Black Belt Weekend (Fuyu Gasshuku - Winter Gasshuku)
This was the weekend everyone as been waiting for at the Honbu Dojo, to anyone that has in the past experienced weekend training at the Honbu you know that feeling. For many people this weekend is the culmination of a lot of hard work.
The atmosphere had the feeling that everyone had done the hard work and their 'homework' and all were raring to go. As usual training was over 3 days and would start with the traditional warming up and then basics with various combinations with open and closed hands, incorporating Chi Ishi, to promote the benefits of strength and grip.
Then the classes were spilt into 3 groups and were rotated which seemed to please everyone by the feedback that I received. I would like to mention we had a guest appearance from Poland in the shape of an instructor in Warsaw, Sensei Paweł Iwaszkiewicz he commented was that he enjoyed the training very much and was happy to be here.
Then on Sunday after training all the grading candidates were given the opportunity to have lunch before anyone else enabling them to rest before the grading. Then after 4 hours of non stop IOGKF curriculum the grading was finished, people were so emotional with tears and laughter.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those that were successful in their efforts.
Sensei George Andrews
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