Category Archives: In the Dojo

The dojo is the place of practice.

Articles, Club, Etiquette, Grading, In the Dojo, Main Club, SA JKA

New Solis Ortus shodans receive their diplomas

Solis Ortus received a few new shodans! (1st degree black belt) They all received their official JKA certificates from JKA headquarters in Japan.

Hardus van Jaarsveld, Christo Olivier, brothers Deepan and Veer Valla graded to shodan at JKA honbu in October 2020.

Tiaan Uys graded to his Shodan in March 2021

This was their crowning glory after months (and years) of intensive preparation and training. The five new shodans already received their black belts and endured their initiation into the senior class soon after grading.

However, the diploma, finely crafted on Japanese rice paper, serves as official recognition of their status as shodans. They can proudly display their diplomas when not in their gi and wearing their obi!

We hope the diplomas also serve as reminders that their karate journey has only just started.

Well done guys.
Solis Ortus is proud of you!

Oss!

Club, Eugene Oosthuizen, In the Dojo

Solis Ortus is Zooming On!

Solis Ortus has done it once. And Solis Ortus is doing it again – continuing with online karate classes through Zoom!

The massive rise of Covid-19 infections nationally and in Gauteng especially has resulted in literally every Solis Ortus karateka feeling the effects of this terrible pandemic on a very personal level.

Following the successful first grading of 2021, Eugene Oosthuizen sensei and the instructors thought it wise to put into practice what was learned during the first hard lockdown in 2020 to keep all our students safe.

Solis Ortus already started Zoom classes a week or more before President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday 27 June that the country will again go into Level 4 lock-down. Level 4 basically locked-down leisure activities again that include gyms and fitness centres.

Eugene sensei indicated even before the official news that it is in the best interests of the entire Solis Ortus family that the dojo move to online classes until the third wave reaches its peak.

We would like to encourage all our karateka to continue training – in the comfort of your own homes!

Have fun and be safe!

Competition, Eugene Oosthuizen, Events, In the Dojo

KPC athletes attended GKF Squad training

Several Karate Performance Centre athletes that qualified for the Gauteng Karate Federation team took part in Squad training sessions on Saturday 8 May. The training catered for both online and in-class training with a jam-packed program. In-class training was presented in Morgan Moss sensei’s dojo in Krugersdorp.

The day kicked off with kumite training for children aged 7 to 11 from 8h00 to 10h00, followed by kumite training for cadets aged 12 to 13 that ended around 12h15. Kata training followed for children aged 7 to 13, then athletes aged 14 and older, which ended at around 14h30. Training of Junior and Master athletes took place in the afternoon from 14h45 to 17h30.

Our own Eugene Oosthuizen sensei is the GKF chief coach and did what he does best on the day: making champions of all the athletes.

KPC thanks sensei Morgan sensei for making his dojo available for the training. And, thanks to Eugene sensei for putting in all his time and effort. We wish all our athletes the best of luck: put your training into practice and make KPC proud!

 

Club, Eugene Oosthuizen, Grading, In the Dojo

Lockdown vs Solis Ortus students


THIS ARTICLE IS FOR ALL SOLIS ORTUS STUDENTS WHO SURVIVED THE 2020 LOCKDOWN AND CAME OUT STRONGER!!!

Early March 2020, and the world is buzzing amidst the new Covid-19 outbreak. Sensei Eugene Oosthuizen’s mind is in overdrive, thinking of ways to keep his students going strong in light of the very uncertain times heading our way. Sensei Eugene has discussions with fellow karateka and friends, both here and overseas. They all

start brain storming.

We know a hard lock down is coming and we follow news from around the world.

On 23 March 2020 President Cyril Ramaphosa announcesthe lockdown in South Africa for 21 days from 26 March 2020. However, we knew that this lockdown would last much longer.

When the announcement came our students were already introduced to Zoom training and so started our online training journey. With dedicated students and their parents, instructors and lots of Wifi data, we pulled our dojo through a time that will go down in the history books.

This time will forever become part of the rich history of Solis Ortus karate dojo.

We witnessed our students overcome a very tough time and bettered themselves in more ways than one.

We hosted the first ever online grading which was a HUGE success.

We helped our karate family members where help was asked for and we only came back stronger.

Solis Ortus students – this message is for you!

Thank you for not giving up. Thank you for training in very difficult times. Thank you for remaining disciplined and respectful over a screen.

With the online training, we invited you into our home and you invited us into yours. The Solis Ortus family is one of greatness, strength and unity and we appreciate each and every one.

We know that Solis Ortus students are destined for greatness. And, if 2020 was the year to measure greatness, it is evident that we have the best in our dojo.

