OVERMATTER
This workshop is also always devoted to taking an in-depth fresh look at the building blocks of our disciplines.
This year the theme was Kokyu Nagare - meaning slow breath flow in time to slow or medium movement in a totally relaxed physical and mental way.
So the Iaido group were given a close up of “knowing your sword” with all the primary names of each of the parts considered important.
Nest up they were given a simple move that required them to perform each of the four building blocks of Iaido - Nukitsuke - Kerioroshi - Chiburi and Noto all in one slow with breathing move.
And this was followed by an in-depth look into each one of the four basics of Iaido eventually allowing medium and fast movement to concede with medium and fast breathing.
After going through the kata as a whole, the karate group had four sequences of Ananko selected for them which they went through slowly concentrating on sound stances and tsugi ashi - the feet movements mostly found in Sanchin Kata.
The out of these four sequences just 2 techniques were chosen for a close up of them in total coordination and timing of breath, movement and stillness.
The Aikido group were probably in the best place for this theme to be able to learn to synchonise movement and breathing of two people into one.
It is taught primarily to students of the correct skill levels to learn to “copy & ride” the responses of their attack as a prelude to the practise of kaeshi waza - or counter attack knowing this can only be achieved using total muscular relaxation along with the creative imagination of knowing the required route to take to be able to apply kaeshi waza with little physical exertion required.
It is this type of precise that illustrates that real power is an expression of soft breathing that allows the pure muscular relaxation required to bring the flow of energy to powerful fruition.
After long hours of training it suddenly just happens one day and the most prominent question that follows is “Did I just do That?”.
And you can train the brain body synthesis into doing just that more often as progress in this area takes place.
The only thing that will prevent it happening is if there is a reversion to a default position of using muscular power once again.
The classical budo, or "martial ways" are not combat systems like their forerunner, bujutsu,
or "martial arts"; nor are they sports like modern judo, kendo, or karate.
They are first and foremost spiritual disciplines, whose ultimate goal, achieved through
the most rigorous mental and physical training, is self-realization in the tradition of Zen Buddhism.
Donn F. Draeger
Classical Budo
PRACTICAL MEDITATION WORKSHOP
TRAINING THE TEACHERS
Ptobably one of the most important workshops that Budokan has hosted in recent years took place in the Lymington Dojo recently.
For over 50 years Budokan has taught and practice ZAZEN using the simple method of SHIKANTAZA or Just Sitting in a traditional Japanese Budo setting.
It has proved to be of immense influence in self-discipline, improved attention span and the ability to concentrate for long periods of their Budo training, including their Zazen - or seated meditation.
Budokan students - whether still active or not in their martial arts - nevertheless in the majority of cases continue to practice their meditation regularly as they have found the benefits of meditation (which are well known) help them to manage their emotions as they have grown older in this mad, mad world we are living in today.
And this is why we are introducing an online programme to teach yourself Practical Meditation outside of the disciplined world of Japanese martial arts in your own home, with the backup and guidance of experienced long term adherents of meditation made up of the teachers and others attending the workshop.
Each participant was provided with a 48 page bound document to take away with them to support their experiences on the day and to help them understand the content in context.
Here are a few takeaways that have come in so far........
"For me one of the main takeaways of the Sunday session was, the importance of correct posture and the need to be aware of your posture during your meditation session and to self correct in order to keep a relaxed body to aid breathing correctly."
Firstly, as it was a class in how to teach practical meditation, the step away from extending the breath beyond more than a few seconds was interesting, however on reflection unsurprising. It has been many years since this was the focus of my practice and settling on a comfortable rhythm is certainly the key.
It feels very personal and I like how you have managed to give it quite a beautiful flow through your thoughts. I think you have put a lot of thought into how the content is constructed and what you have chosen to say and leave implied.
It's as simple as breathing, or, it should be! So, "how hard can it be?"
We all breath sub-consciously but when we start to think about it things go awry.
Getting back to the basics of simply just sitting and breathing was the aim.
STRONG IN HAND. KIND IN HEART.
Within Budokan our mantra is "Strong in Hand. Kind in Heart." (Kokoro ni Tsuyoi te) and was formulated by Budokan SA many moons ago.
But what does this mean to you?
For some time, this has occupied my mind quite a bit.
So, here goes.
"Strong in Hand. Kind in Heart" is a phrase that implies having a powerful, confident demeanour or ability to handle challenging situations while also maintaining a compassionate and empathetic nature towards others.
This expression suggests that someone possesses both physical or mental strength, as well as a gentle and generous disposition. It reflects the idea of being able to handle responsibilities and difficult circumstances with determination and effectiveness, while treating others with kindness, understanding, and empathy.
