Greetings

Congratulations

Congratulations to All Members who have successfully upgraded in the recent grading exercise!

Karate-do is a life-path, you have already advanced one step ahead, keep it up and continue to search for the truth of this art in the future.

Cross Training

In modern sport training, cross training usually would benefit the athletes more. Firstly, it would break the monotony of training sequence; secondly, it also help to train groups of muscle that were hard used in the primary sporting activity.

Therefore, a coach has no harm in acquiring some other sport coaching experience to enhance his own coaching level. Based on this perspective, I have gone through the Tchoukball C license coaching course and obtained the qualification of Tchouckbal C license.

Niseishi

This is one of the katas, that our senior members will be practicing during the Black belt Session.

Esther received the Appreciation Gold Award 2008

Esther Tan, our member has second time received the Gold Award during this year's Appreciation Night at Tanglin CC, on 29th November 2008 for her outstanding performance during the year of 2008.

We are proud of her dedication and commitment to the CC as well as to Ken Shin Kai.

Calling ALL Senior Citizens

There are lots of misconception between old age and exercise. Very often, people do not link these two together. They would think as you grow old, you should gradually retired from all forms of exercise. It is not true at all.

Sport Science has given lots of evidence to show that if one would want to have better quality of life, he should continue with his exercise.

The following fact sheet is extract from WHO Guidelines (1997), that would illustrate my points:


With all these benefits from exercise, I really see no reason people do not exercise. Therefore, get yourself up from the crouch, and start exercise, friends.

This is a clip taken recently while the blackbelters were performing their Shiho Koshokun in the senior class session.

KSK has allocated an hour weekly, specially cater for senior members to practice, as we do understand that seniors' physiological conditions may not be the same as the younger trainees, furthermore, the seniors should be a more detailed and in depth understanding of the art through their own training program.

The Master

I found this black and white photo in my old album. I believed this was taken at least 40 years ago in Singapore. It was a gathering with Master Nakayama of Shotokan. He was positioned on the fifth position at the back row. I was on the extreme right on the back row. Beside Master Nakayama was Ishikawa, the then Chief Instructor of Shitoryu. Followed by Shihan Wong Tuang Seng, the present Chief Instructor of Shitoryu Karate Association. At the front row, second from the right was Buey Oh Lam, one of the top kumite fighters at that time in Singapore. The other top fighter Loh Kok Wing, I believed was standing behind Master Nakayama on his right. (May be my memory is not accurate!)

In those years, Singapore Karatekas really made other nation's athletes raised their eye brows. Those were the years that would not be repeated easily nowaday. We did not have proper training program, I mean scientifically. But all we had was our passion and the will to make Singapore Flag flying high.



This is one of the books published by M. Nakayama.

Tanglin CC Appreciation Night 2008

Notice of Grading

Important Notice

The CC has been informed of this arrangement. Training on these two dates will be as usual. Blackbelts' sessions will be ceased on these two days, but will resume on 12th October 2008 at 5pm.

Kihon Kata for Beginners

For the benefits of the newly joined white belters, who are in their 9 kyu ranking; the children group will be learning the Kihon Kata Dai Ichi Dosa in Moto Dachi, the adult will be learning Kihon Kata Dai Ni Dosa in Neiko Ashi Dachi.

As most of the beginners are first time exposed to karate kata (or form / pattern), they may have certain difficulties in grasping the movement and sequence of the kata.

We upload two of these katas for all beginners as to provide them some guides as well as self discovery learning process. We hope these clips would help them in the learning.



Kata for Kids in White belt stage




Kata for Adult White belters

Notice for 21 Sep 2008

Please be informed that there will not be any Black Belt Session on 21 September 2008 at 5 pm. This is due to KSK is holding its Management Committee Meeting. Both coaches will be attending this meeting.

Normal class will be conducted at 6pm to 7.30pm on the same day. Your attendance is appreciated.

By Chief Coach
Shihan Chia

Another Harvest

Another harvest

Today, our member Esther Tan participated in Sports Master Karatedo Open Championships, and won a Gold Medal for herself in Ladies Kata Open Event. We are very proud of her, as she defeated all her opponents with 3 to 0 scores. These are solid victory in her performance.

