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Mark B
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Open Seminar Of old style Okinawan karate - Naihanchi kata

On the 24th of April 2016 I will be teaching an open Seminar on the defensive & counter offensive applications of Naihanchi kata, with influence from Fujian White Crane Kung Fu. The seminar will take place at my dojo at: Serbian Orthodox church, Heap Street, Boothtown, Halifax. HX3 6JE The session will start at 10am - 2pm, and costs £10 pp for the four hours training. The session will begin with pad drills & two person exercises which will inform the close quarter applications which follow. The aim of the seminar will be to focus on receiving the opponents energy (Uke Waza) to instinctively apply a practical response to HAOPV based around the combative principles as taught in Naihanchi. My hope is that each attendee will leave the session with the knowledge & knowhow to truly apply their karate in response to unscripted attacks of the most likely HAOPV & their continuations. If you are interested in coming to the seminar please contact me either on this forum or by PM, or via email to : jikokaizenkoryukarate@gmail.com

Mark B
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Hi all, I've had some real interest in the seminar so now pre payment will be necessary to guarantee your place(s) as numbers will be limited. If you would like to book a place details for where to send payment will be sent through PM. Thanks Mark

Mark B
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Hi all, The seminar is almost full, even at this early stage. If anyone is considering attending then they will need to book their place(s) pretty soon. Thanks Mark

Mark B
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Hi all, I forgot to mention that each person who attends the seminar will receive a booklet which will list in detail each exercise we well consider during the session. The individual can take the booklet away after the seminar as a means of helping them remember what was covered. As well as this each person/pair will receive one extra piece of paraphernalia which will link to the information in the booklet to take with them, which we will make use of during the final thirty minutes of the session. As of today there are only a maximum of six places remaining, although that may reduce to four as I'm waiting on a couple of confirmations. All the best Mark

Mark B
Mark B's picture

Hi all,

There are now only two places left on this seminar if anyone who frequents this forum think they might be interested. 

Some more information regarding the seminar :  it's my assertion that most karateka either practice "Bunkai" drills that are in the most part prearranged which end in a sterile and unsatisfactory manner (bad guy is always defeated at first contact) or after a prearranged continuation.

Most people would agree that most physical confrontation will not begin with the "good guy" having prior knowledge of the initial technique the aggressor will use (punch, grab, push????) yet that is how 99% training is structured - ie: prearranged. 

Most people would also concede that fights will usually continue beyond the initial contact, and that once again the possibilities are too many /random to list, it all depends on the energy, and the individual.

Using the lessons which are contained in Naihanchi I will aim to enable the karateka who attend to start to deal with non scripted initial engagement,  and then random unscripted continuations to better mirror a more realistic physical engagement. 

If anyone on here thinks this might be of interest please contact me by email at:  jikokaizenkoryukarate@gmail.com

Regards 

Mark

Mark B
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This seminar is now full.

I plan on teaching a seminar on Passai in late summer, and Kata Jitte late Autumn. (Dates to be confirmed )

Places may be limited as I hope many of the attendees for the Naihanchi will take up the chance to come to Passai session. 

If anyone on this forum would like to express an interest please contact me via PM,  or by email at jikokaizenkoryukarate@gmail.com

Regards 

Mark

Mark B
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Exciting news :-)!!! Two spaces have become available due to work commitments. If you fancy learning how to practice, drill & apply the lessons of Naihanchi kata in response to unscripted attacks of the habitual acts of physical violence then this is your chance. Please email me at jikokaizenkoryukarate@gmail.com Regards, Mark

Mark B
Mark B's picture

With less than two weeks until the seminar there are two places available. Please get in touch at jikokaizenkoryukarate@gmail.com to book the last couple of spots and come and enjoy Naihanchi as a GENUINE system of close quarter self defence against the habitual acts of physical violence.

Mark B
Mark B's picture

FINAL CALL!!!! 

This Sunday we will be spending 4+ hours studying the close quarter  defensive applications of Naihanchi kata in response to habitual acts of  physical violence .

The session will build & increase the energy and vigour to create a great atmosphere & energy in the dojo. We will discover how Naihanchi  can produce defensive templates which through subtle alteration will provide instant answers to the questions posed in a violent scenario. 

