For me, the 2011 Jiseikan Summer Camp started a few weeks prior to the actual practices. A training camp such as this requires a bit of planning. First, I had to decide whether I would be able to attend the camp, and if so, how many practices. Could I attend all three daily practices? Or would I have to do less? To make this decision, I discussed the camp with my family and we made arrangements to ensure my wife and kids could attend their activities throughout the week. Then, I spoke with my boss at work and made arrangements to take vacation. With these arrangements made, I felt confident that I could commit to fully participating in Jiseicamp 2011. 

 

The summer camp involves three practices a day, for seven days. Students also have the option of practicing once a day, in the morning, or twice a day, in the morning and evening. Each practice is an hour and a half long. There are many benefits to this type of practice as each day is equivalent to most students’ weekly practice time. This allows you to practice techniques more often, over a shorter period of time, which helps to develop muscle memory and to discover new details about the techniques. A camp such as this requires perseverance and helps build mental toughness. Even though you are tired and sore you still need to get up each morning and push yourself to continue. You learn how to deal with fatigue, soreness, and in some cases injuries.

 

The morning practice involved training with the bokken (wooden sword) and iaito (practice sword). After a warm up, we practiced Suburi (basic strike). We each took turns counting fifty strikes until we had completed around 500 cuts of the sword. We also practiced several other strikes and various sword draws. At this year’s camp we also practiced components of the kata named Ken-Tai-Ichi (sword-body-one). Although the morning practices involved some muscle fatigue, particularly in the shoulder area, I found them to be the most relaxing. I have heard it referred to as “meditation in motion”. Once you learn to relax your body you discover that it is not really that difficult to do so many strikes. You learn that when you feel pain, if you relax the muscle in that area, it will subside and you can continue on. 

The mid-morning practice focused on kicks and punches. I found this practice to be very interesting and a lot of fun, as it was a bit different from our usual practices. To start, we practiced various kicks and punches, around fifty times each. I found this hard on the leg muscles and hips but I was starting to get used to it by the end of the week. To finish each session we practiced one of the 

sutemi-waza (sacrifice techniques) for about 20 minutes. The technique we practiced appears simple but I did struggle each time to do it correctly. The natural tendency is to use arm strength when executing the throw. However, you are supposed to use your body to make the throw and your arms are supposed to guide the attacker. I found it difficult not to use my arms to pull the opponent in the direction of the throw. But it was fun practicing! Later in the week we did a couple of practices where one person stood in the middle of a circle and was surrounded by 4 or 5 people. In one practice, the person in the middle closed their eyes and the people surrounding them called out different types of punches or kicks. The person in the middle would then have to do whatever punch or kick was called out in the direction of the person who called it. The other version of this exercise was where the person in the middle called out the techniques and the person they were facing would have to do the punch or kick that was called. Often in sequences of three to five strikes. I found this to be a very good mental exercise that required concentration. I found it really emphasized the notion of “no mind”. I found that if you did not think about which punch or kick you were going to call or be asked to do, it was actually easier and went more smoothly. If you started to think about which strike or kick to call, or what would be called, you found yourself hesitating. You were much better to simply react as opposed to thinking about what was coming next.

The evening practice was dedicated to a few familiar aikido techniques. I believe the intent was to have us practice only a few techniques, many times over the week, in an attempt to forge the techniques into 

our minds. It amazes me how I never get tired of practicing the same techniques. I think it is because there is always some element of change involved. Sometimes the techniques flow, other times it seems that you have to force them to work. It is amazing how it depends on how relaxed I am at the time. When I am relaxed the techniques flow but when I am tense I cannot move properly. I recall the first evening practice of the week, I was in a group with a few people that I had not practiced with for a while and my techniques seemed forced and difficult. I think I was tense because I was expecting the attacks to come fast and hard. Again, I was thinking too much instead of staying calm and simply reacting. However, this gave me the opportunity to realize what I was feeling and to overcome it and calm myself. Afterwards, the techniques were much smoother.

Another important part of the camp was those times in between practices. In the mornings, those of us participating in the second practice had breakfast together. We each took turns supplying the food. 

Afterwards, we took advantage of the time to do a little work around the dojo, a little spring cleaning. We also took a little time to relax and rest up for the next practice. The afternoons gave me the opportunity to spend some time with my family and, of course, wash a couple of gi (uniforms)!  The traditional Friday afternoon lunch at Sushi Kan is always a big hit! Several of us head over to the restaurant following our mid-morning practice to enjoy the food and spend some time together off the mats. The Friday evening class consists of a movie night. Although optional, it is considered to be part of the camp. It is an opportunity to spend time together and build camaraderie within the group. 

Saturday morning practice is the last practice of the camp. It is at this moment that you feel that sense of accomplishment, knowing that you persevered and achieved your goal. On Saturday evening we celebrate the week with a Korean BBQ. The camp participants and their families get together at one of the students homes. Each participant brings their favorite food to complement the Korean BBQ ribs. We enjoy the food and talk with each other about our experiences of the week. It also gives us the opportunity to meet the families and friends of the people with whom we practice Aikido on a regular basis. Sensei often refers to the importance of “community” and Jiseicamp helps to build our community spirit!