Hi All,

I'm holding a free seminar for some net friends at my dojo in Brisbane this Saturday. If anyone wanted to come along then they need to contact me via PM for details and an invitation. I'm going to show how kihon, kata and kumite are related by looking at old school training methods and in doing so will touch on applications of karate contained in kata. I will be looking at the fundamentals and applying principles of specificity and bio mechanics. If this interests you then let me know.

Boz

Hi Boz seminar sounds great, its a shame I cant come.

I dropped into your dojo in early January but you were not there, there was an aikido guy there I think. I said Gday to him and told him to tell you that I dropped in.

It was a bit freaky really, my best mate lives up the road in Camp Hill, we were taking his dog for a walk when I saw your dojo, its a bummer you werent there.

Rocket

P.S. Sorry that this is a bit off topic

Great idea Bob... hope people take you up on the offer. Wish I could be there - would be great to train with you..
Please let us know how it goes...

Still waiting to hear how it went.... I really think it's about time you considered moving west, Bozdude... and while I'm asking how the seminar went, a little birdie says I should also ask how the band went the other night

Hi Nooms,
It was a small private seminar and I explained how a kata is constructed using Taikyoku Shodan for that purpose. The participants were able to see how silly it is to look over one shoulder and then turn the other way. In fact it became very clear that there are no attackers surrounding the kata performer in that kata or any other (at least I hope they did).

I gave them an idea of how some kata are used to teach self defense, others used to teach combat or modern kumite and yet others are a mixture of training exercises, self defense and combat. It might not have been as clear as that to the participants because although the concepts were and are there to see, it takes a while to comprehend how it all fits together. I also explained and taught how simple it is to improve one's ability to kick and punch through applying bio mechanics. Nearly all of my students can kick head height through applying correct bio mechanics.

I showed how karate techniques target pressure points and they were able to strike some points on each others limbs to see and 'feel' the effects for themselves. We went over Tensho and the Chin Na applications I use when I teach that kata. I taught mostly the simple 'escapes' and basic joint locks rther than all of the examples to be found there but they were able to get the idea. It was a bloody hot day so we finished off with a meal and a beer at the local cafe

The band launch last Saturday night was a fantastic night. we had our first serious hit out playing 4 sets and have a couple of paid gis lined up for March and April. We need to get out and play now and gain practical experience and we are all keen as mustard I like Brisbane Nooms, its my home and my favourite part of the world. I hope to have a branch there this year and will pop over from time to time then and maybe run a seminar or two.

Cheers,
Boz

Wow. Sounds like a comprehensive day - I hope the students attending enjoyed it! Otherwise, next time, they are not allowed to go and seminar will be here instead, ok? Make sure you do give us fair warning of any Perth visits tho, so Matt's got time to stock the beer fridge...

As for the band (which is called what? Sorry - think you've told me, but I am hopeless with names) - WOOHOO! Congrats!