Category: Seminars

Bunkai & Tameshiwari Seminar – August 17, 2014

The second of the biannual KIMAA Kyokushin seminars for 2014 was held on the weekend of August 16-17.

There was a special Kobduo training session on the Saturday afternoon at Annangrove Dojo. Sydney Kobudo practitioners and guests from the Brisbane and North Coast dojos then enjoyed a dinner at Shihan Rick Cunningham‘s after training.

The Sunday session began promptly at 9 am. Before training commenced, Shihan Howard Lipman awarded some new grades. In Kobudo, Sempai Todd Murphy and Sempai Alex Lloyd were promoted to 1st Kyu, and Trish Tan was promoted to 5th Kyu. In addition, after years of dedication to Kyokushin and teaching at Annangrove Dojo, Sempai Ian Holdaway was promoted to 3rd Dan (Sandan) and to the title of ‘Sensei’. Congratulations to these KIMAA members on their new grades.

After these grades were awarded, training began, continuing on from the ground covered in the April seminar. Bunkai – the application of practical self-defence techniques derived from kata – from Pinan Yon and Pinan Go were studied. Sempai Jon Ellis and Sempai James Campbell demonstrated bunkai throughout the day under the instruction of Shihan Lipman and Shihan Cunningham. Students worked in pairs, constantly swapping partners to work with a range of karateka from the various KIMAA dojos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

After working through the bunkai in great depth, Pinan Yon was demonstrated by Sempai Jon, Sempai Ben Ng and Sempai Don Cheong, and young Josh Darley; and Pinan Go by Sempai Don.

The group took a break for a BBQ lunch, kindly prepared by Shihan Cunningham’s wife, Kirsti, Shihan Lipman’s wife, Masumi, and Sempai Rob James‘s partner, Kerry. Sensei Ian Holdaway took up his usual post at the BBQ, of which he is a master.

Following lunch, the seminar was split up. Junior grades were taken by Sensei Paul Finnerty and Sensei Peter Olive to run through kyu level katas and their bunkai, while seniors practised Saiha and its bunkai.

The groups then recombined for tameshiwari. This literally means ‘trial by breaking’ and is the Kyokushin term used for board breaking. Breaking techniques for sokuto (knife-foot), hiji (elbow), shuto (knifehand) and seiken (forefist) were used to break the wood. Adults broke one to three pieces, depending on their grade level. Little Lions and Knox students broke one, or a ‘kids board’ depending on their age. After this, 2nd Dans (or those attempting that grade soon) performed a ‘multi-break’, as demonstrated in the video footage below.

Click here for more Tameshiwari footage.

As always, the KIMAA students were grateful for the time and effort put into the weekend by Shihan Lipman and Shihan Cunningham to further their understanding of Kyokushin and the techniques and kata they do in everyday training. The tameshiwari was particularly enjoyed. Special mention also goes to those from Lismore, Ballina and Aspley dojos who made the effort to fly down to Sydney.

Following this seminar will be the senior grading at Turramurra Dojo in September.

Annangrove Dojo 2014

IMG_2734

Yudansha Training Day – April 21, 2014

Over the long weekend on Monday April 21, the North Coast NSW and Brisbane yudansha (black belts) got together for a training session at Lismore Dojo. This session included Sensei Mark McFadden, Sempai Jon Ellis, Sempai Wally Gray and Sempai Rob James.

Kata, bunkai and exchanging training ideas were the focus of the day. The katas looked at were Tensho, Saiha and Garyu.

Kyokushin Weekend Seminar – April 5-6, 2014

The first Kyokushin kata and bunkai seminar of 2014 was held on Sunday April 6. Students from Turramurra, Annangrove, Aspley, Ballina and Lismore dojos all attended, including members of the Little Lions and Knox Grammar School classes.

Saturday afternoon Kobudo group
Saturday afternoon Kobudo group

This seminar followed the one in October 2013. Shihan Howard Lipman introduced these seminars to be held twice a year as a compulsory component in senior gradings. They are to keep students across all five KIMAA dojos up to speed on kihon (basics), kata (pattern or form) and bunkai (application).

Basics training led by Shihan Howard Lipman
Basics training led by Shihan Howard Lipman

Sensei Mark McFadden, Sempai Jon Ellis, Patricia Tan and Little Lions Ben and Jack came down from the North Coast dojos.

Sempai Rob James, Gen Moller and Jermaine Downs travelled from Aspley Dojo. They all arrived on the Saturday.

That afternoon, a three hour Kobudo class was conducted by Shihan Rick Cunningham with the visiting KIMAA members and Sydney Kobudo students. The weapons focused on were the Bo, Eeku, Jō and Sai.

The class finished at 5pm and was followed by a group dinner, kindly hosted by Shihan Cunningham and his wife, Kirsti. Shihan Cunningham broke out a case of Orion beer imported from Okinawa, a fond favourite of those who have been there.

