Special Evening Course with Takuya Makita

On the evening of Tuesday 19th November, karateka gathered in Nottingham for a special evening course, hosted by JKS England, with JKS Headquarters instructor Takuya Makita 5th Dan.

Makita Sensei is a former All-Japan Kata and Kumite Champions as well as being a former JKS World Champion in Kata and Kumite.

It was the first time Makita Sensei had taught in England since 2004 so this was not to be missed.

The evening comprised of two 1.5 hour courses and participants were treated to the karate of the highest calibre.

The first session began with shoulder and hip exercises to improve 'snap' in everyone's movement and to eliminate any stiffness.  This swiftly moved on to incorporating the feeling into kihon techniques and combinations.  Soon after, the kata Jion was practised in detail and it became obvious that the exercises that preceded the kata were introduced to improve everyone's performance of the kata.  Through the session Makita Sensei demonstrated showing amazing fluidity and power generation through his techniques.

The second session completely focussed on the kata Gojushiho Dai.  The kata was 'chunked' up to smaller parts, then demonstrated by Makita before being performed individually whilst being analysed by others.  Finally the kata was demonstrated in full by Makita Sensei which was superb.  Many experienced karateka on the course commented that Makita Sensei performs this kata better than anyone in the World.  It certainly was a joy to watch.