Birmingham UGS
by Graham Wendes 1st Dan GKI
Forum post copied from here
The unofficial version 
What a day - again!
Terry, you excelled yourself against the odds. Oughta be worth a 3rd dan 
First, we had the strict traditional Meibukan version of Goju. Three step moving forward and punching, then back and blocking. Using all three levels Jo, Chu and Ge (apparantly the Okinawans abbreviate everything). We then mixed up the levels to work the motor fitness bit of our brains. Progressed into partner work, and the Meibukan form of san dan gi worked as a really good way of conditioning the arms. Their main chudan block is like a high level gedan barai, basically the block you would use most in sparring. We then learned kata Tenchi (apologies if it's spelt wrongly.) What a sexy kata, and it just screams out for tonfa! One of the five that Yagi introduced after the death of Chojun Miyagi. Great trad sesh.
Second session was Dan Lewis from Daigaku. I checked the dictionary when I got home, Daigaku means "Thinking man's violence for intelligent maniacs." A very intelligent and witty introduction of Wing Chun-like fast blocking and trapping techniques from the White Crane Chinese origins. The kind of stuff that would work in an extremely tense situation that is bound to explode in violence, like a family wedding, or 21st birthday bash.
Dan has a prolapsed disc. If that's how effective it is, done with a manky disc, I can only imagine the devastation an A1 fit man would cause. Real Goju as an applied science, like it used to be. Brilliant witty and informative sesh.
Now, after all the stress of the last few weeks, and the let downs, Terry realised we would need some form of light entertainment to appease us. So, from a galaxy far, far away, from a planet way beyond even the Delta quadrant, came the days star cabaret! The speciality act known as Mr Robert Agar Hutton. Within moments of the start of the session it was clear......we were no longer in Kansas Toto.....
Was he off the wall? Left of field? Or stark raving mad? I'll leave it to the others present on the day to make their own minds up.
For me, he was proof once again that 'care in the community' does NOT work. He should be where he can be properly looked after
Having libelled the gentleman, I have to say it was a fun session, and I'm sure he won't sue me.
We played Daleks and Cybermen to get the feel of where we were in time and space. The fun stuff where we physically abused each other (well, me terry and Jon did 
) with our eyes closed was good training for when the glass misses your face, but the lager gets you in the eyes. The Tai Chi bit was very relevant to those who have done "just a bit of Tai Chi" with Bossman. It was off the wall, but relevant nevertheless.
All three sessions were different as chalk and cheese, and thoroughly enjoyable.
At the end, two gentlemen did a demo. I haven't got a clue what they were doing, but I give them credit for saying at the beginning, "this wouldn't work on the street." They were right. What was impressive, was that whatever they were doing didn't work in the dojo either. Now there's a first!! Anybody like to explain that one, cos I was totally confused?
Such a wonderfully diverse day, I was quite happy to sit in an 8 mile tail back on the M11 going home, even sat still for 20 minutes. So much to chew over.
Thanks to all who went and made it a great experience for me - again 
Further comments for the end demo (Ryoute) by Goran Powell 4th Dan DKK
Copied from the same link above
I can't remember who said it, but if you're having trouble understanding a kata move, the single most useful way of working it out is to try it from a double wrist grab. These guys demonstrated that point very nicely. It ain't a martial art, as they say, but it's an interesting game to play and useful way to learn more about our own system.
Seeking knowledge beyond your immediate understanding or perception (one of Chris Rowen's favourite sayings!) - we can often learn a lot about our own style by looking outside it - as the two guest instructors demonstrated very nicely.
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