Lyall Stone Sensei (4th Dan) has trained for decades in the art of karate-do. Through the 1990's he was a senior member of the Japan Karate Association of Canterbury in Christchurch City(affiliated directly to the J.K.A through Shuseki-Shihan Tetsuhiko Asai). His strong backing in JKA Shotokan combined by his "hands on experience" as a security professional certainly form a vast gulf between his teaching and modern sports karate! In his own words he explains "Karate is not a game, it is a martial art of self-protection. Traditional Shotokan kihon, kata and kumite must collectively work together resulting in the ability to finish one's opponents, otherwise it is nothing more than a childish game. This was the bujutsu karate we learned from Asai Sensei and the other J.K.A instructors". Lyall Sensei at the helm of the Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club ensures that karate remains in it traditional form, as bujutsu (an effective MARTIAL ART).
"Unlike the other Shotokan clubs in Christchurch we don't bounce around trying to score points, do gymnastics, or just try to look nice doing kihon and kata. And we are not a babysitting club, we offer real true Shotokan karate, and we are the only one's who do so in the Canterbury region. The standards of Shotokan karate in Christchurch are terrible, so our club exists to provide Cantabrian's with the option of learning the real thing. Those who want to learn Shotokan properly will seek, find and be welcomed. OSS!" - Lyall Stone Sensei.________
Favourite kata: Presently Meikyo-shodan, Meikyo-nidan & Meikyo-sandan. Also Tekki-sandan.
Most important kata: Besides Heian and Tekki for fundamentals, Junro 1-5 and Kibaken 1-5 for kumite.
Favourite techniques: Presently kaiten uraken-uchi, yoko-keage, oi-zuki, gyaku-zuki, shuto-uke, & kani-basami.
Favourite kumite techniques: "Anything that ends the conflict indefinitely..."
Teaching philosophy: "Patience with my students means they will grow at their own pace, and keep good health. However, even though we are in New Zealand, the standard is never lowered from that of the J.K.A and I.J.K.A as set by Asai Shihan".
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Pictures above: (1) Lyall Sensei performing Junro-sandan kata. (2) Demonstrating jodan yoko kekomi in a general class at the Christchurch Honbu Dojo at CPIT. (3) Chief Instructor Lyall Sensei countering resident international instructor Andre Bertel Sensei (6th Dan) with ura-nukite to the carotid artery during advanced practice. And (4) Lyall Sensei performing jiyu kumite with Matthew Body - 1st Dan (not pictured).
