Hi and welcome to September's newsletter!
Would you believe it...as I write this, the temperatures are soaring - could this be a warm end to our summer? Let's hope it continues so we can all enjoy a pleasant weekend!
Before we get started, I'd like to wish a warm welcome to all our new subscribers. It's great to have you with us and I hope that you all enjoy this and future newsletters.
This month we've got a few videos for you to check out, plus our final Bunkai of the Month instalment. There's also some information about a recent interview I took part in and a commendable charity challenge that two of our dedicated workout participants completed.
Last weekend, we held our 7th Annual gasshuku and all I can say is WOW - it was a fantastic event! Even though it was hard work and very tiring, it was still loads of fun. After a whopping 12 hours of sleep when I got back home, I was able to reflect on just how successful the weekend was.
A massive thank you goes out to all visiting instructors and those members who went the extra mile to help support the sessions. As well as many hours of training and a 05.30am start on the Saturday, we also had the evening to celebrate Stuart's 18th birthday and to say good luck to Tommy, who is to study ancient history at Newcastle University. There's no doubt that we work hard, but we play hard also and it was an absolute pleasure to spend time and have plenty of laughs with my 'second family' :-)
Until next month, keep training hard...
Chris
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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."
- Albert Einstein
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New e-Book Format for 'Respecting the Old, Creating the New'
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Here's some good news for those people who like to read books electronically!
My recent publication, Respecting the Old, Creating the New, is now available in e-Book format from Lulu.com. You can download a copy instantly for only £10.99, which will save you £4 off the 'printed' price, plus of course the postage costs!
To download an electronic version of the book, or purchase a printed copy - click the apropriate links below. I also have a limited number of signed copies available at home, which are available to buy NOW from the E.S.K.K website - click HERE.
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Respecting the Old, Creating the New
'A collection of lessons, thoughts & beliefs on the analysis of traditional karate for self-protection and personal growth'
This book is an accumulation of around five years work and is comprised of a selection of Chris Denwood's articles and short philosophical thoughts on the analysis of traditional karate for civilian self-protection and personal growth.
Heavily illustrated with over 230 pictures, covered in this book are 22 thought-provoking chapters on history, kata bunkai (analysis), training methods, theoretical study, pragmatic application, overarching concepts, in addition to some of the author's personal insights, experiences and stories.
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180 pages / Paperback / Perfect bound / Price: only £14.99 plus p&p
BUY NOW - From Lulu (e-Book version also available)
Click HERE for a short preview, which includes the contents page and short introduction.
“I love reading books that not only give you interesting information, but get you thinking too. It’s for that reason that I’ve enjoyed reading this book by Chris Denwood. He’s a great writer who communicates his points clearly and in a way that will provide all karateka with plenty of food for thought. Highly recommended!”
– Iain Abernethy
"The wealth and depth of information in this book is just mindblowing, full of those 'insight moments' when a sudden realization dawns on the reader. I had great fun trying out applications and many "WOW" moments along the way, have already highly recommended to members of dojo and club."
- Luke Perry
"This book needs very little said about it - its sheer amazing! Filled with many articles each covering many different aspects of karate, this is an essential book for any collection and will hopefully be the first of many publications by this author."
- Stuart Graham
"Entering my 50th year of karate training, I have collected a very large library of martial arts books. It's seldom that a great thought provoking book comes along. This is a must for every serious traditional karate student. It's eloquently written, with GREAT insight - a very rare find!"
- Lee Norris
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Bunkai of the Month (video lesson)
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September marks our last 'Bunkai of the Month' and a full year's worth of video tutorials.
We've decided to move onto some other projects so keep your eyes peeled for more videos in the New Year! In the meantime though, don't forget that you can view all our BOTM videos on our YouTube channel or via the E.S.K.K website (click on 'media' and then 'videos').
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In this month's lesson, we look at an application from Kushanku (Kanku Dai) kata that incorporates a joint attack, grip release, control, strike and neck wrench.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the support of this video series and if you have any comments or feedback then please don't hesitate to email info@eskk.co.uk - we'd love to hear from you!
Click HERE to check out our full YouTube channel featuring all our video lessons!
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Interview on The Applied Karate Show
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On the 4th September, I was interviewed by Des Paroz from Australia for the Applied Karate Show podcast.
We chatted for over an hour about my beginnings in martial arts right through to my current day study and future aspirations. The discussion has now been released onto iTunes for all to download and I've pasted a short message from Des about the interview below. I really enjoyed the experience, especially since some of the questions forced a long walk down memory lane.
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Over the past couple of weeks, I've received some really nice feedback so thanks to all for your comments!
"I trust you'll enjoy this interview with Chris Denwood sensei, a karateka who struck me as being very sincere, thoughtful and dedicated to the pursuit of classical karate. Chris discusses his approach to karate and strength and conditioning training, his background, his 2010 trip to Okinawa and much more."
- Des Paroz (The Applied Karate Show)
While you're on the site, I urge you to check out the other podcasts too - there's some excellent interviews with some very inspirational martial artists!
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Chris Denwood at the IABC Winter Course - Nov 2011
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On Sunday 6th November, I'll be teaching some sessions at the International Aiki Budo Council (IABC) Winter Course to be held in Lancaster. My sessions begin after lunch and I'll be covering limb control, striking and if we have time, some hojo undo - all with reference to the traditional kata.
I think it'll be a very good event and I'm very much looking forward to catching up with some long-term supporters as well as meeting some new faces. For more information about attending these seminars, please email the Organiser, Anthony Oliver - ollyandcol@talk21.com.
