About Hoshin

Hoshin Jutsu is an effective, street-realistic style that concentrates on teaching students to defend themselves quickly and easily.

What can Hoshin offer me?

The study of a martial art allows a person to develop excellent eye-hand co-ordination, promotes self-discipline and good citizenship, and encourages good attention and concentration; a must for good study and work habits. Hoshin has an extremely progressive adult syllabus that combines the very best and most effective of modern and traditional techniques. Weapons, multiple attacks, street awareness and safety as well as good fitness and stretching make up the normal syllabus. Proper rolling and break falling skills are taught in Hoshin. Beginners are taught all of this and can feel positive that within 3 months they will be able to confidently protect themselves in a normal fight.

Great emphasis is also placed on realism. Students don't spend time making punches that will never meet or targeting areas that are non-vital! Our highly evolved "Inazuma Kumite" or "lightening fists" free sparring is run in a controlled and safe atmosphere to allow students to experience the real feeling and handling of a combat situation. Adult classes start from age 13, there is no upper age limit. Students who are committed and keen receive great benefits from training.

Activities and Special Events throughout the year

The Hoshin year is marked by special events and annual activities, in particular Foundation Week, June Formal Grading, Avalon Dojo's Spring Concert and end of year Awards presented at individual dojos.

"Foundation Week" encompasses a week of fun activities and training. It falls in June every year and celebrates the beginning of Hoshin in Australia, we remember our founder Soke Glenn Morris and our progress as an independent entity established in 1999.

Highlights Include:

• Our annual "Hoshin Movie" - this is where everyone gets to star in our very own blockbuster. Past themes have included car chases, huge fight scenes, much silliness and z - grade acting. Its even better when the old movies get rolled out and we all see how much our skills have improved!
• The Fire walk. Every year the new Gold belts get to go first. Its part of the tradition. We all walk fire; Fire Art Fanatics twirl fire, and everyone realises it isn't so very hard to walk fire!
• Formal Grading. Hoshin's only formal grading happens at the beginning of Foundation week. Students carry out their grading requirements in front of friends and family

Another much anticipated event is the Avalon Dojos Spring Concert. With music, lights, special effects and much glitter, students perform exciting routines they have been practicing for months for their friends and family. It's lots of fun and gives us a chance to display our progress in a really positive, non-competitive atmosphere.

End of year awards see students receive prizes covering categories such as outstanding student, good scholarship, spiritual development, fundraising and many more. This usually marks the end of the formal Hoshin year, and classes over Christmas are more informal, focusing on topics not usually taught in class.

Apart from our big events, Hoshin students don't spend all of their time in the Dojo. We have outdoor seminars, movie nights, Backyard BBQ's and lots of time over at Sensei Sneddons house watching the DVD player!
At our Dojo, people aren't just numbers who come and go from class. We are a family that supports and helps one another. In the best tradition of true martial arts schools, students are responsible to themselves and each other to support, assist and challenge their way through the syllabus, through life's little bumps and to becoming the best people they can develop themselves to be.