Those attending included:
Hoosain Narker - Ashihara Karate & students
Deon Valentyn - Chung Sin Kwan Taekwondo & students
Malcolm Lamour - Shukokai/Aikido
Lloyd de Jongh - Kenpo/Martial Arts Institute
Joe van Rensburg - Karate Confederation
Nigel February - Institute of Martial Arts
Ian Arendse - Shorin-Ji Karate & student
Ismail Dawood - Karate Zen
Training was conducted by Hoosain Narker with a session taught by Deon Valentyn focussing on Taekwondo Jumping techniques. A demonstration of the South African system of knife fighting (as used by local gangsters) were demonstrated by Nigel February and Lloyd de Jongh. Lloyd also gave a brief demonstration of applied Kenpo techniques. Students were taught Filipino sticks and most of the participants either learnt a Taekwondo form or an Ashihara kata as part of the interaction and exchange.
On Saturday afternoon, Sattar Khan taught a referee session
for clicker type sparring. Soon thereafter, the Taekwondo students sat
for a promotion test.
Harry Pieterkosky, 7th Dan Goju Ryu (S.A. Gorei dojo)
Frank Teles, 2nd Dan (S.A. Gorei)
Hoosain Narker, Ashihara Karate
Rohina Diedericks, 1st Dan Ashihara
Mika-eel Taylor, 4th Dan TaeKwonDo (Karma TKD)
Deon Valentyn, 2nd Dan TKD (Cape Town TKD)
Ricardo Fourie, 2nd Dan TKD (Peninsula Dojang)
Joshua Jacobs, 3rd Dan Kyokushin (Retreat dojo)
Sammy Weber, 2nd Dan Kyokushin (Retreat dojo)
Malcolm Lamour, 1st Dan Shukokai, currently into Aikido
Joe van Rensburg, 3rd Dan Goju Ryu (Karate Confederation)
Abe Abrahams, 2nd Dan Kenpo (Atlantis)
Visiting but not training due to illness was Dave Morley (3rd Dan Karate Confederation).
On Saturday - training focussed on the basics and movement of Goju Ryu. Participants had to do the various kihon facing the wall - quite a new experience for many. Special emphasis was placed on various Ippon Kumite drills which stressed the Circular movements of Goju Ryu. Time was spent on learning the Bo and various combinations and partner applications as well as one half of the kata Shushi no kon Sho. Late the afternoon, a session was conducted on refereeing which included kata judging as well as Semi-contact continuous (clicker) sparring. For the refereeing part, we were joined by some Yudansha of the Ashihara dojo.
Sunday's training was reserved for the Full Contact guys (& gal) and first off was a recap of the Bo and some extra's. A comparison was made between the system as done by Motokatsu Inoue's Yuishinkan group and that as practised on the day. The next session was a detailed exploration of the basics of Filipino Kali/Escrima/Arnis. Participants practised the 12 basic strikes and then the various blocking techniques. After the partner work, everyone practised disarming techniques.
After the break - participants were taken through the basics of Ashihara Karate and after each segment, ie. punching/striking, blocks, kicks - a demo was done explaining why it was performed in that specific manner. Everyone then did combinations (renraku) which was followed by Ashihara's own Sabaki Kumite (like Ippon Kumite) - Mawashi uke was performed which led into a Maki Komi Nage (forward throw) - participants then also did Ura Nage (back throw) as well as some other takedowns.
This session was followed by Kyokushin Style training with the emphasis on low kicks and its blocking. Participants performed two variations of the low kick against striking pads and then against an opponent who had to block and counter. Two other combinations was also done, first in the air and then against a partner - this was specific to full contact type fighting.
The next session had the TaeKwonDo guys on - all three belong to different groups and it was great to see how they shared the platform - who says people cannot work together. We were shown Olympic style sparring and the various stances and techniques used in sparring. Regrettably time was too short to go in detail, although we were given an explanation and short demo's of the basics and forms, etc. of TKD.
The greatest fun was the question and answer time - with the level of the participants - interesting questions and discussions flowed. This weekend served to bring together practitioners of different styles - not only did it create interaction and learning - we also had the opportunity to have a brief display of both Kenpo and Aikido. During the different training sessions - reference and demos was also done by the different stylists as how they would move or react to the various situations presented.
At the conclusion, everyone agreed that a follow up was a necessity. From here onwards, it is envisaged that the different style instructors will each visit one dojo per month to teach a class - in that way it is hoped that the students too will benefit. Other than that, once a month the group will get together for training and each month someone else will take the class.
All in all -a Super Event!!!
Comments by Malcolm Lamour
Hi All
First I have to thank Hoosain and company for making this weekend possible, secondly for S.Harry Pieterkosky for the pain (and for making me realize that there is no workout like a karate workout to make you realize you still have some forgotten muscles). - I still find it difficult to cough, laugh or sneeze.
On the more serious side, the camaraderie and absence of "attitude" from our "old hands" turned it into a worthwhile weekend in which I learned some new techniques and which made me realize that the only to go forward is to interact and not get stuck with the attitude that "my" style is best.
In discussions about technique it turned out that there is a striking similarity in basic techniques and the only difference was in the way style founders went about interpreting the basics and how they (probably best) intended their way of teaching to be remembered. Even a senior instructor mentioned that he learned a new way of blocking (wow!).
I particularly enjoyed the BO workout since it was my first time (we use a much shorter - arm pit level - weapon in Aikido). I hope to attend more seminars where weapons are taught and discussed. (hint)
Also; I must admit that I never really understood Hoosains Ashihara Karate (I always understood it to be similar to Kyokushin), but after this weekend I at last have an idea (I hope!!) and I taught their way of blocking is one of the most surprising eye-openers of the weekend.
Thanks also to the Kyokushin guys for once more demonstrating and reminding me that I will never consider myself tough enough to even consider coming for a practice lesson.
A similar thanks goes out to the TKD guys for their short demonstration.
To all who attended, I really appreciate meeting all of you and I hope to meet you regularly and I look forward to take part in the growth of the "Friendship Association".
yours in the art
malcolm
Comments by Dave Morley
Hi all
Its about time I started responding to some of the very interesting subjects. I mentioned to Hoosain on Sunday how much one can learn just by reading some of your questions and replies, and it makes one think that the training and politics is the same all over the world. I found the seminar very interesting, although it was very difficult to understand some of the techniques if one is not physically participating in the class. I'm waiting eagerly for Hoosain to announce the next seminar. It was a great pleasure meeting all the new faces from the various styles and learning a little more about them and their style.
I unfortunately could not physically interact as I have been very stressed out with my work commitments and suffered from serve chest pains, one immediately thinks the heart, thankfully that was not the case.My problems all seem to stem from the stomach area. My question to the list relating on my passed experience, how can one alleviate this by using the martial arts or should one listen to the medical profession and rest. Which in todays day and age I find very difficult Hoosain, once again thank you for the the seminar and for the great list.
Yours in Karate Dave
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