Her rewards for today is not by chance or luck. She has spent lots of time to train up her physically conditions, as well as to polish up her kata techniques. She is dedicate to her commitment and willing to sacrifice her time for it.

We are very proud of her performance.

Esther performing during her Gold Medal bout.

Fair Play in sports

Yesterday, I communicated with a young friend through MSN, he brought up the issue of 'Fair Play'. As he is an organizer in a sporting event, he is a bit worry about this matter. I told him that he need to talk to all of the officials involve in the event, that they should based on Olympic Spirit and Fair Play principle to carry out their duties, so that the participants won't waste their training efforts and enjoy the game.

By the way, what is fair play?
According to Canadian Centre of Ethic of Sports: The notion of Fair Play is a universally understood concept, which underpins all of sport. Without fairness, sport is devoid of any meaning or purpose. Worse still, it can be a detrimental experience for its participants.

But Fair Play is also a philosophy - one of respect for others, and respect for the institution of sport. It leads to an agreement, between all of those involved in sport, on the values and lessons that we want sport to teach our children, and ourselves.

Playing fair also has to do with making choices. As we interact with each other in sport, or as spectators of sport, we must regularly consider and define what we think is right and what is not. Sport engages us in a collective effort to pursue human excellence. As our children interact with each other in sport, their ability to make good choices about fair play issues matures along with their ability to think and learn about what makes for a rewarding and fulfilling life in society (Extracted from http://www.cces.ca/forms/index.cfm?dsp=template&act=view3&template_id=122&lang=e).

Of course, in my experience, I have heard people who are referees in the games, loudly announced that the greatest and most powerful person in the arena is the officials conducting the games. People with such attitude is merely unqualified to be in the arena, as he has disrespect the hard work and sporting spirit of the athletes. He is abusing his given authority and tarnishing the Sport Spirit of the game.

In the Beijing Olympics, there was an incident that an athlete whacked the referee at the end of his bout, he reason was the referee was unfair!

See, Fair Play really could damage a game, but the cause is not the game, it is the HUMAN!

Instructor or coach

There is a different in between coaching and giving instructions. In my early life of teaching karatedo, I used to be an instructor but not a proper coach.

After attended Singapore Sport Council's NROC courses and my own self development, I understand that we should be a coach rather an instructor.

Coaching, in effect, not only teaching techiques of the martial art; but it should also include areas such as physiological conditions, biomechanics, psychology and nutritions. Of course, safety precautions must be one of the important factor the coaches should have. As trainees could fall sick or uncomfortable situation at times; proper help should be provided at the shortest tme.

As Sport Science already developed in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, lots of scienctific researches were published. Some of the routine warming up exercises, in fact, are not practical and may cost damages to the body. One of the examples, is the stomach exercise (sit up), if it is done with the wrong posture, then in time to come, would cause low back injuries.

As a coach, he must have all rounded basic knowledge and provide a more safe and pleasant tranining experience to the trainees.

This is my two cent worth of opinion, you are entitled to yours.

Reverse cresent kick and roundhouse kick

This is a very difficult kick and its combination on application. To perform this skill, you need to have good flexibility on your knee and hip joint.

Please do not practice it, if you do not have a coach to guide you.

Cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrest, in simple term is heart attack. These days, many athletes or youths suffered cardiac arrest during daily activities or during sporting events. People always feel unbelievable how could a healthy man suddenly dropped dead. Many do not understand that someone muscular does not mean he or she is healthy. Strengthening muscle systems and strengthening heart condition are entirely two different issues. With proper guidance and supervision, progressive aerobic training could improve one's heart condition.

Consuming junk food, alcohol and other toxic substances would impair the ability of the heart function. Stay regular exercise schedule would be a good way to keep your heart strong and healthy.

