Basically Excellent: Gasshuku 2012
A tremendous undertaking, we contemplate our dojo kun because we wish to understand more about ourselves, others, and our relationships with one another. Karateka come from different places in the world, and from different places within ourselves. At the dojo we assume intelligence and equality. With those assumptions to unite us we are free to be our true selves—our best selves. Under the protections of honesty and integrity we expect to learn, and we plan to grow. Ever in practice of our promise, our diversity strengthens us, and a world-wide assembly provides world-class opportunities to fulfill our intentions as karateka. Our dojo kun tells us that we are safe to be full of mistakes, because we will be stronger for correcting them.
Gasshuku 2012 with Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura was hosted by Warriors of Grace Karate in Severn, MD, from 30 November to 2 December. Over 40 adults and 24 children attended, accommodated by the space in Meade Middle School’s gymnasium, while further instruction took place at the WoGK dojo. Family bordered each practice room in a halo of hope and encouragement, with water, fruits, and towels, to support the physical wellness of students. For intellectual growth, Sensei Jeff Mann brought his newly published book, When Buddhists Attack. Spiritual growth was evident in the resilience of sleepy and sore karateka, led by Nakamura Sensei’s every deliberate and practiced instruction.
For karateka, it was a valuable experience to see Tony Sensei at practice among his fellow Masters, namely, Tetsuji Nakamura Sensei, Gene Villa Sensei, Ernie Brennecke Sensei, Chris DeWet Sensei, and Sam Larioza Sensei. To see Tony Sensei at practice reminds WoGK karateka that while we work among ourselves, we are also developing deep and meaningful relationships with our global community.
With Senpai Carol’s careful planning and tireless efforts to run the entire weekend smoothly and on time Sensei was able to focus on strengthening himself, an effort that will refresh himself and his lessons at the dojo; in helping himself he will help the rest of us. A room full of black belt karateka broadens the impact of one sensei on his dojo: by helping each other, we help all of us. In that spirit we learned to help each other; when we work in pairs, we must focus on the growth of our partners, as they will focus on us. While we help our opponents succeed we are learning by observing, and helping by thinking critically. In doing so, we fulfill our basic dojo kun intention: bring out the best in ourselves and others.
Mou Ichido (once more) is how Nakamura Sensei became a world leader, building stability and experience through unending practice. Perhaps repetition seems monotonous, but practice is the point. Early in the next week, Ernie Sensei broke down the basics and reinforced what makes them effective: weight shifting, body shifting, The eight body motions (up, down, circle, circle in the opposite direction, rotation, hurling, whipping, vibration), changing timing, technique, angles. With so much to think about, the mou ichido principle gives us endless changes to the way we do things, countless ways to improve.
At all skill levels a recurrent discussion was, why do we practice kata? A lifetime commitment to repetition teaches us that the moves we make have power and purpose when done carefully, deliberately, and accurately. Though Nakamura Sensei moves with blinding quickness, he practices moving in a relaxed way because a stiff body cannot move the way it needs to. Further into the subject we took in demonstrations and practiced techniques that are rooted in basic foundations of the kata.
The banquet at Hella’s Greek Restaurant on Saturday night was arguably the most developmental aspect of Gasshuku 2012 (and inarguably, the most tasty). Sharing a meal, we talked and laughed, making new friends and sharing memories with those we love. We remembered our founders, Morio Higaonna Sensei, et al, with reverence for the gifts of care and regard they have given to the practice of karate for our benefit.
A sturdy foundation is everything. Without it, in karate as with life, it takes too little to be knocked off our feet. Foundation reminds us that we are delicate. Our Sensei reminds us that we are resilient. As we go through our lessons together, we recognize that we become powerful by helping one another as we have received help to become who we are. We become responsible through mindfulness. We become excellent like our Sensei through unshakable regard for basics.
Gasshuku 2012 with Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura was hosted by Warriors of Grace Karate in Severn, MD, from 30 November to 2 December. Over 40 adults and 24 children attended, accommodated by the space in Meade Middle School’s gymnasium, while further instruction took place at the WoGK dojo. Family bordered each practice room in a halo of hope and encouragement, with water, fruits, and towels, to support the physical wellness of students. For intellectual growth, Sensei Jeff Mann brought his newly published book, When Buddhists Attack. Spiritual growth was evident in the resilience of sleepy and sore karateka, led by Nakamura Sensei’s every deliberate and practiced instruction.
For karateka, it was a valuable experience to see Tony Sensei at practice among his fellow Masters, namely, Tetsuji Nakamura Sensei, Gene Villa Sensei, Ernie Brennecke Sensei, Chris DeWet Sensei, and Sam Larioza Sensei. To see Tony Sensei at practice reminds WoGK karateka that while we work among ourselves, we are also developing deep and meaningful relationships with our global community.
With Senpai Carol’s careful planning and tireless efforts to run the entire weekend smoothly and on time Sensei was able to focus on strengthening himself, an effort that will refresh himself and his lessons at the dojo; in helping himself he will help the rest of us. A room full of black belt karateka broadens the impact of one sensei on his dojo: by helping each other, we help all of us. In that spirit we learned to help each other; when we work in pairs, we must focus on the growth of our partners, as they will focus on us. While we help our opponents succeed we are learning by observing, and helping by thinking critically. In doing so, we fulfill our basic dojo kun intention: bring out the best in ourselves and others.
Mou Ichido (once more) is how Nakamura Sensei became a world leader, building stability and experience through unending practice. Perhaps repetition seems monotonous, but practice is the point. Early in the next week, Ernie Sensei broke down the basics and reinforced what makes them effective: weight shifting, body shifting, The eight body motions (up, down, circle, circle in the opposite direction, rotation, hurling, whipping, vibration), changing timing, technique, angles. With so much to think about, the mou ichido principle gives us endless changes to the way we do things, countless ways to improve.
At all skill levels a recurrent discussion was, why do we practice kata? A lifetime commitment to repetition teaches us that the moves we make have power and purpose when done carefully, deliberately, and accurately. Though Nakamura Sensei moves with blinding quickness, he practices moving in a relaxed way because a stiff body cannot move the way it needs to. Further into the subject we took in demonstrations and practiced techniques that are rooted in basic foundations of the kata.
The banquet at Hella’s Greek Restaurant on Saturday night was arguably the most developmental aspect of Gasshuku 2012 (and inarguably, the most tasty). Sharing a meal, we talked and laughed, making new friends and sharing memories with those we love. We remembered our founders, Morio Higaonna Sensei, et al, with reverence for the gifts of care and regard they have given to the practice of karate for our benefit.
A sturdy foundation is everything. Without it, in karate as with life, it takes too little to be knocked off our feet. Foundation reminds us that we are delicate. Our Sensei reminds us that we are resilient. As we go through our lessons together, we recognize that we become powerful by helping one another as we have received help to become who we are. We become responsible through mindfulness. We become excellent like our Sensei through unshakable regard for basics.
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