Sobukan Dojo

Classes cancelled Australia Day.

Following a student poll, we will cancel classes on Monday 26 January due to the public holiday and extreme heat. See you all on Wednesday!

2025 was a very special year – we witnessed Sei and Dan earn their black belts. We now have 4 black belt instructors with a total of more than 100 years experience in the martial arts! Congratulations gentlemen, you do us very proud.

Grading is next week. It’s too late to learn the syllabus now. How can you make the most of the grading?

I’m going to make a few assumptions here:

1. You’ve attended enough classes. For most people, one belt a year is ambitious. Especially for higher belts.
2. You have a SMART plan and GROW strategy (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, review the white belt syllabus).
3. You’re up to date with fees.

That being the case, let’s look at what you can do this week to prepare.

1. Review the syllabus. Not just the new information, but everything up to your current level. If you are testing for an orange belt, review everything from white and yellow belt syllabuses. In addition to the syllabus overview, there is a webpage with detailed requirements for each colour belt. 
2. Watch the syllabus videos. There are hyperlinks to a range of youtube videos from the syllabus pages of the website.
3. Practice at home. Try using a mirror or recording videos of yourself and comparing to the syllabus videos.
4. Invite another dojo member to practice with you. Help each other.
5. Ask a higher belt for advice if you are stuck. We have a messenger chat for just that.

Remember, you don’t need to be perfect at grading. I’ll observe and mark your progress and provide advice on how you can improve. Some people will receive gradings at the end of the year, others next year. When you are ready, you’ll receive the stripe/belt. So relax and enjoy.

The EOY grading will be held during Monday and Wednesday classes in December. We will start with white belts on Monday 1 December, and progress via rank order. Wednesday 10 December will be a regular training day with Dan in charge.

Gradings are $25 for coloured belts, $250 for black belts. Please pay your grading fee in advance so you will be added to the list.

Those not grading are also welcome to participate – although the focus will be on those testing for new stripes and belts.

The final training session for 2025 will be Monday 22 December. The first session for 2026 will be Monday 5 January.

Apologies for any inconvenience, but there will be no classes on Wednesday 26 November as an instructor is not available. Don’t forget to practice at home in preparation for grading in December!

I look forward to relaxing with past and present members and celebrating 14 years of Sobukan.

Where: Himeji Garden

When: 1pm Sunday 12 October.

What: Light training followed by a picnic.

Who: All past and present members and their loved ones.

Bring: Food and drinks to share.

Wear: Casual clothes.

Unfortunately the dojo will not be available on the Labour Day Public Holiday on Monday 6 October due to a Judo competition on the weekend. Please see the messenger chat for alternative arrangements for training on the day.

Due to business travel, kids classes will be cancelled on Monday 8th and Wednesday 10th September. Adults classes will run as normal thanks to Dan. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Classes kick off on Monday 3 February 2025! New students are welcome. It will be a hot week, so you are welcome to wear shorts and t-shirts to training this week. We will have the air conditioner and fans on, so you’ll be nice and cool.

To support your learning, a detailed syllabus is now available on the website. I’ll be progressively adding videos to help you further. Your feedback is always welcome.

April 2025

TBC: Black belt grading

February 2025

February 3: First class of the year

January 2025

No training in January this year

December 2024

December 18: Last class of 2024

December 1: Bonenkai end of year BBQ

All December: Grading through classes