What if someone from your love ones suddenly gets a cardiac arrest? If immediate help is not given fast, he or she may lost their live while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. The follow clip from YouTube may give you some ideas to handle it when the circumstance arises. If you are really interested in CPR and the use of AED, you may sign up the First Aid Course organized by some local agency such as St. John Ambulance Service, Red Cross Society or other established First Aid agencies.

Learn the CPR and AED skill, one day, YOU may need IT!

Deadlift

The deadlift is a weight training exercise used to develop overall strength and power. The exercise is extremely useful, if you do not have good core muscle strength, or leg strength.

The following information is related to this exercise for your information and knowledge. One word of caution, if you have not tried this, you need to start with light weight, it should be more ideal if you could get a physical trainer to coach you!

Muscles Worked
The Deadlift is a compound exercise targeting several muscle groups including the latissimus dorsi, trapezius, erector spinae, gluteals, hamstrings, quadriceps, and psoas (hip flexors). Your forearm muscles, which are involved in gripping the bar, are used to a lesser degree, as well as muscles involved in trunk stabilization such as your obliques.

Benefits
The Deadlift has many benefits. As a compound exercise, the movement spans three joints with extension occurring at the hip, knee, and ankle joints, thus utilizing several large muscle groups.(2) When compared to isolation exercises, compound movements that involve larger muscle groups elicit a hormonal training response that results in greater strength gains.(1) The dynamics of the lift itself may also lead to greater gains in hypertrophy. (1)
The Deadlift also has possible rehabilitation benefits. It has been hypothesized that the moderate to high hamstring activity elicited during the Deadlift may help to protect the Anterior Cruciate Ligament during rehab.(2)
The movement of the Deadlift translates well into real life as it mimics bending and lifting. Anyone who has a toddler is quite familiar with the motion of the lift already.

Points to Remember

• your torso should be straight throughout the movement
• at no portion of the lift should your back be rounded
• keep the bar as close to the shins as possible throughout
• feet should always be flat on the floor, pushing from the heel
• exhale through the sticking point of the concentric movement and inhale through the eccentric phase
• do not jerk the movement, it should be smooth throughout
• if your knees are moving laterally from side to side, reduce the amount of weight
• because of the many muscles involved in the lift, the Deadlift may require more rest between sets than normal

As in all exercises, the Deadlift is not for everyone. If you are working with a client with special needs such as lower lumbar injuries or any other joint injuries, it is important to get there doctor’s or chiropractor’s release before adding this lift to their regime.

The Deadlift itself has many variations. You can use barbells for lighter weights or use a limited range of motion if the situation calls for it. There are also specialized bars that some people find more comfortable such as the Combo Bar or Trap Bar.
Because of the wide range of muscles the Deadlift targets, some people use it as a warm-up lift before their workout. In whatever form you use, the Deadlift should play an important role in your training program.

Extracted from http://www.protraineronline.com/past/nov15/deadlift.cfm

2008 Grading Certificate Presentation 2

KSK held a grading exercise recently, most juniors graded went through the grading without much problems.

The following recipients are part of the participants of the said grading. Today is the day after National Day, there are people who are still in their holiday mood, or they are still on the way back to Singapore, therefore, some members are not available at today's presentation.

neck exercise

I found this clip on YouTube on neck exercise. You need to use your own discretion whether to use the exercises list in the clip. On the hold, they are quite physiological sound. Notice the demo person does not use rotating movement on neck exercise? If you are interested, find out why rotating movement is not good for the neck structure?



Hope you enjoy the clip.

**Please note that you are solely responsible for practicing these exercise.

Black belt Session

To ALL Black Belters,
Kindly note that the Black Belt Sessions will resume from this Sunday (10th August 2008), there after it would be on every Sunday, same time same venue; unless further notice given.

As Black Belt Sessions are specially catered for seniors, therefore, all blackbelters are strongly encouraged to attend the sessions.

Important Announcement

Urgent and Important Notice

Dear Members of Tanglin CC,

The near module will commence on 11 August 2008. Starting from this module, the training sessions will only be conducted once a week. It would be only on Sundays, from 6 pm to 7.30pm. This is due to the high transport expenses and efficiency, as Thursday sessions have less than 10 members attendance.

