Blog Posts

Last Black Belt College Session of 2019 on Nov. 17th in Fresno

11/15/2019

The last Black Belt College Session of 2019 is coming up on Sunday, Nov. 17th from 12-3pm in Fresno, hosted by Hanshi Robert Stevenson.

$20 for ISKA Members, $40 for Non-members (renewed annually).

Location:
Cecil C Hinton Community Center, 2385 S. Fairview Ave., Fresno, CA 93706 (click for directions)

For the serious Black Belt student and Instructors (Brown Belts with Instructor approval). Students should have a working understanding of most advanced Shotokan kata and come prepared for light kumite.

We focus on advanced concepts in body dynamics, bunkai, kumite, mobility and flexibility, conditioning, and kata dissection/history in different ways in each session.

Register for the ISKA Black Belt College

Contact Hanshi Rick Llewelyn for more information:
Phone: (510) 599-0581 Email: info@santenkarate.com

33rd Annual ISKA Master's Seminar - Oct. 19-20th, 2019

9/14/2019

33rd Annual ISKA Master's Seminar
October 19th & 20th, 2019
featuring Sensei Avi Rokah, 7th Dan
at Dojo USA, San Bruno, CA

Join us in memory of Master Nishiyama
and Hanshi Vincent Cruz as we host
Sensei Avi Rokah for the
33rd Annual ISKA Master's Seminar.

Polish your kata, sharpen your body dynamics to increase your power.
Explore fundamental principles of Traditional Karate.

You can't afford to miss this opportunity to train with one of
the World's leading experts in karate!

The 33rd Annual ISKA Master's Seminar is being held in memory of the late
Grand Master Hidetaka Nishiyama as we celebrate his life and teachings.

It takes a lifetime to learn Karate...... There is no limit!
Many traditionalists from all parts of the world will be attending.
For the serious Martial Artist!

Registration Now Open for the 2019 ISKA Summer Camp

7/13/2019

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
for the 2019 ISKA Summer Camp, Aug. 9-11th, 2019 at YMCA Camp Jones Gulch in La Honda, CA.

Pre-registration is required for food ordering purposes- please complete by Aug. 1st. (You may pay at camp, we just need to know who is coming.)
Please download a Waiver of Liability, fill out, sign, and bring with you to camp. We will also have a waiver for the camp facilities that we will need everyone to sign at camp as well.
Click the link below to pay your camp fees online. Payment (cash, check, or credit card) will also be accepted in person at camp. Please make checks out to "ISKA".
ISKA Summer Camp t-shirts will be available at camp for $25, plus we will have other ISKA gear available at various prices.

View the Camp Schedule

Register Now the 2019 ISKA Summer Camp

Beach Training on Sunday, June 2nd at Stinson Beach

5/22/2019

"Welcome to Summer" Beach training is coming up on Sunday, June 2nd!
Training is free - potluck to follow; please bring something to share.
Hosted by Sensei Rick Llewelyn and the International San Ten Karate Association
Sunday, June 2nd, 2019
Stinson Beach, Marin County, CA
Parking Lot opens at 9am; Training will begin at 9:15am
Potluck to follow around 11:30 or Noon
Other dojos are welcome, but please let us know in advance that you are planning to join.
Contact Sensei Llewelyn for more info:
Email: rllewelyn@santenkarate.com Phone: (510) 599-0581
Learn more... (what to bring)

4/28 Black Belt College

4/29/2019

Thank you to all who attending the April 28th Black Belt College session at Sacramento Traditional Karate. Save the date for the next session on Saturday, June 8th in Benicia!

Black Belt College in Sacramento this Sunday, April 28th

4/26/2019

The next session of the ISKA Black Belt College is coming up Sunday, April 28th in Sacramento, hosted by Sensei John Leggett. Hanshi Llewelyn, Hanshi Stevenson, and Sensei Leggett will be the featured instructors for this session. See details below.

Location:
Sacramento Traditional Karate
at the Gold River Racquet/Sports Club, 2201 Gold Rush Drive, Gold River, CA 95670
When:
Sunday, April 28th, 2019 from 1-4pm
Cost:
$20 for current ISKA-Members, $40 for Non-Members (please be sure your membership is current).
Topics:
Shotokan based Kumite drills (*Note- this will not include free sparring)

Questions?
Please contact Rick Llewelyn at rllewelyn@santenkarate.com or (510) 599-0581.

Click Here to Register for the ISKA Black Belt College

Sensei Llewelyn to be Guest Instructor at the 1st Inaugural California Spring Keiko with Sensei Rick Hotton - April 12-14th

3/20/2019

Sensei Rick Llewelyn has been invited to be a Guest Instructor at the 1st Inaugural Spring Keiko with Sensei Rick Hotton on April 12-14th, 2019 at Tony Hunt's Seishin Shotokan in Auburn , CA.

click on the image for more info

Cost
$125 for Sunday Morning Keiko Members
$150 for Non-SMK Members

For more information and to register, please visit the Sunday Morning Keiko website:
www.sundaymorningkeiko.org/2019-california-spring-keiko

Accommodations
There are a few hotels in Auburn. We recommend the Best Western Golden Key, located about 10 minutes from the dojo.

