Granada Branch, Spain / Jul 2003 Contributor: General Secretary Nicolas Toro Garcia

The Granada Branch is one of the seven branches that currently form the Spanish Federation of Shorinji Kempo (FESK), and it was the initial seed of all the other.

Granada Branch

Although the Granada Branch was officially established in November 1973, it was actually borne two years earlier founded by Sensei J.M. King, who later left the Branch in the hands of Sensei Carlos Victor Garcia until now.

This Branch is the older in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe, hence this year 2003 it celebrates the 30th anniversary. Currently, this Branch harbor more than 63 kenshis grouped in three main member: Granada, directed by Sensei Carlos Victor Garcia (4th Dan), Carboneras (Almeria), directed by Miguel Martinez Vela (2nd Dan) and Giralda (Sevilla), directed by Luis Barrientos (4th Dan).

Visiting Carboneras's Group

The Branch is now growing almost every day (100 kenshis next year) looking for joining the past and the future, recovering older kenshis, and at the same time incorporating new ones from all the ages. The training of the main group is performed in the Gym-Harmony tree days a week but the contact among all members of the Branch is regularly established by either visiting Carboneras, Sevilla or they coming to Granada. The Branch is also visited by other SK groups.

Group of Abel Lacalle visiting the Granada Branch

The skill in the practice, the techniques, the philosophy of SK and its spirit are all features that take place in each training and in each meeting of all groups. Childs are one of the most important keys for the Branch an special care is taken in their teaching from the beginning.

Moreover, after each meeting kenshis and their families get together to celebrate having a lunch, sharing common experience and talking about SK, its difference and how important is to understand its spirit and making plans for the future.

An important work is being carried out by the Branch to translate Shorinji Kempo into the Schools not only as a Martial Art but also as a way of perfection for our lifes and that of the partners and companion's.

More recently (February 2003) Sensei Carlos Victor Garcia becomes vice-president of the FESK. The Granada Branch has been visited by different Sensei from WSKO, among them Aosaka Sensei who know very well the Branch from its origin to its current developments.

 

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