KARATE
Karate Instuctors
Gus Marsden 3rd Dan Chief Instructor and School Sensei
Dave Hogg 3rd Dan
John Bryant 2nd Dan
Keiko Kawada Clark 1st Dan school secretary
Maureen Nicholson MRSLI BSL/English Interpreter 1st Dan
School Interpreter
KARATE
Karate was developed, over a thousand years ago as a form of unarmed combat, and also as a way to discipline the body in order to improve the spirit. Through conditioning the body and improving speed, strength and coordination, karate can increase one’s alertness and self awareness.
What is Karate?
The origins of karate dates back to the days of the Shao Lin monastery in China. which is also the origin of the modern day Shao Lin Kung Fu. This martial art was imported into Okinawa and blended with the indigenous fighting techniques of the island. When the Lord of Okinawa banned the use of weapons this gave rise to the development of “empty hand” fighting and self defence techniques. This martial art, due to its Chinese origin, was known as Karate written in characters with the literal meaning “Chinese hand”. The modern master of this art, Funakoshi Gichin changed the characters to mean “empty hand” . Funakoshi, however, chose the character for its meaning in Zen Buddhist philosophy: “rendering oneself empty.” To the master , karate was a martial art, but it was also a means of building character. He wrote: “as a mirror’s polished surface reflects whatever stands before it and a quiet valley carries even the smallest sounds, so must a student of karate render his mind empty of selfishness and wickedness in an effort to react appropriately towards anything that he might encounter. This is the meaning of “kara” or “empty” of karate.
The Karate School is affiliated to The Cobra Martial Arts Academy which is a national supporting body dedicated to the advancement and promotion of Martial Arts under the direction of Andy Morrell 6th Dan.
Through the CMAA we are affiliated to the Martial Arts Standards Agency (MASA) and additionaly the National Self Defence Federation (SDF) the World Karate Association (WKA) The World Elite Black Belt Society (WEBBS)International Alliance of Martial Arts Schools (IAOMAS)and Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu
Gus Marsden is the karate instructor for the school and is currently third Dan karate and first Dan Ju Jitsu
Gus took his first karate class in 1969 and has been hooked on training in the martial arts ever since.
Gus tried many martial arts including such styles as Judo, Kung Fu, and Boxing (Western and Thai) before settling on Shotokan Karate. He says "the first time I walked into a Shotokan karate class I was blown away by the sheer power of the techniques, the grace and balance of movement and the unstoppable drive of even the most basic movements".
Gus began training with local instructors, then through such instructors as Steve Cattle and John Errington, was able to access training with instructors of the highest rank, eventually training with the most senior Japanese instructors such as sensei’s Enoida, Ohta, Tanaka, Yahara, Asano, Kanazawa, Shirai, and Kawazoe.
Training has been a lifelong passion with Gus and has never left him, his love and enthusiasm for the martial arts has been constant throughout his life and is stronger now than ever before.
Having worked for many years as a professional bodyguard, his training in the martial arts has been very much an essential part of his daily life. Gus has also been a lifelong doorman having worked in the most of the Major cities of this country and several European cities too.
Again Gus says "Doing the doors lets you know very quickly what works in real life situations and what doesn’t" so his self defence and close protection bodyguard courses are second to none.
One student who has trained with Gus since he was very young said I have felt many feelings and emotions over the years training with Sensei Gus such as excitement, enjoyment, fear and trepidation, exhaustion, but never disappointment.
I have trained on many national and international karate courses and my standard has never been less than my peers.
Gus remarried in 2004 to a lifelong friend Karen. when Gus is not working at the Dojo he will normally be found engaged in the second passion of his life, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Cobra Martial Arts Academy.
Gus is a qualified insructor with the CMAA. A national referee for kata. And a member of the Black Belt grading examination board.
University of Central Lancashire
Gus is employed by UCLAN as a sports coach and instructor to the UCLAN Karate club
Virgin Active Preston
Gus runs a childrens karate class at the Virgin Active Gym every wednesday evening 6pm to 7pm
Lancashire Education
Shudokan run classes for children in schools as part of the school cariculum, and as an additional after school activity in partnership with the Sports Council. Along with his partner Mick, Gus teaches these classes.
Conflict Management Courses
Along with his partner Mick, Gus is an instructor delivering conflict management courses to businesses and local government.
The Master Class Center
Gus is a member of the grading examination board for the Masterclass Center Academy of Martial Arts.
BLACK BELT REGISTER
Gus Marsden 3rd Dan
Dave Hogg 3rd Dan
John Bryant 2nd Dan
James Schofield 2nd Dan
Nathan Storey 2nd Dan
Andy Gaskill 1st Dan
Keiko Kawada Clark 1st Dan
Martin Cronin 1st Dan
Ian Price 1st Dan
Maureen Nicholson 1st Dan
Les Stone 1st Dan
Jack Price 1st Dan
Kirsty McCann 1st Dan
A Black Belt is just a white belt who never quit!
John Bryant is the senior student in the school and now a senior instructor. John is twenty two now having trained with the school since he was seven years old. He is currently studying at the University of Central Lancashire where he is also the Chairman of the famous UCLAN Karate club.
