Newsletter – October ’08 – BUMPER ISSUE!

As the title suggests – this is a bumper issue!  We have just returned from a weekend seminar in the Lakes.  The main issues to come out of the seminar are as follows:

·        We have reviewed the current syllabus and have made some alterations – the main changes are the introduction of our “18 lohan”, bringing this in at green belt.  We can go into this in more depth on a class discussion, but we will not expect everyone to learn lots extra for the next kyu grading – don’t worry – but there will be more to learn.  Some “older” students may remember 18 lohan and we have done them occasionally in class.  This is an exciting change and we are sure you will enjoy “a softer form” of karate.  There are changes for 2^nd and 3^rd dan too. 

·        We plan to give our students paper copies of the syllabus – these will be on the way.

·        The other main decision was that students will be allowed to wear red or white trousers BUT for gradings and other meets (ie dan grading/some courses etc) EVERYONE must wear white trousers.  Some of you have been asking about red trousers anyway and we have found somewhere we can buy these separately (about £11) so students can buy a reasonably-priced all-white Gi and buy red trousers, if they so wish.  Just let us know.

·        As you know, we are adding in extra Wednesday night sessions (once per month) and will concentrate on various subjects of the syllabus (ie sparring, weapons, 18 lohan).  These all begin on 15.10.08, 12.11.08 and 10.12.08 start at 6.30pm-7.45pm.  We also plan on meeting with other dan grades to have specific dan grade specialist nights – once these nights are arranged, we will let you know.  Hopefully, this will enable the whole club to progress to new heights!

·        During the course we mainly worked on 18 lohan, but we also participated in a bit of tai-chi and also yoga.  Sensei Chantelle has some tai-chi music on CD so watch out!  You may be doing 18 lohan to music!

·        Sensei Bill Hollister was awarded his 6^th dan and Senseis Martin Hill, Ashley Warren and Adam Jones became our new 4^th dans.  With all this experience our extra dan grade specialist nights should become great!

·        The seminar proved a great success and will be repeated.  This was with overall agreement of the group and may well replace the gashku’s of the past.  It proved a more worthwhile opportunity for the club to develop.

Bramhall news :

·        The next kyu grading is arranged for Sat 29.11.08.  A time will be given nearer the date, but this will probably be in the morning.  We will have this grading, with the current syllabus, so don’t worry!  It is actually only about 6/7 weeks so if you want to grade, you must consider getting here twice a week and also attend the extra sessions (especially if you are green belt and above).

·        We plan to run the club AS NORMAL AT THE NEXT SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.  We feel that if we had the break, you may well be struggling at grading time.

·        After the clocks go back (25.10.08), there will be NO t-shirts allowed to be worn.  It is winter, and therefore full Gi’s please.

·        It is Children in Need  in November and, as usual, we will be doing some fundraising.  Sensei Chantelle’s idea is “karate in pyjamas” again – but please, give us your ideas!

·        Finally, we are thinking of closing for Christmas on Thursday 18^th December.  Watch this space as we may have something different planned to celebrate Christmas!

Compiled by Sensei Shaun and Chantelle Unsworth, Bramhall Club.

Swanda Karate – Bramhall

Tuesdays and Thursdays 5.45pm-6.45pm

Location : 3^rd Bramhall Scout Group, Linney Road , Bramhall , SK7 3JW

Taught by Sensei Shaun Unsworth, 5^th Dan Black belt

And Sensei Chantelle Unsworth, 4^th Dan Black belt