»

[Tay]

Hey,

I'd like to start Kyokushin in London (I have a few years of Shotokan background), and was curious about your experiences in the different dojo's there are in London, which one you prefer and why? And also which ones are the most hardcore or focus the most on kumite competitions?

So far I found 2:
The London Dojo: kyokushinkai.org.uk
Bethnal Green Dojo: bethnalgreenkarateclub.com

What are your opinions on those 2? Are there any other worth checking out?

Thanks a lot for your help.

[epking1]

Originally Posted by Tay

Hey,

I'd like to start Kyokushin in London (I have a few years of Shotokan background), and was curious about your experiences in the different dojo's there are in London, which one you prefer and why? And also which ones are the most hardcore or focus the most on kumite competitions?

So far I found 2:
The London Dojo: kyokushinkai.org.uk
Bethnal Green Dojo: bethnalgreenkarateclub.com
.

Slightly biased here as Bethnal Green is my dojo.

If you are looking for a dojo that as you put it focus the most on Kumite training then Bethnal Green will be the one for you...

I've only been there for 4 years but its been around for 35 or so years and steeped in histoy. The Lesson times are as the website but at the moment we are starting at 7.30 till 10 in run up to the British Open. All i can say is that you will either love it there or hate it, but dont let that put you off, Shihan and the club will take care of you

Here are the profiles for the 2 Instructors Shihan Warden & Sempai Kenny Jarvis.

Shihan Warden,
http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums...ad.php?t=10868

Kenny Jarvis
http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums...ead.php?t=9691

See you up there some time and learn how the "bumble bee flys"

[Tay]

Thanks for your response. I actually went there last night to have a look and ask a few questions. There were 6 adults training low kicks on pads while I was there (I only watched for about 10 mins).

I talked to someone I believe was Graham Warden, he asked me a few questions about my background, so I explained I did Shotokan for 8 years when in France, and participated in quite a few kumite competitions and tournaments back then but that I wanted something more full contact now.
He told me that now wasn't the best time to start as they're not doing classes but just training a few people for competitions. There's no classes until September, so he said it was better to start in September.

I was actually up for the sort of training they were doing, but I guess I should learn the Kyokushin basics first.
I would have preferred starting now, but I didn't say it, didn't want to seem too insisting or annoying. I'll just follow his advice.

So if I do go to that Dojo I'm gonna have to wait another month but I guess during that time I could focus on training cardio, flexibility and conditionning on my own. Or maybe go to another dojo just for August to already have some basics when September comes. not too sure

[sandman]

If you really plan to start at that dojo, I wouldn't advise starting at another one just for a month. Better to work on your fitness instead, at least that's my opinion.

Also, as for having to wait a month while they prepare fighters for competition: the advice for you to wait might be just as much for the fighters as it is for you. If they are gearing up for tournament maybe they want to focus on that rather than teaching the new guy

[epking1]

I remember you. I was the Green belt getting a kicking.

Ill PM you in a while.

Please dont take what Shihan said as in "we dont take new people". At the moment the Kids classes are closed as they are on summer holiday and all away. So the adults that are fighting in October are doing 3 hour sessions or pure fighting and bag work, when the kids go back to school in September the adults will go back to 8.30 start and normal classes will run with basics but still a lot of fight training.

What we have found in the past is people turn up to train and find they have turned up in the middle of a hard fight training session and they never come back, hence why i said about "You will love it or hate it"

Ill speak to Shihan Warden and well get you in before September.

Hope this helps.

[Tay]

Originally Posted by sandman

If you really plan to start at that dojo, I wouldn't advise starting at another one just for a month.

why is that? (just curious)

Originally Posted by sandman

the advice for you to wait might be just as much for the fighters as it is for you. If they are gearing up for tournament maybe they want to focus on that rather than teaching the new guy

yeah of course, I understand that. There was a white belt though.

Originally Posted by epking1

I remember you. I was the Green belt getting a kicking.

Ill PM you in a while.

Please dont take what Shihan said as in "we dont take new people". At the moment the Kids classes are closed as they are on summer holiday and all away. So the adults that are fighting in October are doing 3 hour sessions or pure fighting and bag work, when the kids go back to school in September the adults will go back to 8.30 start and normal classes will run with basics but still a lot of fight training.

What we have found in the past is people turn up to train and find they have turned up in the middle of a hard fight training session and they never come back, hence why i said about "You will love it or hate it"

Ill speak to Shihan Warden and well get you in before September.

Hope this helps

oh so that was you, small world
Actually I love fight training and bag work (I loved what I saw yesterday), and that's what I wanted to do all the time when doing Shotokan.
That's why I was going to start either Muay Thai or Kyokushin now.