Shihan Rick Cunningham demonstrates bunkai on Sempai Don Cheong
Shihan Rick Cunningham demonstrates bunkai on Sempai Don Cheong

The main Kyokushin seminar began at 9am on the Sunday. Shihan Lipman led an opening session on basic techniques.

After this, the Taikyoku and Pinan sono Ichi, Ni and San katas were revised. Shihan Cunningham took the class through bunkai for these katas, with Sempai Jon Ellis and Sempai Don Cheong demonstrating throughout the day. Sensei Peter Olive provided some alternative bunkai techniques in Pinan sono San.

The bunkai covered all moves of the katas and were taught in great detail. Students practised their bunkai, throws, chokes and takedowns in pairs.

Learning bunkai is not just an important syllabus point in students’ gradings, but also to improve their depth of knowledge of the katas, the importance of each movement and to improve their understanding of what they are doing and why.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

As always, KIMAA students enjoyed the experience of training with members from all dojos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

These seminars shall continue, with the next one on August 17. It will be focused on bunkai for Pinan sono Yon and Pinan sono Go, as well as tameshiwari (board breaking).

KIMAA students extend their thanks to Shihan Lipman and Shihan Cunningham for organising the weekend.

Sunday group shot
Sunday group shot

KIMAA Kyokushin & Kobudo Seminar – October 25-27, 2013

A Kyokushin and Kobudo seminar was held in Sydney on the weekend of 25-27 October. The seminar was organised and run by Shihan Howard Lipman and Shihan Rick Cunningham. Senior students from the Sydney dojos and some lower grades attended, as well as Sensei Mark McFadden, Sempai Jon Ellis and Jeremy Gray from the North Coast, and Sempai Rob James from Brisbane. The purpose of the seminar was to bring the seniors from all the KIMAA dojos together to train, to give the lower grades an opportunity to train with the seniors, and to ensure that good standards of technique are being upheld across all dojos.

A senior grades class was held on Friday night at Shihan Lipman’s Turramurra Dojo. The class began with a revision of kihon (basics). Everyone’s technique was thoroughly reviewed, cleaning up any ‘bad habits’. General knowledge and terminology was also gone over. Sensei Peter Olive ran students through the Kyokushin Seipai kata. This has now been reinstated in the KIMAA syllabus alongside the Okinawan Seipai kata that has been taught in recent years. The class finished by revising the Naihanchi kata (video demonstration available here). Training was followed by a dinner at Noodle City in Gordon.

Shihan Howard Lipman leads the first Saturday session.
Shihan Howard Lipman leading the first Saturday session.

The seminar moved to Shihan Cunningham’s Annangrove Dojo for the rest of the weekend. Students from the Kids classes came for the day. The day began with a group session devoted to basic training: strikes, blocks, kicks and moving through stances were all practised.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Knox Grammar School senior school Karate students took a break from their regular sports program to attend the seminar in the morning.

Shihan Howard Lipman & Shihan Rick Cunningham with Knox alumni Sempai Alex Lloyd & Theo Schreuder and the current Knox senior school Karate students.
Shihan Howard Lipman & Shihan Rick Cunningham with Knox alumni Sempai Alex Lloyd & Theo Schreuder and the current Knox senior school Karate students.

After the first class, the students were broken up into groups. The Knox students were taken through further Karate techniques as well as basic Bo drill with Sensei Mark Shelmerdine and Sensei Paul Finnerty.

The kids trained with the seniors for Naihanchi kata and bunkai (application).

Sam Hoberman
Sam Hoberman

The group was brought back together for lunch.

While the food was being prepared, one of Knox’s senior grades Samuel Hoberman (4th Kyu) was given the opportunity to spar with Sensei Mark Shelmerdine, followed by Shihan Cunningham. Sam represented Knox admirably, getting into a grappling stand-off on the ground with Sensei Mark. By the end of his two bouts he found a new appreciation for the intense nature of Kyokushin kumite.

The Knox students were then taken by bus back to the school while everybody else enjoyed a group BBQ lunch, kindly prepared by Shihan Cunningham’s wife, Kirsti, and Sempai Ian Holdaway. The seniors continued after lunch with bunkai work from other Kyokushin katas. The group then practised throws.

This was followed by kumite (sparring).

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Seipai kata was also reviewed following Friday night. A short ceremony was conducted at the end of Saturday where Shihan Lipman awarded dojo operator certificates. Shihan Lipman was made an Australian Branch Chief by Sosai Mas Oyama in 1989 and later South Pacific Representative in 1993. Shihan Lipman has chosen to similarly formalise the authority of his senior instructors, recognising them as official KIMAA dojo operators in the same way that he was an IKO Branch Chief of Sosai’s. These certificates were awarded to Shihan Rick Cunningham for Annangrove Dojo, Sensei Mark McFadden for Lismore Dojo, Sempai Jon Ellis for Ballina Dojo, and Sempai Rob James for Aspley Dojo.

