Harkon72

Sue and Harvey Smith's Horse Auroras Encore wins the 2013 Grand National Steeple Chase at 66/1. A good result for the Bookmakers, I enjoyed the race and glad that all the runners and jockeys finished the race safely.

Our Sensei showed us Kururunfa Kata tonight, it is a Yondan Kata of the Genbukai of Shukokai here in the UK. It was an eye opener, hard and soft, fast and powerful yet measured and focused. Sensei Williams said it should be taught earlier in the syllabus, maybe for Nidan. I really enjoyed it, learning between a Nidan and a 1st Kyu, we all seemed to pick up the basic shape of it. Has anyone heard of it?

Our club teaches traditional Karate but in a Modern way, this is the form Shukokai is taught.

I just bought claw hammer tonight, perfect for heavy nail driving; but my new electric driver/drill is what I need to finish the job. I like the Uraken and Empi techniques of Karate, but you can't beat the center line punch of Wing Chun in a defense situation. If you limit yourself to one way of thinking you are missing out; if you try and capture the whole spectrum of techniques you are wasting your time. Practice what works for you, your type and your ethical stance. Not everyone will headbutt their way out of trouble, some will avoid, direct and evolve a way to prevail. Do not paint with just one color, try a few effects but Budo doesn't always flow like a masterpiece from a brush; it takes time, effort and a few bruises along the way.

Being able to perform all the techniques in your syllabus is the mark of a seasoned Dan grade. Being able to use the best in your armory to great effect is the mark of an efficient fighter. Being able to leave yourself with the techniques that would save your life is the mark of a good self defense specialist. Being able to have no technique in mind, to hold true to your center and produce a response to any situation from the core of your being is the mark of a true warrior.

You can lead the students to the mountain but how they climb it is up to them... So true, the challenge of the Martial Arts is a very personal thing.

My Martial Arts are a journey in my self development. My true opponent is myself, each of us is a latent Tiger, ready to react and hunt the prey of society. I look to the Dragon within who only fears his own power, who initiates action, who looks for a way to walk slowly to his destiny. A warrior does not run to fight any battle; he walks to the beat of a calm soul, confident that providence holds the key to his ultimate journey. I am living in the modern world, full of material that has no place in the account of my Karma; my Tiger Hunts, my Dragon is profound in his wisdom.

I'm 40, I'm a 5th Kyu, I will reach my prime about 3rd Dan in this style. Give me about ten years.

I believe there will always be traditional martial arts; we don't practice for tradition's sake, we practice because of the values these martial arts are based on. The calmness of Aikido, the focus of Karatedo, the purity of Iaido. The emphasis here is on the way - the Do. Call me old fashioned, but the enduring appeal of tradition will be maintained long after the next trendy fighting fad has died.

The biggest horse race in the UK is happening this saturday at Aintree Racecourse Liverpool. It has 40 runners, all champions. Some are former winners, some have never run the race before. Known as the most challenging race in the world it is quite a spectacle. Campaigners have tried to ban it as being too dangerous, it has been made safer over the years. It remains the most thrilling horse race in the calender, and any horse can win! I wager on this race every year; one to win, two to finished placed, wish them luck!

Well done Alex, you are an inspiration to us all!

Yes, listening to your body is the key to great martial arts. Thank you for the article, it's very informative; well done indeed.

Congratulations Harlan, wear your belt with pride

Thanks BM, but Soccer and Rugby keep me happy, I will watch the Grand National Race this weekend too.

The exercise is squat, right front kick, squat, left front kick and so on for a minute. As I said, I found it beneficial, it'll be something different this week.

I can say that our Sensei is not just a martial artist, he's a strength athlete. He was challenged to lift a stone of strength to his shoulder. This is a traditional strength test that goes back to Celtic times here in Britain. He didn't hesitate in refusing the challenge. He said that on a good day the feat was possible; but one bad slip could end your career. I trust Sensei Williams to know at a glance what is good or bad for me.

Happy Easter Everyone! Or have a good time with whatever other Spring Festival you happen to Enjoy!

I think the greatest factor is the quality of the instructor. If you have a great Sensei, they can make any style outstanding. I never rated Shukokai, I thought it was a cheap re-hash of Shito Ryu; most of the instructors that taught it in our area did so for profit using the most basic syllabus that gave belts far too cheaply. That was until I met Sensei Williams; his brand of Shukokai has the same kata and kihon but he teaches the modern system with a traditional Budo that is awe inspiring. The self defense is biting and real, the kata Bunkai is frightening in its application and the look in Sensei's eye brings out a loyal student base and a close club that have become my family.

I'm playing Rugby Manager II on my PC at the moment, it's ten years old but it's still a classic.

Okinawan Pattern Nunchaku are my favorite weapon, octagonal, oak with a cord. I have an Issin Ryu White Oak Bokken too, it's a heavy training type and very strong. I also have several daggers and Tanto, my favorite is my Ronin Drop Point Assassin's blade.

In the family tree of styles, many connections can be made. But I don't believe in preserving a style for it's own sake. Some styles like Bujinkan Ninjitsu are preserved because of tradition, others like Krav Maga are made for a purpose. For me Okinawan Karate is a rich historic family of styles, many it can be argued are outdated, they in turn have evolved into what are today modern, vibrant systems, fit for the 21st century. Combat styles and Law enforcement systems are proven to do what they are designed to do, fitness and health are a focus for some. Sport is an attraction for many, and not just to fight; Kata is a deep art of modern Karate too. I am blessed with a very good Sensei, I despair at some stories of when clubs become a business; please let your martial arts come from the heart and not the pocket. Look for the Do, the way, and you will find it.

They say "Never fear a man that can do a thousand techniques - fear the man that has done one technique a thousand times". It is so true, my personal technique is the Uraken or backfist. My hikate - uraken is like a piston, easily disguised and fast. My shoto uke/uchi is now being developed to the same level.

I must admit I have never seen silat, arnis, kali or bando done. I don't think we have any here in Wales. The fact that they could have Okinawan cross influence intrigues me though. I will look into the practice in the UK, I'm sure I have seen Escrima mentioned in British Martial Arts Magazines, I'll have a good look.

I watched a program with Ross Kemp about the Martial Art Gangs in Indonesia; it described and showed Penjak Silat, it was very interesting. They also demonstrated a modern Dart Firing weapon used and outlawed in the area. They showed Ross Kemp firing a barbed dart and fights between gang members in their training hall. This style looked very impressive, designed for small people and used very effectively for attack and defense.

These three things are the foundation of my Sensei's fitness warm ups in our class. He has evil variations of all three, tonight I had to do finger tip pushups in an A shape with straight legs; V shape situps with shoulders and feet off the ground; and front kicking squats on either side for a minute, I did 28, not bad. I'm sure Sensei will think of more for next week, fair play no two sessions are ever the same.