Site Updated 08:50 2nd May 2024
Blog Post
Matsubayashi Ryu Seminar Bristol
- by Mark Thomas
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- 15 Sept, 2023
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James Pankiewicz Sensei UK Tour Sept 2023
Monday Sept 11th 2023, myself and Sensei Tony were very kindly accepted to attend Joel Castasus Sensei Bristol Dojo at Matsubayashi Ryu Seminar hosted by James Pankiewicz Sensei. James Sensei is in the Uk as part of a European tour and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see our good friend from Okinawa, James Sensei played a wonderful host to us when we toured Japan & Okinawa in 2017 and it was wonderful to see him again.
Joel Sensei was a very gracious host allowing us to attend and participate in his seminar and I for one was reminded how powerful the bond in all martial arts is forging new acquaintances and friendships. I was also reminded how an open mind in martial arts is essential and not to get wrapped up in an insular bubble. As always with any seminar there is lots to be learnt, some fascinating new approaching to ethos and training and it is wonderful to train with like minded people. James Sensei approach to conditioning reminded me of some way we may be deficient in our training and it’s always a good thing to be re-grounded. James Sensei direct line of defence and counter attack was refreshing and put a practical application to some of the Katas I’m aware of. Overall it was a very informative and fun evening’s training and my self and Tony Sensei have the bruises to show for it.
A very big thank you to James Sensei for visiting the UK and giving us your time and experience, thank you Joel Sensei for being a gracious host and letting us participate in you Seminar….lets not be strangers and stay in touch, your in Budo Mark Thomas.
A very big thank you to James Sensei for visiting the UK and giving us your time and experience, thank you Joel Sensei for being a gracious host and letting us participate in you Seminar….lets not be strangers and stay in touch, your in Budo Mark Thomas.
A full report with photos about the Shodan grading 26th June 2022
Well done everyone that participated in and successfully graded at the weekend, for the candidates who attempted 7th Kyu Red belt it was, as expected, a massive shock to the system as their fitness and mettle are properly tested for the first time. Emotions always run high as its the first insight into testing their syllabus under duress...congratulations to Tyler, Malika, Shayan, Ishaan and Janno on an outstanding first senior grading.
What better way to start the autumn term than with a visit from Sensei Jeff Pelter 6th dan and Sensei Mark Hill 2nd dan from Woodford Ju-Jitsu club. We love a guest instructor at Fudoshin and had a thoroughly great evening "stealing" (to quote Sensei Jeff) techniques to add and improve our syllabus. Lots of hard training and judging by Sensei peter face lots of pain as well but remember what they say..."No Gain - No Gain" :)
Looking around the mat and watching everyone working hard I could tell that everyone was enjoying the experience and for some this was the first time they had encountered an instructor other than myself, Sensei Peter or Sensei Mikey.
I'm truly privileged that Sensei Jeff had taken time to visit us and see what we are about and its such an honour to host such an established instructor. We are all looking forward to next seminar around March / April
Looking around the mat and watching everyone working hard I could tell that everyone was enjoying the experience and for some this was the first time they had encountered an instructor other than myself, Sensei Peter or Sensei Mikey.
I'm truly privileged that Sensei Jeff had taken time to visit us and see what we are about and its such an honour to host such an established instructor. We are all looking forward to next seminar around March / April
Congratulations to Simran and Jason who both successfully graded to 1st Kyu Brown Belt tonight. They both gave an excellent account of themselves throughout the grading demonstrating excellent techniques under duress with plenty of aggression and spirit. We are all so proud of you both, whilst there are thousands of kids sat at home in front of TV’s and their X-boxes you both take the hard option every week in training, you are both great role models for those that dare to follow. Wear those rightly deserved belts with pride.
Sensei Peter turned 50 this year and to help him celebrate his birthday Sensei Mikey had organised a birthday treat for him, a rather special limited edition bottle of Japanese Whiskey...I'm sure you will join me in wishing Sensei Peter a very Happy Birthday and I'm sure he won't mind us joining him to help celebrate, now crack that bottle open old chap :)
This year bring us our 10th anniversary, so we celebrated with some good food, good company and some trophies as well.
We are trialling some new training hours at Queens Dojo on Wednesday evenings