If you have any questions, please email us at info@santenkarate.com or contact SMK directly.

22nd ISKA Winter Seminar - Sat., March 9th in San Bruno

2/6/2019

SAVE-THE-DATE FOR THE 22ND ISKA WINTER SEMINAR:
Click the image for details.

First Black Belt College of 2019 coming up Feb. 10th in MTZ

2/6/2019

The first Black Belt College of 2019 coming up on Sunday, February 10th in Martinez, CA from 1-4pm.

Learn more.....

New Year's Advanced Kata Review in Sacramento

1/13/2019

AdvKataRevSac

Hanshi Llewelyn would like to thank Sensei John Leggett, of Sacramento Traditional Shotokan Karate, for hosting the ISKA Advanced Kata Review on Saturday, January 12th, in Sacramento and thank you to all the black belts who led specific kata reviews.

Kata is the bedrock of solid karate practice and it is important that we cultivate breadth and depth when it comes to kata. More than a dance, kata are simulated fight scenarios that teach body dynamic, balance, timing, and correct spirit, amongst other things.

It is refreshing to review them in their entirety and to be reminded that there is always much more to learn. The journey never ends... onward we go.

Learn more about our upcoming events...

Upcoming Events in the New Year

1/6/2019

HNY19

Welcome to 2019!
We hope everyone had a great holiday season. We have many events planned for this year we and we look forward to doing more outreach in the Martial Arts community as well. We hope you will plan to join us.

2018 by the Numbers

We hosted 6 Black Belt College Sessions with on average 20 people attending each session.
Hanshi Stevenson & Hanshi Llewelyn taught roughly 15 seminars or training sessions equalling roughly 75 hours of instruction each - in addition to their regular teaching duties.
We had 4 Competition Team Trainings and attended 3 major local tournaments and mentored about 20 students on an ongoing basis in kata and kumite competition strategies.
We had 185 registered members and 14 registered dojos and many others with students who registered independently to attend our events.
There were 14 ISKA-sanctioned Dan rank promotions -6 shodan, 3 nidan, 5 sandan and many kyu rank promotions.
We invited 2 outside instructors to join us at a couple of our events this year - Coach/Sensei Tony DeSousa (May Thai, MMA, Karate, & Tae Kwon Do) to our June Black Belt College session and Sensei Rick Hotton (Karate & Aikido) to our 30th Annual ISKA Summer Camp (held at a new location this year).
Our YouTube Channel received 13, 200 views with over 28,000 minutes of viewing time in 2018.

Here's to hoping that 2019 is even better than 2018!
We have a similar schedule to last year's lineup of events, with one minor change: This year's Black Belt College series has been revised to a quarterly schedule - a slight departure from the bimonthly schedule that we held for the past 2 years.

We do also intend to hold some additional training sessions addressing Bunkai Training, but not explicitly a part of the Black Belt College sessions. Stay tuned for details on this.

Our 2019 tentative event schedule is linked below.
We look forward to training with you all in the year ahead!

2019 ISKA Event Schedule

Special Black Belt Training at Fremont Shotokan - Sun. Nov. 18th

11/15/2018

181118BBTC

Fremont Shotokan Semi-Annual Black Belt Special Training
Sunday, November 18th, 2018, from 9am-11:45am
hosted by Sensei Bernardo Mercado
This training session will feature the following instructors, in 30 minute segments each:
• Sensei Fred Borda – Silicon Valley Shotokan Karate, Palo Alto
• Sensei Steve Curley – Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan, Santa Rosa
• Sensei Joji Mercado – AMAS (Academy of Martial Arts Shotokan) South San Francisco
• Sensei Michael O’Connor – KUGB (Karate Union of Great Brittan) Chester, England
at Fremont Shotokan Karate, 37428 Centralmont Place, Ste. B, Fremont, CA 94536
Cost is $20 for BBTC Members, or $25 for Non-Members.
Download the flyer and registration form
Please contact Sensei Bernardo Mercado for more information, lbmercado@cpspower.com.
Learn more about Fremont Shotokan Karate.

Registration Now Open for the 2018 ISKA Master's Seminar with Sensei Avi Rokah, 7th Dan - Oct. 20th & 21st in San Bruno, CA

9/30/2018

Registration is now open for the 32nd Annual ISKA Master's Seminar, featuring Sensei Avi Rokah, 7th Dan. This seminar is being held in San Bruno, CA on Saturday, Oct. 20th & Sunday, Oct. 21st, 2018.
Join us in memory of Master Nishiyama and Hanshi Vincent Cruz as we host Sensei Avi Rokah for the 32nd Annual ISKA Master's Seminar.

Seminar Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 20th
General Session - 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM (All Levels)
Advanced Session - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (Black Belts Only, Topic: Kumite)

Sunday, Oct. 21st
General Session - 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM (All Levels)
Advanced Session - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM (Black Belts Only, Topic: Kata)

Please note: No Youth Only session this year. Sensei, please use your discretion for permitting mature youth students to join the general session. Recommended minimum age 10+.

