Goshu-Ryu SunCoast

SHARING THE FEELING OF THE BLACK BELTS – MIKE HOOLEY

It was around the time of the Dojo’s trip to Japan to participate in the inaugural Goza Shioda Memorial in 2023, that my journey began. An auspicious start, surrounded by culture and traditions of Japan and training with practitioners from around the world. We, and all students were taught by the most experienced and skilled teachers in the world, not only our own Sensei’s but also Shihan’s and I often watched and thought how seamless they made each technique flow, blending with Uke at all times.

As I tried then and subsequently continued to apply all techniques, I realised I needed to adapt in a number of ways. From training within the physical limits, whatever they may be, life happens, and we all endure niggles along the way, but how can we adapt to continue. Clearing the mind when entering the dojo, easier said than done, but, as I am sure we all know, once on the mats our minds do finally clear and all the other noise just goes away, it’s how can we adapt in that interim period. Likewise, during the application of techniques, there are so many variables, different Uke’s and being Uke, blending and turning, being authentic, the ‘foggy brain’, needing to adapt constantly.

I don’t know if its just me, but things do not always go as planned, thought and dreamt about (yes, there are some sleepless moments), but there is no reset, the only things we can control are our next actions, so it is adapting in that situation.

So, while on this journey, I feel I have begun to adapt, but am only really at the start, and maybe that’s what San Dan is, well for me at least. The realisation of the next step on the overall journey is where I need to focus and grow.

Thankfully, with the teaching support and guidance Sensei has provided, along with the dojo community he and Cindy have built, and the wider Goshu-Ryu community, my journey will always continue.

Osu! Mike