Martial Arts for Self-Defence
Welcome to the Shoto Budo Organisation Website! Working from the key principle of Self Defence, Shoto Budo uses valuable modelling processes to dynamically teach a myriad of tested skills.
News
New Film about Senior National 2023 with Shihans now in Video & Reels Section
Commissioned by the Senior Group our new video and reels section of this site has a short film by Archie Brown of Sisu Creations. If you would like a copy of this video to help promote your club or Shoto Budo, please message Richard.
New Video of Senior National 2022 now in Video & Reels section.
Commissioned by the Senior Group our new video and reels section of this site has a short film by Matthew Martin. If you would like a copy of this video to help promote your club, please message Richard.
#30yearsofshotobudo
Congratulations to all those who participated in our 30th Anniversary Course and celebrations. #30yearsofshotobudo #shotobudonationals #shotobudokarate #shihan
Kuusamo Camp Report 3
September 2022
Report by Janika Maunula
Karate camp 24. - 25.9.2022 in Kuusamo
At the weekend, we got to the karate camp and met international friends for the first time, i.e. Scottish karatekas.
The language barrier didn't prevent us from learning new techniques especially from Billy.
Karate is a versatile sport that is suitable for everyone who want to develop strength, speed, agility, mental toughness and fighting skills.
In my opinion, karate can be practiced by people of all ages and you can challenge yourself as much as you want.
That's why I like to go to the training and camps, which we have frequently.
Of course, meeting new training buddies is also a positive thing.
The most memorable lesson was the "tip of the spear", which you can form with your own hands and fingers together with a well-timed technique stopping an attacker.
In the exercises, we focused on thinking about hands and movement, despite a layer of distractions.
We learned to give the feedback for each other and a lot of new and useful movement within quite a small Karate camp and useful defences even for smaller people.
We tried body and mind control in groups, so that we tensed the body. In this practice the legs were easily lifted off the ground by two opponents.
The importance of the idea that you think where the power goes was tested and it had a significant effect on keeping the feet on the floor.
The metaphors were also noticed and now we know how to fish better or at least the idea is clearer :)
In the evening, we had a sauna at the cottage. We summarized the things learned during the day and danced Kwanku Dai freely.
Of course the boys reportedly don't dance, so they practiced katas in the beat of the music.
According to Billy, learning takes place in a certain kind of spiral, where you always go back to the beginning and start working on different techniques, on top of old knowledge.
We can think about learning something and a person can even want to learn something, but doesn’t learn it. Only when we feel that we have a need to learn something, we also learn because we "have to".
In summary when we create an image of the need for ourselves, it is easier to learn.
In Sunday's grading test, we were sweating, as it should be. Many new belts were earned at the camp, including me, and they were distributed at the end of the camp.
I guess that people's eyes were moist when the years of hard work we’re rewarded.
It took a bit of blood and lot of sweat to get on this level, so I was very happy to get the green belt, which was a complete surprise.
Karate camp 24. - 25.9.2022 in Kuusamo
At the weekend, we got to the karate camp and met international friends for the first time, i.e. Scottish karatekas.
The language barrier didn't prevent us from learning new techniques especially from Billy.
Karate is a versatile sport that is suitable for everyone who want to develop strength, speed, agility, mental toughness and fighting skills.
In my opinion, karate can be practiced by people of all ages and you can challenge yourself as much as you want.
That's why I like to go to the training and camps, which we have frequently.
Of course, meeting new training buddies is also a positive thing.
The most memorable lesson was the "tip of the spear", which you can form with your own hands and fingers together with a well-timed technique stopping an attacker.
In the exercises, we focused on thinking about hands and movement, despite a layer of distractions.
We learned to give the feedback for each other and a lot of new and useful movement within quite a small Karate camp and useful defences even for smaller people.
We tried body and mind control in groups, so that we tensed the body. In this practice the legs were easily lifted off the ground by two opponents.
The importance of the idea that you think where the power goes was tested and it had a significant effect on keeping the feet on the floor.
The metaphors were also noticed and now we know how to fish better or at least the idea is clearer :)
In the evening, we had a sauna at the cottage. We summarized the things learned during the day and danced Kwanku Dai freely.
Of course the boys reportedly don't dance, so they practiced katas in the beat of the music.
According to Billy, learning takes place in a certain kind of spiral, where you always go back to the beginning and start working on different techniques, on top of old knowledge.
We can think about learning something and a person can even want to learn something, but doesn’t learn it. Only when we feel that we have a need to learn something, we also learn because we "have to".
In summary when we create an image of the need for ourselves, it is easier to learn.
In Sunday's grading test, we were sweating, as it should be. Many new belts were earned at the camp, including me, and they were distributed at the end of the camp.
I guess that people's eyes were moist when the years of hard work we’re rewarded.
It took a bit of blood and lot of sweat to get on this level, so I was very happy to get the green belt, which was a complete surprise.
Kuusamo Camp Report 2
September 2022
Report by Roger Walker
We began planning the trip to Finland back in April when confirmation of dates for the Kuusamo course were first announced. The times of flights were continuously changing as airlines began releasing, then amending their schedules post-pandemic. Eventually we secured our tickets, which required extensive stopovers in Helsinki each way of around 20 hours. The party was confirmed as Billy, Richard Price, Nathan Price, James Walker, and me.
Unfortunately, I injured my ribs the week before travelling and then two days before flying out Richard was rushed into hospital! He was in a bad way, and it was obvious that he would not be able to come with us. The remaining four were very concerned leaving Richard in a lot of pain on Thursday lunchtime as we headed to Edinburgh Airport. Over 30 hours after leaving home we touched down in Kuusamo where we were met at the airport by Marcus, who gave us a lift to the log cabin outside of the town where we would be staying with some of the other Finns for the next four nights. After introductions and catching up, followed by a couple of welcome Finnish beers we slept soundly ahead of the coursethe next morning.
On arrival at the sport centre in Kuusamo it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces of those who had previously made the trip in the opposite direction to courses in Scotland, as well as meeting many new faces who would become friends over the following days.
The course was led by Billy who used Kwanku Dai kata as the theme for the course, introducing various models but focussing on Reason-Structure-Orientation and Like-Need-Want as the focus of analysis. We covered a lot of detail and information on day one and it was a surprise to reflect that we had only progressed through a small section of the kata movements during that time. The morning of the second day was taken up with an extensive grading covering a full range of kata, kihon, and kumite. It proved a hard workout for all involved and with so many dan grades attending, the kyu grades were put through their paces. The afternoon of day two continued where we had left off the previous afternoon, progressing through the structure of various movements from Kwanku Dai, whilst changing orientation to suit a wide variety of situations.
Upon completion of the course new grades were awarded and it was thrilling to see the pride and satisfaction of everyone being presented with their certificates. The awards were followed by an end of course reflection and summing up during which everyone spoke about their experiences of the course. The overwhelming view was that it had been both physically and mentally challenging as well as being very enjoyable, and that sharing the experience together with friends had been very uplifting with many stating a renewed commitment to martial arts.
Following the course we had a free day on Monday in Kuusamo. Billy had arranged some detailed training in Kimmo’s dojo with Marko, Marcus, and Mika which we all attended before Marcus very kindly took us to see some of the local area and get a feel for Finland in autumn, before the snow arrives. Following our final night in the cabin we were met by Kimmo and Marcus in the morning before catching the flight to Helsinki at 2pm. We eventually landed in Edinburgh around 9am on Wednesday.
Overall, my first visit to Finland has been a wonderful experience: people, food (reindeer and moose burgers were particular favourites), and training even though I was not able to actively participate. As this had been the first formal ShotoBudo course in Finland since the pandemic, all of the Finns attending were assessed and awarded additional grades. Well done to everyone who took part and very many thanks for your exceptional kindness, generosity and friendship. We look forward to seeing many of you again in November at the course in Largs and I sincerely hope to be able to remake the journey at some point in the future, along with Richard next time.
