By Jens K. Rasmussen, 4.kyu Yakami Shinsei-ryu, 3.kyu Bujutsu Kodosoku-kai Jikitai Karate-do, 3.kyu Bujutsu Kodosoku-kai Gensei-ryu Karate-do

Kimu Sensei has just finished the initial review of Shakua Sei's role in our multi-track martial arts system. He stands centrally in front of the group of expectant students.

“Are you ready to receive the essence of Shakua Sei?” People answer it with: Hai, Ja or nod thoughtfully.

Kimu Sensei holds our gaze as he takes a starting position that is new to most of us, after which he brings his hands up and forward in the center in front of him and then slams a clenched fist into the open palm of the other hand - one at once light and fluid movement that delivered a powerful punch. "Here you go!"

I briefly wondered if I would ever reach the level where the essence can be understood through the demonstration of a single stroke. Looked around a little uncertainly at the other students. I guess I wasn't alone in that feeling. However, it soon became clear that Kimu Sensei would naturally bring us closer to the essence step by step, just as the other competence courses are also structured. What a relief.

Hsingi, TaiChi and Pakua were handed down from Chinese masters to, among others, SST through a large-scale cultural development project. Kimu Sensei later received training in the very same styles from SST, and now we get the opportunity to acquire as much as possible through the Shakua Sei course.

Kimu Sensei chooses the step-by-step approach rather than the Chinese approach – train, train and train – and find the essence yourself or the Chinese approach, where the essence is wrapped well and thoroughly in great philosophical considerations and explanations. We cut to the bone instead. Now I hope I manage to understand it, if only at my level.

The concentration is high, as the basic leg positions, Qi-gong, energy-creating techniques and new strokes are reviewed. I try to absorb it all and combine tachi-ai, breathing, energy build-up with subsequent power discharge. Everything takes place in a more compact way with shorter fighting positions and slightly different weight distribution. The first new kamae require a lot of effort to create the correct tension and centering. It's a slightly different approach and bodily sensation that will undoubtedly require a lot of practice. Although Kimu Sensei explained the principles behind it, it is definitely not straightforward to make movements and techniques flow together like a wave – to create flow from start to finish – from opening kamae to taisabaki and on to the execution of strikes without effort and locked. I tried to think through the initial explanations about yin yang, in-yō, positive and negative energies. "Be soft on the outside while you are hard on the inside and vice versa!" It is a big challenge. Figured I should be careful not to overthink it. Instead, I have to try to get the feeling for flow and energy - to feel forward.

During the first part of the course, it partly dawned on me and my fellow students how much connection there is between our own system and the Chinese one. The core competencies overlap in both armed and unarmed combat. A whole range of sub-elements is also incorporated into KataFIT. It is fascinating to experience the union of different parts into a whole in our multi-track system.

You become completely fascinated by such great skills Kimu Sensei has, and it is absolutely fantastic every time to be taught and to see Kimu Sensei perform something. You can't relate to it at all.

In the process of learning the new Chinese techniques, Kimu Sensei somehow still manages to greatly influence my mental attitude, even though the focus is initially on the physical performance. "Be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses!" "When you develop personally, you will also be able to make a difference to others." It is really interesting to combine the mental development with the physical aspect of martial arts.

While the first course primarily focused on the individual, the second part offered collaboration. The Shakua Sei course, like the OBC courses, is a welcome opportunity to learn new things together with our Shindenkan comrades from all schools. We can learn a lot from each other's successes and mistakes, and that is super motivating and inspiring. It is also rewarding to experience that others are also challenged during the process. I listened intently to the explanations about the eight forces and the twelve principles, although the understanding is not yet overwhelmingly great.

It was in no way easier when together with a partner we had to circle around each other in a circle without moving from the common center. We worked from the inside out trying to find a similar rhythm, the necessary tachi-ai points and common center. It is crucial that you manage to put the ego away and recognize that it can only be successful through a joint effort.

The push-hands part requires openness, as energy and balance must be found and exchanged in interaction with an opponent/fellow player. These exercises require us to feel, feel and sense each other rather than using raw physics. Flow and breaking the balance take over the cabinet, thereby achieving control. The push-hands exercises are basically reminiscent of the more stylized hand and arm movements from Tai-Chi, which again emphasizes the connection between the different systems.

The distance between Japan and China – and thus Denmark and us (me) has become a little smaller. We have gained a beginning understanding of the essence of Chinese martial arts, and thus we are approaching a better understanding of multi-track martial arts and thought. We move towards the center of the spiral.

Edit: Shakuasei – SundWindShine is called Sha Guo Zheng (1904-1992) in Chinese. In Japan he was called Shakuasei. He was Chinese National Treasure. Shindenkan Chinese martial arts Shakuasei is a concentrated, immersive competence course over 4 months, after which it is included on an equal footing with all the other competence courses under the OBC and NKT umbrella, in the 1,000-year-old multi-track elite samurai system.