Upcoming events

END OF YEAR BLACK BELT GRADING - 27/10/07 - We will be supporting Tom who will be attempting Sho Dan Ho at this Grading in Melbourne, after which a number of the Mildura Club will attend the Annual Cocktail Ball and Awards Night.

14/10/2007 9:30 AM OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN CANCER FOUNDATION 5KM FUN RUN AND WALK. Shihan Graeme mentioned at the last day of training our participation as a club in this event. Please let him know at training next Wednesday, 10/10/07 if you are able to join in. Cost is $15 for runners and $10 for walkers. Great spot prizes. Bring gold coins for raffles and BBQ. Organised in support of Coomealla Triathlon Club founding member, Peter Mills. LOCATION: Mildura Riverfront Tennis Club LawnsCONTACT NAME: John Fleming PHONE: 5023 5719. Wear your ZDK T-shirt!

SCHOOL HOLIDAY BREAK
Training recommences after school holidays on 10/10/07 at 5pm (Kidz), 6pm (Seniors) at the Irymple Leisure Centre.
Our apologies to any members we couldn't contact due to cancellation of training on 21/9/07 - Mildura Rural City Council advised us of double booking on the day and Karen tried to contact everyone!

PAST EVENTS:
KIDZ CAMP - 25&26/8/07 - send your forms to Melbourne, with payment and let Shihan Graeme know so we can organise transport! Parents/Adults attending require Police Check.
MILDURA GRADING - Junior Black/Colour Belt Grading; and Senior Colour Belt Grading - Friday, 27/7/07. Membership fees and training fees must be up to date to grade.

Club closed due to function

Please be aware that there will be no training on Friday the 16th November due to the Tri-state games. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Five new junior black belts make the grade

On Friday the 27th July 15 students attempted promotion at our grading. The standard was very high and we want to congratulate Cassandra, Max, Kristyn, Cathy and Jack on achieving their junior Shodan Ho (probationary 1st dan). We also congratulate Ross on attaining his junior Shodan (1st dan).

Blackbelt Grading Results

Congratulations to our students Chaise (Sempai) and Anne & Karen (Sho Dan Ho) who successfully graded at Echuca on the 30th June.

Welcome to the homepage of Mildura Zen Do Kai Karate

Zen Do Kai Karate Mildura

Bob Jones Karate

Limitations that you thought you have don't exist

What is Zen Do Kai?

The Japanese literal translation for Zen Do Kai is “the best of everything in progression".

This means that ZDK encompasses aspects from many Martial Arts disciplines and puts them together into a system for learning self defence. A self-defence that works!

Zen Do Kai Training

· Our Zen Do Kai instructors are there to help you with your every training need.
· Training with Zen Do Kai will help with your personal confidence which can lead to a better co-ordination of your life and your daily activities.
· The disciplined training aspect will give you the determination and focus to see things in a different light and help you better combat the stress’s of today's hectic lifestyle.
· You are never too old or too young to begin Zen Do Kai. The hardest part is making up your mind to begin. We have members from 6 to 60 years.
· If you are looking for a different way to better your fitness level, let us help by teaching you the all aspects of Zen Do Kai (fitness and fun at the same time).
· As beginners you’ll progress at your own pace in friendly, social beginners-only classes.
You’ll enjoy high energy workouts, practical self defence skills, releasing stress & much more. Imagine yourself as a Black belt in 42 months.

The training content of Zen Do Kai follows a vast number of techniques that is delivered through structured lessons that are built to enhance the students individual needs. The training content of Zen Do Kai follows a vast number of techniques that is delivered through structured lessons that are built to enhance the students individual needs.

Techniques drills
Stretching
Fitness Training
Pad Training
Partner Drills
Self defence Drills
Sparring
Forms ( Kata )
Ground fighting
Weapons classes
and much more….

DOJO RULES

Your first time to the dojo

You are interested in starting your martial arts training. Firstly it is a good idea to ring the instructor to inform him/her that you are interested in attending. They will them go over all that you need to do but if you don’t wish to ring it is ok just to turn up on the required night.
It is a good manners to turn up 5 to 10 minutes before, then introduce your self and tell the instructor if you have or have not had any training before. This will help the instructor with idea on what to start you with . What to Bring? Wear something comfortable for eg. Track pants or shorts, shirt . To most classes you should bring your own water and towel .

Entering the Dojo

Bow on entering – This is to pay respect to the “Kamiza” the seat of the Kami this is usually where a picture of the founder or head instructor is placed. We bow for acceptance to train and to be aloud in to learn their “way”.
Bow when leaving to thank the dojo and the Kamiza and instructors.

Etiquette of the School

Students often ask, “what is required of me?” How do I make sure I am not being dis-respectful by mistake?”
Basically; let common sense be your guide while you are in the Dojo. Obviously loud talking, horseplay, sloppiness and disrespect have no place in martial arts Dojo, especially (though not limited to) while a class is in progress. There is a good chance that a class will either precede or directly follow yours, show common courtesy by allowing those students the opportunity to train with as few distractions as possible

The Rules of the School

1. Be respectful when speaking to the Chief Instructor or any of his assistants.

2. Do not join or leave a class in progress without permission from the instructor teaching.

3. “Un-sportsmanlike” conduct such as profanity, obscene gestures or actions; unnecessary roughness to a fellow student, sexism or racism will not be tolerated.

4. All students are expected to be courteous and understanding. Higher belt students are expected to set a good example to the lower belt students and assist them whenever necessary. Lower belt students are expected to obey and show respect to the higher belt students.

5. No drinking, eating or chewing gum on the Dojo floor.

6. Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the Dojo school.

