Why

 

Every year Why do our Monarchs flutter to far away Mexico? Why do our salmon brave rapids and grizzlies? Why do we do Kangeiko? Okay, the levels of difficulty there are not the same. Neither are the answers. Animals don't need reasons. People think they do, so they do. The journey itself is what matters, but until we can realize that, we look for motivations.

- Whispering Pine

 

Why get out of bed at 4:30 in the frozen mornings for a week to attend Kangeiko?

Let's start with the most selfish motivation. Winter Camp is a learning opportunity. We might learn new techniques. We might work on perfecting existing techniques. We might do both. As students, we don't know what we are going to learn but we do know we will gain new insight into our martial art. I do not want to miss this opportunity. Really it's a basic selfish desire.

Of course, once having made the decision to participate, there is the very real possibility that I might not be able to meet the challenge. Not wanting to be a quitter helps me get out of my warm bed.

I am becoming more aware of my own mortality. Time runs out and more and more I feel the need to make the most of every day. The New Year seems to be a time for renewal, a time to re-dedicate myself to higher ideals. I am not a big believer in New Year's resolutions. Nevertheless, I find myself making them. This year I made three, more than usual. They all revolve around the desire to transcend myself, to become more than what I am now.

One of those three resolutions is to improve the quality of my martial arts practice. What better way to kick-start that than with the higher intensity training of Winter Camp?

The tradition of Kangeiko comes down to us from Japan through our teacher and his teachers. It is a challenge for building up the spirit of those who partake. Through it we affirm our connection with those who came before us. We give new life to their teaching and so we transcend our own culture and time.

- RP

 

What motivates me to train during Kangeiko? In the same way that the effort and discomfort of camping can make hot dogs and marshmallows taste delicious, the groggy mornings and stiff joints of Kangeiko make simple comforts sublime. There is a transcendent pleasure in the stillness of early morning breakfasts at places that have only just opened, and watching the tide of stern faces that pour into the empty spaces downtown. Travelling in the opposite direction to morning traffic gives a feeling of sliding sideways through the world, unimpeded by the troubles of the new year.

Kangeiko is a way of holding off the mundane troubles of the world for a brief period. Individually, we can hold up a hand, and tell the world "hang on, this time is for practice." The rest of the year, we come to practice from work, or from school, or from home, and whatever we did in those places clings to us as we train. For the seven days of Kangeiko, we can allow the material of our training to be the first thing on our minds when we wake up, and that material takes it's turn colouring the rest of our day.

-JT

 

Why am I doing the kangeiko? Because I like it. I like doing aikido. When I do it, I feel better in my body and my mind. I can feel the physical benefits of doing this activity first thing in the morning. This is if I get enough time for physical recovery and sleep which I mostly did. I can feel the benefit to my aikido techiques to be able to focus my practice on a few common elements every day, so I remember better what I discovered in my practice of the previous day.

I like it because it stimulates my mind to try and meet the challenges of applying the techniques correctly. Of getting out of the routine. I like it because it is good to my soul to share something I value and spend some important time on it with others with similar interests. Like when sleeping at the dojo, it's the time spent together.

Of course there are things I don't particularly enjoy about doing kangeiko. Like getting up at 5:00 or feeling stiff in the morning. But on the larger scale, there are much more positive than negative, and the impact and benefits are there.

- CC

 

Winter camp training at the Jiseikan Aikido Dojo was very successful according to my opinion. We spent the entire session to review most of the techniques in the Uchi series. It was an opportunity to "take time" to understand how each technique should be executed the way it should be. Get up early in the morning during the winter time is still a challenge to me, although the winter training is much less intense than the summer training. The session ended with a group breakfast, with plenty of good foods; thanks to the contribution of each participant. We also discussed how to prepare the celebration party for the Lunar New Year (the year of the Dragon). Three teams have been formed to prepare three types of fondue: meat, cheese and chocolate. Every year, our Dojo celebrates Family Holiday before Christmas and the Lunar New Year right at the beginning of the following year.

At Jiseikan, I observe that the hierarchical barrier is kept to minimum that every member has the opportunity to contribute. The feeling of belonging to my Dojo motivates me to participate and contribute to every activity. It is like my second home.