We began planning the trip to Finland back in April when confirmation of dates for the Kuusamo course were first announced. The times of flights were continuously changing as airlines began releasing, then amending their schedules post-pandemic. Eventually we secured our tickets, which required extensive stopovers in Helsinki each way of around 20 hours. The party was confirmed as Billy, Richard Price, Nathan Price, James Walker, and me.
Unfortunately, I injured my ribs the week before travelling and then two days before flying out Richard was rushed into hospital! He was in a bad way, and it was obvious that he would not be able to come with us. The remaining four were very concerned leaving Richard in a lot of pain on Thursday lunchtime as we headed to Edinburgh Airport. Over 30 hours after leaving home we touched down in Kuusamo where we were met at the airport by Marcus, who gave us a lift to the log cabin outside of the town where we would be staying with some of the other Finns for the next four nights. After introductions and catching up, followed by a couple of welcome Finnish beers we slept soundly ahead of the coursethe next morning.
On arrival at the sport centre in Kuusamo it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces of those who had previously made the trip in the opposite direction to courses in Scotland, as well as meeting many new faces who would become friends over the following days.
The course was led by Billy who used Kwanku Dai kata as the theme for the course, introducing various models but focussing on Reason-Structure-Orientation and Like-Need-Want as the focus of analysis. We covered a lot of detail and information on day one and it was a surprise to reflect that we had only progressed through a small section of the kata movements during that time. The morning of the second day was taken up with an extensive grading covering a full range of kata, kihon, and kumite. It proved a hard workout for all involved and with so many dan grades attending, the kyu grades were put through their paces. The afternoon of day two continued where we had left off the previous afternoon, progressing through the structure of various movements from Kwanku Dai, whilst changing orientation to suit a wide variety of situations.
Upon completion of the course new grades were awarded and it was thrilling to see the pride and satisfaction of everyone being presented with their certificates. The awards were followed by an end of course reflection and summing up during which everyone spoke about their experiences of the course. The overwhelming view was that it had been both physically and mentally challenging as well as being very enjoyable, and that sharing the experience together with friends had been very uplifting with many stating a renewed commitment to martial arts.
Following the course we had a free day on Monday in Kuusamo. Billy had arranged some detailed training in Kimmo’s dojo with Marko, Marcus, and Mika which we all attended before Marcus very kindly took us to see some of the local area and get a feel for Finland in autumn, before the snow arrives. Following our final night in the cabin we were met by Kimmo and Marcus in the morning before catching the flight to Helsinki at 2pm. We eventually landed in Edinburgh around 9am on Wednesday.
Overall, my first visit to Finland has been a wonderful experience: people, food (reindeer and moose burgers were particular favourites), and training even though I was not able to actively participate. As this had been the first formal ShotoBudo course in Finland since the pandemic, all of the Finns attending were assessed and awarded additional grades. Well done to everyone who took part and very many thanks for your exceptional kindness, generosity and friendship. We look forward to seeing many of you again in November at the course in Largs and I sincerely hope to be able to remake the journey at some point in the future, along with Richard next time.
Kuusamo Camp September 2022
Report by Pälvi Määttä
Shoto Budo Karate course on 24-25 October 2022 in Kuusamo Finland
I must say it is a good time to be in Finland and particularly in Kuusamo, Finland’s nature capital. The trees are coloured with different shades of gold, yellow, orange and red. Lots of people make it their autumn destination; they might be aiming to do the Karhunkierros hike in Oulanka National Park or use a kayak and paddle down the Oulanka river. However, for us martial artists the destination was Kuusamo Sports Centre. We are lucky enough to get international visitors from Scotland from time to time and it is our privilege to spend the weekend training with them.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has thinned the lines of our club participants. It seems that close combat sports are not that popular in the time of pandemic, but for me and a few others, stopping training was not an option. We continued training outside and indoors using social distancing. Social distancing has had an interesting effect in our society where individuals are already really isolated from one another. For some it has made us even quieter, but for many of us it meant that the need for social interaction grew even higher, particularly the hunger to participate in Shoto Budo courses and meet fellow practitioners.
I was happy to see familiar faces of people I had met in Scotland and known in Finland. There were even some new faces attending the Shoto Budo course, which I will be happy to see again.
I would like to make few notes on the exercises that I intend to incorporate into my training and teach to other practitioners. I have been struggling in connecting kata into kumite. Billy used the example of kata as a dance, which without an idea or message behind it is just a group of random empty movements. Billy took us quite deep into the ideas behind the katas, using Kwanku Dai kata as a tool to do so. I was fascinated in Billy’s approach on the model: orientation, structure and reason. I suppose I was ready to broaden my mind and by the look of the list of people getting promoted to higher belts and Dan grades, so were a lot of other people too.
I have been training a lot with the method: strike first, ask questions later. This time I tried a different approach and started to see the value in just holding the opponent stationary. The goal was not to hurt the opponent but to, maybe keep them from hurting others or themselves. Billy used the example of two kids fighting over a toy. Fights between me and my brother back in the day have been brutal enough for me to easily see the value in holding or containing the situation.
What I also enjoyed was the way Billy wanted us to use kata as a warmup. Billy wanted us to be free of our need to make every movement of the kata perfect but to see the value of just moving and listening to your body and what the movement feels like. I suppose we are often obsessed in what other people think of us; whether they think I am good or not in what I do. Billy wanted us to focus on ourselves and how the kata feels for us. How the first movement of Kwanku Dai kata, the spearhead, contains so much information. We needed to focus our thoughts and energy into the tip of the spear to make the structure stronger and achieve our goal in defending ourselves.
I suppose we Finns are so shy that when we are asked if we have any questions we draw a complete blank in our heads. The pressure of feeling like you might say something stupid and be judged for it has been imprinted in us from very early on. Finnish people and martial arts practitioners have a valid learning point here, to give positive feedback as often and easily as possible. We focus too much on the mistakes and corrections instead of just enjoying ourselves. Just as a positive word or a gesture to a kid, makes the child shine like the sun, we too like to, want to, and need to shine.
Pälvi Määttä
1 Dan Black Belt - Finally!
I must say it is a good time to be in Finland and particularly in Kuusamo, Finland’s nature capital. The trees are coloured with different shades of gold, yellow, orange and red. Lots of people make it their autumn destination; they might be aiming to do the Karhunkierros hike in Oulanka National Park or use a kayak and paddle down the Oulanka river. However, for us martial artists the destination was Kuusamo Sports Centre. We are lucky enough to get international visitors from Scotland from time to time and it is our privilege to spend the weekend training with them.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has thinned the lines of our club participants. It seems that close combat sports are not that popular in the time of pandemic, but for me and a few others, stopping training was not an option. We continued training outside and indoors using social distancing. Social distancing has had an interesting effect in our society where individuals are already really isolated from one another. For some it has made us even quieter, but for many of us it meant that the need for social interaction grew even higher, particularly the hunger to participate in Shoto Budo courses and meet fellow practitioners.
I was happy to see familiar faces of people I had met in Scotland and known in Finland. There were even some new faces attending the Shoto Budo course, which I will be happy to see again.
I would like to make few notes on the exercises that I intend to incorporate into my training and teach to other practitioners. I have been struggling in connecting kata into kumite. Billy used the example of kata as a dance, which without an idea or message behind it is just a group of random empty movements. Billy took us quite deep into the ideas behind the katas, using Kwanku Dai kata as a tool to do so. I was fascinated in Billy’s approach on the model: orientation, structure and reason. I suppose I was ready to broaden my mind and by the look of the list of people getting promoted to higher belts and Dan grades, so were a lot of other people too.
