When Rob Renner Shihan and I were initially discussing what topics he was going to cover many months ago he stated that he wanted to focus on developing capasity (Utsuwa). My immediate response to this was “how can one develop capasity? Isn’t capasity something that you already have or not have? However, after giving it some thought and even more after thought I realized that human capasity can grow, we are not static containers. But the question of how to go about developing Utsuwa is still valid. Many of us get comfortable doing what we do and can do those things well, we often become lazy and fail to challenge ourselves to do things differently because we might fail or believe so strongly that we do not need to change things that we already do so well. Sensei has for many years told us that it is only when we know that we dont have it, that we do, and it when we think that we have it that we dont. This idea of challenging yourself to do things that you normally wouldn’t or challenging yourself to do things that you already do well differently is so important to being a martial artist. However, understanding this and putting it into practice are two separate matters.

When things begin to get easy it is important to ramp it up just a little. For example, if you can do a basic front roll really well, try it differently. Slow it down…can you control it? can you come out of it differently? go in different directions? change it in the middle? This training concept can apply to all things (ukemi, taisabaki, ect..) budo and non budo related.

One of the major ideas that Sensei is discussing this year is “Saino-Kon-Ki” (Talent-Capasity-Spirit). He has said that these three qualities are necessary for being a martial artist. These three qualities influence one another greatly. Some people are born with natural talent, large capasity and spirit to do things, while others must work very hard to be good. However, it makes no difference whether you are a person with these natural qualities or a person who must work hard at it… we must all continue to challenge ourselves and find people who will push us to look at things differently.

So as Hatsumi Sensei says lets “train with the eyes of god”

Anthony Brooks Shidoshi

5/3/09 Welcome to the Bujinkan Bushigokoro Dojo Blog!!!

Since we opened in December many things have happened. We had a good reception at our grand opening, have expanded our class sizes and extended our days of training from 2 to 5 days a week, had an amazing seminar with Shihan Rob Renner (who lives in Japan and trains in Hombu Dojo with Hatsumi Sensei and the Japanese Shihan nearly everyday of the week), and we were honored to be on the ABC 7 Television program “Chicagoing with Bill Campbell”. In a short amount of time our Ninja Kids and Shadow Warriors are improving by leaps and bounds, and the Adults arent doing too bad either ;D. We are countinuing to stay busy here at the dojo. Two things in particular that are keeping us busy are planning for our annual Ninja camping trip in June, and preparing for the 2009 Midwest TaiKai (see our Events page).

Also, beginning on May 13th we will be starting a Yoga class two times a week. The instructor, Tamara Rhodes is wonderful, insightful and a great addition to our facility.

I look forward to our future here and I will continue to blog my thoughts on training and keep people informed as best as I can with events and/or any information that could be of use.

Blog at you all later,

Anthony Brooks

The views and opinions expressed here are those solely of the author and should not be confused or interpreted as fact. The Author reserves the right to at any time change his views and or opinions.