Playstation Vs Karate
By Steven Norfield 9th Kyu yellow belt
19th January 2005

Game over. Again. Another hour sat in front of the TV with the Playstation, and, yep, there is actually a round imprint on my thumb with an “X” embedded on it. As I glance down, my belly looks back up at me. “Ay buddy, I’m still here, and as long as you keep playing that, I’m just getting bigger”.

Six months prior, I’d moved to Littleport and renovated a house, but having near enough finished it, the call of the Playstation and Stella had won over a few too many times and I found myself festering in front of it several times a week. Its effects had settled firmly around my middle and I began to find myself breaking into a sweat just climbing the stairs to bed. So, with that in mind, I had a chat with Clint, another regular member who had recently joined the Fen Tiger’s and had been singing its praises, and he persuaded me to give it a go, and since then I haven’t looked back.

After borrowing a suit and entering the dojo for the first time with a belt tied up in a random knot (there’s method to it apparently but mine never seems to stay done up?!?!) I went along to a Tuesday lesson and proceeded to join in. After a brief welcome from Sensei Terry it was straight into the lesson. For the first the few lessons its quite hard to follow the others and you’ll find yourself tying your arms and legs in knots trying to keep up, but once you get the routine into your head it soon comes to be second nature. Make no mistake, Karate is mentally and physically very demanding (especially for a fat bloke like me), and after my first lesson I ached in places I didn’t know I had the next morning, but very shortly you become accustomed to it.

In December 2004 after three months of training, I took my first grading to reach the next level. In my case being a complete newcomer, I was looking to become a 9th Kyu (or a yellow belt in layman’s terms). The gradings last for a good 90 minutes, during that period, Sensei’s Terry and Jane will make you perform various moves, techniques and Kata (combinations of moves to form sequences), in fact everything bar standing on your head. The gradings are physically very tough, most notably the sets of press-ups and sit ups you are expected to complete after 90 minutes are the killers. It’s at this point where everyone clubs together to encourage others and get them through it, and with some grim determination and excessive sweating we all managed it (all except Clint who, superman that he is, got an extra 30 to do for “not looking tired enough!). Then there’s a good half hour afterwards where you shake hands, congratulate everyone and try to wipe the sweat away and do your hair for a half decent photo for the website.

Having read the above passage, you may think Karate’s all work and no play, and nothing’s farther from the truth. Sensei’s Terry and Jane have a wry sense of humour and a lesson never goes by without a good laugh. Everyone there is friendly and we all have a good time before and after the lessons (normally about how I’ve got all confused during Kata and ended up doing the YMCA dance instead). For me, the best things about the lessons are the punch bags and sparring sessions. I don’t care who you are, there’s a certain amount of relief that comes with beating the living daylights out of a leather bag (just insert mental image of boss / politician etc for motivation). Sparring is less common, being mostly restricted to a few lessons and the gradings, but it’s good to get the adrenaline going and start ducking and diving. OK, yes, you get the occasional bruise but after it everyone is on a definite high. Sensei Terry does stress very firmly that the most important thing in sparring is to keep your temper; excessive aggression will not be tolerated. It’s instinctive to belt someone who’s trying to hit you on the nose, but keeping your cool is the key.

To anyone reading this with a view to joining the club, please just come along, you don’t have anything to lose. It’ll cost you £5 for the lesson and a bit of sweat. There’s no need to buy the white ghi’s (note to fiancé: they’re not pyjama’s!) for the first couple of lessons, just turn up in tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt to get a feel for it. The Ghi’s are essential if you plan to attend properly though, for both uniform and training purposes, grabbing a sweaty body is much harder than grabbing a ghi (and much less pleasant).

It’s currently Late December 2004 as I write this, and hopefully by the time I write a follow up, I’ll be sporting an orange belt (yellow is sooo last season don’t you know) and I’ll be performing my Kata with something approaching a reasonable level of accuracy and my belly will have reformed itself to a firm six pack (Sh’yeah, like that’ll happen!).  So if you’re reading this, and then going home to fester in front of the TV, don’t. Get your t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms on and come have a try out, we’re hoping to see some new faces for 2005!
 

Poem by Clinton Edwards 6th Kyu
20th December 2004

When you train ion Goju-Ryu you marry into martial arts
For your life will never be the same as for other men and women
You will never cease to be watchful and wary
You will go about your business with a respect and single mindedness that will astound others
And you will practise and refine your skills with dedication and ferocity.
Because you know that you are better than any warrior pitted against you
You will not fear.
 