Comparing my thoughts on the subject to a few major, main line Japanese martial arts we will see a similar theme. For this I have chosen Aikido (AikiKai Foundation / International Aikido federation), Kendo (All-Japan Kendo Federation), Iaido (All-Japan Kendo Federation), Jodo (All-Japan Kendo Federation), Naginata (All-Japan Naginata Federation), and Shotokan Karate (Japanese Karate Association).
Iaido (All-Japan Kendo Federation)
It is a "Way" in which practitioners seek to train the mind and body through developing a spiritual appreciation of the relationship between life and death, movement, and stillness.
Kendo (All-Japan Kendo Federation)
The concept of kendo
The concept of kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana (sword) (Koken-Chiai)
(KO = associate, KEN = swordsmanship, CHI = wisdom/knowledge, AI = means to love/care for)
I have also heard Koken-Chiai meaning "through practicing swordsmanship with others we achieve the wisdom of understanding humanity".
The purpose of practicing kendo
To mold the mind and body. To cultivate a vigorous spirit, and through correct and rigid training, to strive for improvement in the art of kendo. To hold in esteem human courtesy and honour, to associate with others and sincerity, and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
This will make one be able: to love his/her country and society, to contribute to the development of culture, and to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.
Naginata (All-Japan Naginata Federation)
To introduce ways of enriching peoples', live through the training and perseverance required in practice and developing manners, commitment, and a will to live in the individual. Training in naginata also develops honesty, integrity, and a sense of what is right.
Jodo (All-Japan Kendo Federation)
Learning and studying Jodo is in effect training your mind and body. What one learns is not only dexterity of movement, but also development of the spirit.
The benefits derived from training are obvious, but the main ones thought to be of the greatest value are:
(1) Develop Courtesy, Truthfulness, Sincerity, and Patience.
(2) Through regular practice, the body becomes stronger and more active.
(3) Through practicing the techniques, posture becomes improved.
(4) You gain confidence and have a better sense of judgment in everyday life.
(5) Overall, you will have better relationships with others.
Aikido (AikiKai Foundation / International Aikido federation)
The goal of Aikido training is not perfection of a step or skill, but rather improving one's character according to the rules of nature.
Shotokan (Japanese Karate Association)
The dojo kun is a five-point statement of principle for the Karate practitioner's conduct:
(Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuru koto)
Seek perfection of character.
(Makoto no michi o mamoru koto)
Be sincere.
(Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto)
Put maximum effort into everything you do.
(Reigi o omonzuru koto)
Respect others.
(Kekki no yuu o imashimuru koto)
Develop self-control.
To summarise "Strong in Hand. Kind in Heart. ", to me means the notion of having a balanced nature that combines strength, resilience, and assertiveness with compassion, empathy, and benevolence towards others.
Darren Waghorne
Seasons Greetings
Taijiquan, Kanazawa and Zen
An interesting article on the relationship between all three by Dr. Wolfgang Herbert, Professor of Comparative Cultural Studies at the University of Tokushima, 5th Dan Shôtôkan Karate, Licenced teacher (Japan Wushu Taijiquan Federation) of Yang-style Taijiquan.
OUR FIRST EVER UK FEMALE BLACK BELT
SANDI GROOM pictured here with her three children was a wonderful Mum and the very first female to be awarded her Budokan Black Belt by Ray Ryan at a weekend workshop in Pembrokeshire in 1976.
Read some memories from her son Lee here courtesy of Dave Wills, our first male Black Belt way back then.
SO ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO SEND US YOUR MEMORIES OF YOUR BUDOKAN BLACK BELTS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY.
PLEASE HELP US REMEMBER THEM.
50% OF UK ADULTS SEE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS IN MEDITATION
This finding is not new and reveals that people are prepared to use techniques found in meditation and mindfulness to assist them in cases of mild depression and anxiety.
And we at Budokan applaud that.
However, we see pictures on the right all over the place online encouraging people to try it out.
And this posture does not look comfortable at all and comfort is key.
It doesn't matter whether you are sitting on a cushion on a floor, on the edge of a seat, your bed, or kneeling on a stool.
Your knees need to be below the line of your pelvis - to an angle of 5º/10º depending on your height, which as you can see from the diagram rotates your pelvis forward slightly.
This makes the lower lumbar vertebrae a little more concave and the muscles of your lower back a little softer.
Which allows you to raise your rib cage in a gentle upswing, making the lower lumbar even more concave.
Without moving your shoulders, extend the head slightly forward and then backward until a gentle stop is reached with a natural lowering of the chin.
Your thighs should not be at 90º to the upright body or above.