7. No working out on the studio floor while a class is in progress.

8. Students are expected to do their part to keep the school clean.

9. Equipment must be returned to its proper place after use.

10. For your own protection, you may not spar without proper safety equipment. Finger and toenails should be cut short because they could cause injury when one is training with a partner. It’s also important not to wear any jewellery because in may hurt us or our partner.

11. All students must bow toward the front of the Dojo (instructors stand) when entering and leaving the Dojo. Shoes off at the door and placed to the side or carry them with your bag. (Never carry your bag on your shoulder in a dojo)

12. When lining up always walk behind everyone, never walk in front of the line or instructors.

13. Juniors must go to the toilet and have a drink before class.

14. Put your hands up to ask questions

15. Junior student must respect the advice from a senior student even if they are a white belt.

Wickham Dojos - Mildura

At the Irymple Leisure Centre, Karadoc Avenue, Irymple. Wednesday & Friday evenings

Classes: Kidz Karate

Ages 6 and over
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Cost: $4 per class (term fees are available, ie pay for 10 lessons - receive 12)

Our Kidz karate class is about teaching children and teens respect and honour. They will learn the basic fundamentals of karate through set drills, forms and fitness activities whilst having fun.

Adults/Seniors Class (includes advanced *juniors)

*12 years and over
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Cost: $5 per class (term fees are available, ie pay for 10 lessons - receive 12)

Our Seniors' class also uses training drills and circuit to help the member work out and learn self defence skills at the same time.

Instructor: Shihan Graeme Loison: 5th Dan Black in Zen Do Kai

Club Motto: Fighting Fit

Contact: Graeme Loison on 0409 936 019, or respond via the "comments" function on this blogsite.

"Karate kid to a martial arts king"

Written by Alan Erskine - Mildura Weekly, Friday, 25 May 2007
Aussie Bob Jones was the toughest nightclub bouncer in Australia, and bodyguard to the rich and famous. He then found Zen Do Kai karate and it changed his life. ALAN ERSKINE has the story...
BOB Jones is an Australian who was never one to back away from a fight. As a nightclub bouncer and bodyguard to rock stars and the rich and famous, he was often called on to subdue over-exuberant or jealous fans, or nightclub pests.Then he discovered Zen Do Kai karate, which loosely translated, means the best of everything, in progression.The man who spent the early part of his adult life as arguably Australia’s best-known nightclub bouncer and bodyguard devoted his life to a new science.It became so successful his company now has 1000 schools of self-defence throughout Australasia helping about 20,000 students get to black belt level.

It has been in Mildura since 2001, run by high-ranking Mildura policeman Graeme Loison, black belt of the year in 2002, and instructor of the year in 2002 and again last year.A fitness fanatic, Graeme says one of his goals within the Bob Jones organization is to educate people who believe that martial arts is all about learning how to fight.“Self-defence is one aspect of our training, but personal development is a major factor as we develop self-respect, respect for others, self discipline, confidence, fitness and concentration,” he said.Graeme is a member of the Zen Do Kai (Victoria) steering committee, with the responsibility of improving the martial arts system and teaching methods. In addition he co-ordinates and assesses brown belt students Victoria-wide before they are allowed to attempt their black belt grading.Graeme has been training in the martial arts since 1973, is a fifth degree (Godan) black belt, and holds the title Shihan. As well as Mildura, he is in charge of the Rochester Club. Graeme believes that all martial arts are beneficial, and he has trained with alternative systems to expand his own learning. Since opening in Mildura he has trained about 15 locals to junior black belt level, and three adults to their black belt.Zen Do Kai was founded in 1970 when Bob Jones opened his first martial arts club in Melbourne. Originally intended for those who worked in the security industry, demand and popularity grew rapidly, and Bob used his best students to good effect, guarding just about every international rock band that toured Australia.In the past four decades, Bob Jones has taught thousands of people in Australia and New Zealand how to protect themselves, with some former students joining his organization as instructors, and many going on to achieve black belt ranking.At one stage in the 1970s, he met the security needs of most major organisations, events and celebrity visits in Australia, and at some concerts, hundreds of his black belts were employed to secure all aspects of public well being.In the 1980s Bob toured as bodyguard to many major rock stars, including the Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Fleetwood Mac, ABBA, David Bowie, Boy George and Linda Ronstadt.Bob later branched out into kickboxing, organising several major tournaments, and later still into the Muay Thai boxing principles and techniques.Now a grandfather, Bob still trains in the martial arts for two hours a day, visits his various schools on a regular basis, has made numerous television appearances providing self-defence tips for women, and provides commentary ring-side at kickboxing bouts.Bob Jones has some colourful stories based around his training of bouncers to take care of any situation. One training method was to put someone in a full nelson headlock and then run the gauntlet, with two lines of other bouncers throwing punches and kicks. The goal in those days, he said, was to produce hard, tough fighters.He says he has been influenced through the years by many martial artists, but none more so than the teachings – from his ‘Book of Five Rings – of Myamoto Musashi, who lived from the late 15th century to 1645, dying at the age of 61. He says he delved into the book so much he almost re-lives the life of Myamoto.“Everyone in Japan has to read that book, and do a thesis on it,” he told a martial arts magazine some years ago. “Many American universities are now starting to read it and work on the same principles.“It’s weird to read a book about a man who was quite arrogant and aggressive, who went around challenging and killing almost anyone he wanted to. But a few years before his death, there was a dramatic turn-around, with much meditation and contemplation of life.”Bob says his life was similar, very traumatic in the beginning, but as he developed in the martial arts he was developing more benevolence and understanding for other people.And that, says Mildura’s Graeme Loison, is what the martial arts scene is all about. His club trains weekly at the Irymple Leisure Centre, and Graeme would welcome any enquiries on 0412 837 833.