The essence of the path of Martial Arts lies in the peace and happiness of all human beings.

Regardless of the change that time brings, Martial Arts has not altered its true essence now and it never will.

Students,

September marks the resumption of our 8-month strength training program. Designed specifically to complement karate training, we begin Phase 1 of the Program - Technique and Muscular Endurance - on September 2. This year, there are two new exercises in the circuit, one to increase focus on the rotator cuff, while the other enhances the core while working ne waza (ground fighting) awareness. The program hase been uploaded to the Events tab. Check it out!

Students,

Last year, we had great success with BKA-branded hoodies. This year, we're following up with T-shirts. Black, Made in Canada, 50/50 Poly/Cotton mix with the logo on the front and our tagline and web-site on the back.

Get one during registration while supplies last. Only $20.

The Bushido Karate Association is pleased to announce the creation of a new Beginner’s only Adult program. As students of karate, you already understand the benefits that training can bring to you, both mentally and physically.

a) Students - why not introduce a friend to our program? It might be the best thing you do for them.

b) Youth Members - why not get your parents involved?

c) Parents - quit watching and get out on the floor. Hitting pads hard on a Friday night is a great way to relieve stress.

Here are some of the exciting things you can learn in the class:

1. Introduction to basic karate technique – hand and leg techniques, stances;

2. Introduction to Strength Training – including a 3 hour Fitness Test on September 19. Learn how to safely and effectively train with stability balls, resistance bands, dumbbells, BOSU balls, and medicine balls;

3. Introduction to Self-protection – including understanding of awareness levels, impact of adrenalin, “fencing” and self-protection strategies. Learn how to use striking shields and focus mitts;

4. Introduction to Kata – including practical application for close-range fighting

Times

Friday Night 6:00 – 7:30 pm (strength training from 7:00 – 7:30 with advanced students)
Sunday night from 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 7:00 – 9:00 (combined with advanced students)

Program starts Friday September 5.

Location

Grandview Heights Community Hall 12603 – 63 Avenue

Congratulations are in order for Sensei Kelsey.

She successfully achieved a position on the SWKKF National Team, and is the first member of the Bushido Karate Association to do so. The tryout process was rigourous, involving fitness testing, tonnes of waza and kihon testing, three kats, and a kumite competition, but at the end of the third day, she emerged a deserving member of the team.

Her first training camp will be in September in Welland. We look forward to learning more from her as she brings back tips and tricks from Sensei Ron.

Congratulations to Sensei Kelsey Ross on becoming a member of the SWKKF National Team.

Hosted in Olds, the process for the tryout was VERY throrough (see the links below) and spanned 3 days.

Please congratulate Sensei Ross on achieving the position on the team as well as both Senseis Scott and Elliot Knowles on representing the club well during the tryouts.

As promised, the June 12 interview with Sensei Abernethy and Sensei Freeman on The Team 1260 radio is now available for your listening pleasure.

Thanks to Scott for recording it. To download the mp3 file, just right click on the link below and choose Save Target As.

Students,

The BKA was pleased to host members from 8 Wado clubs and 3 Shotokan clubs from Alberta and Saskatchewan to the main clinics held as part of Sensei Iain Abernethy's Canada clinic Series 2008. Saturday's theme was Bunkai jutsu with Kushanku and Chinto, while the focus on Sunday was Kata-based Sparring. All throughout the clinic series, Sensei Iain supplemented the material with practical reality-based martial arts and self protection instruction as part of his background with the British Combat Association, and based on his training with some of England's top reality-based martial artists. Both sessions averaged 38 attendees each, and there was plenty of vertical grappling and ground work plus other drills to demonstrate limb control, all based on principles from the Pinan katas.

Club members,

On Saturday, June 14, Sensei Iain Abernethy awarded Sensei Elliot Knowles and Sensei Scott Knowles with Certificates acknowledging them as Introductory Instructors in his methods of Bunkai Jutsu. Also on the same day, Sensei Jim Freeman and Sensei Craig Pettie were awarded Full Instructor certificates. Certification at the more senior level involved completion of a demo DVD showing an ability to generate unique bunkai explanations using Sensei Iain's methods, a written exam, and direct work with Sensei Iain to show an ability to create live drills based on bunkai. The BKA is unique in North America in having 4 instructors certified in Sensei Iain's methods.

