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Samui Dojo News Letter
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Awakening Health |
"Samui Dojo" International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation Thailand Martial Arts and Vegan Lifestyle in Thailand Koh Samui - A health and fitness destination |
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Poster for the 3rd Gasshuku at Samui Dojo
CONTACT GEOFF ON SKYPE |
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Thailand Gasshuku Report |
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| I have trained with Sensei George on more occasions than
I can remember, but never like this. My first attempt at
organising a big event with a training schedule a welcome
party and Sayonora party was quite daunting. I wanted my
students to benefit as much as possible by training with a
master, from this planned weekend.
We have a great expatriate community in Koh Samui my students background is Thai, French, German, British and mixed race. This began with a friendly conversation with Sensei George, at the Chief Instructors Gasshuku last November 2006. With communication difficulties apart, we had a great weekend of training making new and refreshing bonds between students and Sensei’s. |
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| The visitors we had from Malaysia were very welcoming, making new friends from Se Asia which may now continue for years to come. Sadly due to family and business commitments we had no Karate Ka from Singapore. Acclimatising was the biggest problem for Sensei George coming from London at 4 degrees and snowing arriving to a cool 32 degrees and cloudy. Luckily we had two days rain the day he arrived Wednesday and Thursday, but then the temperature rose to 36 and hot. |
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| The first day of the Gasshuku started at 08:30 for Black belts, seven of us doing self defence exercises from Kata. Then its was the turn of the children to hear the tones of teaching from Sensei George with an excellent warm up followed by Sandan Gi and Kata. The day by now had started to heat up as all grade adults took to the floor running push ups and sit-ups alongside the typical Goju Ryu warm up then it was into Sandan Gi, Gekisai Dai ichi, Dai Ni and Chokosen Bunkai. |
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| Lunch time came not too soon for Sensei George. Not
being used to the temperature and not hydrating much during
the mornings exercise, he consumed two bottles of water in
minutes, as we struggled to the restaurant 100 metres away
in 37 degrees of hot sunny weather.
One hour lunch time passed very quickly but the children were already gathered for the next hour of assault course like training in the heat of the afternoon. Followed by the adults training for a further two hours at the furnace face, in kakia self defence techniques. |
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| As the sun went down Sensei George jumped aboard his motor bike and roared off to his resort, for a welcome dip in the swimming pool, to cool down before coming to the welcome BBQ. This was held at the Coconut Café and restaurant, owned and run by Sensei Rob Newport and his wife Beth who put on a great spread for us. Whilst the children ran riot in the Soi (side street) playing games, between bites to eat. |
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| The parents of the participating children, mixed well with the karate ka, a great feast was welcomed by all. Sunday Started early with the temperature already over 30 degrees by the 9 o’clock am start. Black belts were off and running developing Chokosen Bunkai both attack and defence. Followed by self defence techniques from kakia a welcome rest then followed for all the tired shoulders. |
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| It was the junior karate ka up next for more Goju Ryu warm up, this time was spent on kicking, correct posture and use of the hips a concentrated effort by the kids was rewarded by games for the last part of the morning session. The adult all grades followed, again the focus was on kicking technique with defensive postures being corrected and a lot of fun with Sensei George’s unique sense of verbal wit to encourage the best out of the students. |
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| As Mr 2% Detlef and the complaints dept (Liz) will verify. After lunch the junior karate ka lined up for there last session of the gasshuku, the warm up was short lived (it was after all 37 degrees) followed by ground wrestling the youngsters are always excited when the mats are out today was no exception, there last session finished on a great high after their wrestling exertions. |
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| The adults last class came all too soon as the humidity raised the brows sweated; we came to Shugo to commence the last session. We then focused again to consolidate Saturday’s morning session of Choksen Bunkai, Self defence from kata and saifa kata before the closing, with spirit training using kicks and punching techniques. |
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| A welcome rest came for all participants after the weekends training finished. The final flourish was upon us the sayonara party, held at the Rocky Resort a great venue with great food. The use of the host countries traditions was not broken with some great Thai dancing to traditional Thai music, was an enormous success, with all participants enjoying the spectacle. |
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| More I cannot say, except next year could prove to be even
better. A big thank you from my heart to all who participated
and helped with the event to make it a success, including a
thank you to the sponsors for there help. (Rocky resort, Coconut
Café, Jungle Park resort). Lawrence of Sabai properties for the
fishing trip enjoyed by Sensei George.