Goju-ryu
By Robert Dewsbury age 22
20th December 2005

Hi my name is Rob, I am 22 yrs old and have been training in goju-ryu Karate-do since I was seven.
Karate has become a way of life for me. I began my love for karate after watching karate kid films on the television and soon after this I started training. I inquired at the local sports centre and they suggested a class instructed by sensei terry read teaching goju-ryu karate-do.
Karate for me has not just been about self-defence and keeping fit but also a great way to meet new friends. Over the years I have met loads of people, some that has stuck with the club through its good and bad Times, but also I have kept in touch with good friends that have left the dojo over the years, and to this day I still go out drinking and socialising With past club members such as Gavin and Ross Amory, mike Bradford, And Ben Loaker. These are all mates of mine who I most properly would not have met if it weren’t for karate.
Karate affects everyone in different ways but for me it is a great way to Unwind, and to use my aggression in a positive way. Like I said earlier I started to train not long after my 7th birthday, back then it was great fun And sensei terry made it really enjoyable for children that wanted to Learn the art, he is a very experienced teacher for all ages.
I trained hard with all my friends at the Ely club twice a week and Competed in many tournaments and occasionally at weekends when I Could make a training course.
People always said to me I would never forget the moment when I got My junior black belt, and they were all right, I will never forget it, it Was a big achievement for me, I was really proud of myself and my Parents were proud of me too, it was a moment I will not forget.
I hit a rough patch in my training when I was about 15-16 years old; I ended up leaving the club for about 5 years. I felt this was down to a Couple of factors, one was my age, it got to the stage where all my mates Were going out partying all the time after our school exams, and the age Where women, alcohol and nightclubs start to become more important Than any thing else, at this stage my training pattern was really getting Affected, I went from training twice a week every week to barely Training once a fortnight.
There was also another major reason why I left, my instructor sensei Terry read became very ill, and training just wasn’t the same with other People taking the class in his absence, it had lost the vibe that made the Class so strong. I felt both these factors had a huge impact on me that Resulted in me leaving the club, and shortly after this the dojo closed down.
Sensei Terry is the type of instructor everyone needs, he helps push you to your limit and more, and without him there it just wasn’t the same.
From the moment the club stopped running I decided to do Other things that was good for me at the time, but even the I felt like a Part of me was missing and would resort back to going over my old katas And moves, I guess it is like riding a bike you never forget.
Four years on and I saw a poster up in the sports centre, it was Sensei terry training again, and he had re-opened the dojo. When I saw the poster I knew I had to go back training, I had gone through the teen stage and I really missed the training; I was really pleased to see sensei back Again.
I have been back training about 6 months and my desire to train and achieve more has never been greater, I am going to work hard with my Training and get my senior black belt, just you see.
For anyone considering taking up martial arts I would strongly recommend goju-ryu karate, it is a tough but very rewarding style, and you wouldn’t meet a more dedicated and experienced instructor than sensei terry read

All the best Rob x
 

Article by Clinton Edwards 6th Kyu
14th November 2004

1 The idea.
My name is Clinton Edwards. In June 1983 I had a life changing experience. This is my story. It started as most daft ideas do, over a pint of beer. Myself and best mates Andrew Moss and Mike Bedford were in the bar at Roller Bury skating rink. When Mike says, “ I know lets go and do Karate”.
The following Monday, after some of Mikes careful research (pulling names out of a hat), we arrived at Newmarket Sports Hall looking for something called Go Ju Ryu. We were told to go to a room through the back.
We walked into the room wearing our tracksuits to be greeted by a group of people wearing what looked like Judo suits only a little thinner, with various coloured belts. Over in one corner stood a few guys with white belts on, so we nervously shuffled over and stood with them. To my surprise an old school pal of mine and Andrews was there. ”Hi Terry I said how long have you been doing this then” “Its my first lesson said a very confident Terry Read. And so begun the first small step on a long and sometimes painful journey.

2 And so begins the first lesson.
A brown belt called Allan told us all to line up with the higher grades at the front beginners at the back. We then did warm up and stretching exercises. My first impressions were this is not too hard. Oh! How wrong I was. Enter stage right Sensei Dan Lambeth. Then the hard work really began. We did basic punches, blocks, kicks and a set pattern of moves called San Dan Gi. In what seemed like no time at all the training session was over. Karate was definitely for me.
The next day a gi was purchased from the local sports shop. Even though I ached all over and could hardly walk, the following week was spent practising my newly acquired skills at home. Mondays could not come soon enough.

