Once again, Kings Cross Shotokan Karate Club were delighted to host Simon Staples Sensei (6th Dan) teaching an Open Black and Brown Belt course.
Over 30 Karateka from a variety of Clubs and Associations headed to the Seishinkai London Dojo on Thursday 29th January 2015 for the opportunity to train once again with Simon Sensei.
Simon is without doubt one of the best Martial Artists around and is a real hidden gem within British Shotokan. He has an amazing foundation in Shotokan Karate, training with the best instructors in the UK as well as two extended periods of time training at the JKA Honbu in Tokyo & Nakayama Sensei’s Hoitsugan dojo. Simon Sensei’s martial arts study has continued to develop with study of other stand up striking arts, wrestling and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu.
Simon’s abilities as a martial artists are obvious to anyone who trains with him, but his teaching abilities in a relaxed and friendly style really set him apart.
The focus of the lesson was mainly around distancing, fluidity of movement and focusing on the middle section of techniques rather than the end product.
The class started with a Jodan Maegeri drill working on setting up the kick at long range, both as an attack and a counter. The same drill was modified for a gedan maegeri.
The session then moved on to a drill focusing on the fluid movement requirement to slip a jab or a cross, whilst keeping the hands up ready to counter. Simon Sensei then used sections of Gojushiho Sho to demonstrate the point.
The class moved on to a more self defensed based focus looking at using the principles worked on in the class for a knife attack and various grips and grabs.
Once again the class were buzzing with energy at the end of the session and would have been there for hours longer if the cleaner hadnt turned up to kick us out and lock up!
Kings Cross Shotokan Karate Club would like to thank Simon Sensei and all the course students for making it another fantastic course. We hope to have Simon back again soon!
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