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Reflection from the Camp by Dabao

Dabao in Camp day 2 (19th July 09)

Many people have presented their thoughts for the National Camp two weeks ago, and I would like to share my thoughts with you guys here.

I have been studying Kendo over two years, and this was my first time to attend a National Camp. I felt it was helpful, just like Andrew said we have done many practices with other kendoka and watched Sensais’ excellent presentation.

However, I also have kendo blues as Debbie does, and those blues still fazes me, such as why I can’t get the 1pond? Why my Men cut always looks ugly? When I can get my first dan? I know all I can do right now is keeping training, one day I will find out the answers.

Additionally, thanks for Annie’s thoughts, I love her ideas about

If MIND changes ATTITUDE will change; ANTTITUDE changes ACTION; ACTION changes HABBIT; HABBIT changes PERSONALITY; PERSONALITY changes FATES; FATES changes LIFE.”

I always ask myself a question ‘why I am still studying kendo’? Marlene and Sam sansai told me ‘kendo is life’, but the life is tough! I think nothing is easily to achieve. Alex sansai said ‘Ji-keiko is physical chess game”, I agreed and I love the game. I think there is not any right answer to respond the question, because I just want to do it at this moment, and all I can do this to expand ‘the moment’.

Philosophy is important to build up understanding on kendo, but Kihon training is another path to reach the understanding. I have several ideas about what we have been doing through the camp:

1. We should bring three things to mind every second: shoulder (should be relaxing), dantan/bellybutton (should be tight), left leg /foot (should push the whole body forward).

2. Left hand is an angel and right hand is a demon, which one you will choose to close to?

3. Always using your left hand, and pushing your whole body forward without fear or worried about being hit.

4. The Kiai stands for our spirits, but it should cooperate with our accurate movement. An accurate movement comes from time to time Kiho training.

5. Always attack first; it is not only from the body, also come from the mind.

All these points have been mentioned by Marlene and Sam sansai before, and the same story just was told by other teachers through the camp again. We always have new reflection about the story each time, don’t we?

Many thanks and keep warm
Dabao

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