Each student, each parent, each family member and every dog, cat and lovebird that joined in on the online training – WE BOW and say “OSS”!

 

Club, Eugene Oosthuizen, Events, In the Dojo

Parents and Kids Theme 2019

Parent and kids training together

With life’s fast pace and demanding deadlines, spending quality time with our kids is a luxury these days.

For this reason Solis Ortus has a kids and parent evening once a year.

A picture tells a thousand words. Our parents tried everything with a smile. They found new respects for their karatekas and now know how hard their child(ren) works in the dojo.

Solis Ortus parents are OSS-some. Thank you for making quality time for your children and making ever lasting memories.

Oss

Eugene and the Solis Ortus team

Articles, In the Dojo

Open day 2019

Solis Ortus will have its OPENDAY on Saturday, 19 January 2019. We envision this event to be as inspirational as 2018 and stand proud how we projects karate as a life sport but also as a lifestyle. Solis Ortus is a well-known, proud karate club with a rich history. We have celebrated our 40th birthday in 2018 and have accomplished our 80th successful grading on 1 December 2018.

It is amazing to see how our parents’ family values blend in with the way we teach karate to our students.  As a responsible parent we teach our kids to respond to their ability which defines responsibility; to be respectful to yourself and others, to always tell the truth and be sincere in everything, to always do things right, put effort in what you do, and to have self-control. All these principles form the basis in all human beings which defines their character, a person’s essential qualities. That is the 5 basic principles in life, but also the 5 basic principles in karate. How awesome is that? You train your brain and get a full body conditioning session with it.

Although karate is a good overall body workout, there is also a lot of philosophy and precepts around it which forms the foundation of the art. The principles allude to notions of humility, respect, compassion, patience, and both an inward and outward calmness.

Many karate students excel in school as they stand out above the other kids with better concentration, focus capabilities, self-confidence and solving challenges. These qualities ensured better academic results, leadership, better friendships and of course a healthy lifestyle.

Solis Ortus strives to be the extension from home in a sporty environment. Many of our students excel not only in karate as a sport, but also on a personal level. Karate can be an additional sport towards a sport you are currently doing. Karate can be a family sport, it doesn’t matter how old you are. Karate can be a lifestyle or can be competitive….your choice. Karate takes time, but so does anything that is worthwhile. Karate is FUN, rewarding and challenging.

Many adults also start karate as a sport. It is an incredible stress reliever. It has unbelievable health benefits. Karate increases your flexibility, balance, hand-eye coordination and your natural strength without weights. Building strength without weights decrease the risk of injuries.  Karate uses principles of isometrics and plyometrics to increase natural strength and power. It prolongs your fitness levels. The long term health benefits of a proper karate program is immeasurable as it is not uncommon to see excellent karate students practicing well into their 70’s or even their 80’s! How is that for motivation?

Above being a Karateka/student, Solis Ortus rewards everyone by grading twice a year to achieve their higher belts and become the best karateka they can be. Karatekas are well mannered and have immaculate etiquette, and therefore excel in society.

You are invited to our open day to experience these principles first hand. Come and enjoy the morning with us….

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Club, Eugene Oosthuizen, In the Dojo

GET HOOKED ON KARATE IN PRETORIA !!!!

Are your kid struggling with self-esteem, to focus or with coordination or needs more interaction with other kids to improve social skills? Is he/she too bossy, too shy, or perhaps just a little hyper, karate classes can help your child learn many important life skills to improve certain skills or aspects of life.

Solis Ortus Karate Club can help you to help your child to improve in exactly that. Our kids are more on the phones these days and what better way to help them by attending a good workout, get fit, improve their concentration skills, build their self-esteem, teach them respect for others and themselves, improve their behaviour and above all their grades.

Solis Ortus provides classes from as young as 4 years old. We have four class time schedules on a Monday and Wednesday starting with the Minis (45 minutes), White to Yellow (1 hour), orange to Blue (1 hour), Purple to Junior Black (1 hour) and Seniors Brown – Black (1.30 hours). We also have classes on a Tuesday and Thursday.

You are welcome to attend two classes for free and get hooked on karate. We are looking forward to meet you all. One way JKA, JKA one way!

Club, Competition, In the Dojo

Medals and Trophies

Our students train and work very hard as a result for their love of karate.  Their dedication pays off when they compete and it is evident by the amount of medals and trophies Solis Ortus students take home at the various tournaments.

Solis Ortus students also know that if you put in the time and effort, we as instructors will put in equal amount of time and effort in assisting them to become top competing athletes!

We train hard, we compete hard, sometimes we fall hard, but we always get up and share in each other’s victories.

NEVER GIVE UP!