Enshin

[GrandMaster_Dragon_00]

Since I want a complete MA knowledge and understanding, I intend to enroll at an Enshin dojo ASAP, before moving on to a Judo/Bjj dojo. I want to use all three as one MA and the fact that Enshin is Kyokushin & Judo combined is very helpful to me. I also want to take boxing to make up for lack of face punching in Enshin/Kyokushin.

[GrandMaster_Dragon_00]

I also want to add that I read Kancho Ninomiya's autobiography and instructional book, and I am impressed with him as a person and kareteka. This also is a major factor in my choice of Enshin as my MA striking discipline. One thing he stated that I don't agree with is that bulking up makes you slower as a kareteka. I think putting on as much muscle as possible can only be an asset and not a liability to a fighter and I intend to prove that myself when I take Enshin.

[GJEChamberlain]

Osu!

If you are in Texas Sensei Andrew Budd is a former Uchi-Deshi and an excellent instructor.

Regarding bulking up, I think Kancho is right on the money. The sabaki strategy requires good footwork and speed of movement, so increasing your relative strength and explosiveness rather than simply adding meat will serve you best.

I'm curious why you want a 'complete MA knowledge and understanding' While I support your choice of Enshin as a great style, be aware that real knowledge takes time to ingrain properly. This is a journey that will require patience and mental fortitude, not a quick fix.

Gary

[GrandMaster_Dragon_00]

Originally Posted by GJEChamberlain

Osu!

If you are in Texas Sensei Andrew Budd is a former Uchi-Deshi and an excellent instructor.

Regarding bulking up, I think Kancho is right on the money. The sabaki strategy requires good footwork and speed of movement, so increasing your relative strength and explosiveness rather than simply adding meat will serve you best.

I'm curious why you want a 'complete MA knowledge and understanding' While I support your choice of Enshin as a great style, be aware that real knowledge takes time to ingrain properly. This is a journey that will require patience and mental fortitude, not a quick fix.

Gary

I've been in contact with Sensei Andrew Budd and I intend to check out his dojo when I can, he seems like a great guy.

When I would play basketball after increasing strength and size, I noticed an increase in explosiveness as opposed to just lifting for strength. I am a very lean person naturally, so adding size and strength has proven to be the solution in competition sports like basketball for quickness and explosiveness, and I am confident the same will prove true in Enshin Karate. Increasing my size and strength was the only way to be competitive in basketball against shorter, stronger guys (I'm 6'7" about 160 lbs when my stomach is flat) and will be my trump card in Enshin I believe along with rigorous, dedicated Enshin training.

When I want a complete MA understanding, I don't mean taking Enshin then another striking art after a few months. I mean mastering Enshin to Dan grade and staying with it for life. Then after achieving black belt level, taking Bjj/Judo and boxing so no aspect of fighting is left uncovered. Enshin deals with standing/throwing, but most fights go to the ground according to Bjj instructors, so that means ground fighting skills are crucial in a real fight and Enshin does not offer that unfortunately.

[GJEChamberlain]

Osu!

Fair points - Well made.

I wish you well on your journey.

Gary

[MilkManX]

I felt last night that Enshin is starting to click with me. The Sabaki movement doesnt seem alien to me anymore and the movements are becoming more natural to me. Yay!

[GrandMaster_Dragon_00]

Grandmaster Ninomiya states that sabaki is the most efficient fighting technique there is, and I think he is right for striking MA's. I would rather knock someone out in their blind spot quickly and end the fight, then trade blows anyday.

Good to see Kyokushin folks coming over to Enshin, hopefully there will be more dojo's springing up in the Enshin network globally.

[GJEChamberlain]

Osu!

Glad to hear you are both making progress! Sabaki is a strategy that has to be trained until it becomes instinctive, so 'focused repetition over time' is the way to go. Having said that, the top fighters can also take and give a blow when required!

The best stylists in any discipline are incredibly talented, so long hours at the dojo and sweat are the key until it all flows naturally for you.

Many of the knockdown fighters that have trained with us feel it's almost cheating to not want to trade blows when they're sparring! That's a totally different mindset that Kancho does not encourage.

Gary

[WILK]