After the seminar, the senior grades enjoyed a lovely dinner at Shihan Cunningham’s house.

Sunday was largely devoted to Kobudo training. After the warm up students were again divided into groups. Sensei Paul took the beginners through Bo drill, as did Sensei Mark Shelmerdine with the kids.

Shihan Cunningham ran the seniors through the basic exercises and Bo katas Kihon, Ufugusuku and Sushi no Kon Sho, as well as partner work. Shihan Lipman had unavoidable work commitments and unfortunately could not attend the Sunday session.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

After the Bo students moved onto the Sai, working on the katas Chibana, Hamahiga and Chatanyara. The kids also got to work with Sai, but were only given rubber ones!

Shihan Cunningham awards Sempai Rob his 8th Kyu in Kobudo.
Shihan Cunningham awarding Sempai Rob the grade of 8th Kyu in International Hokama Kobudo.
Student Josh Darby enjoying using the Sai.
Student Josh Darby enjoying the Sai.

Some further weapons were practised before the groups were brought back together to go over Seipai and Naihanchi katas once again. Training ended with Sempai Rob James being awarded his 8th Kyu in Kobudo. A group lunch followed at a café in Round Corner.

The seminar was deemed a great success by the instructors and its students. Similar seminars will now be conducted every year, with brown belts and black belts always expected to attend. Bringing together the seniors from all five KIMAA dojos is a rewarding experience for all, as well as ensuring that standards are being maintained across the board.

The next seminar will be held in March 2014 in preparation for the senior grading (5th Kyu through to black belt) in June. Attendance will be required for anyone wishing to attempt the grading.

The KIMAA students express their warm thanks to Shihan Lipman and Shihan Cunningham for organising a wonderful weekend.

Lismore Seminar – August 24-25, 2013

Lismore Dojo hosted a special Karate and Kobudo seminar on the weekend of August 24-25. Shihan Rick Cunningham (6th Dan Kyokushin, 5th Dan Kobudo) travelled up from Sydney to run the seminar hosted by Sensei Mark McFadden and Sempai Jon Ellis. Sempai Rob James and some of his students also came down from Brisbane to participate.

The Saturday afternoon focused on Karate, in particular kata applications (bunkai), and the Sunday was spent on Kobudo, namely the Bo, Sai and Eeku.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Little Lions students from the North Coast classes and Aspley Dojo also participated over the weekend. The instructors extend their thanks to the parents for bringing the kids along for the weekend, especially those who came down from Queensland. It was an excellent opportunity for these young karateka to meet and train with Shihan Cunningham. The Little Lions were awarded with certificates of participation at the end of the weekend.

The highlight of the weekend, besides the great training, was seeing the North Coast and Queensland Dojos come together again in the spirit of Kyokushin. Sempai Rob was very grateful to Sensei Mark for hosting and looks forward to returning the favour in the future.

Jō Seminar – July 7, 2013

Shihan Des Paroz, 6th Dan in Shorinjiryu Karate, was invited to teach an introductory seminar for the Jō, a four foot staff. Assisting Shihan Paroz was Sensei Chrissy Hanley.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The morning class introduced students to the basic handling of the weapon and how it varies from using the six foot Bo staff. A lot of attention was given to how the Jō is a mid-range weapon, allowing greater versatility than a staff like the Bo, which is largely limited to long-range.

The class progressed onto bunkai and Kudaka No Jō, a kata. It was a successful morning and the KIMAA Kobudo students will be able to build on these basic techniques and exercises in their fortnightly classes, exploring further applications and combinations of weapons (e.g. Bo vs Jō).

KIMAA extends its warm thanks to Shihan Paroz and Sensei Chrissy for their time.

Second Knife Seminar – June 16, 2013

At the invitation of Shihan Howard Lipman and Shihan Rick Cunningham, Sensei Robert King (5th Dan) and Sempai Aaron Jones of Koryu Uchinadi (KU) Kempo Jujutsu were invited back to teach a second knife attack and defence seminar for KIMAA students. The seminar was once again held at Annangrove Dojo, attended by Annangrove and Turramurra students and Sensei Mark McFadden from the North Coast.

2013 June Knife Seminar - Group Shot
2013 June Knife Seminar – Group Shot

Some time was spent recapping content from the first knife seminar before instruction moved onto more techniques, styles of defence, take downs and responses to a variety of scenarios.

The seminar ran all morning, followed by a group lunch.

As with the first knife seminar, the students learned a great deal and much fun was had while receiving instruction about a serious, unfortunately common weapon.

KIMAA extends its warm thanks to Sensei Robert and Sempai Aaron for their time. You can read more about Koryu Uchinadi (KU) Kempo Jujutsu on their website here, and read more about Sensei Robert here.