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Andrew Herbert Sensei 2nd Dan M.G.R.Y. |
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I was born in London on the 2nd of December 1980. I currently work as the manager for an IT
company based in Watford, Hertfordshire. My martial arts career started at 7 years old when I
joined my local Judo club. I stayed there for 3 years and although I didn't make it to a high
grade, I entered and won many tournaments at county and regional level. I enjoyed Judo so
much that when I was nine I enrolled in a Shotokan Karate club to further my martial arts
knowledge. Unfortunately, soon after I joined, my Judo club closed down so I focused 100% on Karate. I enjoyed Karate very much and trained for over five years and received my 1st Dan when I was 14. As I grew older though, I found myself questioning the art that I had dedicated a large proportion of my young life to. After five years of training, was I more confident in myself? Did I feel that if a violent situation arose I could handle it? The answers to both questions were "NO". This style of Karate was mainly kata based with some emphasis on sport fighting, neither of which would prepare me for a confrontation on the street. These became such fundamental problems for me that they would eventually cause me to leave the club when I was 15. |
Eventually, when I was 21, I was given the all clear and immediately began to get myself back in shape. I joined the local gym, where I found a flier on the front desk for a local Ju- Jitsu school called Ishin Ryu. I was down on the mat the next week!
I was instantly impressed by the "no nonsense" disciplined attitude of Kevin Pell Hanshi and his obvious passion for the art. The emphasis on practical, efficient techniques for real life situations was a welcome breath of fresh air. The students were trained to defend against and use modern street weapons. Many techniques would involve staying alert to multiple attackers.
The main difference for me however was a huge emphasis on physical fitness and fighting spirit! Both of which the students had in a seemingly endless supply! This was so far removed from anything I had done in the past and was certainly a contrast to walking up and down a dojo kicking thin air.
In just a few weeks of training Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu had answered the questions that no previous martial art had been able to. There was definitely no going back!
On the 18th of March 2006, after a two year build up from Shodan Ho, I attempted my Shodan at the Honbu dojo in front of Kevin Pell Hanshi and his Yudansha. The format for this grading was to be the first of its kind, never attempted before! The grading began on the Friday night and continued though Saturday and concluded on Sunday evening. The two days were full of surprises and pushed me as far as I could go and beyond. I can honestly say I have never done anything this demanding in my life, not just physically but mentally as well.
When Pell Hanshi asked me to step forward as a Sensei, you could say I was "slightly emotional." I was physically at rock bottom, my face in tatters, barely able to stand BUT I had never felt better!! I had made it!! I was now a VERY proud member of the exclusive Ishin Ryu Yudansha, something which I had strived for from the very beginning. I shall wear my black gi top and Ishin Ryu Black Belt with honour and pride!
On Saturday the 25th of March 2006, Andrew was inaugerated into the Guild of Renmei Yudansha by Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu's founder and chief instructor, Kevin Pell Hanshi at the organisation's 16th Anniversary presentation dinner.
On Saturday the 17th of March 2007, Andrew was awarded his 2nd Dan by Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu's founder and chief instructor, Kevin Pell Hanshi at the organisation's 17th Anniversary presentation dinner held in Borehamwood in Hertfordshire.
Andrew Herbert Sensei currently teaches at the following Dojos:
Borehamwood Dojo proudly displaying
his Samurai shield award received at the
15th Anniversary dinner held in Borehamwood on the 26th March 2005
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Black Belt Grading Report Andrew Herbert Sensei April 2006  The infamous log carry full report Please Click here |