Class Week-in-Review April 13, 2014

Monday was the start of our second round with a new schedule (the second week of the month focuses on sparring drills). Sensei James, Enriqueta and Eric led the class in a quick review from last month and some details for "taking" techniques. The aggressive nature of competitive sparring requires one to initiate attack in a good spirit, with focus and solid technique. With partners, we used both lead- and chambered-hand taking and back-fist attacks. The evening concluded with 1-minute sparring practice. Everyone performed with great attitudes and ferocity.

Wednesday was more of Monday with the addition of a switch-stance in-place footwork. A couple quick 1-minute sparring rounds at the end allowed the students to put their new powers to the test.

Saturday was a fantastic class with 100% participation with our new basic training homework assignment. That meant that we could skip push-ups, sit-ups and other exercises so we could spend more time with sparring techniques and practice. Congratulations to all of our hard working students. Keep up the great work!

Sparring drills and footwork were reviewed. We need a lot of work in moving and moving light, with speed. Practice at home. Keep trying. You can do it.

Next week is self-defense. Don't miss it.

Class Week-in-Review April 4, 2014

On Monday, Eric and Sensei James taught gun defense fundamentals, which included gun functions and moving ones body out of the line of fire.

On Wednesday, Sensei Aaron joined us to help us improve what we learned on Monday, including how to mentally prepare for victory when attacked and doing a full take-down. We also covered defending against a two-handed grip of the weapon.

Saturday was basic hand-to-hand self defense for punch attacks. Nabila led the students and Ramza assisted. Students also received their new homework assignments. Maryam showed the most improvement with speed and strength with her blocks. Good job, Maryam!

It's time to get fit at home with basic training. We hope when students are training for strength and endurance at home, we can spend more time in class learning new techniques and mastering the basic ones.

If you missed class, be sure to download and print the assignment sheet below. Follow the instructions and remember to bring it back to class so we can check your progress. You can print it out. For our younger students, we suggest a parent supervise its completion.

Next week will be sparring techniques and drills. Bring your mouthguards and groin cup.

Basic Training Alpha by Gen-Ki Karate Dojo in Evanston

Class Week-in-Review March 30, 2014

For the week ending March 30, 2014 we spent our time focused on striking and kicking techniques. On Monday, Eric and Enriqueta led us in the following techniques:
1. Palm heel strikes.
2. Elbow strikes.
3. Spear-hand jabs.
3. Knee kicking.

On Wednesday, Enriqueta had us practice high-rank techniques:
1. Forearm strikes
2. Okinawa Hand
3. Hammer fist strikes.

On both days we worked with targets and partners. On Saturday, Nabila led us we practiced front punch, extended knuckles, all of our knife-hand strikes, front kick, side kick and turning kick. Congratulations to Jack and Marlon for practicing their homework of improved front stances and slightly bent arms for strikes!

Next week we will focus on self-defense. Male students: Be sure to bring your groin protection.

Youth Teaching Tips: Forms

Chon-Ji Form Demonstration

During the time I have been in Karate, I have always learned a form. Whenever I went to a school, they always had me learn a kata. It usually was something short, since I didn’t just start at black belt.

When I started to teach, I would teach students who had a better sense of how to do the form then me.

They could really snap well, and their stances were great. When I started to get better, I would teach newer students. They could pick up very fast. The only thing that worried me was their technique. I would sometimes get frustrated and I wouldn’t know what to tell them.

I forgot to keep in mind that, even though their technique might have been terrible, they were still brand new. I later learned that, and I became more patient. I made sure that I taught how to do the form slower. The students were able to do well, just as long as I made sure they practiced!

—Bilana (Gen-Ki Evanston Youth Leader)

Tribute to Sensei Zachary "Zach" Bradley

After volunteering his martial arts expertise to the north Evanston community for almost 20 years, Sensei Zachary Bradley passed away in fall of 2013. He taught many people over this span of time. He was a quiet man, never seeking the spotlight.

Out of all the self-defense techniques, forms and drills, the most important thing he taught was to be respectful and open-minded to all and any styles of martial arts. Sensei Zachary Bradley was a unique Karate teacher in that he was also a Hapkido and Taekwondo master. One would always hear him use Japanese terms for techniques, while teaching the traditional "old style" Taekwondo forms (hyung).

In the video above, one of Sensei Zach Bradley's long-time students, Michael, explain what it was like being a student. This interview was made in 2011.

Sensei Zach Bradley also desired to see women excel in martial arts. This video from 2011 demonstrates that desire in how he corrected one of his younger high-rank students. If you were a student, please let your voice be heard in the comments section below.