Tag Archives: Summer

Summer Souvenir “. . . That’s OK”

1 Jun

Ah, summer is here! 

Seienchin Kata, Badlands, SD, Circa 2004

Seienchin Kata, Badlands, SD, Circa 2004

A time when many of us travel. Whether we journey to an exotic location for an extended stay, simply indulge ourselves in a long weekend, or take the refreshing day trip, a hallmark of summer is travel. In an effort to preserve our experiences, such travel usually involves the ritual of obtaining souvenirs of our journeys. Here is a simple way to collect a souvenir for no financial cost; the sole cost may be expressed in terms of a little sweat.

A Sanchin pontoon boat ride with Miko (R.I.P.), Lake George, NY circa 1999

A Sanchin pontoon boat ride with Miko (R.I.P.), Lake George, NY circa 1999

Since I was first introduced to the concept at ten years old by Sensei Nock D’Antuono, I have always enjoyed performing kata outdoors in any location. I can unabashedly admit that I prefer to perform kata in the magnificence of Nature’s Dojo instead of the relative sterility of a traditional dojo. To be sure, the traditional dojo carries an aura and mystique for me, but, I carry such a dojo in my heart and prefer to exhibit it in nature.
For decades, I have collected kata souvenirs of my many travels. Much like looking through a photo album, I am able to revisit my travels by recalling them while performing my kata. Regardless of my present location, I can perform a kata and recall a memory of performing the kata at a different time and in a different place.

Tensho practice, Cape Cod, MA, Circa. 2001

Tensho practice, Cape Cod, MA, Circa. 2001

To assist you in collecting your own kata souvenirs, I submit the
Summer Souvenir “. . . That’s OK” (Online Kata) Session

As always, you can perform either the Sanchin Kata, my Shibumi Kata (Link: https://senseijohn.me/2013/12/05/shibumi-kata-the-movements/ ) or any karate kata.

For my karate brethren, the “Kata Sommelier” has a recommendation for this session.
Remember, the group dynamic is not fulfilled by all of us being geographically present, rather, it is fulfilled by each of us performing our kata in the proscribed manner.

Session Parameters:
Date, time & location: all summer long during your travels;
Salient Points:

  • wherever you travel perform Sanchin (or any other kata of your choice);
  • during your performance note the experience of your surroundings, what are the sights and smells? If barefoot, how does the ground feel (is it sandy, rocky, watery, etc). Pay attention to the weather conditions; was it hot, sunny, cold, rainy?
  • remember the time of day of your performance; sunrise, midday, sunset, etc;
  • take note of your experiences before and after the kata performance so that they will be associated with the kata;
  • if you are with someone, recall their presence during your kata;
  • if possible, to assist you, take a photo of a pose from your kata, or video record the performance;
  • remember that you interact with the environment during your kata performance, therefore, you leave a part of you in the environment. Thus, a part of you will always remain “on vacation” at that location.

Kata Sommelier: For my karate brethren, I would recommend any kata. Once and for all, take your kata practice out of the Dojo and into nature.

The last requirement of this “. . . That’s OK” session is to remain in a positive physical, emotional and mental state throughout the day by way of the concept of “Zanshin” (the “remaining mind.” For information on the Zanshin state-of-mind, please use this link:
https://senseijohn.me/2014/02/23/zanshin-remaining-mind-shibumi-project/

Once again, you may wish to not only perform this “. . . That’s OK” session as scheduled, but may also revisit the session as a regular part of your kata practice.

Sanchin at the Lower Salt River, AZ

Sanchin at the Lower Salt River, AZ

A Sanchin breaking from riding my H-D electra-glide, cotton fields, San Tan Valley, AZ 2011

A Sanchin breaking from riding my H-D electra-glide, cotton fields, San Tan Valley, AZ 2011

In closing, I remain adding souvenirs to my collection,

HANKO

Sensei John Szmitkowski

If you enjoy this “ . . . That’s OK” (Online Kata) session, you may wish to show your support by visiting Sensei’s store.

Come visit my store on CafePress!

all items have a minimal mark-up of only $ 0.75 to $ 1.00 over base prices! Here are ONLY SOME of our support products:
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© Copyright 2014 Issho Productions & John Szmitkowski, all rights reserved.

Sensei John is now on Facebook, under – FLY FISHING DOJO, you are invited to send a Facebook friend request.

