Then there was another fantastic SST event on the track, which was held in the spirit of normality.
SST is an introductory meeting especially for new members and the turnout for this meeting was massive. Not only from the members' side, but to a large extent also from their parents. It was so wonderful to see and feel the support and interest from the parents - they wanted to know who we are and what our children can learn from you. Yes, the expectations were high, but they were met for UG cross and snake.
Even though the SST meeting was moved to a Saturday afternoon this time, it just showed that there was positive energy from everyone here - not least the instructors who really gave it gas 🙂
SST shows all new members and their parents how the entire Shindenkan organization is connected and it gives a solid impression of what Yakami Shinsei-Ryu Karate-Do is and where it comes from. There is always great interest in how graduations proceed and what is needed. Here, too, there was incredibly great interest from both participants and parents. And how wonderful it is that so many parents support their children and follow how it all comes together.
The SST convention gives a solid insight into who Shindenkan is and who the instructors are who the members are taught by. It all begins with an incredibly exciting presentation of the entire organization and the story behind it. Such knowledge is worth its weight in gold because it creates understanding and insight on the further journey. From there comes the practicality of reviewing Dojo-kun so that safe training frameworks can be created for everyone - it often turns out that Dojo-kun knows all the children from the school, which is also a dojo - namely a place where you are informed 🙂
Dojo-kun is carried out as a role-play and with practical examples that always make the participants laugh out loud because it is carried out with humor at the forefront - this time was no exception and the big smiles also came out from everyone. KataFIT and MBH are then reviewed so the participants get a taste of what it means to be able to bring your body into balance and how to breathe correctly during movement.
Of course, there will also be Yakami Shinsei-Ryu on the program and after a short break, the participants will get an insight and a sample of the fantastic world of Jujutsu with fall technique and throwing technique, which then just ends with a lock just to put a cherry on top.
At this point comes what everyone is waiting for and what everyone has been looking forward to - the samurai's top skill, namely Kenjutsu. All the participants try out Kenjutsu so they also know what they have to look forward to. It is always fantastic to see how everyone, without exception, grows when they are allowed to train with a bokuto 🙂
The last part of an SST event is always where everyone is tested - namely pad training. Being able to hit correctly and train correctly with a batting pad is extremely important in Shindenkan - because if you can't hit correctly, you can't hit correctly and if you can't hit correctly, you can't defend yourself correctly either. It must also be said that at this point all the participants are very tender and tired, but where there's a will, there's a way and everyone did fantastic all the way.
The SST convention has now been held for quite a few years and every time it is a huge success where the participants and their parents really gain insight into Shindenkan as an organization and where everyone can ask the questions they want answered.
It has therefore also been absolutely fantastic at this SST event to see the large number of entries from both participants and parents. It shows us all that we are back to normal and it shows that the time after Corona is now heading in the right direction - even if new mutations are on the way.
Because we have been up to speed all the way, since March 2020, in terms of maintaining guidelines and we as an organization have taken extra precautions because we want to look after our members and it has been the KISS common sense method. All this creates security and it creates faith in a future where nothing can knock us out, because remember that in Shindenkan we stand strong together and we have done so all along – locally as well as nationally.
What the future holds is not known, but I wonder if all the participants from this year's SST convention are looking forward to a season with graduations and opportunities for new course competencies, where learning and a good attitude are the focus. In any case, the instructors will do their part to be well prepared and ready so that the further journey will be safe, secure and incredibly exciting - and who knows, maybe the parents can move from the bench on the sidelines and onto the floor of the dojo where, together with their children can get a completely unique experience for life and at the same time get in good shape in a fun and safe way 🙂
