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Thursday, 21 May 2009

Shotokan Sr. Kata Workout

Yesterday I attended the first karate class I've been at in this calendar year.

The preparation workouts made a big difference in how well I did during the karate class for sure. The stationary bike, the stair climbing, swimming laps and the weight training gave me better stamina than most of the regulars in the class.

We started with a light warm up then repeated Heian Yondan three times with some tips and corrections. Followed the same routine with Heian Godan, then moved on to the bulk of the class where we repeated and focused on Sochin, Jion and Nijushiho for the remainder of the 90 minute training session.

My karate legs are where I need to focus my training. Mostly it's my flexibility. So I'll be working on strengthening all the core muscles and spending time with the relaxing 30 minute static-active routines suggested for increasing flexibility at the end of a workout.

Until next class...
Posted via email from MyShotokan's posterous

Monday, 13 October 2008

Light Training with Kata Review

I enjoyed an hour of light karate training today with my old training partner, Max.

We just did an easy workout reviewing all the kata, starting from Heian Shodan, all the way through the 15 basic kata, and onto the advanced kata until we were fogetting moves.

With a few light stretching breaks and three or four sets of easy dynamic stretches between the kata.

Near the end, I sat on the dojo floor and did some stretching while Max continued on and practiced the Junro Kata's - which I've all but forgotten. :-/

After training, we walked to a local asian restaraunt just one block from the Dojo, and had a huge bowl of delicious seafood soup.

I can tell right away - that once I'm able to focus on www.MyShotokan.com more seriously - I'm going to have to take pictures of everything... all the restaurants, all the wonderful meals I'll be enjoying at new places as I travel. Then, as I blog each evening... I can include details about the day's training, but I really want to feature the people that I meet and the places I visit as well as the karate training.

Looking forward to more training!

Uso

Posted by email from Douglas's posterous

Saturday, 13 September 2008

Myshotokan Promotional Karate Pictures

I've been waiting for a morning like this for over a year!

Last year, there was only ONE morning over then entire summer and fall, where the conditions were perfect, and I sure wasn't going to let this opportunity slip by!

More and more, I realize that I can be or do or have, anything I set my mind to. These pictures are, to me, another example that you can change you life to be anything you can imagine.

For the junior belt, karate training is supposed to bring increased self-confidence because you learn defense skills and some combat skills - so you can stand up for yourself if someone assualts you physically.

This is an important confidence to have in yourself.
And I can attest to that fact that phyical karate-jittsu works.

But after a couple decades training in karate, one can look back and gain a perspective on the process of learning, the process of change, and the process of creating a new belief system about yourself... and you begin to see that your very thoughts and words create your future.

Many people are picky about their eating - and careful about their training, yet they are reckless with their thinking, and never realize why they fall short of every goal they strive for.

MyShotokan.

More than just punching and kicking.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Follow me! http://www.twitter.com/myshotokan

Many thanks to My Folks for canoeing around and tromping through the forest to take these early morning pictures!

See and download the full gallery on posterous
Posted by email from Douglas's posterous

Friday, 05 September 2008

MyShotokan Karate Archive from 1995

Recently, our local museum created a Facebook Group and uploaded some archival pictures from our local weekly newspaper.

One of the pictures had me in it! Here's the text under the photo:

Taking Care - Shannon B and Shawna O follow the lead of instructor Doug Lampi during the self-defense course the karate sensei is offering here. Although the nine students spend most of their time in the 21 hour program learning and practicing defensive moves, Lampi emphasizes that preparation and awareness - tools that can prevent a situation from becoming violent - are the most important aspects of self-defense. The course (offered by the Atikokan Native Friendship Centre) cost just $5 (which includes a textbook), and newcomers are welcome. In order to accommodate shift work, it is held on differetn evenings each week; contact Lampi at www.myshotokan.com for details.

http://www.atikokanprogress.ca Monday, July 31, 1995

I wonder if I can find, in my karate tickle-trunk, the advert for the first karate class I joined, back in November 1984... one day I'll dig it up, take a snap-shot and post it here.

Cheers all

Doug

Posted by email from Douglas's posterous