By Karsten Nielsen, Member until 2016
Beep beep beep beep, beep beep beep beep. That's what it sounds like when I open my eyes, Friday morning 22.06. – 2012. The first thought that flies through my head is jubii, today it's the Hsingi course followed by black belt training, followed by the Shindenkan summer convention. If you ask me, it's the best start to the day - it just doesn't get any better. The next thing I thought was that I had better get started, as there were 2 hours until I had to leave for Høje Tåstrup, but before then I had to pack my bag, sleeping bag, etc., shop and of course make some sandwiches to Claus Shishu and me, as I had promised.
It took a little longer than planned to spread those sandwiches, and when I couldn't find my sleeping bag, it suddenly became a stressful morning. When it was 10:15 I jumped on the bus and was on my way. On the train, I thought a lot about how this camp would go and what would happen. I don't expect anything other than to be pushed in the cool way. In addition, I always hope that an Aha experience will appear. When I was waiting at Høje Tåstrup st. I called together with Shishu, who told me that there was a queue, so it would be close, we didn't make it to 13.00 which was the start time. Being late is no fun and it can cost you arm bends, so of course we didn't want that. We made it just in time and shortly after the course started.
Before I talk about the camp and the last Hsingi course, this time, I'll just rewind time a week, ie. The Friday before. This Friday there was black belt training and that morning I decided to take more responsibility for my own learning, in terms of my attitude. It turned out that before I got that far, I had to take more responsibility during the presentation at school and for a stranger - but that's a completely different story. As I said, Hsingi is about power, speed and precision, but no matter how good you are at this, you have to have the right attitude and that was exactly what the Hsingi course reminded me of. On the previous Hsingi courses, my attitude had not been optimal - so now I had to take revenge.
At the camp, we hit the bats a lot. We did this at different paces and with different techniques, which by the way are reminiscent of something I have trained in the past, from our curriculum. The different stroke combinations were divided into 3 levels, where one was with a stationary target and the other two were with movement. Kimu Sensei had previously mentioned something about connections, which caused me to have the first Aha experience.
At this camp it dawned on me how the Hsingi course is related to POMW. Both in POMW and in Hsingi, it's about keeping the focus on the process. You may sometimes think about hitting your training partner or hitting the shooting target, but why really? The secret is not so great, if you dare to admit it, because it is connected with the fact that you have something called an ego. Why do I need to hit? What makes me focus on success in the form of hitting the mark. If in Hsingi you focus on your base, such as elbow over knee, stay down at the same height, remember center etc., then the technique/stroke will be good and difficult for the opponent to see. The same applies to Shooting. If you focus on aiming correctly, correct hand position, breathing, trigger, etc., you will also hit the target.
When we were done with Hsingi, the training moved to the black belt camp. Basically, we trained a lot in the same style and you start to feel it in your body little by little. However, it didn't matter too much, as the techniques also got better and better - although it still requires a lot of work. Another thing that also takes place at these black belt trainings are some group assignments, dealing with a specific topic, which must end with a presentation to the other participants. There was so much more learning to be gained here, because you have to be prepared, but you also have to get some sleep to be properly fit. The group I was in this time was actually really good, understood in the sense that there were many different attitudes and opinions. If everyone has the same opinion, then you don't see things from a different point of view and when there is room for everyone's different opinions, it is instructive and interesting to do this work. Time flew by just like when practicing Karate techniques. The next day, a nice presentation was ready, and the honesty was also noticed.
After the presentations, there was another training session with more Hsingi. It went well and there was plenty of time to work on the technique, we hit just like the day before on pads and in the same combinations. Before I knew it, it was the 2 brown belts who were in the center. It was time for some of their stop tests, which I thought they did very well.
It didn't take long before the students at the summer camp showed up. I was glad because I had been looking forward to teaching. It is different when there are so many people than in the local school. It was generally a fantastic camp and it was with butterflies in the stomach that graduation approached. If there is someone who sits and thinks "Well, you didn't graduate", then that is correct, but when you as an instructor want the best for your students, you can get a little excited, on their behalf. However, I would like to reveal that I am proud of all the students I teach.
For the graduation, it went very well, as far as I could see. For my own part, I had a good and safe feeling that the Kata's were under control. It's great to feel that you are developing and not getting particularly nervous, despite the fact that there are well over 450 people sitting and looking at the few who are left on the floor. At the same time, let me praise Elisabeth Shishu, for the beautiful Kata she did at the end, it was quite impressive - I want to be able to do Kata like that too 🙂
3 days later…
It has now been three days since the camp ended and I am not sure that the learning and the experience have been fully digested yet. That's why I had to go down to the fitness center's hall and train further. There was so much to practice after the camp and just the thought of some new ideas or even more aha experiences was very tempting. That's why I decided to train further and I wasn't going to be disappointed.
I decided to practice some Hsingi techniques for the weekend, first slowly and then quickly - I notice more details when I do them slowly and it's a good learning in. Many techniques I do in 20% and then some with 80% Power and speed, the precision was of course there all the time. Occasionally I also trained a little Kata 20-40 %. Suddenly I had another aha experience, I saw a connection, but this time it wasn't between 2-3 courses. It was actually the entire syllabus. I've got an idea and whether it's right or not, it's like I understand better what is meant by troubleshooting.
I believe and hope that one day I will be so skilled that I will be allowed to read the old/secret scrolls. But if the old scrolls turn out to be empty (like in Kung fu panda), then it's great that I have my own idea to find and correct my mistakes.
All that remains is to say thank you for a fantastic camp and hearty congratulations on the new, well-deserved degrees. In addition, one must remember that it is a matter of attitude, because NOTHING is impossible for the one who carries the true and united will in the heart to the original Budo way.
