News

First Night at Henley

Posted by desparoz on 17 January 2012
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Tonight was our first training session at our interim location at the Henley Community Centre.

Sensei Jo, Julie, Steven and Scott joined me for a sweaty session focusing on the kata Nijushiho.

Nijushiho is new to all three orange belts, and they’ve tackled it enthusiastically. They’ve worked their way through the entire kata (both “sides”), and are bedding it down into their memories. Of course, having learned a variety of self-defences taken straight from this kata, they’re well on their way!

The Henley Community Centre is a nice interim location, and we’re looking forward to the fresh perspective a change of venue will give us.

Kagami Biraki 2012

Posted by desparoz on 10 January 2012
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Tonight marked the first official training session of 2012 for the Kengokan Dojo.

Following the Japanese traditions, this session was our Kagami Biraki session. As discussed in the New Years Greetings post, Kagami Biraki means opening the mirror, and symbolises the introspection associated with the New Years period in most cultures, and also the end of the New Years festivities, and the “getting-on-with-it” of training.

For our session, we each completed a full training session, which included:

  • 108 star jumps
  • 108 blocks
  • 108 punches
  • 108 kicks
Additionally, all participants (mudansha and yudansha, including instructors) made a demonstration. We saw the following kata: Naihanchin Sho, Happiken, Nijushiho, Kusanku Sho and Kusanku Dai.
Well done to all participants. It was a good start to our training year.
At the end of the session, a special presentation of an Achievement Award for 2011 was made to Sensei Joanna. Having been promoted to 1st Dan in 2011, Sensei Jo’s achievements over the past few years have been outstanding. Congratulations to Sensei Joanna.

Holiday Training Schedule

Posted by desparoz on 13 December 2011
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With Christmas and New Year approaching, we will be taking a short break from our regular training sessions. Our final formal session for 2011 will be Thursday 22 December 2011.

Scheduled training for 2012 will resume on Tuesday 10 January 2012. We will once again be training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.00pm.

We will likely schedule some additional outdoor training sessions during the formal break. We will use email to keep everyone in the loop about such opportunities.

I trust everyone has a great break, and that 2012 will be a wonderful year.

Promotions November 2011

Posted by desparoz on 23 November 2011
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Kengokan Promotions November 2011

Congratulations to Julie, Stephen and Scott on their promotions last night.

Julie and Stephen were promoted to 5th Kyu Orange Belt, and Scott was promoted to 6th Kyu Orange Belt.

All three have shown diligence in their study of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo, and I am proud of the progress that each has made.

Please join all the members of the Kengokan Dojo and I in congratulating Stephen, Julie and Scott on their promotions.

Joanna Choe Promoted to Shodan

Posted by desparoz on 3 September 2011
Posted in: Koshinkai, News, Promotions. Leave a Comment

On behalf of all members of the Kengokan Dojo of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo, I am proud to congratulate Sensei Joanna Choe on her promotion to Shodan (1st Dan) in Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo at the recent National Black Belt Training Camp in Coonabarabran.

Sensei Joanna joined the Kengokan Dojo about 5 years ago, and has been a quick and dedicated learner ever since. She tested for Shodan-ho (probationary black belt) early this year, and did her final demonstration at the Black Belt Camp.

It has been a pleasure working with Sensei Joanna as she has worked through the mudansha (non black belt) syllabus, and I look forward to working with her on the more advanced aspects of our style, now that she has “graduated” to the black belt ranks from basic training! She will also be an instrumental part of the Kengokan Dojo teaching team.

Congratulations Jo, all at the Kengokan are proud of your achievements.

Blitz Interview with Renshi Des

Posted by desparoz on 16 August 2011
Posted in: Koshinkai, News. 1 comment

Blitz-25-8.jpg

Renshi Des Paroz (Head Instructor of the Kengokan Dojo) was recently interviewed by Kyoshi Mike Clarke for an upcoming issue of Blitz Magazine.

The interview covers the background of Shorinjiryu karatedo, Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Australia, and some of Des’ experiences in Shorinjiryu, particularly when he lived in Japan in the early 90′s.

The interview will be published later this year (either September or October), and the current issue (Vol 25 No. 8) has a photograph and a short blurb highlighting the upcoming article.

Site Re-organised

Posted by desparoz on 11 August 2011
Posted in: News, Site Update. Leave a Comment

You may have noticed that the site has bee re-organised, and that a number of articles are missing.

There is a lot of information in those articles, and I am reviewing the best ways of distributing that information. Some may be re-posted in the blog, some might go to other sites (perhaps including Wiki type sites), while others might be moved into some future book or ebook.

I am committed to sharing what little I have learned about Shorinjiryu karate, its origins, theories, techniques, practices, etc, but having the right vehicle is important.

This website is really about the Kengokan Dojo, and so the information herein will reflect that. One thing I can say is that the EssentialKarate Blog will become my vehicle for general opinions and thoughts on karate.

Training Times

Posted by desparoz on 1 May 2011
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Starting from 2 May 2011, training times at the Kengokan Dojo of Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo, in Hunters Hill, will go back to:

  • Monday 6.30pm-8.00pm
  • Thursday 6.30pm-8.00pm

Monthly fees shall be $65.00 per month.

We are also be introducing a pre-paid card allowing 10 sessions for $95.00. This card will have a six month validity, although if you renew prior to the card’s expiry, existing credits will be carried forward.