Ichiban Karate

The Ichiban Karate was founded by Elena Floris (formerly Elena Akita) in December 2008.

After over 20 years of Shotokan karate experience and having achieved UK, European and World titles, Elena started the Ichiban Karate school/centre at Topnotch in Brentford and expanded to Heston Sports Centre. Elena wishes to share her philosophy and passion for Shotokan karate to anyone who is keen to learn.

About Elena and her karate experience

Elena is originally from Sardinia (Italy). She came to the UK in December 1983 and started Shotokan karate in 1986 with Keinozuke Enoeda Sensei in London. In 1988. Elena joined Masao Kawasoe Sensei (ITKF) and trained with him for nearly 20 years. During this time she travelled around the UK and abroad to attend regular seminars with World famous Shotokan Karate Masters such as Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa, Hiroshi Shirai Sensei, Yasuyuki Aragane Sensei, Hideo Ochi Sensei and others.

She became part of the UKTKF(United Kingdom Traditional Karate Federation) national team in the early 1990s. In 2004 she lived in Japan for one year where she studied karate with the JKA (Japan Karate Association) in the Gifu prefecture and studied the Japanese language. Previous to this she entered the JKA regional championship and won 1st place in Kata (form) and 1st place in Kumite (free style fighting).

Elena has an impressive list of achievements at National and International karate competitions:

*    Open World champion   - Kumite (fighting) 1st place in 1999
*    Open World champions – Team Kumite 2nd place in 1999

*    European champion     - Kumite 3rd place in 1995
*    European champions    – Synchronised ladies team Kata (form) 3rd place in 1995

*    UK National champion - Individual ladies Kata 1st place from 1995 to 2000
*    UK National champion - Individual ladies Kumite 1st place from 1995 to 2000
*    UK National champions – Synchronised ladies team Kata 1st place from 1995 to 2000

Elena now balances her life between her two young children, Ichiban International and Ichiban karate.

Training Times

1. The Topnotch Health Club in Brentford (West London) view map

Tuesdays 7:30pm - 8:30pm (all levels - children and adults)
8:30pm - 9pm (continue with experienced karate students)
Saturdays 9:20am - 10:20am (all levels - children and adults)
(You do not need to be a Topnotch member to join the karate class. The karate students have access to the excellent showers and sauna facilities of the club).

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2. Heston Community Sports Hall, Heston Road, Middlesex TW5 0QZ view map

Wednesdays 6pm - 7pm (all levels - children and adults)
7pm - 7:30pm (continue with experienced karate students only)

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Membership Trial

Training for karate brings with it certain obligations. You will need to register to become a member of your karate club. Membership covers insurance and your Grading Book.

At Ichiban we understand that beginners may not know if they wish to commit to becoming a member. As such we offer a 3 class trial for £15.00 (prepaid). There is NO OBLIGATION to become a member after your 3 classes. However, if you wish to continue your training, you must become a member.
Membership fees are:
- Adults: £40.00
- Children: £35.00

Elena has special karate suit offer for all new members. Ask her at your first class.

Training Fees

If you enjoyed your three classes and wish to continue there are a number of training options. Elena wishes to give an opportunity to anyone wishing to learn.

Monthly Packages. Three options. A: £30 per month (train once a week) - B: £45 per month (train twice a week) - C: £55 per month (train three times a week).
Children. Two options. A: £75 per school term (train up to three times a week) - A: £30 per month (train once a week).
Pay As You Go. £8.50 per class paid at the door.
Visitors. Members of other karate clubs are welcome. Fee per class is £10.00 paid at the door, or £35 per month (train once a week).
Location. You don't need to commit to a particular venue. Once you've become a member you can attend either Topnotch or Heston. It just depends which suits you best on the day.

Family discounts (this applies to term or block booking fee only):
- 2 people from the same family 10%
- 3 people from the same family 15%
- 4 people from the same family 20%

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Elena's karate philosophy

"Karate is a bridge for anyone to walk across to help them achieve all the goals which you, as an individual, set for yourself. This may be to pass an examination or to achieve a business goal or to gain mental power to deal with difficulties that life may bring."

Karate training is not just about the body; the mind plays a big role of connection. Elena calls it the active ZEN (meditation). When you are moving, the mind is training to acquire the mushin state. "Mu" meaning negation, "Shin" meaning heart, mind, feeling. This is often translated as "no mind/ empty mind." It is a Zen term referring to that state of mental clarity and enhanced perception (sensory and intuitive) known as pure mind, produced by the absence of conscious thought, ideas, judgments, emotion (fear and anxiety), pre-conception, or self-consciousness.

In karate we are training towards mushin which is so important to technical training. Through mushin the mind is not absent, but instead is freed. No longer inhibited, slowed, distracted, or clogged, the mind is free to fully perceive, respond and commit to action. The mind is not fixed on anything and is open to everything; it is a mind expanded through the whole body with total awareness of, and focus on, everything.

Today Elena would like to make Ichiban Karate available to anyone who wants to use it for their own benefit. For example, it may help you to feel good with emotional balance, to be happier, to be part of a friendly group or to lose weight, or to overcome fears, anger or just to get fit.

Anyone can do it. It is fantastic for anyone at any age, starting from the age of 5 to the age of 65. The classes vary from beginners to advance levels. Regarding fitness, age and flexibility, do not worry; this is open to anyone as each individual takes the class at his/her own pace. The main thing is that everyone enjoys the benefits of their karate class by progressing at their own pace.

Contact Elena

At Ichiban Karate you will:

Build confidence, awareness, strength and character
Beat stress, overcome fears and redirect anger
Gain coordination, concentration and self control
Get fit and increase flexibility
Study Karate at your own pace, with no obligation to attend every single session

You Have Complete Flexibility

Total beginners: try three karate sessions, with NO obligation, NO COMMITMENT! Train in tracksuit! This is to see if this beautiful art is for you. If not, just stop.
A non political karate centre where anyone from any karate club is WELCOME to train as a guest.
Provide excellent service and ensure that each student is taught and brought to HIGH KARATE STANDARDS.
Give the opportunity, with no obligation, to grade to BLACK BELT levels.

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