Students and Friends,

Sensei Iain and Sensei Freeman made an appearance on The Team 1260 radio at 7:30 am on June 12. We'll post an mp3 of the interview as soon as we get a copy.

Students and Friends,

The St. Albert Shotokan club under Sensei Vic Charlton has been a great supporter of our clinic series, and I'd like to thank them for hosting the Wednesday June 11 training session.

Students,

Well, it has been quite a week so far in Edmonton. We've worked through 4 clinics covering Pinans Shodan through to Yodan, with the big week-end clinics starting tonight. During the days, Sensei Craig and I have been workinga set of nine throws from Karate-do Kyohan demonstrated by Funakoshi and Ohtsuka, and have also worked kata-based sparring drills with Sensei Iain. for fun, we've also whacked the striking shields a few times too.

Today was the first extended clinic.  The day started with the drive out to Delhi from Welland,  but not before the obligatory stop at Tim Hortons for Sensei Ron.

At the clinics, Sensei Iain provided a quick review of main purpose of the 'helper hand' as taught in Pinan Nidan ie to remove obstructions and set points of reference.  We then moved on through the theme of breaking posture through attack on the forearm followed by age uke,  with more advanced options from yodan and godan.  We then focused on kansetsu from shodan and sandan,  a flow drill for the opening move of sandan and also for the second sequence of shodan,  and finally attacks to the carotids via the first three moves in yodan (strikes and then strangle).  We ended with a duress drill involving a grappling game.  A total of 25 attendees were present,  including goju, shotokan,  and wado students.  Three members traveled from as far away as Pennsylvania to attend.

After the clinic, we went to Sensei Bruce's club to refresh,  and then on to a local eatery for food before the drive back to Welland and some Comedy TV at Sensei Ron's.

James Freeman

Today was the first full day of time with Sensei Iain. Sensei Ron and I worked with him for 2.5 h at the Welland dojo, working the applications of Pinan Nidan in preparation for tonight.

After morning training, we took Iain to see Niagara Falls, where I think we all got a little sunburnt, since it was clear, 25+ degrees, and humid.

After Niagara Falls, it was on to Decuw Falls, where Iain and I dressed in Gis to get some photos in some interesting places.

The main event for today was the first clinic at the St. Catherines dojo. We were fortunate to have 3 senate members - Sensei Ron, Sensei Bruce, and Sensei Brad - join us for training. All attendees were yudansha, and we had one guest from as far away as Pennsylvania. All but 3 were SWKKF members, and there were a total of 20 on the floor. We completed the bunkai for Pinan Nidan, and also got in some Kata-based sparring.

Afterwards, we had a bite to eat with a small group.

All in all, Day 1 was a big success.

Sensei Freeman

I picked Sensei Iain up at Pearson today, and after a 'scenic' (read: took longer than expected) drive we arrived at Sensei Ron's place in Welland for a late supper.

After dinner, Sensei Ron showed us his karate and Beatles-themed rooms before we sat down to a pot of green tea and some light discussions about martial arts.

Tomorrow promises to be a great day with training in the morning down at the dojo, followed by some hiking and clinic #1.

Sensei Freeman

Sensei Scott Knowles has done an excellent job of creating the club's new facebook page. You can check it out at the link below or copy and paste the following url into your browser:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22425250970

Congratulations to the following students on their success at the May 23 shinsa:

a) Adrian Wanke - to Orange
b) Sean Birch - to Green
c) Patrick Samllhorn-West - to Brown
d) Duncan Ross - to Brown

These students successfully completed both the written and techncial exam, which included waza, kihon/kansetsu, kata, kumite, and pad kumite. Well done!

Students,

I have received a shipment of Sensei Iain's DVDs in advance of his clinic series in June. If you've already ordered his DVDs, then I'll bring your orders to class starting this Friday!

Students,

Sensei Pettie has added a Blog capability to the site, and I'm testing it out. Well done to all students who completed Fitness testing on May 9. I'll have the results compiled hopefully by the Long Week-end.