by Robert Wolfe; photos courtesy Susan Sanders
Formalities taken care of, guest instructor Joseph Simms of the Great Falls Budokan introduced the focus for the day’s training: gyaku-tai (reverse-body), a fundamental principle of movement enabling a trained individual rapidly and powerfully to change direction and/or apply technique. In the Yamate-ryu, the principle of gyaku-tai is embodied in the Tachi-no-kata of the same name, an elegant two-man kata performed with bokken. Because this kata eats up considerable mat space, Simms Sensei split the participants into groups to take turns reviewing (or in some cases learning) the form. Simms Sensei returned to the kata multiple times during the course of the day, between rounds of te-waza. Interestingly, by mid-afternoon, all 28 people on the mat could practice the kata simultaneously without walls or persons being struck by errant bokken.
The primary te-waza employed to explore gyaku-tai was Kata-dori Kote-gaeshi, and a detailed review of the technique was presented by Maren Sensei. Rather than being utilized simply as a means to break the wrist, kote-gaeshi in the Yamate-ryu is viewed as an upside-down kote-mawashi (sankyo) intended to lock and control the opponent’s frame/posture. Consequently, the configuration and timing required to execute the technique effectively are anything but simple. Nonetheless, Maren Sensei provided as clear an example as possible of exactly what participants should be shooting for.
Training alternated between rounds of the Tachi-no-kata and increasingly demanding, unarmed applications of gyaku-tai. Simple rolls transitioned to very dynamic breakfalls and sophisticated pins, but the curriculum was structured in such a way as to permit inexperienced students to train safely while expanding their comfort zones as the senior yudansha started to push the envelope. Throughout the afternoon, Simms Sensei admonished participants to avoid pushing the point of incompetence, reminding everyone to focus on form and technique rather than speed and power as the intensity of practice ramped up. This orchestration of training paid dividends across the board, as participants gleaned insights useful to them personally despite vastly different levels of experience and ability.
The seminar concluded with formal sets of the Tachi-no-kata and te-waza and Simms Sensei, seated at the front corner of the mat, could occasionally be caught grinning when junior students cut loose with a particularly sharp kiai. Assembling into ranks once more, participants bowed-out to close the day’s training and then assisted with cleaning the mat.
Later that evening, everyone reconvened at The Cellar, a BYOB restaurant in nearby Camp Hill, for a black-tie dinner. On top of the great meal and good time had by all, it was especially rewarding to be thanked by the restaurant manager for helping "enhance the reputation of the establishment by allowing it to host such an elegant gathering." (And of course there was the usual amusement to be had at the reaction of staff and other diners: "This is a martial arts group!?!") So as not to wear out our welcome, the serious partiers retreated to the lounge of the hotel where most were staying, in the process setting up what one person described as "surely the finest single malt scotch bar at the moment in central Pennsylvania."
Many thanks are due Simms Sensei and Maren Sensei for their efforts in planning and conducting Glimpse #3, and to all who attended. A special mention is due as well to Mr. McCauley, Mr. Wenberg, and Mr. Walker, all of whom supported the event despite knowing they would not be able to attend, and to Major Stamps and Ms. Sanders who, in addition to supporting the event while on the injured reserve list, served as videographer and photographer, respectively.
