Monday 9th March 2026
During one of my regular long weekends back in the Grimsby area helping look after my 95-year-old mum, I took the opportunity to visit the Konjaku Shin East Coast dojo in Mablethorpe.
Training took place in the small but welcoming OAP Hall community venue in Mablethorpe. As I walked through the doors I was immediately greeted by Kate Sensei with a huge hug — I hadn’t told her I was coming, so it was a genuine surprise.
Almost instantly she asked if I would take the class so she could have the rare opportunity to train and stand in the line herself. Of course, I was more than happy to help.
In true karate fashion, things did not entirely go to plan. Having rushed from the hospital where she works straight to training, Kate realised she had forgotten her dogi and quickly had to drive back home to collect it. In the meantime, I began the class and warm-up with just myself and one green belt student. By the end of the warm-up Kate had returned and joined the session.
We began with the familiar foundations of karate training — choku-zuki punching practice from yoi-dachi, concentrating on posture, alignment and correct form.
From there we moved into kihon training. With a small class it becomes easier to slow things down and focus on the finer technical details that are sometimes missed in larger sessions.
Working on oi-zuki (stepping punch), we focused heavily on preventing the common habit of adjusting the front foot before moving. Instead, the emphasis was on transferring the body weight correctly over the front knee, pulling the hips through, and then driving into the final step action.
We then explored similar body mechanics within kokutsu-dachi (back stance), looking at how stance transition and hip positioning affect balance and movement.
Mae-geri followed, again focusing on removing unnecessary preparation movements. The front foot often twists or opens out before the kick, or the kicking leg drags upwards rather than chambering correctly. By isolating the knee lift first, the kicks immediately became cleaner, sharper and more controlled.
The latter part of the class moved into partnered kumite drills. Kate and the green belt student worked through several combinations including stepping back against a chudan oi-zuki attack, using osae-uke before countering with uraken-uchi.
We finished the session with practice of Heian Yondan kata.
As always seems to happen when training and teaching karate, the hour disappeared incredibly quickly.
A genuine joy to teach.
Of course, the drive home afterwards was once again in complete darkness along the winding coast roads back towards Grimsby — but very much worth the journey.