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username237 · Orange Belt

I am looking into different associations purely for personal interests and I was wondering if anyone here is a member of the ESA (English Shotokan Academy) or knows much about it?? If so then any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Kensai · Black Belt

I was a member of the KUGB, it is by far the best Shotokan group in the UK. And the big cheese it Sensei Eneoda (8th Dan), it dont get much better than that.

Take Care.

username237 · Orange Belt

thanks kensai

Tobias_Reece · Brown Belt

Kensai

Didn't realise you did Shotokan. How long did you do it and when/why did you stop?

Kensai · Black Belt

Ah yes my Shotokan days. I stoped about 7 months ago. I studied Shotokan for just over a year. Why I stopped? I dont think it was the right system for me. I really love the soft styles, but would not feel right doing a style that was not Japanese. So Aikido was the obvious choice.

Also I just was not very good at it, this was proven when I sparred with my friends, that did other systems, I just could not use it.

Take Care.

Tobias_Reece · Brown Belt

Kensai · Black Belt

I was only with the KUGB. I cant actually speak with any experience of the other associations, but from what I heard of some of the other Shotokan ones, KUGB seemed the best.

No Offence Taken

Take Care.

Tobias_Reece · Brown Belt

[quote]No Offence Taken [/quote[

Good, glad thats taken care of

I've never been in the KUGB, but I have heard its pretty good.

We're currently in with the BNMAA, which the major advantage is that its a mixed martial arts association. Its also its major disadvantage.....

But there's one man that makes it all worthwhile......he knows who he is...........

Ciao
_________________
"You Are Never Given A Dream Without Also Being Given The Power To Make It True. You May Have To Work For It, However"

Principal Kobudo Instructor & Owner
West Yorkshire Kobudo Academy
2nd Kyu (Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo, IOKA UK)

Kensai · Black Belt

I am glad that modesty is one of your attributes Tobias.

What does it mean to be in a mixed martial arts associaton, what advantages does it give?

Take Care.

Tobias_Reece · Brown Belt

A Mixed MA Association can be a massive benefit to your club - but to some it may be a nightmare.

Many associations have certain requirements that need to be met by the instructor before the club can be accepted into the association - for example the EKGB requires the instructor to be a 3rd dan. Not a big problem for many schools, but imagine this scenario -

Bill has been a instructor in John's karate school for 6 years. John holds a 5th dan in "I-can't-think-of-a-decent-name Karate-do" (which he created himself in a non-mcdojo way), and belongs to a certain major association. Bill holds a 2nd dan - which was awarded to him by John after years of training.

Unfortunately, there is an incident within the club, and Bill decides to seperate from John. All of the students and parents ally with Bill, leaving John with little or no students.

Bill tries to start up a new club, but he cannot join the same association as John was in, because he is not a 3rd dan. John, obviously, will not award Bill with his 3rd dan because of their fall out.

So what can Bill do? Well, he could create his own offshoot style based on "I-can't-think-of-a-decent-name Karate-do", title himself a 'Master', and award himself an 8th dan. I'm sure Bill has more respect for himself and his art than to do that.

Alternatively, he could go to an instructor in, say, Shotokan, and explain the situation, and ask for a third dan in Shotokan (even if he doesn't know anything about Shotokan). I doubt he would do that (but it does happen)

Finally, Bill could apply for membership in a Mixed Martial Art Association -they usually don't have any requirements of rank because of the diversity of their instructors. His students become licensed with this association and everyone is happy. Problem sovled

Now onto the problems (not many cos I'm so tired):

Bill is happy in his new club........but due to some other issue he decides to ask advice about Karate from the Head of the Association. Problem - the Head of the Association is a 7th Dan in Freestyle Kickboxing, and holds no rank in karate.

Bill decides to attend a friendly competition within the association. The association contains practitioners of Jiu-jutsu, freestyle kickboxing, sport karate and other MAs. Bill's form of karate bases itself of street-fighting techniques, but enjoys full-contact UFC style combat. Bill asks the Head for a catagory of UFC style combat, but due to a lack of interest, it is denied.

(^Ok, not a fantastic point, but like I said I'm tired)

Now, as I mentioned before, Bill's form of karate bases itself on effective street combat. Now, Fred belongs to the same association, but his MA is freestyle sport karate. These two get talking, Fred starts insulting Bill's art, and friction develops. Inter-association conflict - not good, not good at all.

To conclude........

Mixed Martial Art Associations are good for people who want to work with a lot of different arts, and respect all of them. They are also beneficial to instructors who teach concept and not-so-famous styles. However, there may be a lot of politics.

Single Martial Arts associations are very good - but many are a case of who-you-know when it comes to joining national squads etc. Some people may not be accepted because of their rank, or any problems they may have had in the past.

Right - I'm shattered. Hope the insane babble helpful to some.

Cya
_________________
"You Are Never Given A Dream Without Also Being Given The Power To Make It True. You May Have To Work For It, However"

Principal Kobudo Instructor & Owner
West Yorkshire Kobudo Academy
2nd Kyu (Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo, IOKA UK)

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