I have become increasingly impressed with the Koryu Uchinadi syllabus the more I learn of it. Similarly, the high standard of teaching from Ben Ryder has been a huge influence on my decision to get more involved in KU.
For these reasons it was a really attractive prospect when, just before Christmas, Ben suggested I attend the gashyuku with the KU team in Galway and train under Shibucho (Chief Instructor) Ante Brännbacka for a weekend during January.
On Friday night we covered the standing portion of the KU two person Shime-waza (chokes and strangulation techniques) drill as well learning how to apply these techniques in response to Habitual Acts of Physical violence such as haymaker punches and bear-hugs. Sensei Brannbacka then increased the difficulty level by encouraging us to react as quickly as possible to a threat. The threat was simulated by closing our eyes and allowing our training partner to give us a quick tap on the head or a slap, as a trigger for our defensive response. Obviously in this simulation when you have your eyes closed you don’t have a clue where your opponent or his limbs are in relation to you, or where his strike is coming from.
After training some of us went down to an American style diner for hamburgers then to a pub for a swift one.
On Saturday morning we went through the solo and two person version of the Keri-waza drill in detail.
KU also includes some weapons work in the guise of Yamane Ryu kobudo, which initially involves learning the Bo.
I’m already keen to organise a training session so I can work on all this new material.
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