Class Review: Ability – Tamashii – Capacity / Year of The Tiger 2010
My blog is “not” about teaching Japanese Budo, its main function is for expressing the thoughts and beliefs of my experience which I can ensure you will change as time does. It’s natural to do so, please don’t take what”s written literal or as truth. This will keep you out of that place within yourselves that is open to explore your inner nature. Truth doesn’t exist in the inner realms of self. Man is ever – changing, evolving.
News update: Next week July 15th and 16 , Papa-san (Ed Martin) and Anthony Lucas once again will combine their experiences and teach jointly in New York City. The location will be held at the Tanjiki Dojo from 7pm to 10pm both evenings. Also I will be available to anyone interested in learning more about Reiki (universal life force energy) Japanese origin healing technique that’s main function is to promote self healing and relaxation. In addition to Reiki there is Seichem (living light energy) is an ancient Egyptian system of healing. Reiki and Seichem are stand alone healing systems that can be taught or administered jointly that will magnify a force of energy for optimum healing.
Class review:
Set aside all pre – conceived notions of life, budo and what you think you know the innerself and it’s abilities. My interest last night was not to teach, but explain exactly how to move efficiently and effectively. The basics of Budo Taijutsu is significantly necessary and a must to completely allow oneself to let go. Spent the first hour on cross grabs with a punch (jodan tsuki). It’s essential to measure your own distance – how did I illustrate such? We used a tachi, that symbolised space, that created the needed distance. One thing to keep in mind, its not about the technique which some students couldn’t resist, even with a weapon. They’re ego’s convince them to do away with the distance practice and use their weapons. Like being hypnotized by a courtesan (perhaps they were taken back to feudal society), LOL. Just kidding! We used the tachi to advance with the discovery of our distance work – once that was accomplished, using the tachi as a shield become operative. I showed many variations from the cross grab and punch scenario. The knife came in to play here as well – its important to not separate the fact a weapon is used along with the same movement if necessary – just have to adjust and adapt to suit your neighbor (weapon) accordingly. Knife, tachi and shuriken was the toys we had time for last night. Did alittle shuriken throwing last night.
Personal insights: Last night in training it wasn’t about being in the moment. Continuum (“going through” a gradual transition, to a different transition without any abrupt changes) is how I like to identify this phenomenon. This transition moves through space where time doesn’t exist in a linear way. The imagination plays a significant role in taijutsu – as in a child plays significantly happy while not having a care in the world other then how much their parents will allow them to play. Someone mentioned last night that we all have imaginations, I told her , that is correct. Children though don’t worry about working, bills and decisions involving others. Once a man, twice a child… How interesting, yeah?
One of my many favorite quotes:
“When the music changes, so does the dance.
Kind regards to all -
Anthony Lucas