Tanglin CC officials also inform us to remind all karate members signing up at CC, they should pay their training fees on modular system, and payment should be made before the new module starts. The latest payment date should be on the day the of the new module starting date. This is complied with the existing members.

Your cooperation is highly appreciated.

USA TKD Elite Coahing Team

The Elite Sports Clinic

Today, I attended a clinic organized by Singapore Sports Council and conducted by the USA Elite Taekwondo Coaching Team. One of the speaker was USA most experience elite coach, Jean Lopez. There were two speakers in the clinic. The other speaker I could not managed to get his name.

Both of them shared their experiences with the local coaches at present. One key point they stressed on good coaching is to place the athletes at the first priority, and not the coaches; these include welfare, rewards and other relevant issues. They also mentioned that the athletes' well-being is one of the main responsibilities for the coaches. Coaches should not only look for attaining medals in championships on the expense of athlete's well-being. In the perspectives of 'Success', they agreed that athlete's success is not only confined at Medal prospect, there are other areas to look into too, such as their own fulfillment, enjoyment, etc.

Another point they strike me was: Enjoyment. If coaches could add in some training elements that would increase the degrees of enjoyment for the athlete during the training, then the drop out rate would be greatly reduced.

Finally, they also said that coaches shall keep up with the latest knowledge of Sports, these include: sports physiology, sport psychology, biomechanics, nutrition, etc.

The clinic was very fruitful and rewarding.

Elite Coach,Jean Lopez (Above)

Another Elite Coach (Which I did not manage to get his name, my apology)

New Management Committee 2008

THE NEW TEAM

KSK has successfully conducted its 2008 AGM on 30th July 2008, at Tanglin Community Club, 7.40pm.
The AGM procedures included President's Opening Speech, Secretary Annual Report and Treasurer's Annual Statement of Accounts for the year 2007.

The AGM also re-elected 2 key posts, that are Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer; and elected 3 Committee members.

The New Line-up of the Management Committee for year 2008 to 2009 is as follows:
President: Leck Chye Chuah

Vice President: (Vacant)

Hon. Secretary: Chia Kwek Fah

Hon. Treasurer: Tey Song Liew

Committee Members:
Jackie Ng Siew Leng
Mark Abisheganaden
Roland Teo
Jason Chua Boon Teck
Ricky Ng Seng Joo
Lim Ming Fang
Lim Boon Keong

Hon. Legal Advisors:
Mr. Christopher Yap

The new MC would like to place their thanks to the following members for their service provided to the Club in the year of 2007; they are: Ice Bai, Judy Tan and Victor Tan.

A hand knife strike at slow motion

Very often, once I said I practice karate, people will show me the 'Chop chop' sign. This is the misconception of karate-do. I have been practicing this form of martial art for more than forty years, but I hardly use this 'Chop chop' movement on subject nor person. Reason is very simple, I take up the art to build my physical and mental 'Me'; not to use the art to hurt people or to 'Show off'.

But I do see lots of people using this technique on stage and reinforce the concept of 'Karate'.

Are the chopping movement really using the blade or edge of the palm while executing? I found this slow motion clip on YouTube. It may provide you the answer. Look extremely careful at the moment of the 'hand knife' contacting the slab. You should see how the edge of the palm turns and part of the wrist follows in to add the force to the slab. Amazing right? So is this a Hand Knife Technique?

Do I stop training when I get my Black Belt qualification?

After almost 45 years, I still remember the morning that I first worn my blackbelt for training, my instructor gave me this statement: You are a blackbelter now, but do remember, this is only the first step you really stepped into the door of Karatedo. There are nine more stages in karate-do, you need to go and achieve them accordingly. From now onwards, you need to seek your knowledge and understanding of the art.

Since then, I became my own coach, my own instructor. I do contact with the seniors and acquire knowledge from them; but the majority of knowledge and techniques were done through research and practices. Finally, this art became parts of my life. It becomes an heritage to me.