3 Pride before a fall.
Training was very tough. Sensei Dan was a hard man with a slightly sadistic nature. We all had a lot of respect for him.
The three of us toughened up pretty quick. The doormen at Roller Bury seemed less intimidating, my speed skating improved, and for the first time ever I felt I could walk into a pub and not worry about a tap on the shoulder. Confidence had definitely improved.
It soon came to grading time. This was a test of what we had learnt so far, plus a fitness and endurance test. We all three passed our 8th Kyu (white belt with two black tags). It was a proud moment.
A short while after grading Andrew and I went on a weekend course to Bournemouth Do Jo .The instructor was a stocky, tough looking character called sensei George Andrews. My first impressions were, if you had a do not mess with list, this guy should be at the top of it. Training was tough as always and went well. That is until about 3pm on day one. Sensei George called all the 8th kyu grades out to the front. We all demonstrated San Dan Gi, no problem there. ”Right” said Sensei George “Gekisai Dai Ichi Yoi, Hajime”. Andrew and I froze on the spot the others finished the Kata. We stood there like a couple of idiots. It was a total embarrassment for us and for sensei Dan. We did the walk of shame back to the ranks. Sensei George took sensei Dan to one side and had strong words with him. We were later told we WILL know Gekisai Dai Ichi by tomorrows training session.
Andrew and I must be the only two karate students ever to have learnt a Kata from beginning to end in a guesthouse bedroom.
The following days training went well. We got through Gekisai Dai Ichi, much to the relief of a worried looking sensei Dan. As it turned out sensei Dan had only recently returned to instructing after a long break, and had forgotten the syllabus.
Training continued to progress over the following months, with other courses and competitions. In December 1984 I reached 5th kyu grade (green belt as it was then). It was soon after this thing fell apart, Mike got married and stopped training. Andrew moved away, and I started to miss training sessions, and eventually stopped training altogether.

4 A twist of fate.
It’s June 2004 I am now married with two children, Luke aged 9,and Jake aged 7.My wife Jill is a chef at a local pub and restaurant close to the sports hall.
It’s a Thursday evening, Jill has to pop into work to help out, and so the boys and I decide to go for a bike ride to see Jill at work. When we arrived she was quiet busy, so we decided to go to the play park at the back of the sports hall. This particular day we walked to the park a different way to our usual way. This led us past a small room at the back of the building. As we walked past the window and open fire door, something or rather someone caught my eye. It was a karate class, but more to my surprise it was a Go Ju Ryu karate class. As the training session was just finishing, I decided to pop my head in the door. The biggest shock of all came when the sensei turned around. It was Terry Read, now a 5th Dan. After being introduced to the class, we had a quick chat about old times, and I was asked if I would like to come back and train.

5 Back to basics.
I arrived early for training as other students arrived I was made to feel very welcome particularly by a chap called Steve .I decided it would be best to start from the beginning, as a white belt, after all Nineteen years is a long time to be away. Sensei arrived and training began. It was soon clear I was more out of condition than I thought. My puffing and wheezing sounded like Dath Vador having asthma attack. And I was about as supple as an ice-lolly stick. I enjoyed the training, and the aches and stiff limbs the following day brought back many memories. It was good to be back.

6 Old school new school.
Although Goju Ryu has changed very little over the last nineteen years the training methods have improved greatly, whether this is a general trend, or just the result of sensei Terry’s teaching skills I don’t know yet let me try to explain, nowadays there is more emphasis on listening to your body. Stretching and warm ups are done with consideration to age ability and any injury problems the student may have. Also when a particular technique is shown ie a block and take down, sensei explains the mechanics of the body and why it works. We are also encouraged to learn the Japanese terminology.
I can recommend Fen Tiger Goju Ryu karate club it is a style that works well in the modern world yet still remains traditional. You are guaranteed a warm welcome from sensei’s Terry wife Jane sons Luke and James, and daughter Claire, all very capable and skilled teachers. I would just like to add, they run a very good children’s class on Wednesdays, which both my children Luke 9 and Jake 7 attend and enjoy very much.
Finally I would like to thank the Read family for all their efforts in running the Fen Tigers karate club and you for taking the time to read this article.
And please don’t give up I did and I regret it.
 

Happy Birthday, Fen Tiger Karate Dojo
By Steven Sackel 6th Kyu
10th November 2004

Yes, it was hard to believe that a year had gone by when I came to review my Club/OTGKA membership. Our Dojo is in its first year and has been successful, with a full children’s class and well-attended adult’s class.

Under the guidance of Sensei Terry and Jane, and assisted by Claire, Luke and James, our Dojo has been made a great environment to be able to learn Goju Ryu Karate-Do. The students and I would like to say thankyou in making our Dojo successful. Also we would like to thank Rob Dewsbury in taking lessons during Sensei Terry’s family holiday.

