Welcome

The Evanston Gen-Ki School was established by Sensei Zachary Bradley. We recommend that you sit in to see if this class is for you. No appointment necessary. Stop in on Saturdays at 1655 Foster Street, Evanston, IL 60201 for our weekend class anytime between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. Call or sign up online for our classes at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Class Week-In-Review September 20, 2014

Maryam leading the warm-ups
Self-defense was the focus this week. After reviewing awareness drills in part 1 of class, we practiced drills to cultivate the "warrior spirit." This consisted of shield fighting (a new drill) and knife evasion (from previous weeks). There was quite a bit of sweat and yelling. But everyone had a strong spirit of teamwork and warrior spirit. For more about the warrior spirit cultivation, check out Jim Wagner's Reality Based Self-Defense You-Tube Channel. We finished the segment with circular omni-directional blocking.

Part 2 built on the first with omni-directional blocking, but standing in place with a "block-shock." That is, blocking and immediately responding with a palm-heel or other strike [past] our partner. We finished the day with kicking from the ground and defending against an attacker that is sitting on us.
Sensei Tony helping with blocking drills

Ramza had another successful Junsado stick fighting class. Special thanks to Maryam for leading the beginning of class. She did an excellent job. Also special thanks to Khalin for teaching a new student how to break-fall. Sensei Tony's last word of advice to everyone was to remember to keep our knees slightly bent and be flexible. Being stiff and straight makes it hard for one to adjust to an ever-changing fight.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Class Week-In-Review September 13, 2014

Students helping set up for class
Ramza and Jack hard at work
Basics, basics, basics and self-control. These were the elements of this week's class. Good breakfalls, rolling, stances, strikes and kicks are what makes us strong fighters. We had a full class and made good use of our new schedule. Special thanks to Taha for opening and leading the beginning of class!

After helping set up the mats, Ramza taught his early morning Joong Bong stick fighting class. For those students interested in practicing more, you can order the video all about this unique stick fighting form.
Ramza teaching stick fighting
Early morning Joong Bong Stick Fighting Class

We went through all of the yellow belt techniques. In part 1 of the class, we worked with partners. In part 2, everyone got one-on-one assistance with our highly skilled black belt instructors. Most of us needed much more practice, including green belts. Everyone needs to practice more at home in order to be successful. If you lost your manual, you may download another one here. From time to time, instructors may write a "training prescription" for individual students with focus points for home/solo practice. It doesn't mean the student is doing poorly. It is a way to encourage them to build up their weak areas.

At the end of class, we discussed the Awareness homework assignments. They were wonderful! All of them demonstrate that our students are thinking about their environments and being aware. You can view the assignments below. Master Erjan shared some words of wisdom about the importance of self-control in practice. Whether you are in a real fight or in practice, know yourself and know how to control yourself.


Sunday, September 7, 2014

Class Week-In-Review September 4, 2014

Master Erjan with students
After a few weeks off, we launched a new beginning after the 1 year anniversary of the passing of our beloved Renshi Zachary Bradley. We are now officially under the guidance of a very accomplished Head Instructor, Master Erjan Fortsen. Along with a friendly smile, he brings various black belt degrees in Aikido, Judo, Karate, Kali and a long list of security and law enforcement abilities. Master Erjan was Renshi Zachary Bradley's first student to promote to black belt in the 1990's.

Here's Master Erjan in action with our class this Saturday, September 4th. Class opened up with discussion of awareness and the experiences students had observing "unaware" potential victims at a shopping mall.

Blocking drills
We continued with drills for self-defense footwork, blocking and running.

Next week we'll focus on basic techniques in a new, longer Saturday schedule (weekday classes have been cancelled for the near term). Please show up at the usual time for the 10:30 slot (15 minutes early please!). We'll break for 15 minutes at 11:15, start up at 11:30 and finish by 12:15. This will ensure more attention for individual students. Also, we recommend students bring some water and a light snack for the break. Something like vegetables or a granola bar is a good choice.


Monday, August 4, 2014

Responsibility and Progress

Since implementing the Attendance Card program and Basic Training Homework Log for our students, we have seen a marked improvement of students desire to achieve and perform well. From fighting ability and fitness to leadership and organization, those who strive to keep up and seek feedback from instructors, we are now sure that this is a good program.

Our school puts a lot of responsibility on the student for their own success (and parents for the younger students). It's not easy. However, it makes everyone accountable for themselves. This is the essence of good citizenship and responsibility. Please treat your attendance card like a valuable object. In fact, it is!

What if I lose my attendance card? Answer: We will give you a new one.

Unfortunately, here's what will need to be done with a new card:

1. You will need to have all techniques re-examined before anyone can sign off on them.
2. You will have lost all the wonderful leadership, basic training and homework stickers that you earned (we cannot replace those stickers).
3. You will need to arrange with an instructor to arrive at class 30 minutes early so we can go back through our grade-book to re-enter your attendance dates.
4. You will have lost a wonderful record of your progress that can be used if you move to another school.

How can I prevent losing it?

1. Organize: Look at the Being a Star Student article we gave you. It contains tips for keeping everything for class in one safe place (binder with sheet protectors, duffle bag or backpack) .
2. Make a color copy of your attendance card after each class and keep it at home in a separate place.

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Class Week-In-Review August 3, 2014

Drilling kicks for self-defense with Sifu Leonard
On Monday, we drilled all of the Yellow Belt striking techniques and included application with step-sparring. As usual, we worked up a nice sweat and learned about the tools in our arsenal.

Wednesday was a special treat, as Sifu Leonard stopped by and helped us do the same thing on Monday, but with kicking techniques. Using the kick as a push-away was a fantastic drill for getting distance before running from an attacker.

Thanks to Ramza for leading the warm-ups both days. On Saturday, we awarded some of our students with stripes for their belts: Ramza and Niabelle. Congratulations! We also had the great pleasure of having the help of Sensei Erjan. We have many green belt students who seemed to have forgotten their kicks and striking techniques. It is very important to practice what you learn so you can be a better student and leader. Also on Saturday, Ramza led the first stick fighting class. If you are interested in learning, put your name on the sign-up sheet in class. It is open to all ranks. Be sure to show up no later than 10 am to start.

We'll have a short month of classes in August. Please pick up a new calendar. Our focus will be self-defense during the month. If there are specific techniques to be signed off for on your attendance card, please tell an instructor to help you learn or review them. Please be prepared.