Sen Bu Kan 先武館 Karate Dubai

Sen Bu Kan 先武館 Karate Dubai A club within Dubai Silicon Oasis teaching Karate and Self Defence and Confidence. Most importantly it’s about having fun.

I first trained in Karate at University of Stirling in 1982 under Sensei Clark. The club was subsequently named sen-no-kai 先の会 karate( www.sen-no-kai.org/ )

After leaving University I remained in Stirling for some time and continued training under Sensei Clark and also Sensei Marshall who later formed Makotokai Karate Do. (
Both clubs had a strong association with Sensei Billy Coyle, whose Aiki

do input had a long standing influence on the styles development. Sen-No-Kai and Makotokai karate are not 'sport’ form styles but rather a soft ‘internal’ style combining aspects of Aikido into Karate and focuses on personal development and self defence rather than competitive sports. We do use the Jo and Bokken (training weapons) to facilitate the learning of ‘Ki’ projection, timing and awareness. I later joined the Metropolitan police in London and spent around 14 years as a front line police officer. Obviously in Dubai there is a large ex-pat community from all around the world and I wanted to provide a local ‘club’ environment where I could teach things learnt from Karate, Life and the 14 years as a Police Officer dealing. It is all about developing confidence, self respect and the confidence to say NO, along with self defence and hopefully spark a desire or interest in further learning of martial arts. I wanted to reflect the fact that Dubai Silicon Oasis has such a diverse, multi national and religious group of people from all over the world and approached a Japanese friend and colleague Natsuko Mineghishi to name the club. She runs another extremely good club in Melbourne, Australia called Karyukai Karate Melbourne http://www.karyukaikarate.com/ provided the following;

Senbukan "先武館"

Sen 先 comes from my old club, also meaning ahead, or before. Which also indicates self defence (Sen no Sen - ahead of being attacked)
Bu 武 comes from martial arts, Budo. (way of Bu jyutsu) Which indicates studies of mixture of many styles of martial arts
Kan 館 means House, where you gather together and study martial arts. In Japanese the characters have 31 strike numbers and has the following meanings.

判断力 健全 円満 頭領 社交性 順風 暖風 満帆
(Good judgement, Health, Harmony, Leadership, Sociable, Smooth Sailing, Warm wind)

My sincere thanks and gratitude to Sensei Natsuko Mineghishi for all her help and time. I am also deeply grateful for having chosen Stirling University to go and study. Undoubtably this choice was the cause of my journey into Martial Arts and the privilege of meeting and studying under such fantastic people like the 'wee man' Sensei Clark, Sensei Marshall, Sensei Coyle, Sensei McBurnie to name but a few. The path has been a long one, with many side roads. As one would say it is not the destination that is important but the journey. I have taken many detours, often stopping but have embraced and enjoyed every one. I am indebted to all that I have met and helped me along the "Way"

I hope and trust that all of my own Sensei's are proud of the distance I have come, yet still to go. Moreover I hope that I can also show the "Way" to the young students dipping their toes into the ocean. We welcome anyone, regardless of past training and experience.

01/05/2021

Hi, I trust and hope that this finds everyone in good health and spirits given the difficulties that many have faced in their own way over the last year or so. We all have our own stories I'm sure.

I wanted to share the following and although sad news reminds us on how people sometimes never realise the impact they have on others.

Being based in Dubai, it is unlikely that many from our club will have met or trained with William Clark, "The Wee Man". So to hear of his recent passing may not mean much to you.

Over the years I have trained with many people, from clubs across the world, however, for me and many other people the “Weeman” was instrumental in the "Way" many of us followed and/or adapted our path along our study and practice in Martial Arts.

He was the first Sensei I trained under, as I started out at Stirling University in 1982.
Sen-No-Kai karate 先の会 , as it was later named, was a no-nonsense, hard training club and it had "spirit" within it's walls. We trained hard (The term “bunny hops” still make me smile with a slight grimace…..) and forged many lifelong friendships and bonds over the years.

In particular, many enjoyed the weeklong courses of intensive training that would take place just before the start of University each Autumn. You didn’t count the blisters; you counted the blisters on top of the blisters.
Yet, as emotional as those training weeks were, we all came away with a new found perspective or discovery for the Art and more importantly ourselves…Focus, Pain, Joy, Tears and Laughter were often found in abundance..
The evenings would be taken up with food, beer and dissection of the day all the while cementing relationships, friendships and an experience that is hard to reproduce.

It is a testament to his enthusiasm, talent and drive that the club still remains and has produced Martial artists worldwide, as they came through the doors of the club’s dojo’s within the region.

It set me on a path that has remained a large part of my life since and I’m eternally grateful for that eventful day I came across the Weeman and began my own journey on “The Way”

So, whatever your own shared journey along the path with the Weeman was over the years, take a moment to reflect and remember him as you should and acknowledge the impact he may have had on your life.

Should you know him and wish to watch the service on 6th May, please just send me a message and I’ll forward the details

09/01/2018

Good afternoon and a belated Happy New Year.

I hope and trust you all had a fantastic time over the festive break, with family and friends.

I have been avoiding this email for some time, hoping as always that something positive would turn up and allow as to continue training.

Unfortunately this has not been the case.
For the last, almost two years, I have attempted to engage with Emirates over access to the Function Hall, allowing other Instructors to have permission to obtain keys and access if I should not be there. They continue to be either unwilling or unable to provide that authority.
In addition with the increasing demands placed upon our professional lives it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the relevant evenings off in order to train and teach.

