Thursday, July 18, 2013

JAPAN TRAINING - JULY 18, 2013 - OMAGARI




It is 6:20 a.m. and I'm sitting in front of the ryokan because it's the only place to get wifi.  Des Tuck Sensei is wandering about the parking lot with his tablet, still in his yukata robe from the bath.  All the gaijin here in quaint little Omagari is very interesting for the locals I'm sure.  The folks here are extremely helpful, friendly, and courteous.

I've been up since about four, since that's when it gets light here in the summer.  Already bathed and soaked and am trying to get the body together after yesterday's hard training.

The first hour of training is always the hardest because the sweat begins to pour and you're thinking, hummmm, only 6 more hours.  You just have to be able to go within yourself and just stay in the moment.  I have already learned so much and gleaned more of the nuances that make goju-ryu so incredible.

There are some very tough characters training this year.  A dozen Slovaks are here and quite a few Aussies, all of whom are very big and don't mind whacking each other around in the kumite drills.  What I've noticed is that when you are only intent on power, you miss out on what Goju is all about.  Shihan Fujiwara is the perfect example of how speed, tai sabaki, movement, and finesse can stand up to the biggest and strongest.

We worked several hours of kumite drills and made it up through Seipai kata.  The last hour is especially difficult as you have to dig deeply to keep going when the body - especially the joints -- are screaming for you to STOP!  This morning I am feeling the cumulative effect and am looking forward to tomorrow as it is our mid-training rest day.  I'm pretty certain I'll be toast come tonight.

Last night after dinner, many of the senior instructors sat about the dining area chatting and having a bit of wine.  Fujiwara Shihan joined us for the last hour.  What impresses me is the amazing variety of people in this organization.  It is an honor to be a part of it.

                               The ryokan at 4:30 a.m.

                               Boss Coffee and my wifi bench at the Gran Mart.

                                In my room.


                               Desmond Tuck, Boss Coffee representative.

                                Demo'ing kumite drills.

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