I want to come at least twice a week to see friends, with whom I have been practicing for many years. We chat about life and sometimes exchange our frustration toward certain techniques that seemingly failed at that moment. However, we participate regularly to classes and camps without disappointment and failure. Like everyone else, I don't come to the camps just for the techniques, but it is the sense of community that attracts me and gives me more satisfaction.

Our beautiful Dojo provides me a perfect environment for training to be strong both physically and mentally. I have been training for a number of years, and continue to do so as long as I am physically capable. Like everything else, Aikido requires regular practice to reveal its art and true beauty. My admiration toward Aikido began at the time when I know nothing about it. I then turned my thought into action in 1998, and decided to devote part of my time to learn this art with discipline and patience, which are the keys of my success. I have been training for 14 years. Things that I gain since then cannot be described using words, but they are far more precious that money cannot buy. Therefore, aikido is part of my life; and, in this life time, my main motivation is to stay strong and helpful till the end.

- KT

 

For many years now I've been participating in Aikido camps. At first, my main motivation for participating was to see if I could meet the physical and mental challenge that a camp represents. I was attending regular classes, and camps were a way to push my practice to the next level. Even so, every time a camp rolled around, I would ask myself if I would participate in this one. I was very conscious that I was making a decision for each camp, my participation was not automatic. Perhaps I would skip this one. Maybe my schedule didn't allow me attend the classes, or maybe I could make it work but it would be too inconvenient. Maybe I just didn't feel like getting up early in the morning and practicing for an hour and a half that year. There would always be another camp next year, after all.

I don't know when that attitude changed, but it did. Somewhere along the line, camps became part of my regular Aikido practice. Camps are still special. They still provide challenges both physical and mental (although not quite in the same way as when I was in my twenties) and they provide an opportunity to focus on my practice, and my attitude towards practice, that is harder to achieve the rest of the year. A part of the reason why I keep participating in camps is because they've become habit. That's not to say I sign up for camps each year out of reflex, without thinking. I am conscious of what I am doing when I commit myself to seven days of practice. The difference is I no longer ask myself whether I'll be participating in any particular camp, I know I will. At this point in my Aikido career, I know the benefits of participating in camps, I know that I am capable of seeing them through, and I know what I'll miss if I don't participate. That knowledge is enough to keep me coming back year after year, no decision required.

 -ASJ

 

Motivation comes from carrots and sticks. Here is a stick: If I did not do Kangeiko, I would feel like a slacker during and afterwards. Less mental pain if I just do it. But sticks only make a person do the minimum. Carrots take us further. They multiply as we go.

Having done over twenty-five Kangeikos, attending this one held no worries for me. There is plenty of motivation from the enjoyment of working again on familiar techniques as they evolve. I enjoy seeing how others approach them, and how my difficulties resemble theirs. Those things are interesting, but not really challenging. That is just as well - with the restless holidays so near behind, who wants any more challenge?

In my experience senior belts have usually done the camps and I have benefited in my aikido and career and life. Me doing this camp pays that forward.

Junior ranks need to see that the seniors don't slack off. Everyone needs a positive example because it is hard to lift oneself by the bootstraps. The dojo works for personal and social improvement if we participate. As a senior belt I should show up, show interest, and show improvement.

I would hate to miss some Basics practice. I need that, and winter morning camps always dwell on Basics.

During the last practice of the camp my techniques just didn't flow. That has a good side - if I didn't have difficulties, there would be no learning or growth happening.

To enjoy my aikido I need to improve it. The amount and quality of my practice each year needs to reach a critical mass. Why put money and time into it if I don't move ahead? Kangeiko helps me to get there.

My knees are getting healthier because of aikido and tai chi, and camp provides extra exercise. I am not keen to exercise on my own. I need the stimulation of working with partners.

After Kangeiko I sleep better than before. It have more energy. I run when I might walk. It stimulates my awareness and curiosity. When I turn around walking I may think of how it felt efficient or awkward.

Mainly, Kangeiko moves me to consider how my mood need not be spoiled by every little inconvenience or setback. I understand that the best way to step forward is to begin with firm footing and good balance.

- ND

 

 

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