Yudansha Gasshuku in Karlstad

Arnaud throws Joakim when they demonstrate their embuDuring the weekend of 18-19 February there was a yudansha gasshuku (training camp for dan grades). The camp was also open to ikkyū (1 kyū) who had permission from their shibu-chō. Instructors for the camp were Anders Pettersson, daikenshi 5 dan and Åke Olsson, seikenshi 5 dan, shibu-chō of Karlstads Studenter Shibu.
The focus of this camp was embu training, but a lot of time was also going through the basic tanen kihon hōkei (solo forms), and to correct some of the common errors on the pair forms of the tanen kihon hōkei.

Åke-sensei start up the weekend's training

Åke-sensei start up the weekend

Saturday started with all participants doing samu (cleaning) and then it was chinkon gyō. The first session with kihon (basic training) was led by Åke Olsson sensei and had a lot of focus on how we move, which we got back to often during the weekend. Then followed a review of tanen kihon hōkei and the pair forms of tenchiken 1 & 2 and giwaken 1 There were some uncertainties regarding how they begin and end, which was taught.

Peter (left) from Bromma had a chance to train with Per Lindblom, 5 Dan, and get help with tenchiken 2 sōtai.

Peter (left) from Bromma had a chance to train with Per Lindblom, 5 Dan, and get help with tenchiken 2 sōtai.

At lunch they all went together to a nearby pizza place. Then there was some technical difficulties to get into the training hall after lunch, the system to unlock the door via mobile phone did not work quite as it should so we had to wait for the security guards who came and unlocked the door for us.

Kenneth and Pontus are training under the supervision of Åke-sensei

Kenneth and Pontus are training under the supervision of Åke-sensei

The afternoon continued with the embu training. All participants received a number of kōsei (compositions) to practice and explained the important things in how to move and how to easily put together a kōsei and how easy make variations of it.

The last part of Saturday was devoted to practice hōkei that the participants had questions on. All participants had also received a list of what hōkei is coming to what rank in the new kamokuhyō which will take effect from 1 April 2013. Some hōkei has moved to different levels compared with today and there were some questions about those that are new to each level.

Even the higher graded had the chance to train with each other, here is Per Lindblom and Åke Olsson, both 5 Dan, practising their techniques together.

Even the higher graded had the chance to train with each other, here is Per Lindblom and Åke Olsson, both 5 Dan, practising their techniques together.

Saturday evening we had made a reservation at a local restaurant and went out to eat together. It was a Mongolian steakhouse/barbecue, which had a buffet, so everyone got really full. It was a pleasant evening with socializing and discussions on Shorinji Kempo.

Sunday we again had some technical problems with the door which meant we got started a little late. The training continued with the same theme and continued training on the four kōsei who all received on the Saturday. We also looked closely at things like timing and distance to get a good flow in embu.

Kenneth and Pontus had good speed in their embu

Kenneth and Pontus had good speed in their embu

To finish off the embu training all participants was asked to make two additional kōsei, to get a complete embu, and then show it to the others.

Everybody got to show their embu for the other participants

Everybody got to show their embu for the other participants

After lunch Anders sensei informed in more detail about the changes that will take place with the new kamokuhyō, and he explained the differences in the grading requirements for kumi embu, and that the number kyū ranks for adults will be increased, etc. There will also be some changes around regulations for examiners. Hombu has sent out a rather extensive information about all of the changes which was explained to the participants.

Joakim and Arnaud from Gothenburg to show their Embu

Joakim and Arnaud from Gothenburg to show their Embu

The end of the day was once again devoted to questions and answers, and many took the opportunity to ask about the techniques they need to learn for their next grading.

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