ThomsonsPier,

Does it not seem strange that you do not know these details on the school history outright? I don't believe that it's necessary to "attempt to illicit the information" it should be there available for new people to know straight away. Until something official comes from the BAMA, I think this thread should stay open.

As mentioned before I have been enjoying the training, but wonder if the high price for an hours lesson is really worth it. For £15 a week I can get around 6 to 8 hours training in a class compared to the 1 hour. I have decided to try out a few free trial lessons with other organizations, if I enjoy a lesson as much for less money it only seems logical to move on to something else.

The cat

I don't think it's unusual that a novice would not know the history of the style they're doing.

I think it's only after a while when you've been training for a bit, that it may or may not become of interest. Not knowing the history of your style doesn't make you a better or worse karateka.

JohnL

[This message has been edited by JohnL (edited 07-26-2004).]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ThomsonsPier:
I have only recently started training in karate with the Bushido school, having studied no martial arts in the past. Thus far, I am enjoying my tuition in the Reading Dojo. I gather from conversations with my sensei that Grandmaster Chusan/Pete Delane has studied in traditional martial arts and will attempt to elicit further information on the club's history when the chance presents itself (if only to quell this thread).

PS to MasterChusan?: As far as I know, there don't seem to be any other respectable (and affordable) MA groups in or around Reading save for those run by the University, which are all a mite unreliable. Sorry. If anyone knows otherwise, please disabuse me of the above notion...[/QUOTE]

Re no respectable and affordable clubs in Reading....may I suggest this is complete nonsense

1. Rivermead Leisure centre has Aikido and TKD for definite, probably other things as well. Bet they charge under £15 a lesson. I browsed the Aikido posters and one can see the history and lineage in brief.
2. There are Wado clubs in Tadley and Burghfield which are worth a look.
3. I am sure there is at least one Shotokan outfit there as I met it's instructor on a squash court last year when I was doing some training.
That's just off the top of my head. A google search reveals many more at least worth a look.

I am glad you enjoy your training, happy that yopu find it worth while and during the course of this thread I've remained unbiased in my opinions in so far as I can. I do however find the "when the GM has the time"approach a little too much.

To Ken Harding,

Sorry about that last post; my searches only stretched to places within walking distance of my house. I'm stuck with anywhere I can get to under my own steam until I get a driving license, and all of the places you mention do look rather good. I probably would have gone with one of them earlier if they were within an hour's walk. And the public transport around here is <i>rubbish</i> after six o' clock.

Hi ken

Agreed

Shotokan, try;

Southern shotokan karate - KUGB

Reading Shotokan Club - JKAE (After the KUGB split)

Reading University - TSKU (Sensei Tanya Page)

And that was from a quick Google search, I'm sure there's more.

JohnL

Here is a website for the Reading University martial arts:
http://www.rdg.ac.uk/martial-arts/

I thought they look quite good!

Kaine26.

Just bringing this thread back to the top of the list.

Still haven't heard a thing!

JohnL

Now you see John, i was prepared to give these people the benefit of the doubt. After all, the students who have posted here claiming to have experienced the training on offer first hand, seemed (on the whole) happy. However, call me cynical, but this deafening silence is starting to smell funny. It could I suppose, be down to an arrogant refusal to "demean" themselves by answering the questions that you have asked. Im not sure which would be worse, thinking about it...

Regds
Mr V

Seems to me that none of the students know anything! Seeing as the lessons are such a high price, is is possible that some kind of scam is going on here? Could it be that they are just getting the same training as everyone else at a high price? And some guy at the top is raking the money in on some sort of percentage he takes from all other instructors lessons? Seems pretty damn arrogant that not a single one of them can make some kind of official response.