The new BBLUS concept, which was implemented for the first time on 12 March 2017, is a success. BBLUS was completed with colossal atmosphere, energy and intensity despite the fact that it was 13 hours of training in one!

So how can I claim it was a success? - I can do that because I was there!

The seminar is a targeted Leader Development Seminar, which is focused on strengthening, perfecting and standardizing the attitude and basis of the participants' Yakami Shinsei-ryu Karate-Do, so that it becomes razor sharp and we call it in Shindenkan:

"The Launch Pad to the Black Belt"

I know that all our members who are in the 5th - 2nd kyu group are very committed and want to be the best role models in Shindenkan and Yakami Shinsei-ryu Karate-Do that they possibly can, and I am very proud of that of.

Precisely this group also contains both upcoming and existing local instructors and assistant instructors, and therefore Shindenkan BBLUS must also reflect the group's needs and meet 5th kyu - 2nd kyu exactly where they are.

The development

It is Kimu Sensei who is responsible for all development in Shindenkan and the framework for BBLUS is thus also set by Kimu Sensei, who year after year seeks to improve and optimize the development and coherence of the entire Shindenkan from Kyu to Dan.

BBLUS is, as previously described - "The launching pad to the black belt" - i.e. a leadership seminar with a primary focus on forming a bridge to SBTLUS - Black Belt Training with Kimu Sensei.

This is to both raise the level and get the participants used to the upcoming training with Kimu Sensei.

BBLUS development step

• Step 1. Shindenkan BBLUS has otherwise run every year in the month of March since 2013 – 2014 as a prelude to the brown belt graduation and the spring convention over 2 days – Friday from 16.00 – 23.00 and Saturday from 08.00 – 12.00. BBLUS was compulsory for the group 4. – 1. Kyu.
• Step 2. Shindenkan BBLUS has otherwise run every year in the month of March since 2015 – 2016 as a prelude to the brown belt graduation and the spring convention over 2 days – Friday from 16.00 – 22.00 and Saturday from 08.00 – 12.00. BBLUS was compulsory for the 5th – 1st Kyu group.
• Step 3. Shindenkan BBLUS ran the week before the spring meeting 2017 and it was planned to be 13 hours on the same day - i.e. from 08.00 - 21.00. BBLUS is compulsory for the group 5th – 3rd Kyu and optional for 2nd – 1st Kyu, which in turn is compulsory at SBTLUS.

The collaboration

Kimu Sensei always creates the framework for activities in Shindenkan and thus ensures that there is coherence, a common thread - that maintains the essence of Yakami Shinsei-Ryu Karate-Do.

And when Kimu Sensei gave me the framework for the new BBLUS concept, I was happy, both because I thought the concept was exciting, but also because it would be a challenge for me – to create coherence and stick to both the participants and myself – all the way through the 13 hours.

The concept

So what is new in Kimu Sensei's BBLUS Concept - Well, as in everything else in Shindenkan, the participants are also at the BBLUS convention, met where they are and there is an exchange in the best Shindenkan spirit, with mutual respect and acceptance which prepares the students from 5. – 2. Kyu for their path towards the black belt in Shindenkan – and not least their instructor J

The framework was the following for the participants on BBLUS:

1. BBLUS must lie the week before the spring meeting.
2. BBLUS must be an extension of the BB curriculum meeting and the national unarmed competence repetition.
3. BBLUS must start with 1 hour of Shiatsu repetition
4. BBLUS must contain 3 meditation lessons of 30 minutes according to Kimu Sensei's guidelines.
5. BBLUS must have 3 lessons, 2 of which must be Ryugi with group work and 1 must be Ryuha.

The challenge

The framework was exciting and challenging for me because it would require my plan to contain a common thread, both for those who were "only" part of the BB curriculum meeting with 2.5 hours of training and 30 minutes of KataFIT 8S and the 2 hours long national unarmed competence repetition, and for those who had to continue with BBLUS. A plan and common thread - that could sustain both myself and the participants through all 13 hours.

Execution

How did it go running BBLUS the week before the spring meeting and in continuation of the BB curriculum meeting and the national competence rehearsal?

It went really well, and the participants themselves expressed great surprise that they could stick with it, but it was such that the combination of Shiatsu and meditation meant that the immersion in Ryugi and Ryuha became greater and greater - and most felt that they could continue …!

It was super cool all the way through and once again I had a fantastic collaboration with Kimu Sensei leading up to BBLUS and that made BBLUS a huge success, over 13 hours of training in one and the same day. I still feel lucky – because I was allowed to take part in completing the framework and implementing BBLUS according to the new concept.