2011-04-09 21:46:00
Today was an odd day at our dojo in Almere, not because of the examinations, but because of the atmosphere surrounding them. Usually we have a very strict schedule and everyone's pretty serious, but not today. Before the ceremony began there was lots of talking and joking inside the dojo, which by itself is pretty rare. But after the ceremonies were completed and the trainers were deliberating there was a lot of horseplay as well. Very weird, if like me you're used to a stern ambience.
Anyway, the exam proceedings were cool! The students were lined up in groups, based on which grade they were testing for. First up were the mukyu, those without rank who were going for gokyu, which's a group of eight (myself included). We had to display men uchi, the basic strike for the head, in both the "large" and the "swift" versions. Of course we needed to show proper posture and form, as well as good kiai and fumikomi. The other groups were going for...
The groups for gokyu and yonkyu were also given a short written test, to verify our knowledge of basic kendo terminology and concepts.
In the end we were all allowed to pass our grades, to everybody's pleasure. Our most experienced student Charel also received his official ikkyu ranking, which he was tested for nationally earlier this year.
Personal feedback I received today was:
kilala.nl tags: kendo, sports,
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Posted by christophe
Good job Thomas !
I work hard my kamae too, but there is always something wrong. I think, a perfect kamae is the ultimate goal to defeat opponent adn our own fears
Posted by Thomas
That's an interesting theory Christophe!
My personal hypothesis is that it's the other way around: by improving my state of mind I will automatically improve my kamae as well. By conquering the doubts and fears, my kamae will become stronger and fiercer. By striving for "mushin" one will stop trying to think of dozens of things at the same time and can instead purely focus on one's opponent.
I think there's a start for a nice discussion :)
Posted by Menno
I personally feel it's all about where you put your focus. More and more I'm learning what works for me is; focussing on what I want and less and less on the fears and doubts that bother me. Fears and doubts are thing to accept, live with and then do what I want to do anyways. Accepting fears and doubts for me is half the work in getting rid of them.
Let's say I want to talk to a pretty girl. I'll have some thoughts about what she may think about it and what people around might think about it etc. I used to fight these feeling but these day I accept them (knowing how good I will feel after conquering my fears), I then ask myself what it is I want (talk to her) and then I do it.
In the end freedom of action for me comes from doing thing even though I'm afraid. Fears and doubts will never vanish alltogether.
As for sports it goes two ways for me; sure I'm better at some tricky climbing move when I'm in a peacefull state fo mind opposed to a anxious state of mind. But the bulk of my progress is found in training and repetition.
"Wanting to improve our state of mind" is something that us "brainy" guys often like to do. Problem with that is that it's all in your head and often born out of perfectionism. In essence you're fighting yourself which is a futile and energy absorbing excersize. Better accept and do the act that you like/want to do. The act will change your mood almost automatically with little effort.
That's why I told you a couple of weeks ago to stop thinking and start doing. :)
Posted by Thomas
> That's why I told you a couple of weeks ago to stop thinking and start doing.
Actually, that is the essence of the ideal mind for kendo: mushin (無心), where "mu" is "none" or "empty" and where "shin" is "mind" or "heart".
To quote the Wikipedia article: "Mushin is achieved when a person's mind is free from thoughts of anger, fear, or ego during combat or everyday life. There is an absence of discursive thought and judgment, so the person is totally free to act and react towards an opponent without hesitation and without disturbance from such thoughts. At this point, a person relies not on what they think should be the next move, but what is their trained natural reaction or what is felt intuitively. It is not a state of relaxed, near-sleepfulness, however. The mind could be said to be working at a very high speed, but with no intentions, plans or direction. In analogy a clear mind is compared to a still pond, which is able to clearly reflect the moon and trees. But just as waves in the pond will distort the picture of reality, so will the thoughts we hold onto disrupt the true perception of reality."
Posted by Menno
I really feel that mushin stuff :). Sounds good.
In the quote the speak of a trained natural reaction or what is felt intiutively. Drilling and training is a good way in my opinion to obtain this. Thought and reaction patterns aren't changes by flipping a swith. It requires repetition.
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2011-04-10 18:21:00
Posted by Menno
Congrats man!!