Twice a year many of our members attend Special Training - an intensive weekend of Karate and an opportunity to develop our spirit.

2003 Winter Special Training Group Photo (100k) 

Berkeley (100k) had a very strong showing at Stanford Winter Special Training in 2003.

Sleep (90k) at Winter Special Training '03 was plentiful, comfortable and rejuvinating. Note Spergon Hunt demonstrating the Shotokan value of being ready for anything at any time!

2002 Summer Special Training (140k)  in Santa Barbara.

In this photo from the 2002 Santa Barbara Special Training, two of our senior members show their spirit in an intense jyu kumite (11k)  match.

There are a number of dojos in the Bay area and many of their members attended (115k) special training.

Godan Daniel Chemla led an wonderful Oizuki clinic in December. This was a great opportunity for senior members to spend a concentrated amount of time on this most important aspect of our training. In this group photo (53k) Daniel is seated 4th from the right next to Godan Jim Sagawa to his right.

Some of our dojo members (56k)  after a Saturday afternoon class.

Oportunities for one on one instruction (23k) is often taken advantage of. Here, one of the senior students (r.) is given pointers on kata by instructor Yann Chemla (l.).

Kata are the traditional forms of Karate that we practice regularly. Heian Godan (19k) contains a dramatic leap. Heian Shodan (20k)  emphasises a quick, solid front punch.

Part of our training is kumite (25k) (sparring). An important aspect of kumite is "getting in" (21k) so that a devistating blow can be delivered.

Shotokan emphasises realistic and controlled (21k) practice of kumite so that the participants can learn effective technique without incurring serious injury.

There are various forms of kumite, from ipon kumite (22k)  where the attacker, method of attack and counter attack are proscribed, to jyu kumite (20k)  where the action is much more free-flow.

Serious basic practice (27k)  and great spirit (28k)  are often rewarded after a tough class with BEER! (35k) .