December 31, 2014

Message

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015


We wish you health, happiness and success in the year ahead.

Gassho

The members of Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch, Canada.

December 22, 2014

2014 Closing Ceremony

Tony & Kevin
Our members gathered on the evening of December 22 for our 2014 Closing Ceremony (marks the final practice of the year).

Rafael & Maxim
The format was as follows:
  • Kihon (basics)
  • Demonstrations of technique/embu
  • Chinkon-gyo
  • Lecture (milestones from 2014 and aspirations for 2015)
  • Close
Christian & Daryl
John & Tal
 The lecture included
  • the grading successes of Toronto Branch kenshi during 2014
  • our record Kickathon raise for the CAMH Foundation
  • J. McCulloch's 20th anniversary as Toronto Branch Master
  • Max's attendance at the 2014 Cornell Camp
  • many visitors from Japan (Yurika - Hombu, Sayako - Tokai U., Hikari - Hyogo, Takuya - Osaka, Ayano - Aichi via Vancouver & Takeshi - Nihon U. via Vancouver) 
  • our plans for future study opporunities in 2015

    Isabel & Yayoi
We hope you enjoy the photos taken from our event.

Hikari & Yan

Gassho



December 05, 2014

Grading success!


Left: Kevin (2nd dan), Right: Tony (Chukenshi, 3rd dan)

We are pleased to report the success of Toronto kenshi in recent examinations.
  • Tony Tan passed the exam for Chukenshi, 3rd dan on December 1, 2014.
  • Kevin Legault passed the exam for 2nd dan on November 30, 2014.
We wish to thank Louie sensei and Fontaine sensei for their help with these examinations.

Gassho

November 05, 2014

My time at Toronto Branch - Yurika Ota

With Yurika just before her return to Japan
From May to October 2014 we were very fortunate to have Yurika Ota train with us at our branch.

Yurika is a graduate of the Zenrin Gakuen (Shorinji Kempo Academy) at Hombu and is the daughter of Ota sensei (JR Shikoku Branch) who had visited our dojo 8 years ago.

Yurika was an extremely popular member at our branch due to her kind nature and wonderful sense of humor.  The fact that she was able to get us great meals with wonderful service at Ramen Isshin was a bonus!

Yurika in action - uwa uke geri
 After she returned to Japan, Yurika sent us this message:

"I was a bit nervous about joining Toronto Branch since I hadn't practiced for a long, long time and had forgotten almost everything. Despite my shyness, the members of Toronto Branch practiced with me and in a very friendly and kind way.

I liked going Dojo to train with everyone, making friendships and enjoying conversation together. It was a precious time for me, but not long enough!
 

I'd like to thank the Toronto Branch members for welcoming me. I miss you already and hope we can meet again in Toronto or in Japan.

Gassho,

Yurika Ota"

Yurika - everyone at Toronto Branch misses you and hopes to see you again soon! 

September 30, 2014

My time at Toronto Branch - Takuya Shimakura

Takuya Shimakura (3rd dan) at Toronto Branch (front row, 3rd from right)
We were fortunate to have Mr. Takuya Shimakura (3rd dan) from the Osaka region train with us throughout September 2014.  We all greatly enjoyed having him spend time with us.

Following his visit he sent us this kind note:

Gassho,

I had great time in Toronto Branch.


It is very interesting for me to practice in abroad. At first, I was little nervous. But this feeling has faded away soon because Toronto Branch's people are very kind and sociable.


And I could improve not only my Shorinji Kempo skill but also English skill. I'm going to extend this knowledge around the world in the future.


I really appreciate your favor. I never forget you. If I had opportunity to visit Toronto again, I'll never fail to go Toronto Branch.


Thank you very much.

PS. Finally I could see Aurora in Whitehorse!!

Kesshu

Takuya Shimakura
Kwansei Gakuin University
Koshien Shibu

Grading success!

L to R: Rafael (6th kyu), Daryl (4th kyu), Yayoi (6th kyu) & Max (5th kyu)
Toronto kenshi have been successful in recent kyu examinations:
  • Daryl passed his 4th kyu exam on September 22, 2014.
  • Max passed his 5th kyu exam on September 22, 2014.
  • Yayaoi and Rafael passed their 6th kyu exams on September 17, 2014.
Well done and keep training hard for the next level!

