Funday Monday! Guelph T-Shirt Commercial

With less than a month before the Guelph Seminar, I thought I'd start posting some of the other fun videos we've created over the years.

Let the shenanigans and hijinks ensue!



Funday Monday! Training Video

Ever wondered how to do a proper Kirioroshi?
Ever hoped for such a powerful Nukitsuke that you make your opponent go flying?
Ever thought "how do I show Seme"?

Well now you CAN!

Brought to you by the makers of "Gan-Ryu". This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn how to correctly perform some of the most basic (and most difficult) techniques in Iaido.

Each movement is split into two parts, 1) Regular Speed, followed by 2) Slow Motion, so you can see what's really going on!

All this for the mere price of $100 Million Canadian Dollars!!

But, wait! There's more!

Buy now, and you also get a bonus clip on how to perform Tanashita from the Oku-Iai, Iwaza set of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu!

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Grading Season

"Why do we grade?"

A question that always seems to crop up around this time. Some people enjoy challenging themselves. Other's feel it's unnecessary in a martial art. So let's check out some of the reasons I've encountered.

1. You test for the sake of testing In the spirit of the martial way, one must continuously challenge one's own physical and mental abilities, as well as one's perceptions of the way things are, and should be. I like this one, but with one caveat: While the experience of testing is the reason for testing itself, one should not forget that the goal of testing is to pass. One should strive for and want this outcome. For if there was no desire for a final result, then the test itself is meaningless.

2. You test to get instruction at the next level When attending large seminars, or even being in a large class, the ratio of instructors to students makes personalized attention near impossible. To allow the appropriate knowledge to be passed on, the students are grouped by skill and understanding = rank. I used to subscribe soley to this point of view, but from experience, have realized that it's really not a necessity. If one is dedicated and committed to progress, the instruction will come. For example, the best time for learning at the annual Guelph Iaido Seminar is on Monday. All participants are given free practice, while the visiting Sensei look on.

Sometimes they may practice on their own, and when they do, watch them! There's so much to learn from watching the elite do their thing.  When they're not busy, go up to them and ask them to watch you (that's what they're here for)! You don't need to know Japanese, just do this:

3. You test because Sensei tells you to When we were children, we did stuff our parents told us to do without question. We trusted that they knew what was in our best interests. Your Sensei's role in your martial arts development is extremely comparable. Both groups guide through experience. They understand what got them to where they are and are here to guide you to the same result. So do what Sensei tells you and grade. Not, because they hold authority over you, but because you trust that they have your best interests in mind.

4. You test because you deserve the rank This is a very touchy subject, so let me try to clarify the point. In my opinion, it is not one's place to claim they deserve anything. Martial arts should be mirrored in your life, and vice versa. You go about your training and your daily duties trying to improve yourself, help out others, and chip away at all the various weaknesses in your body and character. The judging panel and your Sensei will determine whether or not you deserve the next rank. Try this primer: If your Sensei asks you to test, do not argue your worthiness. To do so would show arroganc (assuming you know better), or a lack of trust. The Sensei-Student relationship works both ways. By showing their trust in your ability to test, and pass, you should reciprocate. Showing trust in other people and your own abilities. That's how you build character. If your Sensei asks you not to test, do not argue. Like any challenges in life, there is a right time and place. Perhaps the focus on grading points will interrupt your existing progress. Perhaps they feel a lack of success may affect your confidence. Understanding your own weaknesses and accepting them. That's how you build character. So what are other reasons for grading the martial arts? I'd like to hear them.

Martial Arts: What is our goal?

The martial arts are about training. Going to the dojo and working your butt off. Practicing technique and feeling. Working on the physical and the mental.

Above all, the martial arts are about training your spirit. A spirit, not to over-power an opponent, but to make them a friend. Not to seek revenge, but to express forgiveness. To live fully with the purest form of the human spirit.

I just finished reading a book called "tuesdays with Morrie". It details a series of discussions the author had with his old college professor who was suffering the final stages of ALS. The book talks about life, love, and how your perspective changes when death is near.

This story spoke to me as I realized how close the concepts are to the goals of martial arts training. While we train to forge our spirit, we chip away at the deficiencies in ourselves. The selfishness that keeps us from being truly Compassionate, Kind, and Loving for all life, not just our own.

I'm ashamed to say these concepts were quite foreign to me even just a few years ago. I was confident in my own path and others were either stepping stones or barriers. Why should I care about those I didn't know?