I have been training a lot with the method: strike first, ask questions later. This time I tried a different approach and started to see the value in just holding the opponent stationary. The goal was not to hurt the opponent but to, maybe keep them from hurting others or themselves. Billy used the example of two kids fighting over a toy. Fights between me and my brother back in the day have been brutal enough for me to easily see the value in holding or containing the situation.
What I also enjoyed was the way Billy wanted us to use kata as a warmup. Billy wanted us to be free of our need to make every movement of the kata perfect but to see the value of just moving and listening to your body and what the movement feels like. I suppose we are often obsessed in what other people think of us; whether they think I am good or not in what I do. Billy wanted us to focus on ourselves and how the kata feels for us. How the first movement of Kwanku Dai kata, the spearhead, contains so much information. We needed to focus our thoughts and energy into the tip of the spear to make the structure stronger and achieve our goal in defending ourselves.
I suppose we Finns are so shy that when we are asked if we have any questions we draw a complete blank in our heads. The pressure of feeling like you might say something stupid and be judged for it has been imprinted in us from very early on. Finnish people and martial arts practitioners have a valid learning point here, to give positive feedback as often and easily as possible. We focus too much on the mistakes and corrections instead of just enjoying ourselves. Just as a positive word or a gesture to a kid, makes the child shine like the sun, we too like to, want to, and need to shine.
Pälvi Määttä
1 Dan Black Belt - Finally!
Dumbarton Meadow Centre Course 2022
Report by Chris Foley.
Billy Haggerty and Pauline Walmsley led a course in Dumbarton Meadow Centre 10th and 11th September.
Over the weekend, we build up a practice using Heian Nidan. We started using pads, not with a focus on striking, but to draw attention to various aspects of the kata's movement. After a time, we moved on to an application of the kata and our attention was drawn to the structure of our bodies while performing the movements in the kata. In particular, we were shown how some of the structures make it difficult for the aggressor to continue to attack. Eventually, after building up a repertoire of applications, we expanded the scope to move on from individual attacks to kumite with a partner, but still using the moves from the kata as defence. Finally, we expanded the scope again to defend against two attackers.
Billy told us that he used the Structure and Orientation model to design the practice. Initially, my understanding was that the orientation was the movement of the kata and the structure part of the model was the structure in our bodies that the movement produced. I asked for more information and Billy told me that the structure he was creating was not just the structure of our bodies, but also the structure of our thinking. This made my question my understanding of orientation in this model. Pauline gave me more information in the car on the way home. It made sense to me when she explained it but I would struggle to explain it to someone else. I have used the structure and orientation model in the past to help design practices but I don't think I could skilfully set up a practice to elicit a particular structure of thinking. Expanding my understanding of this model is something that I would like to explore in the near future.
On Sunday morning, there was a grading for kyu grades. I felt privileged to be invited to be on the grading panel. Paul led the grading and the two candidates, Antoinette and Kyle, both demonstrated the skills they have been developing.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and can't wait for Autumn School.
Billy Haggerty and Pauline Walmsley led a course in Dumbarton Meadow Centre 10th and 11th September.
Over the weekend, we build up a practice using Heian Nidan. We started using pads, not with a focus on striking, but to draw attention to various aspects of the kata's movement. After a time, we moved on to an application of the kata and our attention was drawn to the structure of our bodies while performing the movements in the kata. In particular, we were shown how some of the structures make it difficult for the aggressor to continue to attack. Eventually, after building up a repertoire of applications, we expanded the scope to move on from individual attacks to kumite with a partner, but still using the moves from the kata as defence. Finally, we expanded the scope again to defend against two attackers.
Billy told us that he used the Structure and Orientation model to design the practice. Initially, my understanding was that the orientation was the movement of the kata and the structure part of the model was the structure in our bodies that the movement produced. I asked for more information and Billy told me that the structure he was creating was not just the structure of our bodies, but also the structure of our thinking. This made my question my understanding of orientation in this model. Pauline gave me more information in the car on the way home. It made sense to me when she explained it but I would struggle to explain it to someone else. I have used the structure and orientation model in the past to help design practices but I don't think I could skilfully set up a practice to elicit a particular structure of thinking. Expanding my understanding of this model is something that I would like to explore in the near future.
On Sunday morning, there was a grading for kyu grades. I felt privileged to be invited to be on the grading panel. Paul led the grading and the two candidates, Antoinette and Kyle, both demonstrated the skills they have been developing.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and can't wait for Autumn School.
Black and Brownbelt Course by Chris Foley and Scott Tumilty August 2022
Report by Richard Price
In the most recent one day event designed to promote younger instructors to lead course level practice, Chris Foley and Scott Tumilty delivered an action packed 4 hours looking at a series of ten arm locking techniques with a key focus on Pace and Lead and movement.
This was a well planned and structured course with excellent demonstrations of the techniques by Chris and Scott and plenty multi level support for the attendees until all had significantly improved.
Firstly the course “chunked” lock upon lock and provided repeated connections attending to the importance of movement throughout and through practical application and recursive training a short Kata evolved.
The group were challenged to eventually perform the techniques without full dexterity by the addition of boxing gloves and then limited further by using one hand only to apply the techniques.
Some excellent fun practices evolved where de-escalation was explored through defensive controlling actions and defending your weekly shopping as well as fighting for the last toilet roll in Tesco added some hilarious content from our recent pandemic and current political situations.
An excellent feedback session concluded the course and it was great to see and hear from two younger and well experienced practitioners who are not always in the forefront but work hard in the background sharing Shoto Budo practice with many in their local clubs and community. Thank
You Scott and Chris.
More photos can be seen in the Gallery!
In the most recent one day event designed to promote younger instructors to lead course level practice, Chris Foley and Scott Tumilty delivered an action packed 4 hours looking at a series of ten arm locking techniques with a key focus on Pace and Lead and movement.
This was a well planned and structured course with excellent demonstrations of the techniques by Chris and Scott and plenty multi level support for the attendees until all had significantly improved.
Firstly the course “chunked” lock upon lock and provided repeated connections attending to the importance of movement throughout and through practical application and recursive training a short Kata evolved.
The group were challenged to eventually perform the techniques without full dexterity by the addition of boxing gloves and then limited further by using one hand only to apply the techniques.
Some excellent fun practices evolved where de-escalation was explored through defensive controlling actions and defending your weekly shopping as well as fighting for the last toilet roll in Tesco added some hilarious content from our recent pandemic and current political situations.
An excellent feedback session concluded the course and it was great to see and hear from two younger and well experienced practitioners who are not always in the forefront but work hard in the background sharing Shoto Budo practice with many in their local clubs and community. Thank
You Scott and Chris.
More photos can be seen in the Gallery!
Kuusamo Spring Camp 2022
Report by Nanna
There were about 20 participants in Spring camp. Participants were from Kempele, Oulu, Raahe and Vantaa. The camp took two days and the Sensei were Mika Tuomaala, Markus Takkinen, Marko Ronkainen and Kimmo Niikkonen. The theme of the camp was Heian Yodan.
After warm-up we made a kata form. We trained Heian Yodan. This was mostly in small groups and in pairs. The basic layout was that one person made the kata in the middle and the others made attacks with punches or kicks. During the training we did more challenging applications. The kata applications got harder and there were no basic situations anymore. Attacks might be punches, kicks or holdings. This made the training feel more realistic. The person in the middle didn’t get so much time to think and the attacks came from any directions, however obeyed the kata.
Everybody liked the Heian Yodan and the applications. The surprising attacks challenged students to make blocks and their own attacks more realistic. During the weekend we made replays after replays which were important for learning.
Sunday morning started with graduation. There were about ten karatekas who took part. Results were five yellow, two orange, one brown and one black dan Congrats!