Gassho



August 21, 2014

Tokai University Reunion - Sayako Takahashi

With Sayako Takahashi (3rd from right, front row)


On August 21 we were fortunate to have a visit from Ms. Sayako Takahashi (3rd dan) of Tokai University Branch in Kanagawa, Japan.  It was especially good to see her since Toronto branch master John McCulloch was a student at Tokai University in 1985 and trained in the same dojo under the same teacher (Hiate sensei, 8th dan).

We were very impressed by Sayako's sharp and accurate technique. Indeed, she previously earned first place at the Tokyo Taikai - a great achievement.

Sayako was kind enough to share some comments on her visit to Toronto Branch:

"I joined Toronto Branch on August 21st. I practiced with the members and could experience the strength and power of the people. I was surprised "Chin-kon-gyou" was in English while other parts of the class used Japanese commands.

It was a great time. I want to visit to Toronto again sometime..."
Sayako - we'd love to have you back any time!
Gassho

June 04, 2014

19th Annual Kickathon for CAMH Raises a Record Amount!

19th Annual Kickathon in progress

On May 28, 2014 the members of Toronto Branch held their 19th Annual Shorinji Kempo Charity Kickathon on behalf of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

We survived!

Thanks to our many generous sponsors we were able to raise $10,175 - a new record amount.

The final amount!

The funds raised will be used by CAMH to advance their life-saving work in the field of drug addiction. Since our event began in 1996 we have raised a total of $120,890 for this cause.



We wish to express our deep gratitude to everyone who supported our event and made it such a success.

Read more at the CAMH Foundation website.

Gassho

March 12, 2014

Childrens' Workshop at Orde Street Junior School

The Toronto Branch Workshop Team prior to the event (note: we were unable to photograph the event itself)


Following a request from the Camp organizer, on March 10 seven members of Toronto Branch volunteered their time to provide two "Introduction to Shorinji Kempo" workshops to children at the Orde St Junior School March Break Camp.

Children of Grades 1-3 participated in Workshop 1 while children in Grades 3-6 took part in Workshop 2.

Our goal with both workshops was to make sure the students had fun, learned basic Shorinji Kempo movements in a safe way and left with a desire to know more about what we do.

Our workshop delegation was lead by Tal Schaeffer (Assistant Branch Master).  All team members played an important role in teaching, demonstrating and partnering with the students hands-on.  However, Yan Montgomery's skills as a junior school teacher were especially valuable in keeping the students excited, entertained and engaged.

Some of the basic ideas we covered (often in the form of a game) were gassho rei, footwork with happomoku, kamae, making uwa uke against shuto uchi and using kagite shuho to become super strong! Each workshop concluded with a demonstration of Shorinji Kempo techniques done "full on."

The team members are to be highly commended in providing such fun experiences for the Camp students and for selflessly taking time off work to volunteer their services in this way.

We received the following message after the event from the Orde staff:

"Orde Daycare totally appreciates that the Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch members took their vacation time to come over to our school and provide the workshop for our March break program.

First of all, we also would like to apologize for no photo taken due to miscommunication and confusion for this workshop...

Over the years our Daycare has had various Martial arts group visit our children as special added guests to our March break, Summer, and P.A.day programs; however, none have been more MEMORABLE, INTERESTING, and EDUCATIONAL at the same time than the group representing "Shorinji kempo."

The group of 5 adults and 2 children came to do a presentation that was very educational. They taught us the history, and the differences between other martial arts, and how to do which allowed the children to get involved. 

The 2 hours session left a lasting impact on the children for many days after. It was a pleasure to have them share their knowledge and talent!

We definitely would like to have you back in our summer program as a special guest again.
Please come back for our children!!

Arigato gozai mashi ta

Orde Daycare"


Gassho







February 28, 2014

Grading success!

Maxim, Jesmar and Daryl

Three Toronto Branch kenshi have been successful in recent kyu examinations.


On Monday February 24 Jesmar and Daryl passed their 5th kyu exam and on Wednesday February 26 Maxim passed his 6th kyu exam.

Congratulations!

Gassho