MARTIAL ARTS HISTORY OF HELEN WIGGAN
At the age of 12 years my father sent me & my brother to Aikido in Cumbria. On reading all about the art he thought it would be of interest to us. Every Saturday morning we went along and after about a month we had learnt to break fall and count to 5 in Japanese, after approximately 8 months we had gained a tab on our belt and learnt how to do basic throws.
Unfortunately we both didn’t realise that without practice you cannot become efficient and gain belts just for turning up. We left Aikido, grew up married and had children of our own. I moved to Burnley and it was only when my own son at the age of 6 years started Jujitsu, the Sensei Alan Clarkin asked me to have a go. I got on the matt in 1988 and have never looked back. I trained 3 times a week without fail. In 1994 I also decided to have a go at Ryukyu Karate with Sensei Steve Costello, which I trained in twice a week also. I was so dedicated to Martial Arts that it became my way of life, every day I would practice. I travelled every Sunday morning 40 miles for a 2 hour training session with Instructors of different styles of Karate, including Wado Ryu, Shotokan & Shotokai.
I trained in Budo with Professor Phil Millner who is sadly no longer with us, but he was a really tough guy with good old school traditional training methods, we would train outside and throw each other about on the grass (no Mats), winter training sessions were done out in the snow, I remember one session having to stand in Kibidachi (horse stance) holding a very large snowball, I cant remember how long I held it for but I know I couldn’t feel anything when blocking students punches afterwards. I don’t think these methods would be allowed now. In June 1996 I gained my 1st Dan Black Belt in Jujitsu & my 1st Dan Black belt in Karate. In December 1996 I became the instructor of Barden Martial Arts in Burnley, teaching both children and adults Jujitsu. While running this club the children won many Kata & Kumite Competitions both locally and nationally, with my own son becoming British Kata Champion.
In February 2000 not only did I gain my 2nd Dan, my dedication to teaching and training gained me a trip of a lifetime when I was chosen to represent the North West in Brazil, South America; here I trained with the COE (Commando Organisation Elite) Specialist Police Force. I spent 2 weeks of learning & teaching, swapping ideas of the different ways in which Martial Arts work. I was also part of a documentary which was shown on Brazilian TV about the work of Elite Forces.
After the school where I taught was demolished & closed, I started training at the Martial Arts Academy in Burnley with Sensei Ray Bell 4 times a week teaching the children and adults here. In May 2003 I gained my 3rd Dan in Jujitsu.
In 2005 I moved to back Cumbria and opened 2 clubs of my own teaching Ryukyu Karate which is basic karate with Self-Defence moves from Jujitsu.
After being nominated by parents I won teacher of the year in the Love your Community Awards. In 2009 just by chance after reading about Sensei Mike Ilderton in an online magazine I got in touch and have
At the age of 12 years my father sent me & my brother to Aikido in Cumbria. On reading all about the art he thought it would be of interest to us. Every Saturday morning we went along and after about a month we had learnt to break fall and count to 5 in Japanese, after approximately 8 months we had gained a tab on our belt and learnt how to do basic throws.
Unfortunately we both didn’t realise that without practice you cannot become efficient and gain belts just for turning up. We left Aikido, grew up married and had children of our own. I moved to Burnley and it was only when my own son at the age of 6 years started Jujitsu, the Sensei Alan Clarkin asked me to have a go. I got on the matt in 1988 and have never looked back. I trained 3 times a week without fail. In 1994 I also decided to have a go at Ryukyu Karate with Sensei Steve Costello, which I trained in twice a week also. I was so dedicated to Martial Arts that it became my way of life, every day I would practice. I travelled every Sunday morning 40 miles for a 2 hour training session with Instructors of different styles of Karate, including Wado Ryu, Shotokan & Shotokai.
I trained in Budo with Professor Phil Millner who is sadly no longer with us, but he was a really tough guy with good old school traditional training methods, we would train outside and throw each other about on the grass (no Mats), winter training sessions were done out in the snow, I remember one session having to stand in Kibidachi (horse stance) holding a very large snowball, I cant remember how long I held it for but I know I couldn’t feel anything when blocking students punches afterwards. I don’t think these methods would be allowed now. In June 1996 I gained my 1st Dan Black Belt in Jujitsu & my 1st Dan Black belt in Karate. In December 1996 I became the instructor of Barden Martial Arts in Burnley, teaching both children and adults Jujitsu. While running this club the children won many Kata & Kumite Competitions both locally and nationally, with my own son becoming British Kata Champion.
In February 2000 not only did I gain my 2nd Dan, my dedication to teaching and training gained me a trip of a lifetime when I was chosen to represent the North West in Brazil, South America; here I trained with the COE (Commando Organisation Elite) Specialist Police Force. I spent 2 weeks of learning & teaching, swapping ideas of the different ways in which Martial Arts work. I was also part of a documentary which was shown on Brazilian TV about the work of Elite Forces.
After the school where I taught was demolished & closed, I started training at the Martial Arts Academy in Burnley with Sensei Ray Bell 4 times a week teaching the children and adults here. In May 2003 I gained my 3rd Dan in Jujitsu.
In 2005 I moved to back Cumbria and opened 2 clubs of my own teaching Ryukyu Karate which is basic karate with Self-Defence moves from Jujitsu.
After being nominated by parents I won teacher of the year in the Love your Community Awards. In 2009 just by chance after reading about Sensei Mike Ilderton in an online magazine I got in touch and have
become very good friends with both Mike & Dee & his students from Newcastle. Mike comes over to Cumbria to teach American Kenpo & I have been over to Newcastle to train with him. Mike is always at the end of the phone should I need any help with Martial Arts. I am privileged to be part of the organisation & look forward to training with the many of the instructors I have yet to meet, from the MALC, The World Budo Society and UMA
Sensei Helen Wiggan - Senior Instructor
Cobra Karate
East West Kenpo Karate
Foot note from Mike Ilderton
Sensie Helen is now an approved and insured instructor with East West Kenpo Karate. Her skills will enhance our training and progress in the Martial Arts. It is my privilege and great pleasure to welcome Helen to our not for profit or glory organisation.
CLICK HERE FOR AN IMAGE OF HELEN'S COBRA KIDS
Back row from left, Jack Mallinson, Daniel Armitstead, James Armitstead, Alexis Kirby. Front Row, from left, Jake Tracey & William Law.
