Tim Nicklin – Okinawan Kata Course – 17th April 2004

by Melanie Box

Peter and I arrived at Davison Leisure Centre in Worthing in plenty of time for the seminar, which started at 9:30am. You could tell who else was attending the seminar by the Bo’s that were being pulled out from the back of vehicles.

We all got changed and met in the main hall, several martial arts were represented at this seminar just by looking at the different types of uniform. We all started to warm up individually as Tim Nicklin entered the hall, he virtually bounced over and said “Melanie? Peter?”. That worried me. I had to assume that my Instructor Zoltan Dienes had given him the heads up that Peter and I was attending. He explained that he had spent a great deal of time over in Okinawa getting to the “roots” of his art and was going to demonstrate “Sempai” in Goju Form and Isshin Ryu Bo Kata as well. (I hope I got that right!)

We started with a very slow warm up in the form of the kata movements we were going to be doing. I found it very hard to get out of Zenkutsu dachi initially as this kata is predominantly sanchin stance. I had a red belt called “Andy” stand by me in the end and assist me. He was incredibly patient and was a real help as I was going through the kata. I have to admit though – it seemed like an inordinately long kata to demonstrate. I come from a Shotokan background so all my movements are linear whereas this art required a more circular movement. Even so, I was surprised how much my training had stayed with me – especially as I haven’t done much training at all in the past year. He explained clearly exactly what each move could be. He said there was no one explanation for each movement, but confirmed that many people found it easier to pick up the technique when they can imagine why they were doing the technique. This I have to go along with – I’ve always found it easier when I know why I am doing something!

We stopped for a break at about 12:30pm and Peter decided to stop at this point. I took part in the Bo kata which started at 1:00pm – for a laugh! I have never picked up a Bo let alone swung one around before so I’m sure you can imagine how it went for the first half an hour or so. It was also extremely noticeable that I was the only person who hadn’t used a Bo before in the entire class. To say I stuck out like a sore thumb would be kind of an understatement! Thankfully I didn’t clatter the Bo to floor or drop it at any stage – though I did end up facing the wrong way or virtually break dancing on the floor to face the right way. I really enjoyed the Bo, but found it extremely frustrating that I just couldn't pick it up as quickly as I would have liked.

Each time Tim would demonstrate the technique on his own, then take the class through it step by step and then all in one go. Admittedly, he did go a little fast for me – but he had to accommodate the larger majority in this case no question.

Tim trains three times a week at Davison Leisure Centre, Worthing, Wednesday 8 - 10pm – Goju Karate, Friday 7 – 9pm – Weapons and Sunday 9 – 1pm on both. I found him both bubbly and effusive and demonstrating a wealth of knowledge and open-mindedness that is rare to see these days. I will definitely attend further seminars/classes.