5th ASAI SENSEI MEMORIAL - New Zealand (Part Two)

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

5th ASAI SENSEI MEMORIAL - New Zealand (Part One)

The 5th Asai Sensei New Zealand Memorial was held in Christchurch, a week postponed due to the record level snow storm which hit the city. Nevertheless, the memorial went ahead tonight. Here's a brief outline of the practice:
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Kihon: Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu ashi-ukewaza; tenshin choku-zuki; and Sensei's standard IJKA ido-kihon.

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Kumite: 'Bujutsu' jiyu-kumite, Sambon-kumite & Kihon-ippon kumite.

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Kata: Heian & Tekki-shodan, Junro & Kakuyoku. Junro kata were trained in the way which Asai Sensei taught them, which is now sadly near extinction. It was emphasised that these kata coupled, with the five Joko, are for 'martial arts' kihon and should not just be 'more kata to learn'. They must be taught, trained and applied correctly!

Embu: Also some of Asai Sensei's muchiken and tenshin waza were displayed with pinpoint control exhibiting enormous power, and vividly illustrating that Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu is extremely unique in the Karate World.

This years Asai Sensei memorial was a spirit felt training and a truly wonderful tribute to Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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

Different flowers

A common question which people ask me is “Why are the masters of Shotokan so different?” For example, Asai Sensei, Kanazawa Sensei and Tanaka Sensei… And "do you think your teacher Mr. Asai was the best?"

Let me answer this metaphorically. Think of different flowers in a garden, which you plant in the same soil, and give the same water and nutrients to. Of course they grow differently, even if they are the same types of flowers. Nevertheless, the underlying fundamentals remain the same.

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The JKA masters were all nurtured by Nakayama Sensei, but are all very different. Their technical appeal is dependent on one's preferences, and for the martial artist, this preference is determined by combat effectiveness relevant to oneself.

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

New Zealand TETSUHIKO ASAI SENSEI Memorial Training

Five years ago today my late karate teacher, the legendary Shotokan master, Shuseki-Shihan TETSUHIKO ASAI (10th Dan) passed away. It is so hard to fathom that Sensei departed from us half a decade ago... Here in Christchurch-City, we will be conducting the 5th Annual Asai Tetsuhiko Memorial Training in honour of Sensei.
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The official New Zealand Tetsuhiko Asai Memorial Training report will be published in the coming days on here. Until then, I've placed a new upload on youtube, featuring some of my memories with Sensei (link below).

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