I have over the time looked at other venues but many are based on the club becoming a sanctified business, with all the associated costs that would entail. As many of you know I have run the club primarily as a club and have never wished to treat it just as another ECA or money making program.

For those and other reasons I am left with little alternative for the time being, therefore, I am suspending the club.
It is a sad day in my eyes but I take away the experience of seeing all those faces that have come and go during that time, the confidence and character of the children (and adults) that have entertained us all.

Almost 6 years ago I started the club, to be a community based club, based on honesty, integrity, hard work and Fun for all those that wished to cross the threshold and train with us. I believe we all succeeded in that goal.

I could not have done it without the support of you all and to you all I say a big thank you.

In particular I must say thank you for the Help and support over the years from Sensei Patrick, Sensei Marcy and Sensei Hamdan. Without their own individual time, support and help we would have simply not lasted as long as we have. You have all been amazing and I cannot say THANK YOU enough.

Also I would like to thank my wife Amanda, who has played a large part in supporting me during this time and putting up with me and the Martial Arts "Club". I would also like to thank my daughter Scarlett for her time effort and support also. It is a rare thing to be able to enjoy a "hobby" with your children and spend precious time together.

All of the students have been amazing in their own right, watching them grow in confidence and as individuals in their own right has been a pleasure and an honour to have been a small part of that process.. I hope they have all taken away something from what has been taught by the Instructors and students alike.

Sensei Hamdan will continue to teach in several locations throughout Dubai, including Maydan Heights. I will endeavour to continue with my "Hobby" and train with him as and when time allows.

In the mean time, as the current chapter comes to a close I eagerly await to see what might be written for the next !

My sincere wishes and hopes for all the children to continue on their own "path", enjoying life, exploring, learning and having Fun along the way.

Colin Slade

12/09/2017

Sensei Marcy is no longer responsible for the administration within the club.

I cannot express my gratitude and thanks enough for all the time, effort and work she provided us during the last year.

Her personality and charm was an immediate hit with both parents and children alike and her admin skills second to none ! :)

So Thank You....Sensei Marcy We will all miss you....

Should you have any queries then please let me know. I will try to answer them as soon as possible but can't promise to match Sensei Marcy level.

12/09/2017

Good afternoon. I hope everyone has had a fantastic summer and the children are settling down to their new term at school.
I was looking forward to the start of another Karate Year and seeing all the children with their summer adventure stories.

However, because of an issue with authority and access for the Function Hall we cannot start this term as normal.

In the mean time for those that wish to continue training then I recommend popping down to Maydan Heights on a Tuesday and a Thursday from 7 - 8.30pm (9pm for older children /adults) and continue with Sensei Hamdan there.

As soon as we have some more positive news we will let you know..
Colin

19/06/2017

It has been a busy term. Well Done to everyone. The hard work has paid off for everyone.
I am proud of every single member of the club. From the Instructors, the children and the support and help from the parents.

I wish to extend my sincere and deep gratitude to Sensei Hamdan and Sensei Marcy.

Without their dedication, drive, enthusiasm, support and help we would not have managed to continue and expand they way we have done so over the last year as a club.

Sensei Patrick has been unable to train for a while and we wish him a speedy recovery back to full health. I know how difficult it can be and we must always remember that our health and our families come first.

You should all be proud of your children's progress and achievements. I certainly am. It is an amazing feeling watching the smiles and joy of the children as they individually accepted their new belts over the term. As you know the belts are given on merit, not just for turning up and attending classes. So rest assured they all deserved them.

Dubai is Dubai and we always seem to lose people over time as they move onward with their lives, into the next exciting Chapter.
Mika - we will miss you.
You have certainly worked and practised hard, twice a week for some time and the improvement is clear to see.
We all wish you the best with your new adventures and we will wait for the picture of you training with your new Sensei when you find them.

It is always important to note we do not expect perfection but rather we expect the following and Im sure the children will tell you as well.
To Watch, To Listen and To Focus. To Try your Best and most important of all TO HAVE FUN.......

So that said, I hope you all have a FUN packed summer with family and friends.
I look forward to hearing the adventure stories when you return after the break.
Colin.

24/05/2017

Karate tonight...:)

So true
19/05/2017

So true

26/04/2017

Karate tonight , :)

23/03/2017

Thank you to everyone for your continued support and hard work this term. It's so nice to see the self-esteem and confidence grow in all of the children. A BIG thank you to Sensei Hamdan and Sensei Colin for all of your efforts and hard work! See you all next term!

16/03/2017

Once again we find ourselves at the end of another term.

It is always a privilege to teach and watch the students grow in both character and spirit.

I am proud of you all, for you have certainly all improved and worked hard this term.

My sincere gratitude and immense thanks to Sensei Hamdan and Sensei Marcy for all their efforts and commitment to the club.

Enjoy the short break, rest and have FUN

Colin

02/02/2017

It's been five years since we opened up the club here in Dubai.

I've seen a lot of faces, young and old pass through the doors, joining us on the journey. Some have moved on and continue their adventures in different pursuits or in different countries but every single one has had their own individual character whilst travelling with us and no doubt providing memories for many people. What is noticeable is the confidence of the students as they grow and continually improve.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to you all, students , Instructors and especially Mum's and Dad's for the continued support for the club.
Well Done
Colin

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Community Centre, Semmer Villas, Dubai Silicon Oasis
Dubai
6009

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