Various Versions of Bassai at Hombu
Saturday 23rd February 2008 saw our Chief Instructor teach a Bassai Kata and Bunkai course at the Kazoku Kai Hombu Dojo. The afternoon was well attended with many Senior students traveling from all over the country to attend and train.
Sensei Ridgway covered several versions of Bassai Kata including Wado Ryu, Shito Ryu Bassai Dai / Bassai Sho, Tomari Bassai, Ishimine Bassai to name a few. The class was split into groups so students could practice the version best suited to them. In the second half of the course Sensei Ridgway taught Bunkai (application) showing the variations yet similarities between the versions. A great course that was enjoyed by all.
F=MA For Seniors at Hombu
2nd March at the Hombu, Senior members and Instructors met up to explore " maximum power minimum effort". The group begun by working individually, trying to generate maximum power in a range of techniques by using correct posture, timing, and core principles. These techniques were then practiced over three length ranges! long, medium and short. Sensei Ridgway then paired the group off to see how this worked against an opponent and finally using full speed and power on the pads! An in depth and advanced look at basic techniques, enjoyed by all who attended.
Juroku & Kushanku covered at Oswestry
Sunday 16th March saw our Chief Instructor, Sensei Derek Ridgway travel to Oswestry to teach a special open Kata course! The course was split into two sessions with the first hour aimed at beginners to 4th Kyu and then two hours for 3rd Kyu and above. After a good warm up and some Kihon to get us moving, it was straight into Juroku Kata. (sixteen) Sensei Ridgway broke the Kata into sections making sure everyone understood the techniques and principles involved in performing the Kata correctly. Even the Senior grades joining in this first hour enjoyed the recap of this nice little Kata! The session was drawn to a close with Sensei Ridgway demonstrating Juroku Bunkai on Sensei Keenan giving students a deeper understanding of what the techniques in the Kata could be used for in application.
After a short break it was time for the senior grades to get stuck into Wado ryu Kushanku Kata. The two hour session was again split, the first hour was spent covering the Kata in detail. The second hour, looking in depth at its Bunkai. All the Seniors training really got stuck into both the Kata and Bunkai! Everyone found this two hour, intense look at a well known Wado Kata beneficial and we all came away feeling as if we had learned something new and improved our understanding of Kushanku.
May Pontesbury Weekend Course
The first of the two annual Pontesbury courses took place on the 26th and 27th April. Again it was held at the village hall and was well attended with over 30 students training.
Saturdays training was conducted by Kazoku Kai Chief Instructor Sensei Derek Ridgway who after a warm up and stretching recapped the Pinan continuous Bunkai's. The afternoon's training was spent looking at Neisashi Kata from the Wado syllabus. Both Kata and application were studied in depth.
The days training was rounded off with the renowned Pontesbury Dan Gradings for eligible candidates. These proved to be as tough as ever, but all students taking their assessments passed with good merits! Congratulations to all who took their Grading!! Especially to Steve O'Gara who took Nidan. Steve sustained an injury to his ankle right at the end of his assessment. An x ray revealed that he had broken his ankle! WELL DONE Steve on a great Dan grading! We all wish you a very speedy recovery from all in Kazoku Kai.
Sundays training was conducted by Sensei Keenan Pedley who taught Seipai Kata from the Shito ryu syllabus. following the form came application to the Kata. The final hours session of the weekend was spent recapping everything covered.
All who attended thoroughly enjoyed the course and learned a great deal. Here's to September!!!!
