2011 Black & Brown Belt Camp
June , 2011
Cranbrook, BC


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Armstrong Black/Brown Belt Camp - June 10-12/11

Armstrong, BC 

This was my second time to this camp. I travelled with Anthony Evangelista, and we shared our experiences about karate and life in general.

All our training camps offer great opportunities for learning, improving, and developing oneself further in different environments. This one does not disappoint and the beauty of this camp is 4 two hour sessions with a smaller group, which provides for in-depth training by our best instructors, and the opportunity to actually recall and hopefully retain some knowledge. 

The first session Friday night started out with basics in Kihon and Renraku, proceeding through fighting stances utilizing electrical tape positioning, and later various fight training combinations with a partner.  

The second session Saturday morning continued with more basics in Kihon and Renraku, and Ido Geiko variations. Shihan Stuart advised us of a new Handbook about to be introduced and the expectations of new conditioning, flexibility and stamina requirements. We all attempted same and quickly determined, for some of us, that there was some shortfall to be made up.   We then continued our development in further standardization of our Katas and execution of our techniques, concentrating on the first 2  Pinans.

What we thought we interpreted was standardization quickly changed into more relearning and correcting execution. The expectation is to pass this information back into our dojos so our Karateka can develop their bunkai, and their conditioning. 

The third session on Saturday afternoon featured some different warm-up and stretching exercises by Sempai Jeremy, and continued with more Renraku and Ido Geiko utilizing the electrical tape positioning in the first half.  The second half was devoted to more fight training with a partner, involving practical Kasaho and Happeno combinations and some pad work.  As there were six Dan candidates in attendance, including myself, we finished our session with Kumite in preparation for Summer Camp.  I was tired and certain body parts ached after 3 sessions. But that is to be expected if one trains to their best capacity. 

The BBQ is a great highlight of this camp and again the weather cooperated. Sensei Larry and his Dojo hosted a great evening in a more relaxed atmosphere for socializing and good natured banter. 

The last session on Sunday morning started with Renraku and then continued our development and standardization of our Katas and execution of our techniques, concentrating on the last 3 Pinans.  Shihan Don stressed that Katas are not performing art but for practical fighting.  That one should visualize opponents during execution in order to perfect our bunkai.  Out came the mats for the last half and we practiced various Goshin Jitsu combinations. For whatever reason I felt energized when I finished this session, and the camp. 

Thanks again to our Shihans and Senseis for imparting their expertise, and the participants for another memorable training camp. 

Osu, Bruce Laffling

Richmond (SA) Dojo


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This was my first time to the Armstrong Dojo. It is small but more than adequate and it has great character.

 We did not arrive until late on Friday night and we missed the first session, but training on Saturday proved to be quite exhilarating and challenging. Shihan Stuartfs morning session included kihon and kihon combinations. We then moved on to each of us making up our own ido geiko combinations. Naturally that led into Kata and working on standardization and accuracy of technique. It was interesting to see some of the different interpretations of what we assumed were already standard.

 Afternoon training was again rigorous and was devoted to fighting. Shihan Don demonstrated some great combos and worked us through them. In the end we had some great sparring, especially for those of us who are dan candidates.

The barbeque put on by Sensei Larry was fabulous and a great time was had by all.

 Thank you to Shihan Stuart, Shihan Don and Sensei Larry!

 OSU!  

Doug Potter

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