• Line up 1
• Warm up exercises (20 mins)
• Line up 2
• Session 1 (45 mins)
• Break (10 mins)
• Line up 3
• Session 2 (45 mins)
• Final line up & Sieza (ceremonial closing)

The initial line up is the ceremonial start of the training session and students stand in a line facing the senseis. Any important club information is passed to the students at this time (e.g. tournament dates, grading times, special events etc.)

Warm Up

The warm up session plays a vitally important part in the preparation for training. It comprises of a series of stretching and aerobic exercises designed to increase the flexibility of sinews, muscles, and tendons. This is done to reduce the chances of injury during training such as a strain or a pulled muscle.

Session 1

After warm up, the students again line up and are broken down into smaller more workable groups by the team of senseis. Each sensei will then instruct their group of students as designated. Normally the students have to collectively display their proficiency at the techniques they are required to know for their gradings. Often they will be taught new techniques and learn both the English and Japanese name for them.

Kata is also another important part of the syllabus and students will both learn and be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of these.

Session 2

After a short break and refreshment (we also run a tuck shop) the students again line up. Frequently this session will be divided into two groups; those that wish to spar and those that wish to train or learn self-defense techniques.

Sparring

Sparring is a highly active semi-contact style of fighting, where both combatants where protective head, foot and hand guards. Injury is extremely rare due to both the protective gear and the close supervision of an adult instructor. Exhaustion on the other hand is extremely common. Those who spar on a regular basis become quite literally "fighting fit".

Self-defence

Self-defence is also an integral part of the Wado-Ryu syllabus and goes far beyond a simple block. A block will stop one attack only, and an enraged aggressor will quickly launch another limb at you.

In Wado-Ryu you learn how to block, counter and immobilize an attacker using reasonable force with minimal risk to yourself. Attacks covered include punches, kicks, grabs and knifes. A black belt in Wado Ryu must be able to demonstrate more than forty different types of self-defence techniques.

Ju-Jitsu and Weapons

Ju-Jitsu training is also available to students and is closely linked to Wado Ryu by design of Ohtsuka Sensei. This martial art is more focused on evading attacks and immobilizing attackers with wrist, head or leg locks. Leverage is the key and size is no advantage to the attacker since their own mass will be used against them. As the old adage goes, the bigger they are......

Weapons classes cover a range of traditional oriental weapons and are complemented by regular WYSOK workshops working with 3rd and even 4th Dan Sensies.

Currently Hanshin is very proud to have students grading in all of the above categories.

Sieza

This is the final line up and formal close to the training session. The students all acknowledge the instructors with a ceremonial bow who in turn acknowledge them. After a few important words from the head instructor the session is officially over.