Sensei Ellen Hampson holds a 4th degree black belt and is the senior women at Seido Shibu in Christchurch.
Sensei Ellen started training at 18 years old in a newly formed dojo in Reefton - Instructors Sensei Murray Creighton (ex-Nelson dojo) & Kyoshi Peter Searle (ex-Christchurch dojo). Sensei's Mike & Julie Hughey also started their Seido training in the Reefton dojo. Sensei Ellen remembers the Reefton dojo as a great dojo - tough and honest - with numbers of students training up to 65 at one stage. The Reefton dojo enjoyed an interesting mix of regular visitors from both Christchurch and Nelson in those days - some of which included Kyoshi Neil Mathieson, Senpai Mike Drew, Senpai Murray Banks, Sensei Dave Newman, Senpai Aaron Barber, Senpai John Rae, Senpai Craig Barlow, Sensei Roger James, and many more.
The Reefton dojo was affiliated to the Nelson Dojo and all the kyu gradings were undertaken in Nelson under the auspices of Hanshi Andy Barber. Sensei Ellen attained her Shodan along with Gordon Hamblyn, Rona Sedman and Sandy Neil in September 1984 - she was the 4th woman to grade to Shodan in the Nelson dojo - after Anna (1983), Kyoshi Jane Barber (1984), & Sensei Barbara Riley (1984). Hanshi Renzie Hanham took this Shodan grading. It was common practice then for the two Head Instructors to conduct each other's Black Belt Gradings.
Sensei Ellen assisted in the 'running' of the Reefton dojo as an instructor until 1990, when she and her two children, Loni and Dane Creighton, moved to Christchurch.
Sensei Ellen graded to Nidan in Christchurch in 1990. She instructed classes in the Christchurch Dojo up until June 2004. She is resuming regular training in January 2006 and is looking forward to the concentrated preparation for her Godan over the next couple of years. Sensei Ellen feels privileged to have trained in both Nelson Shibu and Christchurch Shibu.
Sensei Ellen is a physical geographer and is currenty working at Cashmere High School and at an applied tertiary institution as a lecturer. She has recently embarked on a doctoral thesis at Canterbury University. She maintains that her working life is only possible due to the wonderful rural environment and loving family she retreats to every day.
Sensei runs a very popular 'start back' class on a Thursday at 5 oclock for those who haven't trained for some time and wish to 'start back.'
Head of Seido Juku
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> Sensei Ellen Hampson
