Special thanks to Sensei Fusaro and Cheah for the seminar this past weekend

It was a very enlightening seminar in Vancouver this weekend. Sensei Fusaro and Cheah provided priceless instruction invloving enbu as well as self study help in regards to stabilization of the pelvis and natural spine along with the inherent relations to the extremities with floor connection. 

December 2009 Dan and Kyu Testing results

Congratulations to all the testers!

We were honored to have Sensei Art Cherry at the dojo for the kyu and dan rank test last night. All of the hard work and dedication really was shining in everybody's exams. Special thanks to Sensei Hanlon and all of the Senpai whom have worked with us extensively in preparation for this exam. We will have pictures posted as soon as they become available and some video once its processed.

Below are the final results:

• Chris Newson    Pass       Shodan
• Mario Fennerl   Pass       Shodan
• Allan Heaton      Pass       Shodan
• Bill Holman          Pass       Shodan
• Betty Steele       Pass       Shodan
• Evan Heaton      Pass       Ni Kyu
• Justin Holman    Pass       San kyu

Helen’s 3rd Kyu Brown belt test

Congrats to Helen for passing her 3rd Kyu exam!

All that hard work with tekki shodan payed off and the brown belt looks very nice!

September 2009 Kyu rank test results

Great job and karate spririt in testing last night. Keep up the good work!!

Test results:
Cody 8th kyu
Bill 7th kyu
Gary 7th kyu
Doug 4th kyu

Fall 2009 Seminar with Sensei Steve Ubl

This last weekend we had the honor to train under 7th dan Sensei Steve Ubl at the JKA Northwest region seminar. I cannot stress enough how thankful we are to be part of a JKA school which has the privilege of exposure to world class instructors such as Mr. Ubl. Though it is impossible to absorb everything from trainings such as these, I did walk away with some key points that I felt were important:

• Always going into target with techniques. We tend to let our power go back with punch and kick techniques which is not effective.
• Relax and don't be tense. The fluidity with natural movement was strongly emphasized as well as the natural posture involving our pelvis and spine. We wouldn't walk normally with our pelvis tucked too far up or head to far back.
• Techniques within techniques were also discussed. Don't create openings when you move and both sides of the body are always working into the next move. With kata, we tend to compromise ourselves sometimes in order to do over dramaticized actions.

I think everyone took away something different from this experience based on where their karate is at and this is just my humble view of the training. In my personal opinion Sensei Ubl is a great practitioner of living breathing karate through much study. Just watching his fluid movement and kime produced without compromising himself is truly amazing. It is inspirational and something to strive for in our growth.

Check out the photo gallery pics added

- Allan