| Coś o obozie w Jastrowiu 2002 - korespondencja z Londynu: |
| Every year the Ikeda style Aikido dojos of
Poland meet for a summer camp. This brings together students from the Bydgoszcz, Torun,
Inowroclaw and Gdansk dojos – and any other interested parties – for a week or so of
intensive Aikido training, and a fair bit of fun! The 2002 camp was held during August in a school in Jastrowie, near to Pila. About 100 students from around Poland and beyond attended, representing a whole spread of ages and experience. The camp was organised and run by Sensei Waldemar Giersz, ably assisted by senseis from other dojos and senior students. For all their hard work, we are most grateful. Each day began with 45 minutes to an hour of jo and bokken practice outside on a sun-soaked courtyard. Eyes bleary from the early hour, as well as appetites, were soon sharpened by this morning training. A light breakfast followed, and then most students (except for the very young, and exceptionally energetic!) rested – or even slept – till the main training session of the day. Typically lasting about 3 hours, this session followed the same pattern as normal trainings: breath power exercises, a comprehensive warm-up, some training exercises, and a variety of empty-hand techniques. Hard work, sure – but a relaxed sense of focus and purpose, and the opportunity to train with students from different dojos, meant that most people were sad when the training ended and it was time for lunch. Mention must be made here of the kitchen staff, who did a sterling job keeping us hardworking Aikidoka well fed and energised with delicious home-made fare. I think they liked having us there – they certainly seemed to enjoy the banter, and took quite a shining to one or two of the students! Lunch was typically followed by another rest, before a late afternoon training session – similar to the morning one, though usually shorter and a little lighter. After the evening meal, students were left to their own devices. Typical activities included football, volleyball, table tennis, more Aikido practice for the really diligent, or more rest and relaxation for the really sensible! Some juggling was even observed! Most people were in bed by midnight or so. However, it would be wrong of me to suggest that Aikido was the be all and end all of the camp. We had a few trips to a nearby sandy-shored lake, for swimming, diving, and beach ball-games. We also had a disco one night, and a campfire another night – complete with singing, sausages, shooting stars, and jokes from around the world. At the end of the camp were grading exams for those ready to take them (you could usually spot people who suspected they were to be examined, because they were the ones frantically putting in extra practice each evening!). This year people took and passed exams from 12th to 1st kyu. Congratulations to everyone who did so! Kyu grading or not, I believe everyone improved their Aikido on both a technical and personal level over the course of the camp... techniques refined, new insights gleaned, and new friends made. Everyone left the camp happy, and charged with the energy to enjoy their lives. Once again, many thanks to all those who made such an experience possible! Nick Rowlands | powrót do poprzedniej strony | zdjęcia z obozu w Jastrowiu 2002
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