Physical
Training July 2006
Latecomer's Journey
copyright © 2006 Arline Wolfe,
all rights reserved
“In the sword there is no sword;
make a sword of the body.
In the body there is no body;
make a body of the spirit.
Like a firefly, round; by its
radiance, apparent.
Waiting not, scheming not,
thinking not, pausing not,
As if pressing a gourd in water.”
Kunii Zen’ya
I began the study of iaido in
January of 2004 when I was 47 years old. I was looking for a practice
that would fulfill my desire to learn more about the concept of Budo.
Zen Buddhism has been an interest of mine since I was in high school. I
have worked in an academic library at St. Lawrence University, located
near the Canadian border in upstate New York, since 1988. St. Lawrence
has a small collection of books pertaining to Zen as well as other
schools of Buddhism that are appropriate for a liberal arts college.
With easy access to these scholarly publications, I was able to
continue my informal and frequently interrupted pursuit of studying
writings that depicted various aspects of Zen Buddhism while working
full time, “homesteading” on a small family farm, and raising three
children.
As I continued my reading, I
became aware of the concept of Budo. This really grabbed my attention,
and I had a very strong desire to continue my studies in this
direction. I began to realize that I needed to find a way to practice
if I were truly going to incorporate the elements of Budo into my daily
life. Living in such a rural community, the odds were not good that I
would be able to find a legitimate activity to pursue my goals. Even
with four colleges located in the vicinity of Canton and Potsdam, the
area is so rural that finding a meaningful setting for the serious
practice of a Zen related study would prove to be very difficult.
When I was thirty, I joined an American
version of a Shotokan school of karate dojo with my oldest son, who was
five years old at the time. The first few years were worthwhile as I
became more physically fit, enjoyed the process of working together
with my son, and gained some much needed self confidence.
Unfortunately, after approximately five years, I became frustrated with
the instructor and the particular karate school. The local politics of
the club and poor attitudes of the instructor as well as some of the
higher ranking students, began to have a negative effect on my
training. I realized that my participation in this particular
club could not possibly bring me closer to the study of Budo. My son
was beginning to lose interest as well. I became increasingly
discouraged and frustrated, so we decided not to continue our
membership.
Several years went by and I had all but given up on the
notion that I would ever find a “real” martial arts organization in the
North Country. I was very, very pleased, yet somewhat skeptical, when I
became aware that a kendo club had formed on campus at St. Lawrence
University.
Isshin Kendo North Country proved to be just what I was
looking for. The sensei, John Maisonneuve, conducts kendo and iaido
classes that are very formal and disciplined. Instruction takes place
in an environment that stresses proper etiquette and integrity
first. After the importance of reiho is emphasized, careful
attention is then paid to the correct development of the basic
techniques that form the foundation of both kendo and iaido.
Isshin Kendo North Country is affiliated with
Isshin Kendo of Montreal. Maisonneuve sensei makes several trips to
training halls in Montreal, as well as Toronto and Ottawa throughout
the year. He also attended various summer camps and seminars in the
United States as well as Canada. Maisonneuve sensei not only makes an
enormous effort to continue his own training, but also he strives to
ensure that he his handing down the way of kendo and iaido properly to
his students.
My second son, Tristan, and I have embarked on this
journey together. After nine months of kendo, we began our training in
iaido. The two disciplines appear to complement each other as the
appropriate skills acquired simultaneously seem to enhance both forms
of Budo. In addition to attending classes at at St. Lawrence, on
occasion we have accompanied our sensei to other dojos and have
attended some summer camps and seminars in both kendo and iaido.
Iaido is very centering and has a way of instantly
stopping all the mind’s background chatter. The more I work with the
sword, the more it seems to become a companion, an entity which brings
one to a different plane of existence. This phenomenon is very hard to
put into words, and even harder to explain to those who have not
studied any kind of budo.
There is an inherent beauty in iaido. The katas
contain an aesthetic which is both spiritual and concrete in character.
I play the modern flute, and I find that there are some aspects of
these katas which remind me of classical music. There are particular
patterns of expression contained within a movement of classical music
such as phrasing, dynamics, rhythm, texture, tone, and tempo. I find
these elements to be present in the katas of iaido when one considers
the outward quality of their design. The esoteric dimension is much
more subtle and only barely evident to the beginner. It is the long
quest for this deeper and more spiritual level of iaido that is most
intriguing to me.
On a more practical level, iaido as well as kendo, have
been real motivating factors in the relentless effort to stay in shape
physically as well as mentally. I find that I must work out regularly
in order to stay fit so I can progress in these Budo disciplines. Yoga,
weight lifting and aerobic training all are essential in creating a
strong physical foundation for practice and injury prevention. As one
ages, this type of comprehensive training becomes more and more
critical. Mentally, I find that I must use the centering aspects of
kendo and iaido practice in every day life. In order to make progress
in the class, I need to work at keeping my mind disciplined outside of
the dojo. I struggle with performance anxiety and really have to focus
to stay calm when attending seminars and gradings.
The fact that there are not many women who study
kendo and iaido has not been troubling nor has it been a concern for
me. I have met students from many regions of North America as well as
other parts of the world, representing many different ethnic groups and
coming from various fields of work and study. I find that the
vast majority of people who commit themselves earnestly to the path of
kendo and iaido are very understanding and supportive. Age and gender
are not of any real significance.
It is not uncommon for my friends and
colleagues to wonder how I find the time for iaido and kendo. I try to
explain that the more I practice, the more energy I have. It is
necessary
Arline Wolfe is a member of Isshin
Kendo North Country Canton, New York
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