Technical stage, Louvain-la-Neuve

By Patrick, June 11, 2010

A few weeks ago I participated in my first technical stage (and kyu test), which took place in Ottignes,Louvain-la-Neuve and which was organized by our friends of Belgique Shotokan & led by Khalid Jouhari.

I had the company of Nicolas during the drive from Antwerp, and chatting away we Quickly found ourselves at the ADEPS facilities, where we met up with Paul, Erwin & Nathaniel.

The ADEPS center really impressed me … A large complex of sporting halls, cafeteria & hostel amidst green surroundings & a small town … and it was nice weather for a change, which certainly helped to set the mood.
After getting our rooms assigned and a quick unpack, it was time for our first training of the day …

Training #1 mainly focused on the basic attacks & blocks, during which we had a good opportunity to pair up & work with less familiar partners.
The second training followed after the break (which we used to get refreshments & catch some sun-rays) and this time kicks were the main topic, again including some exercises with a partner.
This second training was the last of Saturday, and after a quick shower we all headed down-town for a diner at restaurant “Au coup de ceur”. Close to midnight, a couple of beers & some very nice food later, we found ourselves back at the hostel, ready to hit the deck.

Sunday morning we were greeted by a nice breakfast (great “pistolets” ! :)), and soon after we were lining up again for the third & last training of the stage. This time the main focus was on combinations (some of which I found pretty difficult & intense!), and finalizing with a Tekki Shodan group practice.

This training was followed by a Kyu test (For myself, the first one!), and in groups we presented Kihun, Kumite & a Kata (Heian Shodan)
… it’s certainly different when you do it in front of a large audience, but once you start, the awkward feeling quickly fades.
After my test I had the chance to watch the others go through theirs.

The entire weekend was a positive & motivating experience, and what the kyu tests of our group are concerned, we must have done reasonably well, as we all passed.

Our thanks go to the people of Belgique Shotokan & Khalid Jouhari for their warm hospitality and for doing such a great job in organizing & hosting this weekend.

Special training Enschede 12-14 March

By Nicolas, Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Upon a request from our instructor Paul, I decided to take part in my first special training that took part from the 12th till the 14th of March in Enschede in the university campus.
Although I had my doubts that I could accomplish the whole training, which contains 8 intensive training sessions of 2 hours each, I found myself riding together with Paul and Enzo towards the Netherlands.
On arrival we met with other karate-students from different dojos from France, Germany, and the Netherlands. We assigned our rooms, and after learning to know a little bit the other people we went for our first training. I might say the first two hours were a shock, doing hundreds and hundreds of kihon (basic movements as blocks and attacks) without stopping.
After the first training I was wondering how I will hold on the whole week-end, on this tempo but I was there after all, and for those of you that do not know in shotokan-karate once you are in a special training you cannot quit without the permission of the chief instructor, and if you do so you can not practise shotokan karate anymore. The philosophy is “what you begin you must finish."

During dinner we learn to know a little bit more our fellow friends and then our chief instructor Stefan inform us the newbie’s what the meaning of a special training is.
Special training is designed to push physical and mental limits to the maximum.
Through these intensive training sessions a karate student will find out much more about him and will advance physically and mentally.

In the second training I found myself receiving and giving energy to and from my fellow karate students, which made the pain easier. After a short night and a good morning run we were ready for one and a half hour (for me and other seniors was only an hour, because I am above 40 years old) of kiba dachi (horse stance). This training is more mental than physical, but my god what a feeling that I got after we finished. You can not feel your legs, your are shore everywhere, but mentally I felt so strong, it’s unbelievable. It has given me a boost that till today still is in my mind.

The following trainings starting with an afternoon ten-kata of kicks to finish with the last training in the dark at one o’cock at night doing thousand oi-zoekis really brought me to brake point. My feet were full of blisters, my muscles were shore, but strange enough adrenaline kept me going. After a sweet treat from our chief instructor, a delicious piece of chocolate cake and fruit, we hit the sack.

Sunday morning after a run, we did hundreds of katas and at the last training we had kumite as a dessert. That was hard after all this effort to have to face black belts, brown belts for two hours. Finally our special training was officially over, and dear friends, fellow Karate-students, to you that you have never took part in a special training I can tell you one thing, I recommended to everybody to try it.

Your body is exhausted but the mind is in total piece and I guess now I understand what is to be at the top of the world.

See you in the next special training

Nikolas
A white belt from Antwerp, Belgium

Training with Holland Shotokan 2010

By Ron, Saturday, Januari 21, 2010

On the 9th of Januari, we had again a exchange practice with the dojo's from Holland Shotokan. This time we were happy (despite the bad weather forecasts) to welcome Rob, Jeroen, Kees, Teun, Adriana and Dennis. We were almoste complete with Nicolas, Patrick, Mark, Nathaniel, Enzo and me. The training was led by our Instructor Paul Tabe.
We started the training with some Taikyoku Shodan followed by kihon which focussed on maete, not only from hachiji-dachi but also while walking. Then we did some kumite and we ended with some Tekki Shodans

I always find it nice to train with people from other dojo's, as this gives me the opportunity to learn things in another way, and meet with other people. In our club, we see each other once or twice a week, and then you start to know each others way of reacting. This is not a bad thing, as we also grow together (thanks Paul), but when you face somebody from another dojo, you are much more focussed, as you have no clue about how the other person will act/react.
After the training we had a nice and sociable lunch together in the restaurant.

In the meantime, the wether conditions got worse and it had started to snow. This was not so much of a problem for us, as it was for the people from Holland. Especially Rob, who had to drive the whole way back to Enschede, but I heard he arrived at home safely.

This is now the second year in a row we organise the exchange practice with Holland Shotokan. To me it looks like a good tradition has started!

 

*** New dojo location ***

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Training with Holland Shotokan January 2009

Friday, November 27, 2009