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Author koryu

With the yesterdays seminar on subject Hanbo Goshijutsu (self-defense using a short stick), we’ve almost finished our responsibilities from this years program of Bujinkan Macedonia.

Two regular training sessions remain, as well as the kyu testing that is happening on Wednesday (30th December).

This time for this seminar we are going to share the impressions of kohai Sanja Simonova written on our Forum:

„On my pleasure, we finished this years „book“ of seminars with the hanbo. My love for this weapon dates back when we trained on the wooden floors and I remember the pain that came along with it and the sound it made when it would hit the floor. Its beauty, in my opinion, is that it’s „hidden“ in many objects that we name otherwise: an umbrella, a walking cane, a trekking staff, a rolling pin…

As Sensei said, the hanbo is completely legal, we can carry it everywhere and anytime. To be able to wield this weapon is a great advantage. Firstly, because it is big enough to make enough damage to an aggressive attacker that doesn’t need to be visible to the eye, and at the same time it is small enough to „pack it“ and carry it around with us. The Hanbo is such a small, and at the same time a big thing.

We were eight on this seminar, and we’ve gone through eight kata – each one better than the previous one. At first I though that we would start off with the basic postures and forms that I’ve encountered before, however Sensei surprised us with specific scenarios for defense from various continuous strikes, grips to a part of the clothing, or, attempts to take away our weapon. The kata had „character“, as sempai Marko would have said. We could feel the explosive potential of the weapon, and the pain on contact was present at all times. That was the undeniable proof of its efficiency.

The atmosphere during the seminar was excellent and everyone did their best. The intensity of the training contributed to the change of color on the beginners’ faces, and for the older students it increased the stability, the speed, and the ease of use of the weapon. It’s a great feeling when you consider something known, and then you will discover a new move that makes a big difference and you will feel the enthusiasm from repeating a kata and the reveal of another of its hidden pearls, which in turn creates even greater hunger to keep going further!“

Author koryu

The leader of Bujinkan Macedonia, Igor Dovezenski, organized another Sunday seminar in the dojo of Bujinkan Macedonia in Skopje. This time the subject was about martial techniques on the ground, i.e. Ne Waza.

Author koryu

In the dojo in Skopje the seminar for Junan Taiso (body stretching exercises) was held today, which was organized by Bujinkan Macedonia. On this event around 15 participants were present, most of them members of the Organization dedicated to the study of classical Japanese martial arts „Taiyou e no Michi“, and their close relatives and friends.

Author koryu

This past weekend in the Romanian city Iasi the instructor Igor Dovezenski held a seminar where he taught techniques for sword fighting (kenjutsu), including ways to fight with a staff (bojutsu). The event was organized by the leader of Shingan Dojo, Catalin Soreanu, and by his request the event was invitation only and meant for the advanced students of his dojo.

Author koryu

The participants of the seminar with sharing their impressions practically wrote the report for the seventh Women Self-Defense Workshop:

Sanja Simonova – „The first training lasted two and a half hours. Sensei introduced us to this years theme, answered our beginners questions,and immediately after that we started training. The scenarios that we worked on were the most likely to happen in reality, and beside training how to anticipate an attack, Sensei explained us what situations and which postures we were to avoid at all cost. And if they were to happen, how to react accordingly.

The time flew by as the intensity increased and the atmosphere was getting fiercer.

We used the break between the training sessions for a walk in the surrounding area, visiting the legendary Dackos’ village store, taking photos of the beautiful Dovezence, having lunch, child’s play and getting chased around the dojo.

The second training also lasted two and a half hours. We were working on techniques on the ground, but our spirits were still high. Sensei was training with us all the time and taught us with his every word and contact.

In the evening we had a small party around the fire, we started a chatter as women usually can, we treated ourselves with a glass of homemade liqueur, and tired and happy we went to sleep. The fireplace glistered and warmed us, the night was clear and it looked like a great morning was about to come.

