Training sessions at the Dojo

A Dojo training session, while not immutably fixed in an overly rigid manner, follows much the same pattern:

- the warm-up, lasting around 15 to 20 minutes, which is an essential prerequisite for all training, on the physical, physiological and psychological levels,

- the "KIHON", a series of repetitions, on the spot or on the move, of so-called "basic" techniques, to improve individual technique and concentration,

- the "KUMITE", i.e. two-person exercises in so-called "conventional" forms of assault, in which attacker and defender are designated in advance (the level of attack - medium or high - is often specified)
There are several types of assault of this kind:

- the "IPPON KUMITE", assault on an agreed attack, with blocking (or dodging) followed by counter-attack,

- the "JIYU IPPON KUMITE" is a freer form with a generally agreed attack, alternating and moving, approaching a "real" fight,

- the "SANBON KUMITE", or sequence of attacks over three steps, in which the defender simply absorbs or dodges, with the counter-attack only coming on the last step,

- the "JU KUMITE", reserved for more advanced practitioners, is a freer, but non-refereed fight, more akin to working together than to a sporting confrontation,

- the "IAI", a seemingly simple ultimate form, but requiring a great deal of in-depth work to grasp all its secrets.
It's no coincidence, moreover, that this form is a major component of the final grade of the SHOTOKAN OHSHIMA School.



- the "KATA", a kind of "choreography", codified sequences of varied techniques, whose tireless repetition enables us to "decode" them to find forms of application, whether in combat or self-defense.

- A "return to calm" for a few minutes, with or without breathing exercises.

Patrick MOTTET Godan, Shihan SSK ••• (see  "SSK History") Christian SIERRO Godan (5.DAN) ••• Christian Sierro was born in Sion on November 21, 1959. At the age of 14, in 1973, he started karate at the Sion dojo under Bernard Cherix, with Georges Zermatten as his senior. For the next two years, he attended a 5-day technical course in Sion with Alain Gabrielli, then Sandan de France Shotokan. His first special workshop - directed by Alain Gabrielli - took place the following year in Vissoie, Valais, followed by the first special workshop directed by Me Ohshima in Switzerland, in 1977 in Leysin. Christian passed the Shodan in 1979 in Näfels, then the Nidan in 1981 in Willisau. He assisted Patrick Mottet in setting up the Geneva dojo in 1982, a club in which he has trained ever since. In 1983, he was lucky enough to spend a month with Me Ohshima and to be able to practice in the various dojos of Los Angeles. In 1984, at the 20th anniversary of France Shotokan in Paris, he was part of the Swiss competition team. From 1988 to 1999, Christian took a long break from karate. He passed the Sandan in 2004 in Saint Maurice, the Yodan in 2008 at La Lenk and the Godan in 2014 during the 50th anniversary of France Shotokan. He was administrative president of Suisse Shotokan from 2009 to 2012 and then president of the black belt council from 2012 to 2015. Grégoire MOTTIER Godan (5.DAN) ••• Grégoire Mottier was born in Sion on November 15, 1959. He began training in 1976 with the Karaté-Club Valais, directed by Jean-Claude Knupfer, where he obtained his Shodan FSK (Swiss Karate Federation) in 1981, as well as solid experience of competitive karate. During this same period he met Patrick Mottet, whom he joined in 1982 when the Geneva Dojo was created, and thus also joined the ranks of Suisse Shotokan to discover Me Ohshima's teaching. That same year, he took part in his first special training course in Vichy with Patrick Mottet and Christian Sierro. After a break of several years, he took his Nidan in St-Maurice in 2005. He then prepared for his subsequent grades in the company of his partner Alain Pellodi, passing his Sandan at La Lenk in 2008 and finally his Yodan at St-Maurice in 2017. His interest in the circulation of "Chi" in the martial arts is currently complemented by training as a Shiatsu therapist (ISS Carouge School). At the 60th anniversary jubilee of France Shotokan in Marseille, he was awarded the Godan on July 7, 2024. ========================================================================================================

Technical training courses (national)

Technical Training (national)

SSK Event

Various events take place almost every year, at different times and in different parts of Switzerland.

They take place on the occasion of various important events, such as anniversaries, jubilees, visits by personalities or experts from other Ohshima Shotokan Associations around the world, and so on.