The 2009 Michigan Gasshuku Feedback

Dear Nakamura Sensei

Our family wants to thank you very much for the generous gift of your knowledge and experience last weekend. We learned so much in a such a short period of time and are still trying to get our minds around it all. However, there are several things that we keep bringing up...
"This is the first time I've really felt my tanden coil like a spring."
"I'm going to concentrate more on practicing the proper form."
"It was really cool seeing Nakamura Sensei do Saifa kata!"
"Joining the adult class was really fun."
We can't wait for the next Gasshuku!
Eric, Stacey, Lydia, and Sean M., Howell Michigan
 

Dear Sensei
   The gasshuku last weekend was awesome. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot too. Sensei Nakamura was great, his kata was the best I've ever seen, and he taught us in great detail. It was an honor to train with him and the other senseis.
 
Shane N., Howell Michigan
 

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the gasshuku this last weekend!! I think it is really great to get together with our fellow karate-ka and the wonderfully talented group of Sensei's that we had. It is amazing how much you can learn in a weekend and the kata detail given this last weekend was incredible! It was a pleasure to watch all the Sensei's, especially Nakamura Sensei, and really see what we can aspire to. This gasshuku was a great place to not only train but to develop lasting friendships. I also think we are very fortunate to have you as our Sensei. You do an incredible job teaching not only karate but life lessons and your love of karate inspires the rest of us!! I feel very fortunate to be part of the Ohana family and the IOGKF!!

Mary Beth C., Howell Michigan

 
 I experienced something special this past weekend, something that I’ll be thinking about for a long time and try to keep forever in mind. It felt like I’d been living with sunglasses on for two whole years and they were suddenly tilted up. I really tried to focus on the underlying messages that all the Sensei’s were teaching, and it seems that through imitating their movements I’ve unknowingly tilted the sunglasses up. Knowledge exists in the mind, but wisdom is the truth of experience.

 From the different Sensei’s who taught me, all of whom lead by examples of caring, dedicated, humble and patient teaching, I learned good lessons. Sensei Kopke taught that it is good to always challenge your “limitations”; hard work and perseverance are keys to becoming more accurate, faster and better in whatever you do. Sensei Garwood taught that it is good to develop excellent self-control in the heat of the moment. The better you can control yourself, the better you can take control of your situation without being abusive. Sensei Eugene and yoga instructor Michelle taught that it is good to practice balance and inner peace, don’t lose your center. This way you will have every option available to you whenever you need it. Sensei Weisja taught that it is good to practice confronting your fear. Through proper communication ( which isn’t always just in the form of words) and self-respect you can handle anything life throws at you. Sensei Nakamura taught that it is good to practice being relaxed but focused, living in the present moment. In this way you can experience life to the fullest and even the littlest things can become vey powerful. Sensei Nakamura pointed out that sometimes when you learn something you really don’t know what you’re learning until much later. How true!

 The head chef tells the assistant to go out and gather all of these different vegetables, herbs, and spices of specific detail at great expense and sacrifice to the assistant and is then ordered to put all of his hard work into an ordinary pot of water. Most become frustrated and are reluctant to do so, but those who are patient and respectful will savor that richness and also gain the wisdom of finding the extraordinary within the “ordinary”, because it’s always there.

 Sensei Sam who hosted the event and whom I’m a proud student of teaches that character matters. His presence in our community is one of authenticity and inspiration. He has been a positive influence in my journey through life. All of the teachers and students play an important part together. It is the obligation of the teacher to give the student a taste of what is possible and the responsibility of the student to try their best. I say thank you all who participated in any way: student, teacher, or behind the scene, it made all the difference!   

Tom L., Howell Michigan

   If I could sum up my experience with the Gasshuku in just one word, the word would be humbling. 
          It is very humbling to see Sensei Nakamura instruct and demonstrate kata's and then compare what I see to where I am on my journey in karate. As I watched and tried to learn all that I could, I was at times so overwhelmed that I couldn't help but loose my train of thought watching it all. There was a moment when my mind drifted and I looked out at the spectators to see all of them intent on watching as well and it was with great pride that I knew although I am still just beginning to learn all there is to know in Gojo Ryu , I am a part of something so wonderful.
         All of us in attendance, both spectators and students,  are benefactors of what was taught in this Gasshuku. I consider myself very fortunate for the experience.

  Tank you,

Monica A., StockBridge Michigan

Hi..  We wanted to respond to the Gasshuku this year in Fowlerville.
 Owen had a great time, as he always does.  Several days in a row of training really shows in his form.  He was very excited to get Sensei Nakamura's signature on the big picture we printed out of he & Owen...We're going to frame it along with one of you & Owen in his room above his medal display.
  I did want to make a comment on the children's portion of the event. I definitely (and so did Owen) like the Gasshuku you had in Ann Arbor last year way better.  I thought that one had smaller classes with Sensei Nakamura when you broke them down into certain belt divisions so that they stayed smaller.  Also, the extra touches last year were great and enjoyed, the japanese writings, Origami, Movie etc.  I would be willing to pay a little more over this years event in Fowlerville if the class sizes were smaller so Sensei could have a little more interaction with every student.
  Sincerely, 

Lauren & Stan P., Howell Michigan

Sensei, I loved all of the in depth kata training.  That is exactly what I want to do at an event like this.

Susan P., Fowlerville Michigan

Hi Sensei,
 Thanks again for the weekend for everyone - it was great!!  I was really glad to see that you could train too!  I think that was the best part of the weekend for me - to see you were able and had the time to train.  You are just like Nakamura and give your time to everyone!!!  Thank you again for all you do!! even if it is just to listen.  I hope you and Virginia both know to just ask if you need anything.

