On May 9, 2001 Sensei Simon Oliver arrived on the sunny shores of British Columbia, Canada, and little did we know what was in store for us.
Our only previous knowledge of Sensei Oliver was that of an 'Oyo' and 'Kobudo' specialist, and not too much more. Although the west coast of Canada is rich and very proficient in many styles of karate, every once in a while it's always good to have a different point of view.
We were about to find out something about karate that was not only truly devastating to our bodies, but more importantly... our minds!
In a rushed tour of all the best spots that Vancouver has to offer, Sensei Oliver managed to visit four Shotokan dojos during his short stay. During that stay, members of the karate community in the Lower Mainland arduously punched, kicked and threw each other through their paces, until they had finally reached the second move of Heian Shodan. After the initial shock (some demonstrations of effectiveness that would simply blow you away) most people agreed that the typical kata applications via book, video, fellow karate-ka was simply no comparison to the combination, mindset and simplicity of Sensei Oliver's delivery. Of course, none of the seminars would have been as successful as they were without a heavy dose of Nottingham humour. If I learned one thing during my time in Japan, it was to relax.
Sensei Oliver also seems to prefer this style in class. He encouraged us to relax in a variety of ways; humour, pain / compliance, humour and again, pain / compliance. Sensei mentioned he happened on this style of teaching mostly in Okinawan dojo. I can't imagine exactly what everyone would be smiling about, but I'm not so sure I'd want to know that badly.
This style of teaching I have always found to be quite effective, but it has been a very long time since I experienced it in a way I can only describe as `exhilarating'. When I wasn't picking myself up off the floor, I also managed to hear some of Sensei's study of the history of karate-do; its changing name, forms, teaching methods and influences on tradition and how it affects us and what we practise in the dojo today.
Information, that IS out there but usually skimmed over, perhaps through lack of knowledge on the instructors part or maybe the sport orientated student does not feel is applicable, was in abundance. Quite refreshing.
It was mentioned during the seminars that the Oyo is history making Funakoshi's "One kata, three years", suddenly very relevant. Either way, if the past is the key to the future, then I am confident knowing that there is something for me long after my sport karate career.
To conclude, I would on behalf of Don Sharp, Larry Fulton, Harry Sidhu and Bibsan Budo Equipment like to thank Sensei Simon Oliver for giving us an all be it brief insight into the world of Oyo. We look forward to seeing you here again very soon indeed.