After graduation we continued training with familiar Heian Yodan. Now we used the wall. It was interesting to notice how to use the wall and how it gave different options.
Thank you to the Sensei and students for a successful camp. After the camp participants were tired but happy with the learning. Looking forward for the next camp.
There were about 20 participants in Spring camp. Participants were from Kempele, Oulu, Raahe and Vantaa. The camp took two days and the Sensei were Mika Tuomaala, Markus Takkinen, Marko Ronkainen and Kimmo Niikkonen. The theme of the camp was Heian Yodan.
After warm-up we made a kata form. We trained Heian Yodan. This was mostly in small groups and in pairs. The basic layout was that one person made the kata in the middle and the others made attacks with punches or kicks. During the training we did more challenging applications. The kata applications got harder and there were no basic situations anymore. Attacks might be punches, kicks or holdings. This made the training feel more realistic. The person in the middle didn’t get so much time to think and the attacks came from any directions, however obeyed the kata.
Everybody liked the Heian Yodan and the applications. The surprising attacks challenged students to make blocks and their own attacks more realistic. During the weekend we made replays after replays which were important for learning.
Sunday morning started with graduation. There were about ten karatekas who took part. Results were five yellow, two orange, one brown and one black dan Congrats!
After graduation we continued training with familiar Heian Yodan. Now we used the wall. It was interesting to notice how to use the wall and how it gave different options.
Thank you to the Sensei and students for a successful camp. After the camp participants were tired but happy with the learning. Looking forward for the next camp.
Inverclyde Extended Monthly Practice - May 2022
Another enjoyable extended Friday night practice in Greenock saw Drew from WWKA and Chris and David from Kaizen join the Inverclyde club. Richard and Billy guided the practice which looked at the improvement of stability and its connection to breathing and torque. Some “steam-train” testing of the stances within Heian Sandan with the application of torque demonstrated both the weaknesses and the strengths inherent in static positions, stances, and how the application of torque as well as shifting between Kiba-Dachi, Kokutsu-Dachi and Zenkutsu-Dachi improved the outcomes of defence.
Using the Kihon, Kata and Kumite principles recently discussed at the Senior National, Richard also led the group in a nunchaku practice which, albeit at an elementary level, started to provide some insight into the cross hemispherical communication, hand to eye coordination and different trajectories of offence offered by this weapon. Next extended session will be the first Friday in June.
Using the Kihon, Kata and Kumite principles recently discussed at the Senior National, Richard also led the group in a nunchaku practice which, albeit at an elementary level, started to provide some insight into the cross hemispherical communication, hand to eye coordination and different trajectories of offence offered by this weapon. Next extended session will be the first Friday in June.
Junior Brown and Blackbelt National 2022
What an impressive group of young people! Our first Junior National since Covid and limited this time to Brown to Black Belt Juniors. Richard and Billy ran the course with the groups being run by George Gaffney (5th Dan), Jim Gisbey (5th Dan) and Alexander Hunt (2nd Dan). After the first half hour of warming up bodies and brains, the groups started to fire on all cylinders and a huge array of skills were on display. The juniors were given information on striking pads, close quarter parrying, dynamic distance control, falling safely, take downs from the ground, speedy recovery on to feet, technical detailing in basic kicking, defences against weapons, and utilising skills to defend against different body sizes and strengths. They were challenged both on a one-to-one basis and a two-to-one basis and every junior demonstrated good ability to defend themselves and stay safe against an adult attacker and in some cases two at once . The continuous assessment was added to with a formal grading for 40 mins where again the juniors skill sets shone. The course was concluded with a cool down Kata and application session delivered by Billy using Empi and the whole group showed clear evidence of learning at an accelerated rate. Grading results across the board ranged from excellent to exceptional. The principle which Richard had set for the instructors was met with gusto and brilliantly supported by the assistant instructors who were Brian Millar, Tommy Hansen, Robert Scott, Louis Hurrell, Bronwyn Tibbs, Kaming Wong , Billy Harrison and a surprise visit from young Tom Canning who recently graded to Junior Blackbelt at the Adult National Course. Watch the course calendar for the upcoming National Junior events. More photos in the Gallery Section.
Five Reflections on Spring School 2022 by James Boyd, Nathan Price, Bronwyn Tibbs and David Wilson and Andy Tyson.
Shoto Budo Residential Course
Reflection 1 by James Boyd 2nd Dan
I recently attended the first senior national course back since before lockdown. I had a great deal of fun over the weekend and learned and developed a multitude of new and existing skills.
The course, amongst other things, focused on using the movement of 1st Kata, Taikyoku Shodan, and Irimi - the act of moving into a strike - to parry, deflect and counter attacks, under the umbrella of Self Defense. The practice led me to rethink how I parry strikes, encouraging a focus on engagement and connection, as opposed to fearing and avoiding oncoming attacks all together.
Adjacent to this practice, my skills in coaching, were tested and developed. Through Shoto Budo and the help of my instructors, my confidence in teaching and imparting my own knowledge has greatly increased. I felt very aware of this over this weekend, many thanks to the wonderful tutelage of the lead instructors.
Finally, possibly the most important part of the weekend was the sense of community I felt as part of Shoto Budo. There were people attending the course I had only met as of this weekend and I was able to laugh, have fun and develop my skills with everyone, in and out of practice.
Reflection 1 by James Boyd 2nd Dan
I recently attended the first senior national course back since before lockdown. I had a great deal of fun over the weekend and learned and developed a multitude of new and existing skills.
The course, amongst other things, focused on using the movement of 1st Kata, Taikyoku Shodan, and Irimi - the act of moving into a strike - to parry, deflect and counter attacks, under the umbrella of Self Defense. The practice led me to rethink how I parry strikes, encouraging a focus on engagement and connection, as opposed to fearing and avoiding oncoming attacks all together.
Adjacent to this practice, my skills in coaching, were tested and developed. Through Shoto Budo and the help of my instructors, my confidence in teaching and imparting my own knowledge has greatly increased. I felt very aware of this over this weekend, many thanks to the wonderful tutelage of the lead instructors.
Finally, possibly the most important part of the weekend was the sense of community I felt as part of Shoto Budo. There were people attending the course I had only met as of this weekend and I was able to laugh, have fun and develop my skills with everyone, in and out of practice.
Reflection 2 by Nathan Price 2nd Dan
What a relief it was to be back at Largs for the first senior national since before the pandemic! With the mandatory face covering rule being lifted, the course felt very normal which was a breath of fresh air. This weekend was exactly what I needed. An escape from my day to day. I have been flat out with my studies at university, and work in Dundee, so I had only trained once this year. I was craving practice for fitness reasons, to build upon my martial arts skills and understandings, to develop my confidence and coaching skills, and for the social aspect. This course checked all these boxes and I left feeling I had gained a lot. There was a lot of valuable information shared at practice to consider and apply to further training, including diaphragmatic nasal breathing, parrying, connection, engagement, pace and lead, body positioning (encouraging a less square-on stance in kumite), entering into an opponents space, perceptive skills, defending against punches, kicks, and extended weapons like jo staff’s or ex-police baton’s, and training various hand strike techniques. Something completely new and effective I learned from this weekend was a body preparation practice called “do-in” which I can now confidently lead and apply to warm-ups. I co-led a group in the outdoor practice where we looked to apply the above skills in a different terrain (on the slope of a hill), using the game “defending the hill”, as a vehicle to experiment with these skills through play. I was able to observe and partake in this practice, recognizing areas of development/improvement from each group, from which I created specific practices to isolate these areas, encouraging the groups to experiment and test these skills. For example, recognizing the importance of safe movement on a sloped terrain, I got everyone manouvring on the slope, encouraging people to experience crawling in multiple directions, utilising all fours for balance, posting using other body parts like shoulders, knees, forearms, head, back, sides, safe falling, rolling etc. From a coaching perspective, it was important to make a connection between the lessons within the indoor practices, and the outdoor practice so that everyone was able to layer and build upon these skills, so they are not just forgotten but instead recursively practiced. A main personal achievement I gained from this course was increased confidence in my own practice, as well as coaching and leading a group of adults. Thank you for this experience.
