Gasshuku in Hagaparken 26-27 May

The celebration of Yoshinken continued for two days with a gasshuku held by Sensei Marshall and Sensei Kallenbach. A student of Sensei Kallenbach, Sempai Dan, and most of the Yoshinkenpokas in Sweden participated.

Sensei Kallenbach explained the importance of observing the qualities, intentions and emotions of the opponent to be able to act accordingly. We were tought how to arouse our ki and how to influence our opponent. This was done in a most inspiring way and we all got sweaty and smiled a lot through “the yellow, orange and red zones”.

Sensei Marshall made us focus on the original principals of Taikiken. You will never be able to use your ki properly and understanding the purpose without accurately practising Ritsu Zen, Yuri, Hai and Neri. Neither will you finally be able to move without hinderness in training nor in real life. The Ritsu Zen feeling has to be kept through the entire training. Finally we all did Tansho. Sensei explained that, as well as in Ritsu Zen, there has to be both stillness and explosion in Tanshu. Some of us still have a long way to go...

During lunch in the Copper Tent both Senseis told us a lot of stories from “the old times”. In the mean time we enjoyed the delicious Dutch cookies that Sempai Daan shared with us.

Saturday evening there was a barbecue at Sempai Åkes house. Speeches were held, gifts were delivered and New Zealand wine was consumed.

The genuine friendship between the “Budo Brothers”, together with their exceptional Budo/Wushu experience, made this gasshuku both pleasant and valuable. I also think that the teaching of original Taikiken combined with a modern adjustment was a contribution and a homage to Sawai Sensei´s Taikiken.

Thank You.

Monika Ritzler