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Yuchoku Higa - Kata Performance
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Here are a couple of videos showing Yuchoku Higa performing Matsumura No Passai kata.
Higa is from the Kobayashi school of Shorin Ryu and was taught by Chosin Chibana, himself a student of the pioneering master, Anko Itosu. His dojo, the Kyudokan, is now headed by Minoru Higa 10th Dan Hanshi and located in the Tsubogawa district of Naha.
The first video shows Higa in his prime and the second was filmed shortly before his death. An amazing example of karate being an 'art for life' and especially in the second video, you can't help but to watch in absolute awe...enjoy!
Video One - click HERE to watch
Video Two - click HERE to watch
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Chris Denwood Seminars 2012 - Book NOW!
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I'm currently putting together my schedule for 2012 and have allocated a selection of dates throughout the year for seminars and workshops.
So if you would like me to visit your dojo or group sometime next year then please drop me a line so that we can arrange a suitable date.
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Due to other projects I'll be working on, these dates may be limited at certain times of the year so the sooner you can let me know, the better.
It's of prime importance to me that I always deliver a top quality seminar for each group. Therefore, for karate seminars, please advise what specific subjects you'd like me to cover and for kettlebell workshops, please advise whether or not you will require the use of our stock so that we can arrange extra transportation etc if required.
If you would like to book a seminar with me in 2012 then please send an email to info@eskk.co.uk, or call +44 (0) 7801 531 914.
Whatever your requirements, we can design a custom seminar built exclusively for your group.
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North Lakes Boot Camp - November 2011
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We still have a few more places available on our next fitness boot camp in November - see details below.
We've also decided to extend the 'early bird' discount so you can still save some cash if you book NOW. Please visit www.northlakesbootcamp.co.uk for more details or call Jenny direct on 07729 834 944. Corporate and group enquiries are also welcome.
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North Lakes Boot Camp
19th and 20th November 2011
An 'all inclusive' fitness frenzy that also includes bonus sessions on nutrition, motivation and personal safety for you and your family!
Bodyweight conditioning
Combat to music
Enduro-Strike
Kettlebells
Pilates
Plyometrics
Circuits
Plus loads more!
Free body composition assessment and fitness screening on arrival.
And before you leave us, we'll provide you with some fantastic workouts and diet plans so that you can keep training hard at home with virtually NO equipment necessary!
We are dedicated to helping you achieve your fitness goals and provide a 'post camp' email support system - so we're always there every step of the way!
It's time to get FIT!!
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Julie and Mandy's Walk for Charity
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Last week, two of our workout members took on an 84 mile walking challenge to help raise money for CFM's "Helping hand for Olivia".
An excellent achievement girls - we're all very proud of you both!
Here are some words from their experience:
We decided to do the Hadrian's Wall walk of 84 miles earlier this year, and set out our training plan of a weekend walk, "Kettlebell class" and "Enduro strike" class on a weekly basis.
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Doing it for CFM's "Helping hand for Olivia" really kept us motivated to take on this challenge.
After reading all sorts of literature we planned to do it over 4 days of walking, which meant approximately 20 miles per day.
It has been really difficult with the bad weather we had on our first two days of walking, and also I hadn't considered the fact that there might be cows and bulls in the fields where we had to walk (my phobia). Poor Mandy had to reassure me that I could get through it after a few tears and panic attacks.
The mileage was long and we realised that it was the last 5 miles each day that were proving difficult to get through with weary legs and sore feet. Anyway, we got through it with loads of text support especially in the last half hour and the last 2 miles of our challenge when our heads were down and our feet were being dragged along wearily.
It was an experience we won't forget,
Thanks for all your support,
Julie and Mandy.
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Here's a video by Barstarzz.com that focusses on a regime to help you increase the number of bodyweight pull ups you can do. Quite an interesting training plan, so I thought I'd share it with you all since lots of people tend to strugle with this exercise.
It goes without saying that a similar program could be written to support any exercise that you find particulary weak. The human body has a unique ability to adapt and respond to varying degrees of stimulus, so I'm a big beleiver in that a sensible, progressive and SMART training plan, plus a little dedication is all that's required to achieve ANY goal.
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Gasshuku 2012 - Taking Deposits NOW!
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After the huge success of our 7th Annual Gasshuku last weekend, we're starting early to secure deposits for our 2012 event, which will take place on Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd September at The Crown Hotel in Wetheral, near Carlisle.
We've received all the price confirmations from the venue and I'm pleased to announce that there'll only be an increase of approx. £5! This brings the total cost for the event to only £225 and as usual includes single occupancy room, breakfast, lunch, dinner, full use of the extensive leisure facilities and of course, loads of E.S.K.K training. All you need to do is turn up with plenty of energy and motivation!
Deposits/payments to secure your place can be made as from now to Peter Hinde (contact: 07736 026 686 or email: p.hinde414@btinternet.com).
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Since over the past couple of weeks I've seen loads of advertisements for Christmas already, I thought I'd join in by letting you all know that this year's party night has been booked for Saturday 17th December at Summergrove Hall in Whitehaven.
Tickets are £18 per person and the evening is open to all E.S.K.K members from our martial arts and fitness classes. Includes a bite to eat, live music and disco.
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We only have a limited number of tickets available so you must act fast to secure a place - contact Peter Hinde on 07736 026686 or email, p.hinde414@btinternet.com.
As you all probably know, I love Christmas - we always have loads of fun celebrating the end of another successful year and bringing in a new one...You're guaranteed a great night!
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For information about all our regular classes, seminars and workshops, or to view any of our other upcoming events please visit our website.
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