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
@
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
@