These days, when I see some blackbelters once they gotten the qualification, they became complacent, hang their belts and stopped training. These people only show the shallow understanding of this martial art. In fact, knowledge is alway in the form of evolving and developing, once you stopped at a point of time, and refuse to pursue, you would be left behind with all the outdated information. Embracing old and backdated knowledge may not do you any good. Such as the development of Sports Science, it has changed the way of exercising. It has also brought to light that some of the traditional training methods were indeed, causing harm to our body parts.

This leads to another fundamental question: Are we going to do sport and damage our body? As coaches or seniors in the session, we need to think hard on this question.

Should we stop training when we get our blackbelt qualification? Think again, friends.

The Survey Analysis

The Survey

Recently we made a survey by using questionnaires. Members present in the session responded actively in this survey. The results and analysis of this survey is listed below:
There are some Areas of Concern that we need to look into them.

First, the frequency of training. There are 40% of members indicated that they wish to have twice a week of training. We understand their concerns as their objectives in join the session are to improve their physical conditions as well as to learn and practice a martial art.

On the other hand, they also indicated that they would like to keep the $20 per month charges as it is. Our concern here is: Looking at the present inflation rate, is $20 per month charges enough to cover the coaches transports as well as the time and knowledge that they put into the session? In fact, our charge has not been change since 1996 until now. Therefore, we need everybody to give a thought in this issue.

In fact, we are in the process looking into resolving this problem. We will keep members inform in due course. (We are only referring Tanglin Trainees here!)

On another more happy note, we also noticed that members has rated the coach and the quality of training that they have obtained on the high scale. We appreciate the feedback from all members and promise to deliver better service in the future.

KSK own kata movie

KSK First Kata Movie

We upload this kata: Shiho Koshokun for people who are interested in it. This is only a reference, not the absolute movement. Please be reminded that we are not professional videographer, therefore, you may see the performance at certain angle that would distort the movement. Kindly acknowledge us if you are using this clip.

Kata Shiho koshokun

First session of Aikido for Karate blackbelts

First session of the Aikido cross-training for our members was successfully conducted on 6th July 2008. Blackbelters who attended the session reflected that was a good attempt for a karateka to experience other forms of martial art. All of them have given a thumb up for this session. We wish to express our gratitude and thanks to Roland Teo, who initiated this session and volunteered to conduct the session. We also wish to thank his friend, a skill female Aikido exponent to join us and co-coach for the session.

Rick Ng in Action

Two Aikido friends in demo

Learning a new skill

Development of Coach

In the current sport scene, coaches also need to upgrade themselves in terms of coaching knowledge and it related issues. KSK coaches are always being reminded to keep themselves with the latest knowledge in coaching, so that they could provide the best coaching environment and knowledge to the members.

Shihan Chia strongly believes that martial art is an ever evolving art. Therefore, keep an open mind and continuing acquire new knowledge is one of the main tasks in present coaching situation.
Recently, he attended another two day workshop run by Singapore Sport Council and Republic Poly on Communication Skill.

cross training session

Cross Training for Black Belters




Dear Black Belts,

One of our members, Seipai Roland Teo is an expert in Aikido Art. On 6th July 2008, during the Black Belt Session from 5.00pm to 6.00pm, he volunteers to help us in exploring some of the common techniques in Aikido movements.

This is a good opportunities for us to experience how other martial art are performed. You are encouraged to be present and learn some new skills from him. I will be there, but would be slightly late due to my lecture time.

Hope to see everyone there to give him the support. Finally, this is a FREE Coaching Session. Please treasure it.

An Ancient Kata

Attention to all Blackbelters

Shihan Chia will be teaching one of the most long lost kata 'Hakuryu', which has strong influence from the movement of the crane. He will be start coaching this kata on 29th June 2008 from 5.00pm to 6.00pm at Tanglin CC.

If you do not want to miss this opportunity, you ought to be there!

The Untold Benefits of KSK Blackbelters

Ken Shin Kai has been established for more than 10 years in Singapore sports karate arena. As a non-profitable organization, we are here to assist the nation in building a better physical wellness person as well as to cultivate cultured individual in their moral sense.