What a relief it was to be back at Largs for the first senior national since before the pandemic! With the mandatory face covering rule being lifted, the course felt very normal which was a breath of fresh air. This weekend was exactly what I needed. An escape from my day to day. I have been flat out with my studies at university, and work in Dundee, so I had only trained once this year. I was craving practice for fitness reasons, to build upon my martial arts skills and understandings, to develop my confidence and coaching skills, and for the social aspect. This course checked all these boxes and I left feeling I had gained a lot. There was a lot of valuable information shared at practice to consider and apply to further training, including diaphragmatic nasal breathing, parrying, connection, engagement, pace and lead, body positioning (encouraging a less square-on stance in kumite), entering into an opponents space, perceptive skills, defending against punches, kicks, and extended weapons like jo staff’s or ex-police baton’s, and training various hand strike techniques. Something completely new and effective I learned from this weekend was a body preparation practice called “do-in” which I can now confidently lead and apply to warm-ups. I co-led a group in the outdoor practice where we looked to apply the above skills in a different terrain (on the slope of a hill), using the game “defending the hill”, as a vehicle to experiment with these skills through play. I was able to observe and partake in this practice, recognizing areas of development/improvement from each group, from which I created specific practices to isolate these areas, encouraging the groups to experiment and test these skills. For example, recognizing the importance of safe movement on a sloped terrain, I got everyone manouvring on the slope, encouraging people to experience crawling in multiple directions, utilising all fours for balance, posting using other body parts like shoulders, knees, forearms, head, back, sides, safe falling, rolling etc. From a coaching perspective, it was important to make a connection between the lessons within the indoor practices, and the outdoor practice so that everyone was able to layer and build upon these skills, so they are not just forgotten but instead recursively practiced. A main personal achievement I gained from this course was increased confidence in my own practice, as well as coaching and leading a group of adults. Thank you for this experience.
Reflection 3 by Bronwyn Tibbs 1st Kyu
No matter how many times I go to courses, or how long I have been practising for, they always still scare me! But at the end of each course, I go away on a high, feeling I have learnt something new and made improvements in some of my own skills. I only managed to attend one day of this weekend, but really enjoyed it. It’s great being back practising with everyone, having the chance to get knowledge and feedback from lots of different people at all levels really does help me develop areas that I know I need to improve on. At the end of the course, Billy said something that really hit home to me, it’s all about confidence! I couldn’t agree with him more. Believing in yourself and your own ability is really hard, especially seeing everyone else’s skill levels and thinking you should be like them. But getting the opportunities to practise with lots of amazing people from the whole organisation and attending courses like this, starts the journey to building my own confidence in what I can do.
No matter how many times I go to courses, or how long I have been practising for, they always still scare me! But at the end of each course, I go away on a high, feeling I have learnt something new and made improvements in some of my own skills. I only managed to attend one day of this weekend, but really enjoyed it. It’s great being back practising with everyone, having the chance to get knowledge and feedback from lots of different people at all levels really does help me develop areas that I know I need to improve on. At the end of the course, Billy said something that really hit home to me, it’s all about confidence! I couldn’t agree with him more. Believing in yourself and your own ability is really hard, especially seeing everyone else’s skill levels and thinking you should be like them. But getting the opportunities to practise with lots of amazing people from the whole organisation and attending courses like this, starts the journey to building my own confidence in what I can do.
Reflection 4 by Andy Hanson 1st Kyu
I am not usually someone who is comfortable writing down thoughts but I felt like I needed to after reflecting on the weekend and what it meant to me.
I wasn't expecting to attend this course due to some personal circumstances at home, but I'm so glad I did!
After the first practice and seeing everyone again for the first time in years I took a bit of time to myself and knew I was going to enjoy the journey through the weekend. The outdoor practice was amzing fun, but for me the recovery breathing practice really helped me, not just physically but mentally. I came to this course feeling stressed and left feeling calm and focused.
Thank you to everyone involved and for the positive feedback I received throughout the course. See you in November!
I am not usually someone who is comfortable writing down thoughts but I felt like I needed to after reflecting on the weekend and what it meant to me.
I wasn't expecting to attend this course due to some personal circumstances at home, but I'm so glad I did!
After the first practice and seeing everyone again for the first time in years I took a bit of time to myself and knew I was going to enjoy the journey through the weekend. The outdoor practice was amzing fun, but for me the recovery breathing practice really helped me, not just physically but mentally. I came to this course feeling stressed and left feeling calm and focused.
Thank you to everyone involved and for the positive feedback I received throughout the course. See you in November!
Reflection 5 by David Wilson 3rd Dan
The sun shone and continued to shine down on us. A good omen perhaps for what awaited us on our return to Largs.
Friday night practice kicked off with Pauline explaining the main principle of the weekend would be self-defence, using the vehicles of Kata, Kihon and Kumite. The four main elements we would be exploring were Energy, Perceptual awareness, Agility-Ability & Disability and Health & wellbeing. Pauline led, along with information from Graeme and Richard, skillfully building up the practice with the group moving about in a safe space. Adding in light touches and layering in punching, kicking and parrying. Noticing the movement and turns and the dynamic connection and use of energy and space.
The group was reminded by the Meijin grades of the usefulness of the first few moves of Taikyoku Shodan. The group then performed Taikyoku Shodan in various directions, with details such as torqueing the body, leading with the elbow, noticing the wide arc as your arm sweeps down and using the pulling hand (ikite) as a way of guiding the energy. We then went into pairs and groups of three to parry, evade, move, turn and connect against an opponent who was punching. Billy who was on the periphery, but always observing, offered me some 1 on 1 useful advice “just connect” that helped to shift my attention, helping to improve my practice in such a subtle and simple way that only Billy can do, reminding me of the importance of mind-set.
Graeme then added to the practice, using the turn to avoid an opponent who was walking towards you punching. This was then built up to three or four people running towards you, having to interpret speed, distance, timing, using perceptual awareness. I found this quite challenging at first but by the time when we carried out this practice on Sunday, I felt I had actually got considerably better and was judging distance, timing, space in relation to the opponent more accurately. I also visualised and imagined pulling back on a bow to shoot an arrow (Zen and the art of archery!) helping to generate torque and giving me a visual representation I could use.
Graeme & Richard then moved the practice onto using the Jo (short stick). One partner with a Jo, the other attempting to evade, stepping into & attacking the opponent’s hands. Graeme’s nuggets of information, such as attacking the controlling aspect of the Jo (i.e the hands) proved invaluable. Friday night’s practice finished with Pauline leading us through a meditation which helped to refresh, relax and re-set me, ready for a few well-earned drinks at the bar.
Saturday morning started with Graeme leading us through some Do-In and Chi Kung exercises. Firstly tapping the head, body, legs, torso to wake up the body ready for exercise. Next we used Lifting the Sky & Parting the Clouds (see p298 of Essential Txt) to declutter the mind and get us all in good meditative state, ready and prepared for the day. I found this particularly beneficial and found a calmness descending on me, the visual analogy of parting the clouds, like parting your thoughts was really useful. Practice continued along the same theme with Richard adding in using teisho (palm heel) & heito(ridge hand strike). Information on use of targeting & force required was also added in. There was also an excellent demonstration by Richard & George showing all the four elements of the weekend.