BROWN TO BLACK ENSHIN STYLE
Osu!
I have just gained promotion to 1ST Dan in Enshin and what a remarkable feeling to finally put that belt on. The test started on the Friday evening, a 1.5 hour basis session. The pace was fast and my technique was constantly being monitored which made it even more difficult. As the session continued Sensei just never let up on me (I HAD NO WHERE TO HIDE) but I was up for it and I had found that level where you feel unstoppable and I was buzzing, then bang Kata time. I have never quite been the most fluent at kata but the effort has always been there however when you have to perform on your own under intense pressure things can be different. I’d rather fight than perform Kata on my own, with my heart pounding away Sensei pushed the Kata on. By numbers, then without, then facing an opponent, then again it seemed to go on for ever then NAOTTE music to the ears. The session had come to an end, was he pleased was he going to let me complete my test on the Saturday? As I waited in line for feedback I knew I had made several minor mistakes but was he looking for perfection, had I impressed? Sensei turned to me and said “well done I’m pleased but there are still a few things to work on, but we all have things to work on Osu, see you tomorrow”. Happy days the first part completed!
I woke on the Saturday quite apprehensive, I knew what was coming but didn’t quite know what to expect if that makes sense? The day would consist of a four hour Enshin seminar where again my technique would be monitored. Then after the seminar I am to fight ten one minute rounds with twenty seconds rest in between against ten different Enshin fighters.
The seminar was awesome learning different moves and meeting new fighters from all over Europe and I was proud to be a part of that day. I must be honest though I constantly had one eye on the fights and I couldn’t quite settle and I found myself becoming restless I just wanted to get on with the fights. The seminar was coming to a close, and everyone was really pleased with the success of the course and all the new ideas they could take back to their own dojo’s but not me I had to switch on and fast, in five minutes I would be facing some of the best Enshin knockdown fighters in Europe. The mats were laid and it was time I felt confidant, probably the most confidant I had ever felt going onto the mats but I had done the work, the hill climbs, the road running, the bags, the weights the sparring and now it was time to test that work!
First a bit of solo Kata AGAIN, that didn’t help calm the nerves then the first fight the 06 Sabaki champion and 08 runner up great let’s start with the best shall we. The pace felt slow or was that me being sluggish I couldn’t quite tell but I thought I needed to step it up so I did and so did he the fight was pretty even then in a blink of an eye I was on my back three points to him. Great just the start I wanted! The fights came and went and I felt stronger as the fights went on, I was scoring points with takedowns and hopefully demonstrating good Sabaki at the same time. My fitness was carrying me through the fights and I hadn’t been scored upon or put down since the first so I was buzzing then came the last. This guy I had known for years and make no mistake he is quality 2nd Dan Kyokushin 2nd Dan Enshin and a seasoned knockdown fighter. The fight started I thought I need to get in early so for first 30 seconds we traded I put him down but it wasn’t the cleanest so no score then on the half way he caught me to my stomach, OUCH! I knew there was a reason for all those sit-ups I didn’t go down but it took the wind out of my sails, there was 20 seconds left and he was relentless kick after kick he put in but I managed to stay close and take the sting out. YAME the test was complete. I returned to my corner wiped down returned to the matt bowed and received my black belt off one of the most influential people in my life. What I find so appealing with Enshin and having witnessed other styles is when you do pass a promotion test, whatever the colour of belt you know you have earned it.
The next training night was a Monday and I proudly walked into the Dojo but the funniest thing was I felt like a white belt starting all over again!
Osu!

[Bloke]

Wilk

Great Post and congratulations on your promotion

[GJEChamberlain]

Osu! Wilk,

You did well and thoroughly deserved to pass. Now the hard work starts .....

Gary

[hasbeen]

Originally Posted by Bloke

Osu Mick

Ill just jump in and answer here in case Gary doesnt come on for a while.

K2 is a venue at Crawley where the BKK Open has moved to this year. Crystal Palace was closed suddenly last year 2 weeks before the British Open and as a consequence it was cancelled so they had to move venue this year.

BTW I saw your world record on the push ups on a coconut at CP one year - great stuff.

looks like being a very interesting day

[Dobbersky]

Wilk-san



I was really impressed with your 'Zanshin' during Saturday when I worked with you and I was really impressed with your Sparring.

I know you will make an excellent and humble Yodansha; I am honoured to train you on Saturday and look forward to training with you again.

As Gary states, The journey has just begun, this is when you begin to learn what Enshin is all about.

Remember, it is not the belt that makes the karateka, it is the karateka that makes the belt

[Dent]

Osu!

Congratulations! An impressive achievement, and an excellent testimonial of the day.

Osu!

[tmd]

Originally Posted by GrandMaster_Dragon_00

most fights go to the ground according to Bjj instructors, so that means ground fighting skills are crucial in a real fight and Enshin does not offer that unfortunately.

I have a lot of respect for all MA's and have trained in Jujitsu but would like to clarify - they would says that it's what they sell!

This is covered in lots of other posts but I will ask 1 question - if you are in a fight will you let it go to the ground? If there's more than one of them guess what his mates will be doing while you're trying out you're ground fighting skills.

if you want to compete in MMA then sure of course you need those skills; for self defense I'd rather stay upright thanks, yes a lot of fights go to the ground because the victim is either jumped unexpectedly, unskilled or drunk - stay aware, keep training and stay sober (ish) and you can fight your fight.

[shinaido]

Congratulations WILK good fights, keep up the good work

[MilkManX]

Congrats Wilk.

I was watching the Sabaki 05 DVD that my Sensei loaned me and GJEChamberlain is one of the Judges on there!

Some really great matches but also some static ones too. Overall though I really enjoyed watching it. He is gonna lend me some more now too.

[MilkManX]

Watching the Sabaki 08 Tourney.

Wow some great matches so far!! I am almost done with the Semi Finals.

Seriously impressed. The fighters this year are alot more skilled than what I saw in the 05 tourney.

I am still finding some Enshin techniques difficult and the Kata can be confusing at times but I will keep at it!

[medguy]

Originally Posted by MilkManX

I am still finding some Enshin techniques difficult and the Kata can be confusing at times but I will keep at it!

As long as you pay attention to what the attacker is doing to lead to your counter move, (ie the bunkai of the kata) then the moves will become more easier to learn.

So, concentrate on what the attacker is doing, and let your response follow versus just trying to learn the moves.

As for the strategy, try to think of "don't move backwards whatever you do."