Back in Summer 2015, we set a challenge for our karate members to help us create a new T-Shirt design and slogan for our new dojo name, Toku Sei Kan (Hall of Virtue & Sincerity).

Although it's been a while, we haven't forgot!  Our Koen-Kai (support group) have been working behind the scenes to review all the entries and we've finally decided on a winner...

There were so many excellent suggestions to choose from, but the final design that we decided upon features a wonderful image on the back of a karate practitioner performing a formal kneeling bow. We thought that this image really summed up the importance of respect and courtesy in karate and therefore, makes a great contribution to the T-Shirt.

The winning image was inspired by a drawing that was submitted by a wonderful little 6 year old girl, Sadie Woodburn. So we'd like Congratulate Sadie who wins 1 month's free unlimited training at our dojo, plus a T-Shirt bearing her awesome design!

Our new T-Shirt design will be available on the website store very soon, so keep your eyes peeled for a sneak peek - especially if you see Sadie, Garet or Kelvin in the dojo over the next couple of weeks :-)

​Sophie C

On Sunday 21st February, a special member's seminar was held at the Marchon Club in Whitehaven to focus on topics that were identified as requiring extra attention from our 2015 gradings.

The morning session ran from 10am until 12pm and involved yellow belts and above of all ages focussing on kicking dynamics.

We completed a number of exercises which looked at improving joint mobility and flexibility, accuracy, the shape and strength of kicks and delivering power into kicks on impact shields. To round off the morning, we completed some sparring drills to help emphasise the fluid delivery of kicks.

The seniors who attended the afternoon session from 12:30pm until 3pm worked on the six Naihanchi limb control drills with the focus on seamless transitions between the different techniques found within them. It's fair to say that working 1-6 integrated completely threw most of the participants well out of their comfort zone!

Everyone worked very hard and a special well done to those who attended the additional evening training at the Cleator dojo afterwards :-)

Sophie C.