Kyo-Shin Karate Clubs

I began training in Shotokan karate in 1977 aged 8, in Barnsley under Sensei Shiro Asano (now 9th Dan). Training in those days was very strict, no talking was allowed and press ups were regularly given as punishment for failing to get things right. Even children were made to do press ups on their knuckles, 100 each training session followed by 100 sit-ups.

I managed to endure what didn't seem much fun and graded to 9th Kyu (white belt, as they were then) in November 1978. Around this time Sensei Asano split from the Japan Karate Association (JKA) and formed Shotokan Karate International (SKI). I continued training with Sensei Asano progressing to 4th Kyu (purple and white belt) in May 1980. Whilst maintaining my Karate training I pursued other sporting interests and I remained 4th Kyu for 7 years.

After relocating to the Skegness area in December 1987, I started training with Sensei Paul Groves (2nd Dan) at Chapel St Leonard's Karate club, but soon moved to train at the main club under Sensei Mike Baxendale (then 4th Dan) in Skegness, affiliated to the Amateur Martial Association (AMA). Now concentrating solely on Karate I was able to progress my rank and attained 1st Dan (black belt) in October 1989.
Training with Paul and Mike was very different from the formal Japanese approach taught by Sensei Asano. Both Mike and Paul were professional door men; this gave them plenty of opportunities to practise their martial arts and find out what really worked.
My training with Paul and Mike focused on using Karate in 'real life' situations. I got plenty of real life experience working alongside Paul and Mike on the doors at the local night club. Aged 19 and weighing 10st 7 lbs, I wasn't the youngest doorman but was defiantly the smallest. This helped me understand how to apply traditional Karate in highly pressured situations against real opponents.

I relocated to Sheffield and in the following 10 years progressed my training in various other martial arts including Ninjitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Ju jitsu, Muey Thai, Kick boxing, Judo, all whilst still training in Shotokan under Sensei Paul Whitaker (4th Dan).
I was training 6 days a week and competing every 2 to 3 weeks in semi contact point sparring. Although I never managed to win anything major, I had a lot of fun. It was only when I started to train in full contact - Muey Thai and kick boxing, which later lead to me competing in Full Contact that I stopped competing in Points sparring.
It was around this time that I started my first karate club in Hoyland, Barnsley. As a side effect of this varied training I remained a 1st Dan for 10 years, gaining my 2nd Dan in September 1999, under Sensei Peter Jones (4th Dan) following my relocation to Boston.

I had started Kyo -Shin Karate club in November 1998 under the original name of Boston Shotokan Karate club. Whilst still training and teaching Shotokan Karate I have continued to develop my own ability and skill set by training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and studying the art of Pressure Point Fighting (Kyu-Sho Jutsu). We joined the Zanshin Kai Great Britain (ZKGB) in January 2005 and trained under sensei Mike Burnand (7th Dan). After 6 months of hard training I graded to 3rd Dan in June 2005.
The ZKGB is a highly respected traditional Japanese Shotokan association, but my desire to incorporate other aspects of martial arts in to the clubs training did not fit well with the ZKGB philosophy. In January 2008 we left the ZKGB and set up our association. We remain in touch with Sensei Burnand and he still provides expert advice to ensure that our Shotokan training continues to reach his and the Japanese Karate Federation's exacting standards. Sensei Burnand is one of the most highly regarded Shotokan Instructors in Europe. Sensei Burnand graded me to 4th Dan in September 2009.

I formed Kyo-Shin Karate Jutsu (KSKJ) as a Karate Association in January 2008. Kyo-Shin is Japanese for "Opened mindedness". This represents the philosophy that underpins my training. No one martial arts style is the best, they all have strengthens and weaknesses. In my teaching I try to ensure that my students understand how to apply techniques, from many styles, that could have a real difference in a self defence situation.
Shotokan karate still lies at the heart of our training as it helps develop powerful and effective techniques. For my more advanced students I also teach Kyu-Sho Jutsu (Pressure Point fighting) and Ground Fighting (MMA).

In Summary I am now aged 42 with 34 years training and 21 years teaching and still training hard. My own training is supplemented with 4 gym sessions per week working on cardio and most importantly building power through heavy weight training.

Undoubtedly the biggest influence on my Karate and Martial arts training was Sensei Mike Baxendale (5th Dan), it was his training and own personal ability that gave me the insight into what is possible. Tragically Mike died on 11th October 1998, aged 47. I only hope that I can inspire my own students in the same way.

On the 7th May 2011, I Gained 5th Dan JKF under Sensei Mike Burnand 8th Dan JKF.




Footnote.

Always Keep in mind "it's not the belt you wear, it's how good you are that counts"








© kyo-shin Karate Jutsu 2009