Sensei Geoff Pickup |
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NewsFlash
Baby Gila new member of IOGKF Thailand. Born 26/11/06
Came home to Dojo 29/11/06
INTERNATIONAL I.O.G.K.F. KARATE GASSHUKU MASTERS' DEMONSTRATION AND KATA CHAMPIONSHIP INDIA 2007
"Dear Sensei Geoff Pickup, As you may be aware, we are holding the International I.O.G.K.F. Gasshuku from May 15 to 22, 2007 at Goa, India."
New at Samui Dojo - Beginner's Yoga Classes
Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30pm
All are welcome. For more information you may contact Mel on 085 784 5898
Bungalow Building Update
February 2006
February the 9th was a very significant date
in 2006.
My Sensei from Sheffield whom I trained under for 7 years was my first guest at the newly finished bungalows - rather later than planned but this happens in Thailand.
You can read Sensei Andy Barkers report of his stay here, on www.otgka.co.uk Under Articles, training in Thailand.
More improvements have been made since. Installation of air Conditioning
in two bungalows has been done and in current progress is the fitting of
stainless steel railings, around where the swimming pool will eventually
be built.
Mosquito nets to all the bungalows windows are currently being made and will be fitted this week. The installation of safes in all bungalows will happen in July for the security of guest valuables.
Two wardrobes to be built and installed
will happen when I find the men who have the time and skill to do this
job hopefully in July. The three adjoined bungalows have wardrobes
already just now trying to find the right person to make the others.
Some repairs and improvements to the Dojo
are also in the planning stage for this year. The next building
programme is now going to be put on paper ready for building in January
next year. This will be a reception area with office for receiving
guests.
Cheers. Sensei Geoff.
Bungalow Construction Update July 2005
The building of bungalows
with en suite bathrooms and air conditioning, if required, are now in
progress at long last. The initial three are attached and at the lower
part of the land, they will have balconies to the front and a terraced
garden with seating area. Other bungalows will then be built beyond and
uphill of the terraced garden as soon as possible. Completion of the
first three will be at the end of September. I hope to have two or three
more completed by Christmas. Please see the photo's in the picture
gallery of the progress.
Looking forward to seeing you here.
Cheers. Sensei Geoff.
World Budosai 2004
Okinawa July 21-27
In July 2004 Sensi Geoff joined hundreds of other Goyu Ryu Sensei's and students from around the world in the journey to Okinawa to attend the World Budosai (Martial Arts) Conference in Naha City . This event is the opportunity for all Goyu Ryu karate practitioners, especially those who teach others, to keep their training and spirit pure while reinforcing the strength of the Goyu Ryu community.
Such a gathering is known as Gasshuku , a training camp, where the whole spectrum of techniques and training are taught and practiced collectively under the guidance of Sensei Mario Higoanna and chief instructors from many countries. Here testing for rank takes place as well as correction and standardization criteria that keep our practices aligned with the traditional culture and teaching. It is awesome to realize that so many people all over the planet are actually practicing the art of Goyu Ryu in the same manner that we do at our dojo. Yet each has their subtle differences.
The power of 700 karate ka crammed into a large hall practicing Shiko Dachi stance, blocking and punching simultaneously with the air-con on the fritz is unforgettable! The voices shouting ‘Kiais' in unison embodied the indomitable spirit of Goju Ryu.
The main points of the World Budosai 2004 that Sensei Geoff brought back to us at the Samui Dojo are:
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Emphasis on overall health through warm-ups and strength training
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The importance of Spirit Training
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The focus on the lower kata's and their basic Bunkai with emphasis on perfecting technique.
We thank Sensei Geoff
for representing us in Okinawa and bringing home the message from the
international community of Goyu Ryu.