Kamishin Ryu / Hakko Ryu / Hantai Tagaki Yoshin Ryu Seminar 28 - 30/6/02
A very enjoyable seminar which packed in an enormous amount of information.
Starting gently on the Friday evening with gradings in Toyama Ryu and Hakko Ryu (Kaiden), carried out by Sensei Hobbs, the seminar got into full swing on the Saturday with further Hakko Ryu gradings together with teaching sessions from Sensei Hobbs (Kamishin Ryu) and Sensei Carrick (Hantai Tagaki Yoshin Ryu). With Headmaster-like powers of organisation Brian ensured that groups were organised and rotated to allow a very thorough experience of both Sensei Hobbs' and Carrick's excellent teaching. Saturday's session lasted from 0930-1600 with Sunday's a much needed (by me) half hour shorter. Covering many aspects of jujitsu including some use of the hanbo and bokken, the seminar was an exhaustive and exhausting opportunity to train in different ryu - some of which I had never even seen before. The catering was, as ever, extremely good quality with the endless supply of water being particularly welcome! Congratulations to all those who successfully graded, although congratulations are really due to all participants at the seminar, who, with their open minded and spirited approach, helped make the seminar so enjoyable.
A special thanks to Giles who remained a very patient and helpful training partner despite my insistence on continually striking the mat instead of making peace.
Thanks also to my colleagues from the Aikido Research Federation (Birmingham) who kept the moaning about the choice of in-car musical entertainment to a 'minimum'.