Saturday afternoon was the outdoor practice, giving us an opportunity to test our skills in a different environment. Our group starting working with Chris & Nathan firstly & split into two teams. One group to defend the top of the hill & the second group to start at the bottom of the hill and try to take the top. Teamwork, co-operation, strategy, perceptual awareness, use of dynamic energy in motion and posture all played their part. The strategy of gripping on for dear life is not always effective! Sometimes, letting go to allow yourself the time to roll out, recover and reconnect back to the practice is a better option.
Moving on to Leah & James who asked us to defend our position at a tree, preventing the opponents from taking it and switching by asking us to take their position. Again strategy, teamwork, deception, movement were essential. Finally, the third instructors were Drew & Ewan who had us practicing in the forest. Different terrain and many more obstacles to take account of were layered in. Camaraderie, laughs, bumps and bruises and a general sense of health & wellbeing permeated our group with Roger’s quote summing up the outdoor session “It’s the most fu***** fun I’ve had since before Covid”.
Saturday night’s practice session was split into two group one led by Richard & one by Pauline. With Pauline’s group we explored the use of nasal breathing using the vehicle of Takiyoku Shodan. Really interesting practice and started by using the in-breath and out-breath in a controlled fashion and seeing how many breaths it takes to complete Takiyoku Shodan. Pauline quickly moved this onto working in small groups to notice any changes in your thinking, posture, movement, etc. I certainly found it difficult to concentrate on anything apart from the nasal breathing at the start, but soon found myself dealing with opponents, moving whilst using my breathing control more effectively. I found it a really useful practice. The subtle and very important use of the breath along with mind & body should never be forgotten and I had several conversations with Pauline, Billy and Nathan who provided much helpful information. (Thanks Nathan for the breathing tips for swimming!). Saturday night practice finished with a mediation, with the Meijin grades talking us through a guided deep relaxing meditative end to the day.
Sunday morning was the formal grading, with all of us taking part. Lots of skills and abilities were on display and well done to all who graded & congratulations to Roger for winning the Vincent Strachan trophy. Well deserved. Sunday afternoon’s session was led by Billy who referred back to the recursive learning over the weekend and took us through a session adhering to the overarching principle of self-defence.
In summing up, a fantastic course and well done to Pauline, Graeme, Richard and Billy for pulling it together. Thanks to all people I practiced with & roll on November.
The sun shone and continued to shine down on us. A good omen perhaps for what awaited us on our return to Largs.
Friday night practice kicked off with Pauline explaining the main principle of the weekend would be self-defence, using the vehicles of Kata, Kihon and Kumite. The four main elements we would be exploring were Energy, Perceptual awareness, Agility-Ability & Disability and Health & wellbeing. Pauline led, along with information from Graeme and Richard, skillfully building up the practice with the group moving about in a safe space. Adding in light touches and layering in punching, kicking and parrying. Noticing the movement and turns and the dynamic connection and use of energy and space.
The group was reminded by the Meijin grades of the usefulness of the first few moves of Taikyoku Shodan. The group then performed Taikyoku Shodan in various directions, with details such as torqueing the body, leading with the elbow, noticing the wide arc as your arm sweeps down and using the pulling hand (ikite) as a way of guiding the energy. We then went into pairs and groups of three to parry, evade, move, turn and connect against an opponent who was punching. Billy who was on the periphery, but always observing, offered me some 1 on 1 useful advice “just connect” that helped to shift my attention, helping to improve my practice in such a subtle and simple way that only Billy can do, reminding me of the importance of mind-set.
Graeme then added to the practice, using the turn to avoid an opponent who was walking towards you punching. This was then built up to three or four people running towards you, having to interpret speed, distance, timing, using perceptual awareness. I found this quite challenging at first but by the time when we carried out this practice on Sunday, I felt I had actually got considerably better and was judging distance, timing, space in relation to the opponent more accurately. I also visualised and imagined pulling back on a bow to shoot an arrow (Zen and the art of archery!) helping to generate torque and giving me a visual representation I could use.
Graeme & Richard then moved the practice onto using the Jo (short stick). One partner with a Jo, the other attempting to evade, stepping into & attacking the opponent’s hands. Graeme’s nuggets of information, such as attacking the controlling aspect of the Jo (i.e the hands) proved invaluable. Friday night’s practice finished with Pauline leading us through a meditation which helped to refresh, relax and re-set me, ready for a few well-earned drinks at the bar.
Saturday morning started with Graeme leading us through some Do-In and Chi Kung exercises. Firstly tapping the head, body, legs, torso to wake up the body ready for exercise. Next we used Lifting the Sky & Parting the Clouds (see p298 of Essential Txt) to declutter the mind and get us all in good meditative state, ready and prepared for the day. I found this particularly beneficial and found a calmness descending on me, the visual analogy of parting the clouds, like parting your thoughts was really useful. Practice continued along the same theme with Richard adding in using teisho (palm heel) & heito(ridge hand strike). Information on use of targeting & force required was also added in. There was also an excellent demonstration by Richard & George showing all the four elements of the weekend.
Saturday afternoon was the outdoor practice, giving us an opportunity to test our skills in a different environment. Our group starting working with Chris & Nathan firstly & split into two teams. One group to defend the top of the hill & the second group to start at the bottom of the hill and try to take the top. Teamwork, co-operation, strategy, perceptual awareness, use of dynamic energy in motion and posture all played their part. The strategy of gripping on for dear life is not always effective! Sometimes, letting go to allow yourself the time to roll out, recover and reconnect back to the practice is a better option.
Moving on to Leah & James who asked us to defend our position at a tree, preventing the opponents from taking it and switching by asking us to take their position. Again strategy, teamwork, deception, movement were essential. Finally, the third instructors were Drew & Ewan who had us practicing in the forest. Different terrain and many more obstacles to take account of were layered in. Camaraderie, laughs, bumps and bruises and a general sense of health & wellbeing permeated our group with Roger’s quote summing up the outdoor session “It’s the most fu***** fun I’ve had since before Covid”.
Saturday night’s practice session was split into two group one led by Richard & one by Pauline. With Pauline’s group we explored the use of nasal breathing using the vehicle of Takiyoku Shodan. Really interesting practice and started by using the in-breath and out-breath in a controlled fashion and seeing how many breaths it takes to complete Takiyoku Shodan. Pauline quickly moved this onto working in small groups to notice any changes in your thinking, posture, movement, etc. I certainly found it difficult to concentrate on anything apart from the nasal breathing at the start, but soon found myself dealing with opponents, moving whilst using my breathing control more effectively. I found it a really useful practice. The subtle and very important use of the breath along with mind & body should never be forgotten and I had several conversations with Pauline, Billy and Nathan who provided much helpful information. (Thanks Nathan for the breathing tips for swimming!). Saturday night practice finished with a mediation, with the Meijin grades talking us through a guided deep relaxing meditative end to the day.
Sunday morning was the formal grading, with all of us taking part. Lots of skills and abilities were on display and well done to all who graded & congratulations to Roger for winning the Vincent Strachan trophy. Well deserved. Sunday afternoon’s session was led by Billy who referred back to the recursive learning over the weekend and took us through a session adhering to the overarching principle of self-defence.
In summing up, a fantastic course and well done to Pauline, Graeme, Richard and Billy for pulling it together. Thanks to all people I practiced with & roll on November.