Then I met my future wife and a whole new perspective was opened to me. She exuded compassion and kindness to everyone. I didn't understand it. She often felt worse for people who were picked on or left out; more than the individuals themselves felt it. Why was she torturing herself that way? I hated seeing her like that, it made me feel sick. 

Wait, what? When did I start changing?

I guess I forgot to mention the flipside. I've not known the immense feelings of joy like that of my wife's happiness. When she's overcome with laughter (often the case when she's playing "hanafuda" with her mother and sisters), I would listen in the other room and feel fantastic. When she tells me how loved she feels when her friends wish her happy birthday, I feel happier than when I receive birthday wishes.

The last couple of years, she's taught me many things. Her disappointment with my actions or in other cases, lack of action, has helped me realize how everything I do can affect other people. Self-awareness gained through my Iaido and Kyudo training have allowed me to realize situations where I can change my natural responses.

Since last spring, I've put more effort into the community. Helping create better communication. Better support. But, still, the training continues...

Afterward:

It's late now and I'm tired. Hanna's asleep in the bedroom, but I really wanted to get this written down. I have more to say, but that'll wait for another post. Our lives are so hectic these days that we forget to appreciate the quiet times we can have in the company of close friends and family. Books like "tuesdays with Morrie" and "The Last Lecture" teach us to cherish each moment as if it were our last. The same goes with martial arts training. The hard part is putting it into practice. One can train a lifetime and not realize this ultimate goal.

And if this night were to be my last, I think I'd want as much time next to my wife as possible. Goodnight.

March Break!

Just got back from a fantastic trip to Southern France. Did some site-seeing and relaxed with some friends. Also had a chance to train with some local Iaidoka!

The "Shinfukan Dojo" is located in Marseille and is tucked away behind a rather drab looking garage door in the industrial part of the city. I didn't know what to expect as we waited outside for the Sensei to unlock this portion of his house for the start of training.

Stepping across the threshold was like walking into a completely different time and place. Spreading out before us, just meters away from the dusty streets and highways of the second largest city in France, was a magnificent, authentic dojo; the likes of which I've not seen outside of Japan.

The level of detail and workmanship that went into its construction could not have been less than a labour of love.

	http://www.shinfukan.com/dojo.php SHINFUKAN DOJO26 traverse de gibbes 13003 Marseille Renseignements tous les soirs après 18h au 04 91 02 07 97 e-mail : shinfukan@yahoo.com

Eric introduced us to Sensei Chabaud, Renshi 7 Dan Jodo, 5 Dan Iaido, who generously lent us two iaitos to train with. The class was an hour long, but felt significantly shorter. Sensei Chabaud lead us through some warm-ups followed by multiple repetitions of each Seitei kata.  

Every so often, he would come by to give some advice that was brief and to the point. It was a clear sign of his experience that I didn't have to understand French, and he didn't have to speak English, for each suggestion to come out loud and clear.

After the class, one of the students volunteered to translate my message of appreciation to the Sensei and a request for a group photo. What a pleasure it was to find this isolated bit of Japanese culture within the hustle and bustle of this western port city.

 

Family Day in Ottawa

We spent the February long weekend in our nation's capital visiting family. Hanna's parents live in the North East area of Ottawa, not too far from Parliament Hill, while my cousin, Remy, lives closer to Barhaven, just south of Nepean.

The weather was as mild as it was in Toronto, so unfortunately, the city had to close Winterlude early. We normally take advantage of this time of year to do some skating on the Ottawa canal, but I really can't complain at the above average temperatures.

We also took the opportunity to attend an Iaido class at the Tateyama club lead by David Green-Sensei (Iaido 6 Dan). The dojo has a clean, but rather slippery floor with a long, full-height mirror along the entrance. A small window allows those in the foyer a nice view of the classes that could easily fit 10-12 iaidoka at one time. 

Green-Sensei often visits Toronto for large seminars and the annual gradings, and you can be sure he'll be there in Guelph, manning the registration desk and taking your money =)

Overall, a pleasant and relaxing trip.



Funday Monday! Series #4-8 Making of Takiotoshi

Gan-Ryu series: Counters to Eishin-ryu - Urokogaeshi: http://sueniaidokyudo.blogspot.com/2011/12/funday-monday-series-3-8-cascading.html

This one actually took us quite a long time to figure out. There are so many movements in this technique that we didn't know where to insert the "magic".  In the end, we decided to do both sides.

The previous attempts had their moments. 

Day 1: Plans that didn't make the cut:

Day 2: New Plan & Initial takes