I totally understood the decision and I respect it, but I would love to go to those trainings even more than the normal classes. Those sort of trainings are the reason I wanted to get back into martial arts

I thought with my background I'd be able to try to fit in and train hard. Maybe I should have asked for a try out 1 night, and then he could have judged if I had the level to train with you guys.

oh thanks a lot for asking him, if you get me in before September you're a legend!

[sandman]

If you really plan to start at that dojo, I wouldn't advise starting at another one just for a month.

Originally Posted by Tay

why is that? (just curious)

Just because I think it would be counter-productive. In one month you would just be starting to learn things the way THAT dojo does it, then you'd be coming over to the other and probably having to relearn some things. For one month's time I don't think its worth it. If you were talking 6 months its maybe a different story.

Also, I think its not really fair to the first dojo. That sensei would be investing time in you, only to have you leave in one month.

Of course, this is only my opinion. Some sensei's probably wouldn't mind at all, and perhaps there would be little difference between the 2 dojos. I don't know. But improving your strength and endurance will always translate well.

At any rate, it seems that epking1 might be able to get you in sooner anyway, so maybe it doesn't matter at all!

[kanku]

Also a 10th dan runs classes, or i think he still does in Raynes Park, London

SW20...not too far from you, but perhaps the guys that are training now can advise you more, one thing i will say is that if epking can sort it for you, that is the place to be.

And if you get anywhere near wallington surrey Shihan Cleary is a good teacher...see ksk website for details

[Rocket]

Originally Posted by Tay

yeah of course, I understand that. There was a white belt though.

I was there too, I was the brown belt getting a kicking but not as much as Epking was.

As for the white Belt his been with us for nearly a year now, he is a TKD blackbelt and is waiting to go for his Kyokushin grading so he can get to a similar grade, it would be really cool if you could train with us as we always want new members, the more diversity in sparring, bag work etc etc is always a good thing.

[Tay]

cool, thanks for your replies all of you.
I'll keep on training on my own until I can join the Bethnal Green Dojo.
Hopefully it will be before September

thanks!

[Tay]

had my first session at the BG dojo last night and really enjoyed it
It was worth the wait and I'm looking forward to the next session on Thursday.

First time there, and I already put my blood on the floor. (I didn't realise but from the training I got a blister that started bleeding at the end of the class and when I finally noticed it there were tracks of blood around me). I guess I had to make my first time memorable

osu

[Rocket]

Glad you enjoyed it Tay, hopefully numbers should start increasing as well as stamina levels and then it gets even harder

[Tay]

nice, looking forward to that!

[danbo]

Very pleased to read that there are some great kyokushin dojos in London as I should be returning there next year, after a few years away. Planning to give kyokushin a go.

Osu!

[epking1]

Originally Posted by danbo

Very pleased to read that there are some great kyokushin dojos in London as I should be returning there next year, after a few years away. Planning to give kyokushin a go.

Osu!

Come and join us at Bethnal Green when your back. Im sure Tay as he is the newest member to join us will tell you how good it is.

[danbo]

I may well do that Guv'nor. Thanks!!

I'm 38 though which is getting on a bit in knock down karate terms - do you have many older karateka at your club?

[epking1]

Originally Posted by danbo

I may well do that Guv'nor. Thanks!!

I'm 38 though which is getting on a bit in knock down karate terms - do you have many older karateka at your club?

we range from 17 to 50+

Dont say 38 is to old I'm only 4 years from that...
All ages train, but just because you train with us doesn't mean you have to fight in competitions etc. come and just learn Karate and get fit etc.

[danbo]

NB when I say 'getting on a bit' I should add that I mean for a beginner. No disrespect meant to anyone training in their late 30s...

[danbo]

Haha as soon as I posted that I regretted saying that 38 was old. Course it isn't. Life begins at 40 - I've yet to be born :-p

And as you say there are many reasons to train. To be honest I may be interested in competing, should there be an over 40s category or something like that. But I'm largely interested in having a healthy interest that challenges me, and hopefully teaches me how to look after myself a bit, should the need arise. Maybe see you in future, depending whereabouts in the London area we settle (in Bangkok right now).

Osu!

[Spike]

I train at the Raynes Park Dojo or Wimbledon Dojo as it is called ,were Steve Arneil is the chef instructor.
We also have some very good Sensei,s & Sampi’s . Wimbledon is a very good all-round club fighting, Kata & keon.
But if you wont fighting Bethnal green, Crawley or crystal palace, are very good clubs also Westcroft is a very good all-round club.
I have train at all these clubs at on time or another & you will be made most welcome at all of them hope to see you training one day at my club although I do train at other clubs from time to time or when she who must be obeyed lets me LOL