Well... Where do I start? What an amazing day...
The day started of with Kancho Adam J. Merton Chief Instructor of Shunryu Kenpo Karate Academy (Shunryukan) and it was really nice to see people of all arts taking to the movements so well. for me personally I look at the way Kancho Adam moves and just think WOW. Kenpo is not something I know much about and it's very different to most styles of karate that I've seen over the years so for me it's great to watch as I can see lots of differences but also lots of similarities. the fluidity of Kancho Adams striking and blocking techniques is excellent and definitely something that any martial artist could use to their advantage.
Next was the turn of Renshi Taran McCarnun of Junsei Ryu Bujutsu Renmei and he decided that the students would be working on knife defence and knife technique, as a swordsman myself I must say how refreshing it is to actually see somebody with foot work and technique as clean as this.
Third up was Sensei Simon Palmer Chief instructor of Sentou Karate Jitsu, and he was teaching grappling and leg locks, it was nice to see lots of tap outs and pain on peoples faces... I know first hand how strong Sensei Simon is and his last ankle lock on me sprained my ankle for quite some time. A few Injuries came about at this point but it was great to see the students suck it up and carry on.
Next we had a half an hour recess for food etc and it was funny seeing the sigh's of relief on people's faces.
Next was my turn and as the youngest instructor sometimes it's easy to feel pressured by the other instructors as I know they all look at everything from an "oldschool" point of view, but I try my best to run my school in the old ways and stick to true principals and true martial science. Effortless efficiency is the key to atemi jutsu not brute force and that's all I wanted people to take from my session.
Next up was Kancho Dave Baker head of the Aikoushin Kobujutsu Renmei Association. He started of with some kubotan techniques working pressure points locks and takedowns and finished his session off with some lovely fluid effortless ju jitsu. Since day one of meeting Kancho I have always been majorly inspired by how easily he can throw, manipulate, twist, bend and drop people to the ground he makes it look so smooth and easy that you think "no problem" but then it's never that simple when you try to do it yourself. Just shows that mastery of your chosen art takes a lifetime of training.
Last up was Dr. Ash McKee Shihan head of the junsei ryu bujutsu organisation... Who I was eager to watch all day as he was the only instructor I had never seen in action before. I was blown away, we had been talking slot during the day so I knew we shared alot of the same old school values, and his knowledge was superb. Seeing the more aggressive style of jujitsu showed me a brilliant contrast between Kancho dave and Shihan ash and really helped me to appreciate jujitsu alot more.
So now the seminar was over and it was time to hand out certificates to those that had attended. At the end the instructors were also presented with some certificates as a Thankyou and also some traditional shodo calligraphy kanji as a personal Thankyou from myself. Then the big surprise... As a collective we discussed and decided that Shihan Ash McKee was to be awarded with the rank of 7th shichidan. It was a very touching moment and a complete honour to have it done in my own dojo.
I would like to also add a special Thankyou to one person in particular and that is Lee Raymond Turner... He was an Uke to most people througout the day and didn't complain once even if things were hurting. Thankyou.
Also to all the other people that were used as Uke Thankyou.
Todd Reeves
Chief Instructor Kaizen Kai Martial Arts.
