Gkr Karate

For those of you don't know already, sensei John Marsh has been running a GKR stall at the Harpur Centre in Bedford for the last 3 days. I was there on Thursday with Sensei Daniel, and John has had support from others on Friday and today. I dropped by the Harpur centre, about an hour ago and the figures suggest that John has done a brilliant job in recruiting new students for the Bedford area. I hope you will all join me in thanking John for the work he has put into recruiting over the last few days.

Hi. Just a reminder to my Bedford students that there is a GKR stall at The Harpur Centre all day today, Friday and Saturday. If you get a chance wander by and say hello.

Slightly smaller class tonight with the Easter holiday. But that was ok as it meant that I could focus on the senior students to give them a boost on their journey to the next level.
Focussed mainly on stances, kicks and Kata. Good effort by all, and good progress on Kata. Thanks to Taresh and Kristian for helping Lyra with first Kata, when I was working with the other group.
Reminder that we should be a prepayment class only, and new class sheets for next week will not have... section for cash fee payments. For prepayment details see www.gkrkarate/shop
There will be an Easter themed class next week, so feel free to add to your costume for the occasion. But make sure you can train in whatever you wear.
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Good turnout at Bedford North tonight. Had a good workout with 30 minutes of basic strikes, kicks , blocks and combinations. Then finished off with Kata and Kumite.
Good to see Kuba and Marika back this week and enjoying their extended trial.
Every 3 months I do a prize for best attendance, and for the first 3 month I had joint winners. So well done Ethan and Amy, keep up the good work.
... Also, this Saturday I will be teaching the Bedford South class, with help from Sensei Zara. So if any of my students want to pick up an extra class they will be most welcome. Jubilation centre, Jubilation Park, 10.30 to 12.00
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Good turn out on Wednesday again. Well done to all attending. Focus was on white belt through to orange belt as I have a couple of students coming up for assessment. So had basics with kick shield and focus mitts, kata, with kata based applications to finish off
I have a few people who are still paying cash for fees. You should now all be using pre-payment methods. If you are having difficulties with the transfer to a cashless payment then call me, text me, mail me, or talk t...o me at the next class.
Congratulations to Mary on achieving her 9th kyu, and also to Amy who earned her 4th sticker chart sticker, earning her a sticker chart treat.
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Good turnout tonight. Thanks to all for attending. Basic combinations for the seniors in preparation for next month's grading. Keeping an open mind for a few students. Grading and competition kata for the seniors.
For everyone else it was basics with focus mitts and kick shields, followed by noodle kumite. Finally congratulations to Lyra on achieving her 9th kyu tonight. Well done Lyra.

Hi. Just a short note for my Bedford North students, as some of you have asked about other classes in the area. I will be assisting at the Monday class in Kempston transfiguration church his week, and you will be most welcome if you want to sample a different class.

Great to see a few students returning after a short break. I'm looking forward to helping them get to the next level. Also 3 new students since the new year began. Big thank you to the full time team for sending me 2 new students, with the other student from some local marketing on my part.
Still have a couple of students who are paying cash. You have had a couple of weeks grace to sort this out but it needs to be addressed soon.
... So pleased that Ethan achieved his orange belt at the weekend. Although Ethan struggled with some parts of the kata, he kept attending and kept trying until he was ready. Its that determination and perseverance that is exactly what karate is all about. In the time that I have known Ethan he has gone from white belt to yellow belt to orange belt and role model for those students who follow in his footsteps.
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Congratulations to Ethan on achieving his orange belt today. Well done. I would also like to thank Amy for helping Ethan with his kata last week. Also welcome to Myah who joined the class on Wednesday.

Just confirming that 3 February was the last day for accepting fees as cash. All students should be using direct debit or prepayment stickers. Have been reminding you all since end of last year, so everyone is aware that this was going to happen.
If you have made arrangements but your stickers have not come through yet you can pay cash this week and I will chase.
If you have not made arrangements then you can pay cash this week, but I need a commitment from you that you will ...make the necessary arrangements.
I want to talk about karate and student achievements from now on, so let's make this the last week that I have to talk about fees.
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First karate session of 2019 had a great start with 2 new students Mary and Lyra, and one returning student. Thank you also to Taresh and Amy for helping Mary and Lyra with the defence applications. Next week is goal setting week. I will help you to set targets to get to your next belt in 2019. Some student are almost there, some need a little more time, but the important things are to make progress and have fun.

Bedford North first class of the year is Next Wednesday, on the 9th, starting at 6.30pm. Well done to all of my students on their achievements in 2018. You achieved so much. Now let's do even more in 2019?
In the run up to Christmas some if my student attendances dropped off due to festive activities. I also have a couple of student who have been missing for a while. Well thats Christmas out of the way, and 2019 is a new year and a fresh start. I am looking forward to welcoming you all back to the class so you can step up to the next grade level.

Last class of the year is 19 December ( Next Wednesday). Although we had our Christmas session this week there may be some treats still to win. First class of 2019 is 9 January.

We had our Christmas karate session on Wednesday. Started off with a twelve days of Christmas rendition from their tone deaf can't hold a note Sensei. There were good backing singers for the chorus though. Followed by karate based relays races with paper punching, star jumps etc. Then an impromptu synchronised team Kata competition to finish. Thanks to the students who arrived for the occasion with tinsel and pullovers that lit up and played tunes.

Christmas themed karate night this Wednesday. Dress up if you want to but wear clothes you can train in. All gkr students welcome.