Technique of the Week (March 15th, 2009)

From Sensei Lyle Kleusch, Chief Representative,
Ueshiro Hong Kong Karate Club

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Ueshiro Hong Kong Quoting Sensei Lai after a workout on March 01, 2009:
(While training on his own) "When I was doing the kata, I felt a great sense of closeness with all the karate masters, seen or never seen before. At that point, I came up with The Great Four of Guidance in Karate":

1. Body, your dojo is.
2. Kata, your master is.
3. Mushin, your mind is.
4. Bushido, your spirit is.

"This is my most sincere guidance to the ones who come after me. I wish those who follow this guidance will find the big way, the utmost goal of karate practice."

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I found this message from Sensei Lai to be of profound importance in highlighting the simplicity and traditions of our style and this is what they mean to me. Maybe you can find other meanings as well that are important to you.

1. Body, your dojo is
Wherever you are, you can train. You don't need a gym or apparatuses.Your dojo is always there. Also, treat your body with the respect that you would treat a dojo.

2. Kata, your master is
Master Arakaki exists in our toe-tip kick. Master Ueshiro exists in Fukugata San. Our Sensei and Masters are there in our kata. They are with us every time and anywhere we train.

3. Mushin, your mind is
As with karate, you can practice mushin anywhere.
To practice mushin:
-See everything, look at nothing
-Hear everything, listen to nothing
-Sense everything, engage with nothing
Mushin is always there with you, just waiting to be realized.

4. Bushido, your spirit is
Dedicate yourself with 100% commitment anytime you train karate and your spirit will automatically fill with bushido. Your bushido spirit is already with you, waiting to for you to commit.

Arigato Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei, Sempai and Deshi,
Lyle Kleusch,
Chief Representative,
Ueshiro Hong Kong Karate Club