The applications will endeavor to end any potential physical conflict in the quickest,  most efficient way available,  while recognizing the organic nature of violence which cannot be "mapped out " to fit predetermined "moves".  To this end we will try and understand how to become "formless " in our application of the principles taught in Naihanchi.

There have been a couple of late withdrawals,  which means there a maximum of 4 places available. 

If you think you would enjoy learning how to apply the Naihanchi system as an antidote to common acts of violence please get in touch soon at jikokaizenkoryukarate@gmail.com

Regards 

Mark

Iain Abernethy
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Mark B wrote:
while recognizing the organic nature of violence which cannot be "mapped out " to fit predetermined "moves".  To this end we will try and understand how to become "formless " in our application of the principles taught in Naihanchi.

That’s the paragraph! The way I summarise it is that the kata / bunkai / associated drills aim to create combative “habits”. Those habits mean we will navigate the ever-changing terrain of combat in the optimum way. The kata is NOT a “pre-enactment” of a fight to be applied as is … and not one of the past master said it was.

This article looks at this idea: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/article/understanding-kata-textbooks-and-tactics

Extract from article wrote:

Kata as tactical exercises

When soldiers do such exercises, they are not looking to learn the detailed and exact specifics of a future conflict, but instead they are learning to act in accordance with good tactics and procedures that are most likely to lead to the right result in an ever-changing environment. They acknowledge that it is impossible to know the exact detail of any given conflict ahead of time. The specifics of conflict will never be exactly the same as the exercise, but by engaging in exercises which encourage action in accordance with good tactics the solider will develop what amount to “combative habits” which are most likely to lead to favourable action. This is exactly what kata should do.

Kata is NOT an exacting and precise “pre-enactment” of a future battle …

… While the solo kata is precise and exacting (in order to foster an extremely high level of body awareness), we don’t expect to recreate the kata in its entirety, without any alteration, in live combat! Instead we will move freely, as the situation dictates, all the while acting in accordance with the combative principles encapsulated within the kata; as we have practised in our bunkai drills and kata-based-sparring.

Our solo kata will be exact and extremely consistent: Our application of that kata will be fluid and ever-changing. This is what Funakoshi is wanting us to understand via his eighteenth precept. This is also why he likens kata to soldiers’ tactical exercises.  The solider does not expect the exercise to perfectly match future conflicts, but they understands that through the exercises they will develop an understanding – hopeful an intuitive and habitual understanding, as opposed to a solely intellectual one – that will enable them to best navigate those future conflicts. Kata is exactly the same when correctly understood and practised.

As you succinctly say, it’s not about “mapped out moves” but “formless” application of the principles and concepts encapsulated by the examples the kata provides.

Sounds like it will be a great day Mark and I hope people take advantage of the few places that have opened up.

All the best,

Iain

Johnny Wilson
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Thank you Mark for another great seminar on Sunday. The session outlined how much depth and scope Naihanchi has as a self-protection system. Yet again the session was taught brilliantly at a steady pace suitable for all abilities. We've came away with loads of information and ideas from the session and Mark teaches in such a way that you'll be developing these ideas for months to come!

£10.00 for 4 hours training, excellent tuitition, a booklet covering the techniques shown in the session and ideas and concepts to keep any club going for months - you really have no excuse not to attend these sessions! 

Thanks again, and put our names down for the next one!

Johnny, Rothwell Karate Club, Leeds

soaringeaglekarate
soaringeaglekarate's picture

I'd like to emulate Johnny's comments about the session!  Was a brilliant session scratching the surface of what is to be uncovered in Naihanchi, despite the amount we actually did in the session.  

Mark's approach to the session was excellent, with a rarity for seminars in actually receiving a booklet with everything covered in the session as a handy reminder for the future (something I will be putting to use quite soon).  His delivery made everything easy to follow and the time flew by.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of it, and cannot wait for the next session.

Oliver, Soaring Eagle Karate, Keighley

Mark B
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Thank you Johnny and Oliver very much for those comments. It means a lot to receive feedback and recommendations like that. I'm also really glad the booklets are useful. It was great to see / meet you and I'll look forward to seeing you guys next time Thanks Mark