September 29 – October 1, 2006
The fall Gasshuku was a smaller affair than the one in spring. Most attendees were from our local dojo and there were no visiting instructors teaching. I don’t know if it was a result of that or in spite of that, but the energy level was high. Whether she has explicitly said it or not, I get the impression that Lia sensei feels that training done in a somewhat mindless state serves us better than overly intellectual training. Since many of us lack the ability to clear our minds at will, sensei uses the simple technique of having us work to a level where the brain doesn’t have any energy to waste on trifles like conscious thought. This ensures physical absorption of the techniques without self consciousness (or much of a conscious self at all in my case). For example, only in the evening of the second day did I realize that that there had been minor themes to each of the first two days. Normally when sensei calls someone up for ukemi, she demonstrates one technique with four variations (right and left, front and back). Then we practice the technique shown and the process repeats a while later with something different. But at the end of each of those two days she just kept doing variation after variation of responses to the same attack. Friday was ushiro ryotedori and Saturday was yokomen uchi. As the variations kept coming one after the other I realized that we had learned or practiced six or eight different responses to each of those attacks in the last two days. In my mindless state I had not only forgotten how many things we did, but I also failed to notice that all of those different things were based on the same attacks. If this “muscle memory” concept works then I absorbed a whole repertoire without even noticing!
Our one visitor from out of town was Sully from our sister dojo in Pennsylvania. Like me, he is in his late forties and has studied Aikido for less than one year. After having had some health issues, he credits Aikido with giving him a new lease on life. Judging from his enthusiasm and vigor, it..s been an effective remedy. It was a pleasure to meet him. Ironically, while he’s a student of the Art of Peace, he completely redefined the expression “I can lick anyone in this place!” Please note that the previous statement is an inside joke and no threat of violence should be inferred.
Chris sensei from a different dojo in town was kind enough to visit for one morning session. As nearly our most junior member in experience, I haven’t been exposed to too many other styles and personalities. I thank her for coming and expanding my experience.
Matt sensei was able to participate in this Gasshuku and it was great to have him back.
We did a demonstration for the public on Sunday and as always it’s really enjoyable to see. The lowest ranks go first and the demonstration gets more and more interesting as the skill level progresses. Raymond from the kid’s class did a fine exhibition both with sword and without and he should be proud. As koohai (least experienced) in our dojo I went on the mat first with Sully. The last time I did this in June, I was only a partner to more experienced students. However, I was in the perfect mindless state that I described above and didn’t realize that I hold a slight edge over Sully in rank so it was my responsibility to begin. We both sat there waiting for the other to start. Fortunately, Matt sensei was acting as master of ceremonies and gave me a prompt like one would give a nervous school kid who forgot his lines at the Thanksgiving pageant.
While the process of a three day intensive training session is challenging and details fade in all the motion and the sweat, I love the demonstration at the end. It’s one of the few times I get to see Lia sensei doing continuous free form techniques with able partners. Though I am very thankful for her skill in teaching, I am most inspired by seeing her in action.
Andy Cranmer
- AKI Santa Barbara
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This year’s fall gasshuku was an extremely rewarding weekend for many reasons. Having the new surface in place created some new challenges and rewards for all members I believe. From the beginning it is obvious that the harder surface makes it easier to root yourself. It also seems to develop a stronger spirit in that the extension of your feeling must be as strong as the surface on which you train. The feeling that I was left with after this gasshuku was different than any that I remember from the past. At times it felt like my attention was outside of myself for brief moments. This was not entirely new, however, the strength of these instances were stronger than any I have experienced in the past. It was also nice to have a member of the Pennsylvania dojo here. I hope that we will continue to strengthen the connection between our dojos in 2007.
Matt Bridi- AKI Santa Barbara
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