Karate For Health - Club Instructors

Stuart Vousden, 4th Dan
07986 809505

Stuart came to Karate in 1969 as a student of John Van Weenen. He took Shodan (1st Dan) black belt in 1974 and Nidan (2nd Dan) in 1977, by which time he was a student of Hirokazu Kanazawa. Stuart graded Sandan (3rd Dan) in 1983, having joined Jin Sei Kai in its early days, and Yondan (4th Dan) in 2004. Stuart observes "Karate is about unleashing and celebrating each individual's talents. It's also about mutual respect and building people's self-confidence. I believe everyone should be taught on an equal footing, regardless of age and ability - and that the wisest teacher is the one who recognises that he or she has much to learn from others".

Vince Wilcox, 4th Dan

Vince (a Visiting Club Instructor)  took up Sport Karate aged 15, and moved to Shotokan Karate aged 18. He joined Jin Sei Kai as a 21 year old purple belt, and quickly progressed to Shodan (1st Dan) black belt level. Vince took Nidan (2nd Dan) in 1998, Sandan (3rd Dan) two years later and Yondan (4th Dan) in 2004. "Karate has many benefits - it gets you fit, it relaxes you and it keeps you flexible. From a health perspective, I can't think of an exercise regime which is better for your overall well-being, or anything which is more fun!" says Vince.

Michelle Perry, 4th Dan
07801 363788

Michelle's Karate career began in 1988 and she took Shodan (1st Dan) in 1992. In 1995 she graded Nidan (2nd Dan), in 2000 Sandan (3rd Dan) and five years later Yondan (4th Dan). Michelle is a member of Jin Sei Kai's executive committee and Secretary to the Association. "The majority of my classes are aimed at children or adult females, including those who have special needs", says Michelle. "Karate, taught correctly, is great for improving dexterity and overall co-ordination, and for encouraging teamwork and self-discipline. But, perhaps the best thing about Karate is that there is always something to improve upon or learn and for me, as a teacher, to pass on".

Darren Bennett, 3rd Dan
07747 765849

Darren joined Jin Sei Kai in 1985 and after three years graded as a Shodan (1st Dan) black belt. In 1993 he took Nidan (2nd Dan) and in 2005 he became Sandan (3rd Dan). Darren observes "Practising Karate is a great way to look after your body - it has so many obvious health benefits, and can be practised regardless of your age and previous fitness level. The great thing about Jin Sei Kai is our focus on correct technique, which ensures that our students learn the best Karate methods".

Jason Bennett, 3rd Dan
07527 112024

Jason came to Karate in the late 1980s and was awarded his Shodan (1st Dan) black belt as a Jin Sei Kai student in 1988. Five years later he graded Nidan (2nd Dan) and in 2005 he achieved Sandan (3rd Dan). "Karate has an undoubted beneficial impact on heart rate, blood pressure and breathing - and our students soon see an improvement in their overall stamina. For me, an important element in Jin Sei Kai is learning self-defence techniques which might just help you more effectively extricate yourself from, or deal with, a threatening situation. For females and males alike, Karate builds confidence and self-esteem - and I'm sure the discipline and mutual respect that we encourage through our training makes us better citizens all round" says Jason.

Janet Sleigh, 2nd Dan

Janet (a Visiting Club Instructor) came to Karate in 2000, as a personal student of Sensei Perry. The Jin Sei Kai bug bit quickly, and hard, and Janet was soon training with Sensei three times a week. She now teaches or participates in a class on five or six days in each week, having graded Shodan (1st Dan) in 2004 and Nidan (2nd Dan) in 2006. Janet is the association's Press Officer, and regularly writes articles about Sensei, JSK and the benefits to be derived from Karate training. "I love Karate and I found myself through Jin Sei Kai - it has brought me into my honesty" says Janet.

Andrew Vousden, 2nd Dan
07793 370770

Andrew practised Karate for three years as a child and subsequently returned to it as an adult, joining Jin Sei Kai in 2002. Bitten then by the Karate bug, he progressed quickly to his Shodan (1st Dan) black belt in 2004, followed by his Nidan (2nd Dan) black belt in 2006. "Teaching Karate, whether to adults or children, is immensely rewarding. I really enjoy helping students develop their technique and their self-confidence, and I'm passionate about ensuring that class content is varied and stretches of each pupil's ability. I'm convinced that Jin Sei Kai's unique approach to training is something that sets us apart from the rest, and is the reason we have such a great club" observes Andrew.