Category: karate

karate, Events

Iain Abernethy Seminar

KMA

In October, 2017 Shikomu in Burlington hosted another great weekend seminar where we navigated through the analysis of kata in various styles and the application of throws with Sensei Iain Abernethy from the U.K..

About Iain Abernethy (left)

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One of the UK’s leading exponents of applied karate, Iain has written a number of critically acclaimed books on the practical application of traditional martial arts and is well known for his work on the pragmatic use of the techniques and concepts recorded in the traditional kata. Iain’s seminars, books, DVDs and articles have proved to be very popular with those groups and individuals who wish to practise their arts as the pragmatic systems they were originally intended to be.

Our dojo’s head instructor, Sensei James, only had the opportunity to attend the second day where they focused on Sensei Gichin Funakoshi’s various throws and their applications.

What we learned

We took the opportunity to learn a handful of throwing techniques and how they are applied on the opponent. From their we worked the pads to help assist working impact of our strikes and then combined both the hand pad drills and the throws to understand their true application. Sensei Abernethy explained to us that our bodies are not built to do everything, that we should choose the techniques that best suit us and become good at them. However, it’s also our job to understand all of the other skills so that we can teach them to someone who may prefer those particular techniques. We can’t be a master of everything but we can at least be competent enough in what we do.

In addition, understanding how each technique is applied also allows us to understand how to avoid them.

Iain Abernethy 2

We were also told that throws in karate our almost non-existent. We are taught just to punch and kick, but in fact there are a number of them within our martial art. It is our job to practice them to keep them from going extinct.

Training with Iain Abernethy is always a treat as his charisma and passion only motivates you to better yourself as a karate student. His ability to poke fun at himself gives his seminars a lighter charm and leaves you wanting more.

Thank-you again to Shikomu for hosting this event and to Sensei Iain for coming over from the U.K.. We look forward to next year’s workshop.

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Events, karate, Student Highlight, Tournaments

OKF Tournament

KMA

OKF logoSunday, September, 24, 2017 marked the day of many firsts. We participated in the Ontario Karate Federation Elite Level Tournament associated with the World Karate Federation.

Dean, our club’s elite competitor, bravely entered the ring to compete in the Kumite (sparring) division against other young athletic individuals. His division was the 14-15 year old Cadet Boys -57kg. In his first round, Dean’s tenacity brought him up six points against his competitor. Unfortunately within the final few seconds his opponent captured three points bringing him one point above Dean.

We were given a second chance later within the match to rank-up, but after receiving a kick to the inner-thigh the match had ended with our the other competitor advancing.

However with this being Dean’s first time competing at the elite level, his confidence has made us very proud here at Kazoku Martial Arts Centre. We now know what we are up against and will continue to improve our skill level to compete more in the future.

Dean 4“I was really glad that there was so much support in the crowds today while I competed. I just wanted to let everyone know that I appreciate all of their help and support. And I appreciate the time they took out of their Sunday to cheer on myself and the Dojo. Also, thank you Sensei, for believing in me.” – Dean .M

And a special thanks from us at Kazoku Martial Arts Centre to Shihan Yabunaka and Victoria Rode for guiding us through the tournament, it’s processes, and getting us mentally prepared for Dean’s competition. We would also like to say thank-you to all of the individuals who helped organize the event. Conestoga College for hosting, the organizers at the Ontario Karate Federation, the referee’s, other competitors, and of course ALL of the volunteers who took the time out of their weekend to help run things extra smoothly.

And thank-you to Peter Pakatchian for ensuring we were in the right ring at the right time. His calm focus certainly made it feel that everything was under control.

Kazoku Martial Arts & Fitness Centre

karate

Thank-you!!

KMA

After month’s of driving from Cambridge to Hamilton, to Ingersoll, and back. Going over again and again the same moves to ensure they were correct. Testing myself and relying on my years of experience, I can finally say that I’ve passed the grading requirements and received my Sandan (3rd level blackbelt) this past weekend along with the formal teaching title of Shidoinwith Seiwa Kai Canada.

I can’t tell you all how thankful I am to have had your guidance and your support over the period of time it’s taken me to get this far. And now that I have travelled further along the path, I am really looking forward to showing you all the way towards your own true potential.