Soke - Head of Style
Shihan - Chief Instructor
Hanshi - Professor
Kyōshi - Assistant Professor
Renshi - Polished Expert
Sensei - Teacher
Yudansha - Black Belt Grade
Mudansha - Coloured Belt Grade
Gus Marsden 3rd Dan Chief Instructor and School Sensei
Dave Hogg 3rd Dan
John Bryant 2nd Dan
Keiko Kawada Clark 1st Dan school secretary
Maureen Nicholson MRSLI BSL/English Interpreter 1st Dan
School Interpreter
KARATE
Karate was developed, over a thousand years ago as a form of unarmed combat, and also as a way to discipline the body in order to improve the spirit. Through conditioning the body and improving speed, strength and coordination, karate can increase one’s alertness and self awareness.
What is Karate?
The origins of karate dates back to the days of the Shao Lin monastery in China. which is also the origin of the modern day Shao Lin Kung Fu. This martial art was imported into Okinawa and blended with the indigenous fighting techniques of the island. When the Lord of Okinawa banned the use of weapons this gave rise to the development of “empty hand” fighting and self defence techniques. This martial art, due to its Chinese origin, was known as Karate written in characters with the literal meaning “Chinese hand”. The modern master of this art, Funakoshi Gichin changed the characters to mean “empty hand” . Funakoshi, however, chose the character for its meaning in Zen Buddhist philosophy: “rendering oneself empty.” To the master , karate was a martial art, but it was also a means of building character. He wrote: “as a mirror’s polished surface reflects whatever stands before it and a quiet valley carries even the smallest sounds, so must a student of karate render his mind empty of selfishness and wickedness in an effort to react appropriately towards anything that he might encounter. This is the meaning of “kara” or “empty” of karate.
The Karate School is affiliated to The Cobra Martial Arts Academy which is a national supporting body dedicated to the advancement and promotion of Martial Arts under the direction of Andy Morrell 6th Dan.
Through the CMAA we are affiliated to the Martial Arts Standards Agency (MASA) and additionaly the National Self Defence Federation (SDF) the World Karate Association (WKA) The World Elite Black Belt Society (WEBBS)International Alliance of Martial Arts Schools (IAOMAS)and Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu
Gus Marsden is the karate instructor for the school and is currently third Dan karate and first Dan Ju Jitsu
Gus took his first karate class in 1969 and has been hooked on training in the martial arts ever since.
Gus tried many martial arts including such styles as Judo, Kung Fu, and Boxing (Western and Thai) before settling on Shotokan Karate. He says "the first time I walked into a Shotokan karate class I was blown away by the sheer power of the techniques, the grace and balance of movement and the unstoppable drive of even the most basic movements".
Gus began training with local instructors, then through such instructors as Steve Cattle and John Errington, was able to access training with instructors of the highest rank, eventually training with the most senior Japanese instructors such as sensei’s Enoida, Ohta, Tanaka, Yahara, Asano, Kanazawa, Shirai, and Kawazoe.
Training has been a lifelong passion with Gus and has never left him, his love and enthusiasm for the martial arts has been constant throughout his life and is stronger now than ever before.
Having worked for many years as a professional bodyguard, his training in the martial arts has been very much an essential part of his daily life. Gus has also been a lifelong doorman having worked in the most of the Major cities of this country and several European cities too.
Again Gus says "Doing the doors lets you know very quickly what works in real life situations and what doesn’t" so his self defence and close protection bodyguard courses are second to none.
One student who has trained with Gus since he was very young said I have felt many feelings and emotions over the years training with Sensei Gus such as excitement, enjoyment, fear and trepidation, exhaustion, but never disappointment.
I have trained on many national and international karate courses and my standard has never been less than my peers.
Gus remarried in 2004 to a lifelong friend Karen. when Gus is not working at the Dojo he will normally be found engaged in the second passion of his life, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Cobra Martial Arts Academy.
Gus is a qualified insructor with the CMAA. A national referee for kata. And a member of the Black Belt grading examination board.
University of Central Lancashire
Gus is employed by UCLAN as a sports coach and instructor to the UCLAN Karate club
Virgin Active Preston
Gus runs a childrens karate class at the Virgin Active Gym every wednesday evening 6pm to 7pm
Lancashire Education
Shudokan run classes for children in schools as part of the school cariculum, and as an additional after school activity in partnership with the Sports Council. Along with his partner Mick, Gus teaches these classes.
Conflict Management Courses
Along with his partner Mick, Gus is an instructor delivering conflict management courses to businesses and local government.
The Master Class Center
Gus is a member of the grading examination board for the Masterclass Center Academy of Martial Arts.
BLACK BELT REGISTER
Gus Marsden 3rd Dan
Dave Hogg 3rd Dan
John Bryant 2nd Dan
James Schofield 2nd Dan
Nathan Storey 2nd Dan
Andy Gaskill 1st Dan
Keiko Kawada Clark 1st Dan
Martin Cronin 1st Dan
Ian Price 1st Dan
Maureen Nicholson 1st Dan
Les Stone 1st Dan
Jack Price 1st Dan
Kirsty McCann 1st Dan
A Black Belt is just a white belt who never quit!
John Bryant is the senior student in the school and now a senior instructor. John is twenty two now having trained with the school since he was seven years old. He is currently studying at the University of Central Lancashire where he is also the Chairman of the famous UCLAN Karate club.
Soke - Head of Style
Shihan - Chief Instructor
Hanshi - Professor
Kyōshi - Assistant Professor
Renshi - Polished Expert
Sensei - Teacher
Yudansha - Black Belt Grade
Mudansha - Coloured Belt Grade