Full set of photographs in Gallery Section
Greenock inter-club practice April 1st 2022
Another interesting night of practice with Greenock Shoto Budo supported by Richard which saw a good turnout with visitors from Dai Ichi Kai and SSSB. Richard set out to provide some additional opportunity to share our understanding of accelerated learning and began by offering a more detailed look at using the less often utilised kihon hand, elbow and knee techniques and how to deliver powerful transfer of energy with these strikes in close range as well as using the same techniques to both parry, counter attack and continue dynamic connection training from the previous month’s session. Billy added more detail of how to utilise and further develop torque within the close ranges set by the practice and the directional trajectory of energy transfer against pads. With considerable amount of practice deliberately on the balls of the feet, Robert and Paul started with 15 mins of Kata on tip toes and worked plantars, calf and quads all evening, experiencing variances in balance and helping to highlight some sluggishness in existing footwork. John McGeown provided many demonstrations with Richardon how to use previously trained structures to good effect within a dynamic rather than static context and Paul and Kyle provided other examples of following energy and directing it. Again Billy supported this with great information about how preconception and even a few word of a difference in a coaching scenario, like “try to stop the opponent”, could give the defender many more problems than simply responding to attacks, joining with energy and redirecting that energy. Throughout her own training and the demonstrations Antoinette, as ever, kindly took many photographs some of which are seen above. Thank you to all who attended and it’s excellent to see this club night with its great history look busier and busier again. Put your dates in the diary for the next session on 1st Friday in May.
New Embroidered Gi Badges. March 2022
These lovely quality new suit badges have been a joint project between Ewan Semple and Nathan Price and are now finally in stock. Available on the website www.shotobudo.org and also available at courses without carriage costs. Some clubs giving them as gifts and rewards to their juniors and instructors. Proud to wear and proud of Shoto Budo.
Thank you Ewan and Nathan .
Thank you Ewan and Nathan .
Paul and Nathan’s Brown and Black belt Course, Biggar, March 2022
by Richard Price
In a new Meijin Management Group drive to encourage and support a generation of younger instructors, Paul Kelly and Nathan Price were up first to deliver their practice ideas at the brown and black belt course in Biggar on 13th March 2022.
Paul, supported by Nathan designed and delivered an intensive one day training session with a welcome break in the middle for some social time.
After Drew took us through a paired warm up, the practice started with some basic pattern drills using pads in which Paul discussed the principle of using minimal movement to maximise space when in close with an opponent. Paul had been looking at examples of street fight situations and devised a series of practices which were both fun, engaging, and thought provoking.
He and Nathan demonstrated a series of technical drills, including getting us to hold a pair of socks below our chins to remind us of head positions for a less vulnerable defence. With Paul accidentally asking us to use “twerking” actions rather than “torquing” actions, there was a lot of laughing and smiling which went alongside some challenging work on slips against jab and cross punches and dips against hook punches. A lot of time was spent detailing upper body movements to facilitate parrying, conditioning and counter attacking and again all the demonstrations followed the original principle Paul had set of, “minimal movement to maximise space”
In the second part of the practice Ewan got the tired legs working again in a game based warm up with a real competitiveness to it. Nathan and Paul then guided the group to look at the quality of connection within the practice, this time against a jo staff and to paraphrase Andy, “that lump of wood is a lot harder than a leg when it hits you!”
The practice then moved on to incorporate push kicks where Nathan had a focus pad tucked into his belt, which gave Paul a safer target to strike using Mae Geri Kekomi - front stamp kick to adjust distance. Targeting developed to attack the legs with good safe-practice reminders. Graeme demonstrated subtle changes in the connecting foot, both using it to parry and using it to penetrate and effectively stun the muscles in the legs of the attacker. These kicks were often used in a retreating action with the observation pointed out by Graeme that, “ you don’t have to be driving forward for it to be an effective kick”.
So many of the practitioners were invited to demonstrate for us throughout the day and the standards on display definitely showed universal learning. Stretching sessions both active and passive were provided by Ruth and by James.
Other Meijin, Pauline, Eddie and myself enjoyed getting into the training again and giving small bites of information when invited and once again this added value to the overall learning of the group and to Nathan and Paul as well.
Great event and some cracking practice photos in the Gallery Section. Please visit and look.
Paul, supported by Nathan designed and delivered an intensive one day training session with a welcome break in the middle for some social time.
After Drew took us through a paired warm up, the practice started with some basic pattern drills using pads in which Paul discussed the principle of using minimal movement to maximise space when in close with an opponent. Paul had been looking at examples of street fight situations and devised a series of practices which were both fun, engaging, and thought provoking.
He and Nathan demonstrated a series of technical drills, including getting us to hold a pair of socks below our chins to remind us of head positions for a less vulnerable defence. With Paul accidentally asking us to use “twerking” actions rather than “torquing” actions, there was a lot of laughing and smiling which went alongside some challenging work on slips against jab and cross punches and dips against hook punches. A lot of time was spent detailing upper body movements to facilitate parrying, conditioning and counter attacking and again all the demonstrations followed the original principle Paul had set of, “minimal movement to maximise space”
In the second part of the practice Ewan got the tired legs working again in a game based warm up with a real competitiveness to it. Nathan and Paul then guided the group to look at the quality of connection within the practice, this time against a jo staff and to paraphrase Andy, “that lump of wood is a lot harder than a leg when it hits you!”
The practice then moved on to incorporate push kicks where Nathan had a focus pad tucked into his belt, which gave Paul a safer target to strike using Mae Geri Kekomi - front stamp kick to adjust distance. Targeting developed to attack the legs with good safe-practice reminders. Graeme demonstrated subtle changes in the connecting foot, both using it to parry and using it to penetrate and effectively stun the muscles in the legs of the attacker. These kicks were often used in a retreating action with the observation pointed out by Graeme that, “ you don’t have to be driving forward for it to be an effective kick”.
So many of the practitioners were invited to demonstrate for us throughout the day and the standards on display definitely showed universal learning. Stretching sessions both active and passive were provided by Ruth and by James.
Other Meijin, Pauline, Eddie and myself enjoyed getting into the training again and giving small bites of information when invited and once again this added value to the overall learning of the group and to Nathan and Paul as well.
Great event and some cracking practice photos in the Gallery Section. Please visit and look.
Inter Club Training Session hosted by Inverclyde Shoto Budo 4th March 2022
Following on from a successful inter-club training session with Dai Ichi Kai in Cumbernauld, Inverclyde Shoto Budo hosted another inter club session on Friday 4th. Richard helped to guide the practice and direct a committed group of participants in an energetic practice which progressively linked many key components working within a limited scope of defensive shapes and movements. The session built on the Irime practice points delivered by Billy in Cumbernauld, with multiple energetic demonstrations from George, Jim, Liam, Alexander, Drew and Tom. Billy shared useful, experienced technical detail and the session provided a recursive teaching and learning experience which trained familiarisation with elements such as reversed sequence Kata, minor musculoskeletal considerations in parrying repeated kick-punch-grab and combination attacks, connecting with and influencing the attackers energy, subtle modifications to timing defensive movements, Kihon detailing of stamp and snap kicks and useful hints on what, how and why the senior group have been testing with the breathing work of authors and “pulmonauts”, James Nestor and Patrick McKeown, peppered into the mix.
Lower kyu grades Antoinette and Kyle had great exposure to the many higher grade practitioners who made the trip this time and their practice visibly improved throughout the two hour session.
Another inter-club practice is currently being planned by the senior group so hopefully we can continue to provide an excellent standard of both enjoyable and educational training opportunities.
More images from the event can be seen in Gallery.
Lower kyu grades Antoinette and Kyle had great exposure to the many higher grade practitioners who made the trip this time and their practice visibly improved throughout the two hour session.
Another inter-club practice is currently being planned by the senior group so hopefully we can continue to provide an excellent standard of both enjoyable and educational training opportunities.
More images from the event can be seen in Gallery.
Meijin Gathering Feb 2022 by Richard Price “Setting Direction”
The Meijin Gathering in February was attended by Pauline Sharp, Richard Price, Pauline Walmsley, Graeme Muirhead, Bill Haggerty and the latest new member of the management group George Gaffney (5th Dan).