On a personal level, adult training two days a week is demanding and enjoyable. We have a mixed class of ladies and gents, and also young people who have graduated from the children’s class. A team spirit has developed - we train as one, regardless of ability, helping and respecting each other. During grading it is good to hear us encouraging each other. I certainly think this helps bring a little extra from within us.

During the year I have had the pleasure of reading ‘The History of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate’ by Morio Higaonna Sensei. I consider it to be a must-read, to have a greater understanding of Karate-Do and the origins of our style of karate.

Now entering the second year of training, I look forward to gaining more knowledge, understanding and confidence.

Regards,

Steven Sackel
 

My Thoughts on Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Training
By Steven Sackel 6th Kyu
14th March 2004

My name is Steven. I am forty-two and I train with the Fen Tiger Karate Dojo at the Paradise Centre, Ely, Cambs.
I would like to share with you what I have experienced in training and what benefits it may have for you.
For many years the Martial Arts have appealed to me. I have seen many films and I have friends who have been involved in the various styles.
My personal experience began when I saw an advertisement in the Paradise Centre for the new Fen Tiger Karate Club. At this point I thought, ‘I have finally run out of excuses not to have a try.’ The start date was to be 20th August 2003 and the session was to be from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. I rang Sensei Terry for details, which were to come prepared in T-shirt, jogging bottoms and bare feet for training.
The 20th of August soon came around and I arrived in plenty of time. Promptly Sensei’s Terry, Jane, Claire, Luke and James arrived, and before myself and the other students knew it we were in a line facing Sensei Terry being taught basic etiquette which opens a training session.
The next one and a half hours went very quickly. We warmed up using traditional Goju-Ryu techniques followed by basic punching and blocking techniques, and then warmed down. As I stood sweating at the end of the session (I thought I was fit) I knew this was something I could enjoy and get benefits from.
I have trained for seven months and have been successful in my 9th Kyu grading (Yellow Belt), and will soon be taking my 8th Kyu grading and, if successful, gain an Orange Belt.
As a student I am maybe not the quickest to learn, or the fittest, but in Goju-Ryu Karate training students can progress with application and effort. Since I started training I have learned so much about myself, gained self-confidence, become fitter and I have been taught self-protection techniques.
The Goju-Ryu training sessions are well-structured - everything from warm-up, training and warm-down has a purpose. I also find training mentally challenging, as in all applications the left and right sides of the body are used.
Finally, but important to me, is the etiquette involved. When we train in the Dojo, regardless of grade, we train together as one, help each other and respect each other. I hope my thoughts give encouragement to anyone thinking of taking up Goju-Ryu Karate-Do.
 

My First Training Course with Sensei George Andrews at the Institute of Traditional Karate-Do
By Steven Sackel 6th Kyu

My name is Steven. In my previous article I shared my personal experiences in Goju-Ryu training. I would now like to share with you my experience training at the Honbu Dojo (central dojo) for the first time.

What I find in karate is that in every lesson you are learning something new, whether being a new technique or becoming more confident in techniques learned in past training sessions. As Sensei Terry Read tells us, as students we will never stop learning. So in my quest for more knowledge I accepted an invitation to attend the Honbu Dojo for my first training course. As it was my first visit to the Honbu Dojo, Sensei Terry kindly let me travel with himself and his family.

The journey went quickly and when arriving in London I did experience some apprehension - however, as they say, ‘in for a penny, out with a pound.’ We arrived at the Institute in good time and got changed. As I entered the Dojo my nerves settled and I familiarised my self with the surroundings. I was then introduced to Sensei George Andrews and, with a warm handshake, I was greeted with “Hello my Student.” At this point I felt very welcome and I looked forward to the training session.

The training session was themed with Hojo Undo (supplementary exercises). We started with the Opening Ceremony and then into warm-up exercises, which was familiar to me from training in Ely. The session was well attended; the majority were Black Belts but we were training as one and at no time did I feel left out and I just gave it my best shot. Sensei George Andrews demonstrated the exercises to us with assistant Sensei’s in a clear and understanding manner. The equipment we used was basic but when used in the correct manner was highly effective (I still ache two days later). The training session flew by and came to an end with a massage to soothe aching muscles, and then the Closing Ceremony. We showered, then had soup and sandwiches which were provided for us.

Since returning from the Honbu Dojo I have found it to be a positive experience and I’m sure it will help me in my development in Goju-Ryu Karate-Do. I would like to thank Sensei George Andrews and assistant Sensei’s for an excellent day, and Sensei Terry Read and family for the transport and encouragement on the day.