Black Belt

Thank-you again to Sensei (Jokyo) Paul and Shihan Yabunaka for showing me what I needed to know and of course everyone else within the Seiwai Association! Thank-you to my students and other club members at Kazoku Martial Arts and Fitness for cheering me on. My family who started me on this path when I turned 11 years old. And most importantly, Jeric for believing in me and making sure I pushed myself hard each and every day to get to where I am.

And to everyone else who’ve been apart of my journey, good and bad. It only motivates me to truly become a better version of myself each and everyday.

karate

Creating Leaders

KMA

KarateEvery few months we test our students to see if they are ready for their next belt level. In doing so it gives them the opportunity to learn and grow as individuals. Now as time goes on the belts get darker. But what does this mean? It means we need to deepen our understanding as karate students to become leaders within our community.

How can we become better leaders?

  • Be kind to others
  • Say please and thank-you
  • If it doesn’t look like a good idea, it probably isn’t!
  • Volunteer your time
  • Listen to what people are saying
  • Watch the words you use
  • Stay active and choose healthier options
  • Be positive
  • And always ask questions and be willing to learn new things!

Want to know more about our karate programs? Click this link for details.

karate, Sponsorship

Supporting Our Young Athletes

KMA

We are looking for YOUR support!

Looking to take it to the next level, our students are preparing themselves for future Ontario Karate Federation and World Karate Federation tournaments .

Your donation will go towards new training gear and equipment that will help aid their development within sport karate.

You can follow their journey by clicking HERE or even HERE.

To donate, click the image below!

Team KMA
Kazoku Martial Arts Athletic Development Team
karate

Karate-Do: My Way of Life

KMA

Karate DoA recommended read for any karate practitioner

Click HERE to find it online

Linking the time when karate was a strictly Okinawan art of self-defense shrouded in the deepest secrecy and the present day, when it has become a martial art practiced throughout the world, is Gichin Funakoshi, the “Father of Karate-do.”

Out of modesty, he was reluctant to write this autobiography and did not do so until he was nearly ninety years of age. Trained in the Confucian classics, he was a schoolteacher early in life, but after decades of study under the foremost masters, he gave up his livelihood to devote the rest of his life to the propagation of the Way of Karate. Under his guidance, techniques and nomenclature were refined and modernized, the spiritual essence was brought to the fore, and karate evolved into a true martial art.

Various forms of empty-hand techniques have been practiced in Okinawa for centuries, but due to the lack of historical records, fancy often masquerades as fact. In telling of his own famous teachers-and not only of their mastery of technique but of the way they acted in critical situations-the author reveals what true karate is. The stories he tells about himself are no less instructive: his determination to continue the art, after having started it to improve his health; his perseverance in the face of difficulties, even of poverty; his strict observance of the way of life of the samurai; and the spirit of self-reliance that he carried into an old age kept healthy by his practice of Karate-do.

Events, karate

Dance-a-thon/Karate Marathon

KMA

After a month of planning I’m excited to say that our event was a BIG success! But for those of you who may not know, here’s what we got up to!

A team of us will once again climb all 144 flights of stairs up the CN Tower. In doing so we have to fundraise for the World Wildlife Fund. So to collect those donations, Autumn from ONE Movement and myself (James), from Kazoku Martial Arts Centre, came up with our first ever Dance-a-thon and Karate Marathon. Two worlds collided over six hours giving our students the chance to experience something different.

With many of our own attending the event and draw prizes to be won, we were able to collect $300.00 for our fundraiser. After calculating everything that’s been collected so far, from our event and our other team members, we have raised over $1000.00! And now with just one month to go all we need to do is prepare for the hike up 144 flights of stairs in the CN Tower.

Thank-you again to all of the local businesses who donated items for our draw prizes; including Monigram Coffee Roasers, E.V.O Kitchen, Sunset Gourmet, Sugar Berries, Moksha Cambridge, and Nature’s Vibe. Also a BIG thank-you to Autumn for letting us use her space and another thank-you to all of those who participated.

Kazoku Martial Arts Centre.