To illustrate these points, the Chief Coach Shihan Chia Kwek Fah has systematically organized a series of kata sessions of the blackbelters on every Sunday from 5.00pm to 6.00pm at Tanglin CC. He conducted the sessions with the teaching of proper kata moments, bunkais and sometimes even illustrate the history of a particular kata.

As from June 2007 until to date, Shihan Chia has taught the KSK blackbelters the following katas:

1. Shinsei Dai Ni

2. Baksai Sho

3. Jiuroku

4. Shinsei

5. Heiku

6. Gojushiho

7. Chinte

8. Kurunrunfa

All these katas are outside of the grading syllabus, therefore, they are the added values for ALL the Blackbelters who attended the sessions. Most of all, they are all FREE OF CHARGE!

Shihan Chia believes in promoting Sports Karatedo to the general public, especially for people who join Kei Shin Kai. Shihan Chia will be continuing giving free kata sessions for the KSK Blackbelters in the future.

Shihan Chia also planning to give Sports Science Talks to the members of KSK as well as the general public in the near future.

Beside karate training, he also introduced Kubudo trainings to the members with the help of outside coaches, such as Sai Training. He also introduce the latest ball game, that is Tchoukball to the members to have fun with it too.

Trying new Game?

TCHOUK BALL


This is an new game, which is non-contact, no injury and fun game. We intend to arrange for a fun session for our members to try this game. The game is played on a 15 minutes set, with 7 person a side. But if the people is not enough, 5 a side will do too.

Kindly enroll yourself here is you are interested. We will arrange a coach and book the hall for the play.

We need to know the number of people interested then could do the arrangement. Kindly indicate in this post on the 'Comment' window, for us to collate the number of persons who are interested.

Chinte Kata Sessions

Dear Blackbelters, kindly be informed that Shihan Chia will be conducting Chinte Kata in the following weeks. Kindly refer to the above poster for details. You are strongly encourage to attend the sessions.

New item for Sunday Blackbelt Session

Dear Black Belters,

This coming Sunday, beside the katas practices, I intend to give a talk on Coaching in Karate-do. The talk will illustrate the duty of a coach, the expectations from the trainees and the methods of effective coaching. Do come at 5pm sharp, as time is crucial for our session.

We also like to take this opportunity to wish the Team Manager, Mr. Micky Tey and participant Miss Esther Tan a fruitful trip to 2008 Malaysian Inter-school Championships from 15th May 2008 to 17th May 2008 at Kuala Lumpur.

Sai Workshop on 26th April 2008

The Sai Workshop on 26th April 2008 at Tanglin C.C.

The Sai Workshop was successfully organized and conducted on 26th April 2008 at Tanglin C.C. from 2pm to 4.30pm. The key workshop conductor was no other than Shihan Francis Hong from Zen Shin Ren Karate Association. From the evaluation survey forms, we concluded that this workshop was very successful in terms of the delivery of contents, the knowledge and quality of the course conductor, as well as the venue and timing for the workshop. Free tea break and refreshment was provided for all the participants. At the end of the workshop, participation certificates were issued to all participants.

We have friendly clubs that sent members to this workshop too, they were: Singapore Shotokan Karate Association, Zen Shin Ren Karate Association, Seiwa Kai Karate Association and Karatedo Goju-Ryu Singapore.

We registered thanks to ALL the participants and the organizations that they represented, for their keen interest and patience. We also thank all the heads of these organization for giving us these valuable support in this activity.

The Group Photograph of Participants and Officials

Shihan Chia Presenting Participation Certificate to Leck Chye Chuah, the President of K.S.K.

President of KSK, Mr. Leck presenting certificate of Participation to Ricky Ng.

Mr. Leck presenting certificate of participation to our member cum assistant coach, Mr. Micky Tey.

Participants in Action!

The Practice

Chatanyara in Action!

The Action President of KSK.

Concentration with movement.

Observation in learning.

KSK members in action

Our member Boon Kiong in Action!

Our memberEsther, Dr. Mark from KGS and others in the workshop.

The thrust