Glasgow Shorinji Kempo - Self Defence based Martial Art

Kempo Fitness Session 7

Check out that beautiful midday light! Sunshine!!! In Glasgow of all places! It was a nippy 2C but kenshi soon warmed up quick.

Killer tabata session to start; glutes, hamstrings, quads *and* calves all felt sore the next day!!! Improvements made with kage zuki on the pads too! And we progressed to include Ten chi ken dai gokei into our kata repertoire!!! Covered in dirt afterwards with everyone kicking dirt up onto themselves and me 🙄😂

Nice to see my long, lost kempo brother, Richard Codling make an appearance. Its been over 10 years since I last was in a dojo with him and I can't wait to be able to punch and kick his face and body again when COVID-19 is over!

Kempo Fitness session times and days will vary due to my shifts. If you want to be included PM/DM me.

Kempo Fitness Session 6

Sensei Kat ate some dodgy scrambled eggs so never made this session. Another kenshi slept in 😬... But training must go on!!!!

Bit of pad work to keep atemi sharp (god, we miss hitting each other!!!!) and running at the infamous Kelvingrove Steps to improve endurance!

Sad I missed out but until next time!

Kempo Fitness session times and days will vary due to my shifts. If you want to be included PM/DM me.

Kempo Fitness Session 5

Lucky enough to get our training in during a rare window of no rain today!

Training will always be on regardless of rain or shine. ☔ ☀ 🌥 🍃 (unless Sturgeon says otherwise! 😂)

Motivation will come and go. Its Commitment, Discipline and Consistency that gets results everytime.

HIIT Tabata session included another cheeky leg burner. Ouch!

New boxing combo included the little practiced kagi zuki (hook) and uwa kagi zuki (upper cut).

Kata included Ten chi ken dai nikei (with the correct count this time! 😂) and we started working on Ten chi ken dai yonkei.

Kempo Fitness session times and days will vary due to my shifts. If you want to be included PM/DM me.

Kempo Fitness Session 4

After initial lock down end of March, we've now managed to have more outdoor than indoor sessions 🙄

I run these sessions free of charge because I strongly believe that continuing our Shorinji Kempo community is very important.

We shall survive this.

It's about Progression not Perfection.

We won't always be able to video our sessions but it's nice seeing kenshi still making improvements even though official training is suspended.....It also gives me chance to criticise my own form and er...realise my own mistakes (NO NEED TO POINT THEM OUT!!! Don't think I haven't noticed 😂! they will be corrected in the next session)

Be better than you were yesterday.

Kempo Fitness session times and days will vary due to my shifts. If you want to be included PM/DM me.

Kempo Fitness in Kelvingrove Park - session 3

Keeping safe whilst training.

HIIT Tabata. Social distancing ensured using cones. Don't rush your push ups or they look rubbish...as demonstrated here 😂

Pad work. Retaining partners and no mixing plus hand sanitiser.

Kata. Each kenshi remains at their cone throughout.

If you want to come to these session PM/DM me. They change days/times every week due to my shifts.

Kempo Fitness at Kelvingrove Park

Socially distanced exercise class.

Healthy Body - keeps you safe and prepared to run or....FIGHT!!!

Healthy Mind - all those lovely endorphins after getting the blood pumping

Workout today was running Kelvingrove Steps focusing on endurance, HIIT tabata focusing on explosive movements and coordination, Agility drills to out manoeuvre any attacker or large vicious animal and a bit of kata to keep our Kempo sharp!

Until we can get back in the dojo, we'll be doing more of these

PM/DM if you'd like to be included as I need to keep numbers small and so that I can plan the workout

New COVID-19 Guidelines in Scotland

Group exercise and therefore GUSKC (Glasgow University Shorinji Kempo Club) is suspended for two weeks. Next class will resume Monday 26th October.

There is still no current news as to when Glasgow Kempo's venue, the Partick Burgh Halls will reopen and with current and ongoing restrictions, I'm not hopeful it will be anytime soon.

Please be patient and look after each other during these times. We'll be back as soon as we're able.

I'm still waiting for Glasgow Kempo's venue to open. I've been in contact with them but have heard nothing back so far.

In the meantime, if you're a Glasgow Uni student, you can take part in socially distanced Kempo. Hopefully contact will be allowed soon because learning self defence without a partner is basically aggressive aerobics! 😂

https://www.facebook.com/154097518126480/posts/1365405913662295/

Sign Up | Glasgow University Sports Association You have successfully registered for the session. You should receive a confirmation email which has a link to cancel your attendance if required.

Lockdown continues and yet another month of no Shorinji Kempo training rolls by....

Messing about in the Kelvingrove Park checking on the flexibility. You don't need to be able to kick above waist height to be effective in self defence but it's good to have the ability if needed.

Practice. Self-criticise. Improve.

Try something you've not done in awhile. Practice something you're rubbish at. Get out your comfort zone, you'll feel better for it!

Photo credit - my Isolation Buddy

Another month rolls by with no Shorinji Kempo training or gatherings. I keep having hope and clinging on that it's just another three weeks but nobody really knows.
I get frustrated with Government decisions, feel empathy for those who have lost loved ones, Front Line Workers and those worried about their financial security and livelihood and angered by the individuals who are flagrantly flouting the restrictions and therefore prolonging things for the rest of us who follow our civic duty and comply.
I miss the events and weddings I had planned to attend, my friends, family and Kempo Family.
Happo Mokko - "to see all". Don't focus on one part; your opponents hands or fists because you'll miss attacks or react too slowly to defend from their feet/legs/kicks. Protect yourself.
How this relates philosophically.... If we focus on the negative and don't "see all", we can become very bitter, unhappy people and lose love for our community. Try and "see all". Look at the bigger picture. Focus on the good; acts of kindness, the thought of seeing friends and family again, enjoying restaurants and cafes etc. By seeing a wider perspective it protects me from turning into a miserable, bitter bitch 😂

Some days are easier than others but things will get better and it's ok not do anything sometimes and spend this time resting and recuperating.