Zanshin Black Belt Academy

Here is a fantastic shotokan karate video, showing Sensei Enoeda, when he first arrived in the UK and the senior KUGB Sensei. This is an amazing video, a bit lacking in film quality, but making up with the sheer quality of content. An absolute gem, grab a coffee, sit back and watch shotokan karate at its best!

Heian Godan Final Combination Video

admin — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:53:40 +0000

I produced this quick video at biggleswade karate club, mainly for the purple belts at our dojo. This is the way we practice the final manji gamae uke combinations in shotokan karate kata, Heian Godan. This combination does vary between shotokan dojo and associations. A common mistake in this combination is when karateka rush through the moves and do not quite make the front stance on the nukite attack, when doing this, the arms also seem to lose position. Make sure you complete the front stance and kime on the nukite attack before going to the manji gamae uke in back stance.

Shotokan kata Bassai Dai Tutorial

admin — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:29:43 +0000

At Zanshin, we use Bassai dai as one of the 5 testing kata from brown belt (3rd Kyu) to 1st Degree black belt (shodan).
Bassai Dai translates as “To storm a fortress” and is practiced in many styles of karate. There are many variations of the original Passai, which was the original name for Bassai.

Bassai Dai Video Tutorial

It is believed that there were two versions of Passai practiced on Okinawa.
Karate master, Sokon Matsumrua brought one Passai kata to Okinawa, from China and the other was taught to Okan Oyadomari on Okinawa, by a Chinese martial artist, who resided there.
The one we are referring to here, is the shotokan Bassai Dai, which many believe came from the Okan Oyadomari lineage.
In many shotokan karate dojo, Bassai dai is the first intermediate brown belt kata that a new brown belt karateka practices. Many shotokan karateka use Bassai dai to test for all their brown belt examinations and indeed, the coveted black belt test.
The first move in the kata, epitomizes the whole kata. A very strong move, driving forward off the left leg, with a knee attack and strike.
This karate kata also has some fast double block combinations. After the first move, there is a pause, then a 180 degree turn, with a double uchi uke. First block is with the lead left arm, so the body ends up in the hanmi (side on) position, the second block is a right uchi uke, finishing in the shomen (square) position.

Bassai dai is great for practicing fast turns and changes in direction. One combination in particular, greatly improves the dynamic hip rotation.
1.From the left tate shuto shizentai (left edge of the hand in natural stance), punch chokuzuki followed by a right arm uchi uke. Keep the body and hips sill and square, as you bend the right punching arm in preparation for the uchi uke.
2. You should be standing in natural stance with the right arm bent across the chest. Now, as you block, pivot strongly, 90 degrees to the left, into a very small front stance. To do this fast, the hips must be rotated strongly, this is a great exercise for working on dynamic hip rotation.
There are also some unusual karate moves in this kata. Yamazuki (U punch), the three consecutive low punches in kibadachi, the two sweeping blocks in a long front stance after the yamazuki. The slow grab and fumikomi (stamping kick), and the slow pull up, with both hands cupped, then rolling into two fists above the head.
This kata should be practiced thoroughly in your karate classes, because Bassai dai is shotokan karate!

Michael and Stuart Selected For The England Squad 2013!

admin — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 15:01:41 +0000

I am very proud and pleased to inform everyone that Michael Stevenson and Stuart Amos recently tried out for the KUGB England squad at the Red Triangle Dojo and were both successful!

Due to a broken hand, Michael could only enter the Kata selections. When he called me to let me know he was successful, he was an all time HIGH! He could hardly speak, he was so excited. I know he would have not been able to sleep after our call, even though he would have been physically and mentally shattered.

Stuart was selected for both kata and kumite. As Stuart is now studying at Liverpool University, he trains at the Red Triangle, the pressure would have been intense and he would NOT have wanted to disappoint Sensei Sherry, Brennan and Poynton!

On the call Stuart was also extremely excited and I am so proud of them.

They are an inspiration to all of our students and always show tremendous spirit and attitude. I now have a feeling many more of our students will be fired up and wanting to follow their footsteps.

Ossu Stuart and Michael, from everyone at Zanshin.

Training Start Dates & Happy New Year 2013

admin — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:25:56 +0000

Happy New year!

Our first class back is at St Ives karate club, 6-7pm. Then onto Biggleswade karate club for the adult class at 7.45pm. From Tuesday onwards, all classes are back to normal. I hope everyone has had a great christmas and once again, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Ossu! Linden

Zanshin Club Competition 2012

admin — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:50:06 +0000

Saturday 24th November 2012

This years inter-club karate competition took place at Biggleswade karate club and was a huge success. There was kumite (sparring), kata (forms) and team kata (3 people moving in unison), for all ages and grades.

All the kids showed tremendous spirit and even the smallest and most nervous karateka, showed everyone how hard training and dedication eventually pays off.

The 8-16 years kata was very exciting, with a very high level of karate being performed. The technical skill of some of the competitors was a real joy to see.

The 14 – 16 years kumite was very scary, they were fast, strong and 100% committed to each karate technique they executed.

As each year goes by, the level of our karateka rises and it’s fantastic to see so many karateka progressing and excelling in the art of karate.

Congratulations to everyone who entered

Ossu!