Class description

The class is a combination of 50% workout and 50% self-defence.
Workout exercises focus on your fitness (stamina), flexibility and strength. These exercises target all areas of the body.

The self-defence portion consists of learning and practicing techniques as well as improving reflexes to dangers.

The class is suitable for girls (10 years and above), teenagers and adults

General

1. MORE BENEFITS: Self-Defence workout will not only improve your body physically, it will also change you mentally: your self-confidence will increase and the training will vent build up stress.
2. TIME: Since during the classes our aurah might not be fully covered I need to close the door at the beginning of the class, so no men can -unexpectedly- walk in on us. So it is very important to be on time, otherwise you will stand in front of a closed door.
3. NO JEWELLERY: Please don't wear jewellery during the class, because it can cause injuries during our workout.
4. PARTICIPATE: It is not allowed to sit and watch the class only. Just join the training, even it is only a try-out for you.
5. ATTIRE: No special attire is needed, just a t-shirt and loose pants is enough. Karate-gi is optional.

Counting

Since many of the techniques used in our self-defence classes are based on Kyokushin Karate from Japan, some of its terminology will be used in the class and will be therefore in the Japanese language.
For example counting will be in Japanese. 1-10 in Japanese is as follows:

1 = Ich(i)
2 = Ni
3 = San
4 = Shi
5 = Go
6 = Rok(u)
7 = Shich(i)
8 = Hach(i)
9 = Ku
10 = Ju

Please look at this YouTube video for pronounciation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4HoNPzOmU0 You don't have to memorize it, you will learn it automatically. (I put the video on the facebook page as well)

OSU - Greeting

At the beginning of the class there is a greeting between the teacher and the students, which is called "Osu". This is an all purpose expression of greeting and acknowledgement. It is also used as replacement for words like: yes, alright, good, excuse me, hello, goodbye, I will do it, I have understood etc. Especially in the last two meanings it stands for patience, respect, appreciation, perseverance (never give up), endurance, push oneself to the limit.

In the video of the post #4 this form of greeting is shown, when the karateka's bring their fists to their opposite ears and then turn it forwards bringing them down, while shouting "Osu" (sounds like "Oosh").

KIA - Yell/Shout Greeting

When you start our self defence session, you will notice that sometimes students yell (or asked to yell). If you're wondering why they're doing this, it's called a 'Kiai', it is a short energeic yell, made during the end of a technique and it's a form of intimidation used against your opponent. It expresses confidence or victory.
In addition, Kiai is used to focus your energy (expression of our own energy: internal strength), improves your ability to focus by pushing everything else out of your mind, give a little more force into whatever you're doing,gets your adrenaline going and release stress. It really works!
Phyisically it teaches students the correct breathing technique, while it is body protection by releasing air & tightening the muscles.

That's is why you see tennisplayers and powerlifters do it as well for example.

Attention:

1. Don't forget to breathe in deeply before you Kiai..
2. A kiai should come from just below your stomach, not your ribs. This helps you to focus your kiai, its main purpose is focusing your energy
3. Only Kiai when your teacher says that it is allowed.
4. KiaiÕs are only to be used while kicking or punching, never without a brisk movement.

This video is just to show you what the OSU greeting is, and what the KIAI (yell) is, not necessarily we do exactly the same in our classes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxZIlEz1LLk
(I put the video on the facebook page as well)

Just remember what a Kiai is meant for:
It is to boost the power of your strike and to intimidate your opponent, so whenever you use it, take in a deep breath, and punch or kick your opponent and yell.