Download the Seminar Flyer

AviRokah

Seminar Cost & Registration

Saturday, Oct. 20th
General Session - $70
Advanced Session - $40
Both Sessions $90 (same day)

Sunday, Oct. 21st
General Session - $70
Advanced Session - $40
Both Sessions $90 (same day)

or attend all 4 sessions for $125 (save $55)
both General Sessions only: $100 (save $40)
both Advanced Sessions only: $70 (save $10)

Register Now for the 2018 ISKA Master's Seminar

Participants must also fill out a Waiver of Liability Form: Click here to download
Please bring with you to the seminar.

Please see the ISKA Master's Seminar Info Page for recommended lodging and other information about this annual event. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@santenkarate.com or call Hanshi Rick Llewelyn at (510) 599-0581.

Farewell to Summer Beach Training on Sept. 23rd

9/12/2018

Join us as we say goodbye to summer with a refreshing beach karate workout on Sunday, Sept. 23rd, 2018 from ~9am-1pm at Stinson Beach in Marin County. Following the training, we will have a fun potluck - so please bring something to share! We welcome other karate groups to join us. Training is free. We usually do a brief warmup, kihon drills, kata, and some special water exercises.

Park opens at 9am, arrive a little early for a good parking spot. Training to begin at 9:15am. Lunch around noon. We recommend to bring a change of clothes and a couple of towels and trash bags for after training. Please let us know you are coming by RSVPing to info@santenkarate.com. Thank you in advance. Join the Facebook Event or Download the event flyer.

2018 ISKA Summer Camp Recap

9/1/2018

The 30th Annual ISKA Summer Camp is now behind us. This was the first year in a new location in La Honda, CA and this year's camp featured Sunday Morning Keiko Founder, Sensei Rick Hotton as well as other San Ten Sensei.

2018SumCamp

Students attended the camp from various states (New York, Colorado, Florida, Utah, and Arizona) and all over California. There was a little bit for everyone and Sensei Hotton's teachings shed some insight into a different approach to karate. He is a very charismatic and approachable instructor, very much an artist and philosopher, and if you haven't had a chance yet to train with him in person, we would highly recommend it.

A word of thanks and reflection on this year's camp from Hanshi Rick Llewelyn:

I would like to thank everyone who attended the 2018 30th ISKA Summer Camp this past weekend, especially Laura Lorenz and Robert Stevenson, who collaborate with me to keep the ISKA alive and vibrant. A special thank you to the amazing Sensei Rick Hotton who as our special guest instructor helped to make the 30th ISKA Summer Camp a smashing success. I would like to thank the members of Sunday Morning Keiko and other Dojos who participated in this event. I would like to send a HUGE thank you to the presenting instructors who made this a successful event especially Hanshi Robert Stevenson, Hanshi Justin Butler, Kyoshi Peter Johnson, Sensei Steve Borkowsky, Sensei Dianne Laverne, Sensei David Laverne and Sensei John Leggett. Thank you Sensei Cindy Hellman-Wyllie, Sensei Elizabeth Iparraguirre for your assistance with some of the logistics of the camp and Laura Lorenz for her arduous, meticulous efforts ensuring that every detail was considered in the plans for the camp. This event for me was a rekindling of old friendships, especially with the presence of Kyoshi Dennis Debranche from NY who I have not seen in a couple decades. It was also the start of what I anticipate will be lifelong friendships with Sensei Hotton, Sensei Calderon, Shihan David Gould and many others who I met personally for the first time. Everyone who attended brought something special to our 30th Camp. The energy was high, appetite for learning and sharing was palpable and overall it was an extremely positive experience. Gracias a Sensei Delgado y Frank Ramirez por tu participación. Thank you Sensei Imamura for representing the Fremont Shotokan Karate Dojo.

Sensei Hotton words of wisdom …”Everything is Everything” Dicho en español … “Todo es Todo” y eso es la pura verdad

Videos

Here are some video snippets of some of the training sessions at camp:
We plan to post more on our Youtube channel in a few weeks, stay tuned.

Sensei Rick Hotton - Using momentum of the whole body to generate forward power.

Sensei Rick Hotton - Proper alignment of the wrist and striking surface of the hand, energy transfer through the torso, utilizing the lat muscles.

Sensei Rick Hotton - Fluidity of block (nagashi) and counterpunch movement, building pressure off the floor

Sensei Rick Hotton - Double hand grab from seated position - teaching elbow connection to body, movement created with lower body

Summer Camp Pictures

Next year's ISKA Summer Camp is tentatively scheduled for the second weekend in August, 2019. Stay tuned throughout the year for updates. We will also discuss where we would like to hold next year's camp. If you attended this year's camp and have not yet given us feedback on the experience, we welcome you to do so. Send us an email to info@santenkarate.com.

Check out our upcoming events and local karate events to join us for more training! Osu.