You may wish to view my other blogs –
LOGO-WEBSITE my fishing blog which includes my fishing journals and the interrelationship between martial arts protocol & ideology to fishing http://flyfishingdojo.com
and
DOJO STICKER-1 the Goshin-Do Karate blog at http://defeliceryu.com

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SANCHIN PILGRIMAGE: “Blinded-By-The-Light”

23 May

The long Memorial Day Weekend will soon be upon us. This is the weekend that traditionally heralds the start of summer; a season of “fun in the sun.” With that spirit in mind, I would suggest the following Sanchin Pilgrimage to all my Sect Of Sanchin members. This method of Sanchin practice is a favorite of mine; in fact, it IS my daily morning Sanchin practice.

Remember, the group dynamic is not fulfilled by all of us being geographically present, rather, it is fulfilled by each of us performing Sanchin in the proscribed manner.

For purposes of ascribing a name to this Sanchin Pilgrimage, I will utilize the title of a popular song from my youth; I call this Sanchin pilgrimage the

“Blinded-By-The-Light Sanchin Pilgrimage.”

Sunrise, Veteran’s Oasis Lake, Chandler, Arizona

Session Parameters:

Date: So as to celebrate the start of summer, perform Sanchin any time during the long Memorial Day weekend being mindful of the salient points below.

Location:  Any location; however, I would suggest a natural, outdoor location that best represents the concept of “summer” to you; perhaps the sea shore, the mountains, a lake, even your own backyard while waiting for your grill to heat-up for the first BBQ of summer, be creative and celebrate your individual concept of summer.

Salient Points:

  • The purpose of this pilgrimage is to accentuate the manner in which Sanchin physically and spiritually interconnects you with your external environment. As such, you should be conscious of this interconnectivity;
  • Face the sun (but do not look directly at the sun). Then close your eyes;
  • With eyes closed, perform the “Acts of preparation” (bow, meditation and ready posture); you should be aware of the warmth of the sun upon your face and body;
  • With eyes still closed, perform Sanchin; be aware of all the various external elements, including, though not limited to the warmth of the sun, the breeze, the smell and sounds of your surrounding, take all of these factors within you as you perform Sanchin. Use all your senses;
  • After completing Sanchin and while in the ready posture, open your eyes and reflect upon the sensory stimuli experienced during Sanchin; also, note your position after performing Sanchin in relation to the position you were in prior to starting Sanchin; are you still in alignment with that position, or are you out of alignment? (See Endnote # 1)
  • Perform the “Acts of conclusion” (ready posture, meditation and bow);
  • The last requirement of this Sanchin Pilgrimage is to remain in an enraptured physical, spiritual and metaphysical state throughout the day by way of the concept of  “Zanshin” (the “remaining mind” which is discussed in my Sanchin DVD and Book).

Once again, you may wish to not only perform the Sanchin Pilgrimage as scheduled, but may also revisit the specific pilgrimage and allow Sanchin to unlock the cage imposed upon your by the drama of daily life. Do this as an integral part of your regular Sanchin practice.

In closing I remain, eager to be “blinded by the light” each and every morning,

HANKO

Sensei John Szmitkowski

ENDNOTES:

1. Goshin-Do Karate Sanchin, like all “modern” kata (generally kata established or modified from the ancient kata after 1940) have a unique characteristic known as “positional coincidence.” Positional coincidence means that if a kata is performed with technical accuracy, particularly as to the stances utilized in the kata, one would start and conclude a kata at exactly the same point on the ground and in alignment with the overall starting position. Prior to approximately 1940, the older versions of kata did not necessarily have the characteristic of positional coincidence. While the majority of “modern” karate kata contain the concept, the lack of positional coincidence may still be seen in the older kata of Okinawa Kobudo (ancient weapons art) and kata of Chinese Kung-Fu.

NOW AVAILABLE – SANCHIN VIDEO SERIES designed specifically for the NON-MARTIAL ARTIST who desires to learn & unlock the secret treasure of Sanchin. Here is a convenient link a promotional video about the Sanchin DVD filmed on location at various scenic locations throughout Arizona. LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-pC-tPUrYE

You can find information on how to purchase a Sanchin DVD & Book by clicking the following convenient link:http://www.dynamic-meditation.com/references.html

Sensei John is now on Facebook, under – FLY FISHING DOJO, you are invited to send a Facebook friend request.

For more on either Sanchin Kata as meditation or my new book on Sanchin Kata, please feel free to visit the “Sanchin Book” page of this weblog, or my website WWW.Dynamic-Meditation.Com.

You may wish to view two related blogs, the first is my blog dedicated to the interrelationship between martial arts protocol & ideology to fly-fishing and fishing in general by clicking WWW.FlyFishingDojo.Com the second is the official blog of Shihan Thomas DeFelice and his Yudansha (black belts – including sensei John) which is found at WWW.DeFeliceRyu.Wordpress.Com

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