Sensei Jill Law
Black Belt 2nd Dan

 

Jill has always been interested in sport from her early school days with additional interests in such things as ballet and modern dance so when she left school, naturally she still wanted to continue with some form of fitness.

She joined a gym, which didn't last long because she found herself talking too much rather than exercising, so instead she did various aerobic and dance classes, but it wasn't long before she became bored with these too. She needed something that was different and more stimulating in order to motivate her.

Whilst out with a friend on day she watched her first karate demonstration at Wolverhampton University and she was immediately enthralled. "I remember thinking to myself, I must give this ago, whilst learning karate I'll be benefiting from the aerobic exercise and learning a self defence too, all in the setting of a formal class. Also every few months there would be a grading, so this gave me even more motivation."

Jill began her Karate in 1985 at the age of 16 totally unaware of the different styles of karate that exist. Over a time she has practised in three of the most common styles being Wado Ryu, Shukokai and finally setting on Shotokan as this was here preferred style. During this time she has trained with many masters of Karate including Master Kimura, 8th Dan, Master Enoeda 8th Dan, Andy Sherry 7th Dan, Terry O'Neil 6th Dan, Bob Poynton 6th Dan, Bob Rhodes 6th Dan, Billy Higgins 6th Dan, Frank Brennan 6th Dan, Sensei Ohta 5th Dan, Sensei Cummings 6th Dan and Master Minakami Shihan 7th Dan in both karate and bow training.

Jill began her training in Shotokan karate March 1990, and this was under the guidance of Sensei Ronnie Christopher, 6th Dan. It was during this early training I learnt more about dojo etiquette, discipline and karate philosophy.

The teachings of Sensei Ronnie Christopher has motivated Jill to attend various courses within the KUGB (Karate Union of Great Britain) around the UK. She has trained on both the KUGB annual karate camps at Lancaster and Torbay as well as attending many special Black & Brown belt courses around the UK. She has also attended special Black Belt seminars which has helped her to learn about sporting injuries, which can be avoided through correct training and warm up methods.

During the period from 1990 to 1997, she has competed in many competitions, representing her club at inter-club level, central and at national championships. At central championships she has achieved both 2nd & 3rd places on consecutive years and at national level she finished within the top 12.

It was during her competing years that she was motivated to try for the Central Region squad and she represent the Central Regional for two years and during this period she was awarded her Black Belt 1st Dan by Master Enoeda in December 1992 and her Black Belt 2nd Dan, again by Master Enoeda in December 1998.

 

Jill's Motivation for Karate
When Jill first started karate she never dreamed that she would ever reach Black Belt, never mind finding herself competing or in a teaching position. At first, she was simply spurred on to achieve the next belt in the karate syllabus. Every three months there was a grading, so this motivated her to train hard to attain the next level. As she advanced through the grades the goal of Black Belt became within her reach. After obtaining her first Black Belt she was motivated in participating in competitions at inter club level which then snowballed into bigger events.

During this period she was also attending a variety of courses in order to increase her understanding and knowledge about karate. It was through these courses that she became interested in teaching. She says, "It gives me great joy when I see my own students' progress through their grading and ultimately pass their first black belt. This is what now motivates me to continue to develop people in the art of karate."

 

Your Karate Training with Sensei Jill Law
To Jill, Karate isn't about who can be the best student or winning at competitions but rather developing yourself to go as far as you can with all that you have. It isn't the colour of the belt that determines how good you are but the person behind the belt. Many people join her Ruach Karate Club for many reasons with some being fitness, flexibility or even the social aspect of meeting different people from all walks of life who share the interest and perhaps the same curiosity of the art of karate. Her students range from all ages and she caters for their individual needs. When teaching a class she covers the basics such has punches, kicks, strikes, sweeps and throws and also Kata and Kumite for all levels. She also structure lessons to incorporate pad work with a bit of karate philosophy and the application of karate.

 

"Over the last 20 years since I've been practising karate I have been luckily enough to learn a great deal of knowledge, notably from the late karate Master Enoeda 8th Dan and Master Kimura 8th Dan along with other top Sensei's such as Master Minakami Shihan 8th Dan. These people have motivated me and inspired my ambition to teach and therefore its my wish to pass on the wisdom and knowledge I've learnt onto you and I hope to inspire you into learning the art and philosophy behind karate."

 

 

Where to train with Sensei Jill Law
Sensei Jill is the full time Sensei at the Ruach Karate Club at Kingswinford every Wednesday evening with the lesson running from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. She is also on the Sensei Rota for duty at other Ruach Karate Club Locations.

 

 

 

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