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Name:

Steve Langbridge

Rank:

3rd Dan

Style(s):

Kempo, Wado Ryu, Mugendo

Main Style:

Wado Ryu

Why is this your main style?

Wado Ryu, although I studied Mugendo under Sensei Meiji Suzuki for 5 years..

How long have you been training in the Arts?

I have been training for 30 years. I started with Sensei Tatso Suzuki learning Wado Ryu in London.

Any advice for people starting up in the Arts?

Spend a good amount of time visiting the clubs in your area. Look at the students training to see if they are enjoying the training. Study the teachers attitude and the quality of the students. Most clubs will let you join the first lesson(s) at no charge before committing yourself.
Once you have started, to set a 1 years minimum period before evaluating how you are proceeding.. As the initial period of learning is the hardest you must commit yourself to the training.

Greatest personal achievement in the Arts to date?

Being able to teach so many wonderful people.

Reason for continuing to train?

Although I am an instructor I am foremost a student and still learning. Teaching methods have continued to improve over the last 30 years and I love teaching which furthers my development. Really enjoy the training as much now as ever.

What else would you like to do and why?

Start again as a beginner. I have been offered the opportunity to study the Kamishin Ryu system and start as a white belt. I am really looking forward to this, although to be honest I am a little nervous.

Is your style a 'complete' style? If so, why?

No our style is not complete. We have a grading curriculum but try to include elements of other arts, either where they compliment ours or provide a specific self defense element.

Have you competed? If so, in what? (Kata/Kumite)

The school does not compete. We have competed twice in national events, but due to poor judging and poor attitude we lost several students who became disillusioned.

Who you most admire in the Arts and why?

Jeff Speakman. Strong stylist in Kenpo.

Do you think it's appropriate for kyu grades to help teach? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes. Very much. Teaching is a great way to learn. To teach you must really understand the techniques. I try and involve my higher grade students to help teach lower grades. Even white belts who have been training 3 months help other beginners to learn Kata. All teaching students find it a valuable experience, and normally voice their views. To teach a technique/Kata you must understand what you are trying to teach. If you are not sure then teaching provides a superb incentive to improve your understanding.

Further Information:

http://www.prestwoodkarate.com

Sensei Steve started training in 1972 under Master Tatso Suzuki in Wado Ryu at the Judd Street Dojo in London. Sensei Meiji Suzuki took over the running of the club in 1974 and together with Sensei George Canning, developed the Mugendo system where Steve continued to train for many years.

In 1978 he also joined a small club at his home town. The Sands Club was run by Sensei Dave Chapple with a style based on Kyokushin. This club was subsequently taken over by Sensei Mike Lawrence, a Kenpo Instructor who continues to co-run the club today.
In 1980 Steve also joined a local Wado Ryu club run by Sensei Dave White where he trained for 4 years before leaving to join a Shotokan Club run by a student of Master Kanazawa. He continued to train here and with Sensei Mike until 1991 when he obtained his Shodan. The Sands Club was reformed as the Prestwood Karate Club in 1990 where Sensei Steve and Sensei Mike currently run the Club.

The Bisham Abbey club at the National Sports Center, was formed in 1998. Sensei Steve currently holds a 3rd Dan, presented in 2001 by Shihan Roy Stanhope,

Unfortunately I didn't get any time to spend with Sensei Langbridge but hope to in the future.

Sensei Steve Langbridge

 

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