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Welcome to our website. These clubs were established in 2012 / 2013 and are under the instruction of Sensei C Gregory (5th Dan), who started karate at the age of 14. Our club members come from varied backgrounds and started karate for many different reasons eg. Fitness, Confidence, Discipline, Self Defence, Bullying or just social. Currently we have a good balance of adults (male and Female) and children from Beginner to Black Belts. Our clubs continue to grow with a good retention of students, families and individuals.
There are 3 key skills that we teach in our classes, which are briefly explained below, but there are also many other benefits to learning Karate:
Kihon (Basics) – These are individual or combinations of basic techniques that consist of Punching, Striking, Blocking and Kicking. They can be performed in a stationary position or stepping in a stance. Below are a few basics that you will learn for your first grading.
Zenkutsu Dachi ———- Front Stance
Choku Zuki ———-Straight Punch
Gyaku Zuki ———- Reverse Punch
Oi Zuki ———- Stepping Punch
Gedan Barai Uke ———- Lower Level Block
Age Uke ———- Upper Rising Block
Mae Geri ———- Front Snap Kick
Kata (Form/Pattern) – A Kata consists of a combination of basic techniques performed in a set pattern. This is mainly practiced alone to allow the practitioner to visualise the enemy attacks, but you will also get an opportunity to test out an application of the kata with a partner, known as Bunkai. Below are the “Ten Elements of Kata”.
Yoi No Kisin ———- The spirit of getting ready.
Inyo ———-The active and passive.
Chikara No Kyojaku ———- The Manner of using strength.
Waza No Kankyu ———- The speed of movement.
Tai No shinshuku ———- The degree of expansion and contraction.
Kokyu ———- Breathing.
Tyakugan ———- The aiming points.
Kiai ———- Shouting.
Keitai No Hoji ———- Correct Positioning.
Zanshin ———- Remaining on guard.
Kumite (Sparring) – This part of our training is mostly practiced with a partner, which consists of pre-arranged techniques for both the attacker and blocker. Below are the different categories of sparring.
Go Hon Kumite ———-5 Attack Sparring
Sanbon Kumite ———-3 Attack Sparring
Kihon Ippon Kumite ———- Basic 1 Attack Sparring (Sets 1-7)
Jiyu Ippon Kumite ———- Semi Free 1 Step Sparring (Sets 1-7)
Okuri Jiyu Ippon Kumite ———- Jiyu Ippon + 1 Free Attack
Jiyu Ippon ———- Free Sparring
I have been training in Shotokan Karate for 30 years and took part in my first beginners class at TISKA St Albans, under the instruction of Sensei K Coles. I took up Karate to improve my health and fitness, but mainly to increase my self confidence, which has helped me in many aspects of my life. In May 1999, I passed my grading for Black Belt (Shodan), which gave me a great sense of achievement and made me realise anything is possible if you put your heart into it. Below are a few key events of my life in Karate.
Shodan (1st Dan) — 23/05/1999
Nidan (2nd Dan) — 04/11/2001
Sandan (3rd Dan) — 17/01/2006
Masters Course, Dubai — Aug 2010
Yondan (4th Dan) — 06/08/2010
Godan (5th Dan) — 16/10/2016
Even after many years of doing Karate, there is always so much more to learn, so I keep up with regular training at our Hombu (Headquarters) with Chief Instructor, Sensei G Sahota (8th Dan). Karate has given me confidence, good health and fitness, discipline, knowledge to defend myself or others and I have also made a lot of friends too.
TISKA instructors are fully insured and enhanced DBS checked.
Gusharan Sahota
Gursharan Sahota was born in Kenya, East Africa but moved to the UK at the age of 12. He took up Karate at the age of 14 in the local Bedford club and was awarded black belt 1st dan (shodan) four years later.
Now an 8th Dan, Gursharan has competed in a multitude of kata and kumite events, many at national and international level. But the most significant event in his career was the visit he made in 1984 to Japan. There, he fulfilled a great ambition by training in a Japanese dojo under the instruction of Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa.
This experience proved to be a turning point for Gursharan. On his return to England, he realised the trip had been the inspiration he needed to dedicate his future to training and teaching karate as a way of life.
Gursharan’s first club was opened in Luton/Dunstable in 1981 and this is now the association’s hombu (HQ). Having been a teacher of the art for many years, he formed his own association in 1993 – TISKA (The Traditional International Shotokan Karate Association) which is now one of the biggest associations in the UK.
Gursharan’s love of karate has never diminished. He still teaches over 35 classes a week in the UK and regularly takes master classes internationally. All in all, he has brought hundreds of students of all ages up to black belt standard and beyond.
He is also involved in charity work, helping to subsidise trips for surgeons to third world countries to operate on underprivileged children. He has, for many years, funded many projects in India, and is at present helping to fund the building of a new school.
Gursharan lives in Buckinghamshire and is happily married with a son and daughter who already show signs of following in their daddy’s footsteps.
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