| Mike Flanagan |
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| (Shokan dojo, Headingley, Leeds) | |||||
| Mike began his training in Wado Ryu Karate in 1977 with Sensei Walter Seaton. He discontinued training for some time but sporadically trained in different styles over the years, including Karate, Taekwondo, Tai Ji and Ju-jitsu. Mike met and began training with Roger Sheldon in 1997. | |||||
| Mike continues to train with different teachers including Sensei Vince Morris and Sensei Rick Clark. He is a member of the international organisations founded by these two teachers - the Ao Denkou Kai and the International Institute for Kyusho-Jutsu Research. Mike says "I find it very valuable to train with different teachers, each with their own unique perspective. The Shinseido system offers a nurturing environment in which there is no jealousy of other teachers. Instead there is an open-ended syllabus and practitioners are encouraged to develop as individuals." | |||||
| Mike was awarded his Shinseido black belt in 1999, and was subsequently licensed to teach in his own right in his training hall at Leeds. Also in 1999 Mike was awarded Researcher of the Year by the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society, as a direct result of research into Kyusho-Jutsu conducted jointly with Zoltan Dienes. In 2000 he was awarded 1st dan black belt in Ao Denkou Jitsu. | |||||
| Mike has become a prominent member of Shinseido and has been consistent and unselfish in his input to the system, particularly in terms of its practical methods. | |||||
| Mike is also a fully qualified Shiatsu practitioner and has a keen interest in Qi Gong. | |||||