East Oxford Traditional Shotokan karate

At Oxford Shotokan Karate we have been busy training, as usual. The students are focussing very hard on achieving their next belt, overseen by their trainer. A black belt trainer in Karate is called Sensei, by his students. Sensei Tony is a fourth level black belt. That is called fourth Dan. A very friendly fourth Dan Sensei he is.

He is saying, the club is accepting new students, anyone over the age of eight years old is welcome to join. There are no requirements for fitness levels or capability! Everyone can train karate with us. Come for a free, no obligation lesson to try it out and see how much fun it is.

A normal session starts with a warm-up, usually followed by some training of the basic moves and techniques, and then finished with either a set form (as the students in the picture) or self-defence training.

Most of the time, you train on your own, trying to improve your own capabilities. That is the biggest challenge, to be better than you were yesterday. But the main goal is to have fun, enjoy ourselves, improve fitness, and learn new things. We don’t compete against our fellow students, but against ourselves of yesterday. Trying to be a little bit better than we were last time we trained. Then that is put together to something bigger, that can be used to defend ourselves. There is no first strike in karate!

We train on Fridays 6pm – 7pm in the Aaron Buron Youth Room at Rose Hill Community Centre, Carroll’s Way, Rose Hill, Oxford, OX4 4HF

For further enquiries, send us a message here.
Or just show up (wear loose clothing)

All set up for karate training tomorrow at 6pm at Rose Hill Community Centre!
We're going to play kata with accessories.
Gojushiho Dai (or Sho, depending on who's saying it) with Sai is the inspiration. Never tried that. But the one finger punches there fits really well with a reverse sai in your hand...
Who can name all the weapons in the picture? 😁

Can wholeheartedly recommend this seminar! Everyone is welcome, regardless of grade, affiliation or style.
Iain got a black belt in story telling as well. 😄

Karate Tōushi are excited to announce that Iain Abernathy will be joining us in Reading to concentrate on Kata Jitte. Register now to secure your place. https://www.karatetoushi.org.uk/event-info/iain-abernethy-jitte

Please join us in congratulating our member Sarah to her very successful grading to third Dan this Saturday!
A very solid grading throughout. Technically extremely good, with lots of power, control and detail! Not a single glitch! Acing the fitness test at the end as well! (As expected!)
Well deserved Sarah!

Here pictured with Sensei Iain Tyrie (7th Dan IASK / Shuhari) and Sensei Gary Leyshon (5 Dan Toushi / Shuhari), who acted as adjudicator and examiner respectively.
Two heavy weight senior Shotokan profiles, that made sure the grade was properly deserved!

Sensei Tony has been on seminar again!
Expect some new drills on Friday!

Karate Tōushi hosted Sensei Les Bubka at the weekend. A fascinating and fun session around Seipai application, which was universally enjoyed by all who attended. Les – please come again!

For the first time with Karate Tōushi, Sensei Les Bubka will be taking us through the application of Seipai. Register now to secure your place.

https://www.karatetoushi.org.uk/event-info/les-bubka-seipai

Tony Sensei participated in a very good seminar with Christian Wedewardt and Iain Abernethy yesterday.
It was an international high level of practical karate, from pad drills to kata application (bunkai). Lots of familiar takedowns and other techniques, as well as some new distractions and destructions. A brilliant seminar with practical karate, with the usual historical lecture and story telling from Iain. That man got a black belt in story telling!
Christian wasn't far behind in that area either. Despite doing it in a second language. A few examples: "Trust me, when a German is telling you that you are too rigid, you really are!", "I don't block a punch, I protect myself" and "Listen for the confirmation noise from the uke, that the technique has worked." IE, a scream in pain and fear.

Tony is looking forward to teaching the Oxford club some new techniques and thoughts from the seminar.

Great seminar with Christian Wedewardt and Iain Abernethy. Lots of material to bring back to teach our students!

A HUGE congratulations to our own Lesley for achieving Nidan within the Toushi / Shuhari Karate Association last Saturday!
We, as a club, are very proud of you! And I, as your instructor and personal close friend, am immensely proud!

For anyone thinking this was an easy task, just look at the focus of the exam board! Steely eyed, piercing scrutiny all the way!
The grading finished with press-ups galore and doing the plank for two minutes (but I think Gary's watch was running slow...)
This after hours of training and grading!

Big thanks to Tiru Jr Katsu, Gary Leyshon and Jay Patel for being on the examiners board for the grading!

/Tony