The very constructive and enthusiastic event ran over two days with “Setting Direction”
as a key principle and was an excellent mix of valuable conversation, testing, modelling and discussions on many key points within the context of accelerated learning.
Looking at active recursive learning and teaching was an important aspect of this event. Testing the appropriateness of sequencing, chunking and “peppering” of information as and when appropriate to drive accelerated learning.
Defining sections of practice was also under test and safe-falling was re-examined in respect of environment and safety, body conditioning and familiarisation with physical contact and the building of physical stamina and fitness for self defence scenarios.
Amongst other aspects, the group re/looked and remodelled the traditional practices of Ippon and Sanbon Kumite, finding further value at beginner, intermediate, advanced and mastery levels. Creating opportunities where peripheral skills are both established, practiced and improved upon, confidence is built up and the toolbox of our skills is more diversely used.
The limiting of skill sets against unlimited skill sets of an opponent was tested and the ensuing feedback was universally accepted as multi-faceted and valuable.
Coaching skills for club and course levels were discussed as well as a plan for an upgraded grading process for adult courses. In this area the need for reinforcement of the principle points continually throughout practice was clearly seen as a necessity.
George and Billy lead a very useful practice where small selected elements of Kata were tested under increasing pressure and a variety of offence coupled with discussion on the connections by the other Meijin Group. This added a definite sense of “What else?”, “How else?” and “Why else?” and drove a more creative approach to even the most basic use of shapes. More photographs of the event can be seen in the Gallery Section
Discussions on the forthcoming Senior National were progressive and positive with a strong desire by all to see our organisation improve rapidly moving forward.
The very constructive and enthusiastic event ran over two days with “Setting Direction”
as a key principle and was an excellent mix of valuable conversation, testing, modelling and discussions on many key points within the context of accelerated learning.
Looking at active recursive learning and teaching was an important aspect of this event. Testing the appropriateness of sequencing, chunking and “peppering” of information as and when appropriate to drive accelerated learning.
Defining sections of practice was also under test and safe-falling was re-examined in respect of environment and safety, body conditioning and familiarisation with physical contact and the building of physical stamina and fitness for self defence scenarios.
Amongst other aspects, the group re/looked and remodelled the traditional practices of Ippon and Sanbon Kumite, finding further value at beginner, intermediate, advanced and mastery levels. Creating opportunities where peripheral skills are both established, practiced and improved upon, confidence is built up and the toolbox of our skills is more diversely used.
The limiting of skill sets against unlimited skill sets of an opponent was tested and the ensuing feedback was universally accepted as multi-faceted and valuable.
Coaching skills for club and course levels were discussed as well as a plan for an upgraded grading process for adult courses. In this area the need for reinforcement of the principle points continually throughout practice was clearly seen as a necessity.
George and Billy lead a very useful practice where small selected elements of Kata were tested under increasing pressure and a variety of offence coupled with discussion on the connections by the other Meijin Group. This added a definite sense of “What else?”, “How else?” and “Why else?” and drove a more creative approach to even the most basic use of shapes. More photographs of the event can be seen in the Gallery Section
Discussions on the forthcoming Senior National were progressive and positive with a strong desire by all to see our organisation improve rapidly moving forward.
Reflections Hopes and Aspirations for Shoto Budo 2022 and Beyond by Pauline Walmsley
Lockdown in March 2020 due to the Covid 19 pandemic! I doubt any of us ever expected to be facing so many challenges and restrictions. Life as we knew it changed in so many ways.
Once the initial ‘stay at home’ rules were relaxed, all manner of creative ways to meet with family and friends were devised to keep us safe outdoors. I myself managed to entertain some of my young grandchildren in a game of ‘parry the bubbles’ on their driveway…..all socially distanced of course!
Billy and I also managed to complete and publish the 2nd edition of Shoto Budo stories ‘2020 in Black & White’ with many contributions from Shoto Budo members.
Many of us in Shoto Budo kept training as best we could. This involved individual practice in our homes, in restricted spaces, stretching on stairs, kata in the garden or local park etc. It was an absolute joy to finally be able to meet in groups and explore and test the best ways to engage in kumite and other practices, while keeping everyone safely distanced.
I loved seeing various photos and videos pop up on social media as individuals and clubs came up with numerous ways to keep us all motivated to train throughout the pandemic. This ranged from use of Bo staff, striking or evading objects suspended from trees or rope lines, breakfalling on all manner of uneven surfaces and often braving the elements of the weather!
As we move into 2022, the Meijin group have been working hard together behind the scenes, discussing and planning, so that we can all enjoy a positive return to club practices and courses.
Richard and Graeme have done a great deal of work in revamping the Shoto Budo website which Jamie and Scott had started, so we can now look forward to improved communication and detailed information of upcoming courses and events.
We have a number of courses and additional practice opportunites coming up soon, all of which can be found on the course calendar and we look forward to seeing you all soon.😃👍
Once the initial ‘stay at home’ rules were relaxed, all manner of creative ways to meet with family and friends were devised to keep us safe outdoors. I myself managed to entertain some of my young grandchildren in a game of ‘parry the bubbles’ on their driveway…..all socially distanced of course!
Billy and I also managed to complete and publish the 2nd edition of Shoto Budo stories ‘2020 in Black & White’ with many contributions from Shoto Budo members.
Many of us in Shoto Budo kept training as best we could. This involved individual practice in our homes, in restricted spaces, stretching on stairs, kata in the garden or local park etc. It was an absolute joy to finally be able to meet in groups and explore and test the best ways to engage in kumite and other practices, while keeping everyone safely distanced.
I loved seeing various photos and videos pop up on social media as individuals and clubs came up with numerous ways to keep us all motivated to train throughout the pandemic. This ranged from use of Bo staff, striking or evading objects suspended from trees or rope lines, breakfalling on all manner of uneven surfaces and often braving the elements of the weather!
As we move into 2022, the Meijin group have been working hard together behind the scenes, discussing and planning, so that we can all enjoy a positive return to club practices and courses.
Richard and Graeme have done a great deal of work in revamping the Shoto Budo website which Jamie and Scott had started, so we can now look forward to improved communication and detailed information of upcoming courses and events.
We have a number of courses and additional practice opportunites coming up soon, all of which can be found on the course calendar and we look forward to seeing you all soon.😃👍
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Winter School 2019 Report by Jamie Boyle
Another successful Winter School was held in Largs this past weekend, led by our Technical Director Billy Haggerty. All the clubs meet at the Sport Scotland Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre for an intensive weekend of training, learning and fun! This year we were also very fortunate to have several of our Finnish friends from the Kuusamo club travel down to train with us and provide their unique insights into our practices. This school focused on a variety of subjects, including exploring how we use kata in various situations throughout our lives, how we can use kata as a meditative tool and how terrain affects our ability to defend ourselves through our usual outdoor practice.
At every School, the senior instructors award the Vincent Strachan Memorial Trophy to a participant who consistently showed exceptional skill and attitude in their practice. This year's winner was Marko Ronkainen, an exceptional martial artist from the Kuusamo club who both trained and instructed throughout the entire weekend with great wisdom, insight and with his usual cheeky grin!
Congratulations to Marko and all those who graded. Special thanks to our Technical Director, Billy, for holding another fantastic weekend! Please enjoy the slideshow below of the weekend, and see more photos on our Gallery page!
At every School, the senior instructors award the Vincent Strachan Memorial Trophy to a participant who consistently showed exceptional skill and attitude in their practice. This year's winner was Marko Ronkainen, an exceptional martial artist from the Kuusamo club who both trained and instructed throughout the entire weekend with great wisdom, insight and with his usual cheeky grin!
Congratulations to Marko and all those who graded. Special thanks to our Technical Director, Billy, for holding another fantastic weekend! Please enjoy the slideshow below of the weekend, and see more photos on our Gallery page!