By Uffe B. Christensen, Member until 2010
Then it happened again! From the 7th kyu we were all lined up on the line. Some with stripes. Others without….Me with a few bruises from the end! ... In front of us lay 3 hours of intensive training in throwing with a partner. Led with a sure hand by Kimu Sensei.
...But the exercises started gently, for once, with a little mental training into the complicated world of character and, above all, ju-jutsu. About an hour's exciting introduction to the development history of martial arts. The common thread was sure!
That karate is an art form was demonstrated in its best form with a small black-and-white film sequence from the mid-60s, where grandmaster Mifune, at a very advanced age, demonstrated shoulder throws, hip throws and leg throws with playful ease.
This display was immediately followed by examples of modern judo and ju-jutsu at the international top level.
The jump was big. And it would be an understatement to say that this was about martial arts. The graceful had been replaced by the raw strength and the stereotypical movements. The sound placed in the right places as a game for the gallery. ... The latter Brian Renshi-Dai and Kjeld Reshi-Dai could talk to about (Ed. both are former martial arts fighters at the international top level). They gave a lightning demonstration of sound engineering at the highest level. But, as Kimu Sensei could explain, it's just like that when it was only about scoring points against a panel of judges within certain fixed rules of the game. There is not much connection between modern martial arts, as we know it from the EC, WC and Olympics, and then the law of the jungle that applies when you talk about real street-fighting. Here it is always about survival!
And then we got a glimpse of a legend! Another film clip was shown from a rather rough top fight with professional street-fighters (MMA). It wasn't pretty. It was merciless slaughter. The judge's task seemed to be solely a matter of ensuring the survival of the parties in the true sense of the word... But Kimus Sensei hits the spot! This is reality in its harsh seriousness. And this is probably where self-defense really comes into its own. Know yourself and escape in time if it can be achieved! ..I also found out that they are not so good at it – the black belts – . For Kimu Sensei could say with a smile that they actually experienced a street-fight (MMA without rules) together at least once a year during the annual instructor's camp. Right now, anyway, I'm not ready to get my ears in the machine!
So excited, we all got off to a flying start on today's throwing course.
And let me say it right away! I escaped being rowdy. The lesson was another example of Shindenkan under Kimu Sensei's expert leadership and with a team of skilled instructors, in my opinion, getting it right. The holistic view – the famous pizza slices – where you not only seek the physical challenge, but also find peace and inner values. Space for everything and space for everyone! - Ying and yang ! Need I say it was a terrific morning!
