Sensei’s Blog

Not to stretch the sensei as dad metaphore too far (it's a lot easier to boot out a student than it is to boot out a child, for one thing there's a lot less legal paperwork to fill out) but let's go with it and talk about being an orphan.I've been practicing 6 or 7 … Continue reading Orphaned at 50 – June 4, 2014, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

Is that my teacher? No that's a horse...for those who are Terry Pratchett fans.But the question did come up recently. Actually a couple of questions came up so I'll answer them all here and trust that you folks will understand that I'm not your teacher. Unless I am your teacher.First question was more of a … Continue reading Where’s my Teacher? – June 3, 2014, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

It's odd that I have simply assumed for most of my budo career that you have one sensei in any particular art, and that "everybody knows that". Apparently I'm wrong, I have met lots of folks in my organization lately who seem to think they've got multiple sensei and even multiple, conflicting loyalties amongst those … Continue reading One Sensei – June 2, 2014, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

Great day at Jiyu-Shin Karate Annual Shiai! lots of good Karate!!Thank you Doug Lytle, Sempai for representing the Iaido section of the Juku with your personal best!!Thank You Morgan Carl, Hayden Henderson, Breanna, Julia, and Enzo for their personal bests. They all did a great job representing the Juku, lots of compliments!! Domo Arigato!! Gambatte!Thank … Continue reading 01 Jun Annual Jiyu-Shin Karate School Shiai report;

I've been in a couple of conversations lately about doing the martial arts while aged. Can you pass an iai grade if you can't get into seiza, can you do Aikido if you don't fall down, can you do jujutsu if you can't take an arm bar, can you do karate from a wheelchair, that … Continue reading How Much is Not Enough – June 1, 2014, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

A former student of mine who has moved away asked me if I thought self-practice of iaido was something that was possible for him.There are two answers to that question. First, if you want to get ranked in the art, than no, there's no way you can practice without a teacher in seitei iai and … Continue reading The Two Faces of Self-practice – May 31, 2014, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

Great Pre-Shiai rehearsal Students are ready for tomorrow! Thank you to my senior sword student Doug Lytle for the great practice and help with referring/trg with the Kids!Thank you to the parents for supporting to days Rehearsal/trg, Ann Pawchuk ( Jason Pawchuk ), Melissa Lloyd, and Joanna Stimpson!!Finally great job and thank you for showing … Continue reading Pre-Shiai Rehearsal for 01 Jun 2014 Jiyu-Shin karate School Annual Shiai!

Junbi Undo and Hojo Undo are real important!  Junbi Undo, warm up exercises prepares the body for training and should be done everyday if you want to develop into a real Goju practitioner!  Hojo Undo, Conditioning exercises can be done every other day but they are also a must if you wish to develop your … Continue reading Sensei Tip – Junbi Undo and Hojo Undo

It’s been a great month for training! The Dojo has see a number of outside Shidoin (instructor) come in and teach special in-class workshops. John MacCallum, CI Jiyu-Shin Karate School, Trevor McLaughlin, Shawn Fisk, CI Hook Up Muay Thai Peterborough, and Scott Steedman all have shared their time and knowledge. It is important students realize … Continue reading Sensei Rant!! – Opportunities! by Mike Chinadi CI

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