Kim S., Howell Michigan

 Hi Sensei,
I believe I've figured out my 'Ah-HA' moment of this gasshuku (at least one of them anyway).  And it has to do with application.  Throughout my short journey in karate, we have talked often about application, we practice bunkai, and it wasn't really sinking in for me.  And I didn't even realize it wasn't sinking in until I watched Nakamura Sensei and listened to what he was saying.  Application is so important, and it is presented in so many different forms to be used in a thousand different ways.  It was a light bulb going on when he said, "You are learning a lot of things and you don't know how to apply them.  And you won't know how or why for a long time."  Another layer of understanding (for me) was added on when we followed that training with the session with Sensei John Garwood and Sensei Weisja.   What it boiled down to was:  we aren't doing an application because Sensei says this is the application and you do it.  We are actually applying it in practice, as it is intended.  The form truly means nothing if you don't know how to apply it, and why.  98% of the time I still don't know how to apply it, but I know I will get there. 

Hopefully that makes sense.  :)

Melissa G., Howell Michigan

 We really enjoyed the event. As a parent it was nice to watch the kids as well as meet some of the other parents. I brought all the kids on Friday and I brought my in-laws on Saturday. We are looking forward to the next one.
Thank You,

Todd S., Howell Michigan

Dear Sensei,
    The gasshaku over the weekend was awesome, and a great learning experience for me! I learned so many new things that I could do to improve on my katas, bunkais, and other things. I am extremely grateful that I was able to learn so much from a great teacher. I would highly recommend to anyone who would like to take their karate experience to a whole new level to definitely attend a gasshaku. The trainings are not only a good workout, but also a great learning experience. In my opinion, this was by far the best gasshaku I have ever attended and I look forward to attending the next one, too. Thank you for all of your help, and I look forward to training with you again Sensei Nakamura.

Lauren F., Fowlerville MIchigan

Sensei,
as a newly belted shodan i cannot put into words how being part of a gasshuku makes me feel.
I get a rush of energy that makes me want to perform and represent my dojo to the fullest extent.
Being able to participate with sensei Nakamura is an experience that i cherish. I find myself oblivious
to any outside forces and just focusing and hanging on every word, move, expression he makes.
I feel like a little child that is looking up at an icon of goju-ryu karate and thinking that "i want to be
like him one day". Sounds corny, but it's true.

Jackie H., Chelsea Michigan

Sensei,

As a Yellow/White belt I had no idea what to expect at the Gasshuku but everything was great as promised. The details that Nakamura Sensei provided really helped me to grasp how to improve my kata.  All of the repetition in warm ups really got me focused on each move.  I truly enjoyed the gasshuku and feel it was invaluable to my training.  Thank you for teaching and encouraging me.

Jenni R., Howell Michigan

Hi Sensei,

 I had a good experience watching Nakamura Sensei, during the Belt Promotion and during the classes he taught. It made me be a better person and believe in myself to be the best I can be.

Regards,

Adam L. S., Howell Michigan

I really liked it. I thought it was awsome...  He had very strong moves. he was  very amazing!!!!!!!!! He was really good.I could feel the mat shake when he did his stuff.

 JACK W., Howell Michigan

Sensei,
Great offer, bad timing (on my part), when I can afford it, I’m in.  I’ve been meaning to e-mail about the Gasshuku, the kids didn’t attend the training, but they were impressed with what they saw.

 A few points

1)   They noticed while watching the adults on Friday night – I said “how are their backs?”, “straight” they answered. “where are their hands?”…”on their knees”, and “where are their eyes?” “On the teacher”.  It was very good for them to see the adults doing exactly what the kids do/are suppose to do in your class.  Big points there on that one. 

2)  They noticed you on Friday night as well, they were impressed.  It’s not often they get to see that, very cool.

3)  During the belt ceremony on Saturday.  Nakamura Sensei’s kata was incredible, huge points there – I think with everyone.  The detail that goes into that kind of compound movement is unreal to see, impossible to reiterate in words (I tried to explain the awesome sight to a coworker on Monday), just amazing.

4)  Sydney – the young lady you have in your black belt class is incredible.  If there are champions in this sport, she’s going to be (or already is) one of them.  Marisa was very impressed (as was I) with the grace and abilities she had with her kata, at such a young age.  That’s a credit to both her and you.

PS – is there a plan to permanently move the dojo to the MMGA building?  If there is, it’s a great idea.

Thanks,

Scott H., Howell Michigan

Sensei,

Since I never attended a Gasshuku I really did not know what to expect.  But after attending all three days I can say this I had a great time and it was a fantastic event.  I found all of the sensei’s very polite and willing to share their knowledge.  I did not witness one once of ego or pride. I was even invited to stop by and work out when in the area by one of the sensei’s (I’m sure he said that to everyone and I’m also sure he meant it).  I truly enjoyed the extra time I spent with fellow Ohana students (they are a great bunch of people).  To watch Nakamura Sensei perform kata and demonstrate applications and clearly explain both was just amazing.  I found myself saying “I want to be like him when I grow up” (I’m 52 years old).  But to have the chance to sit and talk with Nakamura Sensei was priceless.  Besides being an amazing sensei he is also an amazing man.  The Gasshuku was not only a time to learn but a chance for those that instruct to share their gift(s) with the students.

 Thank you,

 Rick B., Howell Michigan