If you ever need reminding that anything is possible if you try hard enough…
Short History of Shotokan Karate. Part 3
Dr Tudor Jenkins continues his history of Shotokan Karate. Pt 3 of 7.
European bronze medalist!
Congratulations to my friend Karen Driver who competed in the European Masters Swimming Championships in Cadiz last week.
She got 4th in the 800 metre freestyle (only missing out on the bronze by 0.6 sec! :(), and knocking 3 seconds off her personal best!
She got 3rd in the 400 metre freestyle (yay!!! :))
And she got 13th in the open water freestyle, knocking a fantastic 3 minutes off her personal best!
Short History of Shotokan Karate. Part 2
Second part in the series of 7, by Dr Tudor Jenkins.
Short History of Shotokan Karate. Part 1
Quick history of Shotokan Karate by Dr Tudor Jenkins. This is the first part of 7, make sure you see the other parts.
Your fat…and you don’t know it!
According to this report from the BBC news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8269462.stm), it seems that most of us don’t know how fat/obese we are.
Fitness training for 23/9/09
Todays circuit was geared towards the upper body and went like this:
Chelmsford Display at KUGB Nationals 2007
Half time display at the KUGB Nationals 2007, by the Chelmsford Display Squad:
Keystone Abilities. What are they and do you have them?
Keystone Abilities are derived from the biological term “Keystone Species“. These are plant/animal species that have a disproportionate effect on their environment. In other words, their presence (even in very small numbers) have a big effect on everything else around them. So if these Keystone Species are ok, then the surrounding environment is almost certainly … Read more
Bunkai to Shotokan Kata Empi
Sensei Paul James (5th Dan) takes you through a possible Bunkai to Empi.
Important: This is a possible bunkai to Empi. So before thousands of you keyboard warriors start foaming at the mouth saying that it is wrong or a corruption of Shotokan, remember the most important words to live by…
Why we do practical, functional training
My sister took me to the Lake District on Saturday. It was a fantastic day and we climbed up Helm Crag in Grasmere. It was a lovely walk, with a fair bit of climbing up steep boulders and rocks.
And it reminded me a bit of what we have been doing in circuit classes over the past few weeks. We have been using the 24 inch stage for box jumps:
This weeks fitness session was…
In case you missed it, this is the circuit we did at this weeks fitness session. We went 3 times round…
Empi Uchi – Elbow Strike
Click the symbol for an mp3 file for your iPod. Download it, play it and practice. Empi Uchi – Elbow strike. Despite the name, the striking point it immediately above or below the elbow joint.
Kokutsu Datch – Back Stance
Click the symbol for an mp3 file for your iPod. Download it, play it and practice. Kokutsu Datch – Back stance. Make sure the feet are in a straight line, the back foot is pointed at right angles to the side and the front foot is pointing directly to the front. The body weight distribution … Read more
Kizame Tsuki – Lunging Punch
Click the symbol for an mp3 file for your iPod. Download it, play it and practice. Kizame Tsuki – Lunging punch. Twist the body to get more distance, but don’t let the shoulder lift up.
Gedan Barai – Downward Block
Click the symbol for an mp3 file for your iPod. Download it, play it and practice. Gedan Barai – Downward block defending against a kick to the body. The twist of the forearm at the very end of the move helps the block. As with most blocks, the body is twisted to an angle of … Read more
Mawashi Geri – Roundhouse Kick
Click the symbol for an mp3 file for your iPod. Download it, play it and practice. Mawashi Geri – Roundhouse kick. This is an effective kick to all heights, and can be used from a long distance. Make sure the upper body is controlled during the kick.
Mae Geri – Front Kick
Click the symbol for an mp3 file for your iPod. Download it, play it and practice. Mae Geri – Front Kick. Always done as a snap, and making contact with the ball of the foot. Make sure the knee is lifted high both before and after the kick.