11th Spring Gasshuku with sensei Monteiro and sensei Sydney

17.-19.5. 2019

11th Spring Gasshuku in Jindřichův Hradec with sensei Jorge Monteiro (8th dan, Portugal) and sensei Sydney Leijenhorst (6th dan, Netherlands)

After a while our teachers invited senior IOGKF instructors to the Czech Republic for a weekend seminar. A few of us already went for dinner with sensei Jorge and a couple of his students he brought with him. 

Friday

We left Prague on Friday afternoon to drive for a couple hours to Jindřichův Hradec, where the Gasshuku took place. We wanted to be on time for the training, but our friend came an hour late! We went in and waited to be noticed and invited to join, hopefully, which luckily didn't take long.

After Junbi Undo sensei Monteiro taught San Dan Gi finished with some takedowns, which was fun. Next we had a block with sensei Sydney. He taught some very interesting principles of Ki, settling the energy down or getting agitated for action, generating power etc. We did several exercises to show and try how to generate power and then applied it to Gekisai Dai Ichi kata. Also we tried to apply the body mechanics to a basically one inch strike we practised with a partner. Sensei later disclosed he practises tibetan buddhism for over 40 years and actually teaches it as well as karate and Qi Gong. The way sensei connects those things is really interesting! I hoped to learn more. 

Saturday

We were training from 10 am till 3 pm. After Junbi Undo, us brown belts were grouped with black belts, as we practised kata Shisochin and later Sanseru with sensei Jorge. Becasue the group was mostly of black belts, I stood in the last line and in a complete corner, unable to see sensei too well at all times. Therefore, what I definitely did not expect, was him checking my kata when we were all doing Shisochin! Sensei remembered I said we were going to try to go for our black belt in Okinawa, so he paid attention. He pointed to me and brought me forward, asking if I didn't mind he'd show stuff (mistakes) on me. Sure, I've always wanted to be the "don't do it like her" example XD 

I was showing how it shouldn't be done for everyone to see and tried to correct my step, when my mind started to wander off to somewhere (yeah, great day!) and just as I laid my foot down, I knew it was wrong and couldn't help but curse a little. My sensei standing right in front of me then also couldn't help but laugh a bit... :D I went to say my thanks to sensei Jorge later, though. It doesn't happen very often that a gust sensei on a seminar like that would look my way all the way to the back and give specific corrections. It was very helpful.

For the next block we worked on kakie with sensei Sydney, including locks and escapes turned into new locks. Some didn't seem as easy, but once I got the knack on them, they were very fun, not far from dancing actually :D Sensei also gave a talk on form and energy, how to use tanden and other, very interesting things. And demonstrated them in action against one of his senior students - a big bloke compared to sensei, who was, however, easily pushed around and overpowered with the mechanics, power, etc. Very, very cool!

Practising Shisochin kata

Sunday

Today was sensei Sydney's turn to do the Junbi Undo. We did a lot of shiko dachi exercises and stretching and as per ours and our sensei's wishes, he also gave us a short introduction to meditation.

For the next block, we were again grouped with the black belts and did kakie again, this time with sensie Jorge. The block continues with several locks - head lock, neck locks, and takedowns, too. I got an unwanted attention when we were doing a rear naked choke from kakie (push hands). I forgot my partner was more than a head taller than me and forgot to do something about his height first. Of course, one stupid mistake and sensie saw! Here I was again, demonstrating what should not be done XD

Next sensei Sydney taught us San Dan Gi. In a special way. We practised a lot on our own and than in pairs. I struggled with the technique as these San Dan Gi were of an unfamiliar principle, and was a bit angry with myself. Right after sensei talked about how we should use our mind in a clever way and not... for example get angry at ourselves XD
For the last block, sensei Jorge practise kata with us - all kata we knew and then bunkai. And a fun work-out exercise in pairs. One partner holds a nasty position while the other runs to the center o the gym, performs a kata and runs back to switch with us. Haha, fun! :D

The whole gasshuku was awesome! Both senseis were really knowlegeable, nice and great teachers. Too bad we can't have seminars like this more often. But I am looking forward to meeting all the guests again in Okinawa this summer

Left to right: Sensei Sydney, me, Honza and sensei Jorge