Sensei George Sheffield Hallam Dojo 21-22nd April 2007
Sensei arrived at our house on Friday dressed in shorts and T shirt, perfect for a London spring day, but on arrival, he found the temperature to be a good 5 degrees cooler, “it's grim up north!” The weekend's training plans were discussed over a relaxing drink in our local. Sensei had to have most of the conversations with some of the staff and locals translated as he found the Barnsley accent almost impossible to comprehend.
On Saturday morning juniors from Woodhouse dojo and Crookesmoor dojo lined up eager to learn as always. The hour flew by and I feel next time that we should have a longer session for the juniors. By the time the adults lined up the dojo was starting to heat up, the sun shining through a bank of windows. A traditional warm up followed by San Dan Gi and Suri Ashi (sliding) San Dan Gi, this certainly got the sweat flowing. The remainder of the session was devoted to kata from Gekisai Dai Ichi through to Sepai. Then it was time to whisk Sensei off to his favourite pond in Sheffield to participate in his other love... fishing.
On Sunday we were joined by Sensei Linda Marchant. The class began with many traditional body conditioning/strength routines used in Okinawan Goju Ryu. Sensei made sure that all muscles were well used before we lined up to practice Sanchin Kata – a request from my wife, Margaret, although he made us ‘earn' this treat. Senior grades performed kata Gekisai Dai Ichi through to Kururunfa several times until a change over with kyu grades performing Gekisai Dai Ichi through to Seiuyunchin and Renzoku Bunkai. The reminder of the class was bunkai from Saifa and Seiyunchin under the watchful eye of Sensei Linda who used Hallam Dojo senior members to demonstrate techniques. During this time Sensei Terry Noble (Woodhouse Dojo) and I had the honour of intensive training under Sensei George in senior kata.
I would like to thank students that supported the course and extend my thanks to Sensei George and to Sensei Linda for their knowledge and teaching.
Andy Barker, Sheffield Hallam Dojo
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Photos show kyu grades during Seiyunchin practice