Shihan Class 11th january 2011

News

11/01/2011: Shihan Class One of the many benefits of living in South Australia, is that Shihan Stacy Karetsian usually spends a few weeks early in the New Year back home with his family and always finds time to take a Combined Senior Class. It may have been only the second week back training, but over 50 Instructors from Region 9 and Region 23 attended the session at Gepps Cross Dojo. After the Bow in and welcoming remarks by Sensei Joe, Shihan took over proceedings and announced that the whole session would be devoted to Bunkai. Shihan called everyone in to explain the first section of Kata Seiunchin he wanted to work on. It was the double block, followed by the step though uppercut. Darren Twinning was Shihan's somewhat willing partner for the explanation, which began with a clarification of the block in open handed form and then the area to work on. The group then broke up into their parings and worked on this application and its variations.

After some 20 minutes, the students were called back in to review their work and discuss various options on what worked and what didn't. Then the students broke off again and tried other variations. The third application for the evening was from Kata Kururunfa with the double open handed blocks from the early part of the kata. Once again, Shihan demonstrated the simple but very effective use of the blocks using the hips to enhance the strength of the arms.

The class lasted around 2 hours and was most enjoyable for those participating, with much thought provoking ensuing from the practise. Shihan walked around the room and answered questions or assisted when clarification was needed. At the end of the class, Sensei Joe thanked Shihan for his attendance and instruction throughout the night. It was a good way to start the year and I am sure that many of the Instructors present will take the information learnt back to their own classes to pass on to their students.