Karate Jitsu would like to thank everyone for their attendance at this years beach training. We had around 25 for the advanced session, then the biggest single turnout ever in KJ history – 55 Students and Instructors training all at once for the general session.

Beach training sessions are very special – they leave your spirit invigorated and soaring in a natural state of health and happiness.

… hitting the sand

… time to get to the water

Beginners, Experienced, Children and Adults all had a ball …

MEDITATION … and the beautiful sounds of the breeze and the ocean

Congratulations to all whom recently achieved their new Belt, Stripes and Teaching Titles.

YELLOW BELTS: Andrew Xydias, graded by Sensei Jason Zecchel.
Stacey Xydias graded by Shihan Peter Koegst
Tabitha Mann-Sommers, Max Mascolo, Tom Mascolo, John Mascolo, graded by Shihan Peter Koegst

YELLOW ONE: Phillip van der Hoek graded by Sempai Simon Peacock
Max Wilson, Cooper Wilson graded by Sensei Adam Basheer
Matthew Paradiso graded by Sensei Adam Basheer

YELLOW TWO: Flynn Ritchie, Tim Leard graded by Sensei Jason Bollard. Peter Borrelli, Willem Daniel, Ruby Gitsham graded by Sensei Adam
Lachlan Pridham graded by Sensei Adam

YELLOW THREE: Georgia Brandwood, Josh Compare, Jack Harris, Jack Leard, Alessio Marin, Jack Munchenberg, Maria-Luisa Cambareri James Rees graded by Sensei Adam Basheer

PURPLE BELT: Alex Possingham, Arkady Abbott graded by Sensei Jason Bollard

PURPLE ONE: Melissa Mignone, Sabrina Mignone graded by Sensei Jason Bollard

SEMPAI: Sempai Simon Peacock and Sempai Christopher Howley

The next Gradings this Year will be

Saturday October 17
Yellow Belt, Yellow 1, 2, 3 and all Stripe 2 and 3

Saturday December 12
Yellow Belt, Yellow 1, 2, 3 and all other Belts and all Stripe 1

• Stripe ONE: Strikes and Defences, (Karate and Kickboxing)
• Stripe TWO: Locks, Holds and Grappling (Judo, Jujitsu and Aikido)
• Stripe THREE: Kata and self defence (Traditional Forms and Weaponry. Anti Bully, Anti Rape and Gang Defence)
• BELT: Sporting Application – Sparring (Boxing, Kickboxing, Point Karate, Wrestling/Grappling, Shootfighting)

Looking ahead we will see Matthew Brandwood go for Brown Junior.  Dave and Sue Graham, Steve and Emily Davies for Purple 3, of which they have focused enormously and are inspirational, GREAT work, keep it up Dave and Sue.

Welcome to our new students.

Leilani Nelson, Mitch Mann-Sommers, Tom Waters, Jayden Feleppa, Erin Feleppa, Cheyenne Mercurio, Max Koegst, Lachlan Bollard, Elijah Anesbury have joined KJ Children’s classes, well done to all our new girls and boys.

At times Hectic and at times really smooth.

Lately we’ve had some great assistance on the floor up to 5 Instructors assisting in one class. GREAT for Children to get some excellent close attention. In contrast to this it’s also great to sometimes have 1 Instructor on the floor, this gives the Children a chance to be taught as 1 group and hear some good messages from the 1 Instructor.

Uh oh! Sometimes we get it wrong. There was a class recently that I was in charge of, I felt that I wash rushing, trying to give discipline, keep it fun and show some skills for all to learn, but I felt the whole class environment was not working. Straight after class I was analysing what went wrong as I take these “not good” sessions very seriously and am my worst critic. It was pretty well my fault, as I arrived to class only 10 minutes early rather than the normal 20-30 minutes early, I just didn’t have time to settle, it really threw me off and the class showed for it. I suppose we are only human, alas I will ensure that these classes are not common place.

On the same note on arriving early, it’s been great to see many KJ Children arriving EARLY to class and maximising their 45 minute class by getting in some 1 on 1 with their Instructor before class. The 1 on 1 time is so valuable for us to bond a little and help with individual skills and improve upon them. Well done to the parents and children who are getting in early. As we all tend to have pretty hectic schedules, try hard OCCASIONALLY to come in early, maybe just once every month or second month or so come in 15 minutes early and connect with you Instructor on some finer points, you’ll be amazed at how valuable this can be for all of us. In addition to that PLEASE DO NOT arrive late (occasionally can’t be helped) you will find that it makes it very hard for us to get in tune with your child also it is unfair to the group that is training.

COLDS, FLU”S and serious COUGHS

Sorry, but do STAY AWAY!!! Young James Rees has had a long bout of a cough complaint and is just making a full return soon. Whilst we missed his effervescent energy on the floor our immune systems were pleased that he’s stayed at home of late.

STEPPING Up to Student/Adult Classes

Matthew Brandwood has made regular visits to the KJ Adult classes, he started with an occasional Saturday session. Initially he was surprised with the focus and length of the class (90 minutes) but he has found all the Student/Adults safe and supportive and he is enjoying a new energy to his training. Also recommended for these classes in the coming months or by next year Josh Compare, Daniel Demetriou, Natalia Reveruzzi. Maria-Luisa Cambareri. For any child 11 years onward it is recommended that a visit to watch the occasional training session with the adults is the way to go, eventually you will change across to permanent Student/Adult classes. Once you’ve settled into the new classes we will grade you up to Adult Belt when it’s appropriate, generally it is suggested that a Junior Purple Belt is equivalent to an Adult Orange Belt.

Welcome to our new students.

Peter Littyuile, Cameron Fox, Kellan Corney, Michael Stephens.

4 great young men who have a real fire in their belly to learn, listen and show their skills. Our Instructors and students have already been impressed with their presence on the floor.

Training with Injuries

Occasionally we all have niggling soreness and sprains or a more serious concern. The likes of Jeremy Rees, Kerryn Rechner, Janette and Voytek Makowski have had to keep off the dojo floor lately with such concerns, the good news is they should be back or are already back with modified training regimes. It’s really important that we care for our bodies during any injury or similar and time away from the club to recover is almost mandatory. If possible consider visiting the club in casuals to watch, you’ll be surprised how much you can still learn by just watching. Tim Leard is a great example of how watching can have you learning, Tim has spent years in and out of the club watching Josh and Jack, his sons, training. This year Tim took the plunge and joined his excellent boys at Karate Jitsu, Tim has progressed solidly already this year and I’m sure it’s because he has spent years involved at the club, by just watching and supporting his boys. Mary Armstrong has also been training VERY well in the Punch and Kick FIT, great stuff.