Woodlane Stories
The Woodlane Dojo was established in 1973 and was the very first Ishinryu Dojo opened by sensei Ticky Donovan OBE. Many instructors and students have made their contribution to our club over the years and some of their stories are detailed below.
Do you have a Woodlane story to tell? If so, please submit it via email to woodlane@ishinryu.org.
Sensei! My Sensei!
The relationship between student and Sensei is a sacred one within Karate. This relationship cannot happen overnight. It is a relationship built on trust and loyalty; a relationship based on...
Let’s talk about Gradings
The Ishinryu grading schedule is very predictable, with General Gradings in March, June, and December. Club gradings are more flexible, but with similar timings. With a few months to go until the...
Grading to Shodan
The heat and the stench and the tense atmosphere hit me like a wall as I bowed at the entrance to the Dojo.  Outside, it was a cold December afternoon; but inside it was warm and muggy, with...
The ALL OF ONE HEART Award
In December 2021, Ishinryu initiated the HENRY RICE - ALL OF ONE HEART award. This annual award is one that anyone in Ishinryu can win, irrespective or club, grade, or age or anything else. Every...
Re-enter the Dragons
Covid-19 disrupted Karate training all round during 2020 and 2021. Disproportionally impacted were our younger students, for whom a 6 month lay-off from training can seem like an eternity. One...
The class of 2018
In March 2018 Woodlane ran an 'Adult new Starter' class to attract new students into the club. Ten students attended on that first night. A year later and most of that class are still here, having...
Welcome to the Dojo
But leave your Ego at the door. This article describes the experience of starting out and training at Woodlane as an adult student. In 1988 I stepped into the Woodlane Dojo for the first time. ...
Your most valuable Ishinryu possession
Your black licence book is irreplaceable. It holds your entire grading history, along with instructor signatures. If should also contain a record of courses attended if you were careful to record...