The second day, Anichka lit up the fireplace, we got out of our bags and went straight for a tea and breakfast talking about who is in pain of what from the training. The temporary pain cannot put out or put in shadow the constant determination and love. Soon Sensei came and we started the morning training. In a fun and practical way, we went over a part of what we trained the previous day. We continued with so many new scenarios, and we finished with a really good stretch that leaves you strengthened and energized. We used our break for a walk to Zdravkin Kamen. The sun was shining above us, bu it didn’t set for us. Everything was wonderful, magical and uniquely beautiful. The last training session was less demanding, but only because of the pain that each of us had from the previous intensive sessions. After a quick warm up, we burned through two hours without a problem. The last training in the Hombu is the hardest at the start, but the best at the end. There is a point when it’s really hard, but suddenly it becomes unbearably easy, and that is a special feeling that I don’t know how to describe.

We cleaned our dojo, we packed, hugged several times, and left. We had written another unforgettable page on the Path, we gathered even more knowledge, we strengthened our friendship and we wished for it to last a long time while we joyfully await our moments together.

This was my fourth Workshop in a row. Each one had its beauties and moments to cherish, but this year there was unseen friendship, jokes, and closeness. All of us, literally all were like one. We haven’t been this organized, we shared food, water, and everything we brought was as if one mother put everything out there for us. We helped each other for everything, and that kind of rarity, unity, love, dedication, respect, and loyalty are gained only in the club. When one really great and exceptional man stands in the middle of this, who we love from the bottom of our hearts, who sacrifices himself for the tiniest details, we cannot stop improving ourselves.

Thanks to you Sensei and thanks to all that were part of this wonderful weekend!

p.s. Maja, seeing you made me so happy that I can’t wait to see you in a kimono in the dojo.

Well girls, strong is the new sexy ;)“

Elena Angelovska – The stream hurts. Yes, you read that correctly. Not only every muscle in my body is sore and in pain, not just when I try to tie my shoes, not just when I try to reach for something. Even the stream hurts. Yes, the stream from the shower, that is, and every drop of water that hits my body, every cell, every pore. And some might say – why the hell do you come to this workshop every year, since it makes you suffer for days afterwards? And to that someone, how do you explain that each of those drops that hurt carries life in itself,

so that it can’t even be compared to the river that keeps on flowing in front of my eyes.That drop carries such heat that heals, makes you stand straight, makes you exist. That’s that exact alchemy in those two days by the magical paradise called Dojo. Not a regular Dojo, but our own “Bujinkan

Macedonia”.

Tamara Georgievska – “First seminar, first impressions. It would be hard to describe how it was in just a couple of sentences. The feeling when you’re there, in the Hombu Dojo, is simply amazing. Those that have been there, know what I’m talking about. 

During the two days, Sensei taught us techniques connected to the topic of the seminar. Time passed quickly, we didn’t really feel it. Training, walks through the village, having fun with Kosara and Ksenija, conversations without end. You can’t describe sleeping there. Everybody next to one another, in bags and under blankets. The second day, after training, Sensei gave us a tour to Zdravkin Kamen. We came back just in time for the second session, and when it ended, we couldn’t believe it was already time to leave.

I didn’t want to go home. It was beautiful in the dojo. So much love and understanding in a single place. Something you can’t forget. 

Thank you Sensei, for everything!”

Author koryu

„The Seven important rules of Self-Defense“ is the title of the seventh in a row „Workshop for Self-Defense for Women“. As every previous year the instructor of Bujinkan Macedonia, Igor Dovezenski, will educate the members of the gentler sex how to protect themselves in case of an attack or a physical abuse.

Author koryu

Instead of a classic report about the visit of the Hombu Dojo by the Ninja Kids of Bujinkan Macedonia, we will publish the text of kohai Sanja Simonova, that she wrote on our Forum:

„Trust me that the feelings of that day will never fade or be forgotten. I can believe the kids when they told me that that was the best day in their childhood, because it was my best day in my adulthood.“

Everybody was at the meeting place right on time. They probably had no sleep last night. For the whole length of the road, we felt incredibly positive energy and children’s enthusiasm – they couldn’t wait to get there faster.

When we arrived, after a short break, Taki took them on a stroll through the yard and recounted the history of Taiyo u e no Michi. I was susrprised by the energy, knowledge and attention he paid to the kids. I think that he know each centimeter of the dojo, knowing exactly when and what to show, by which he had the full attention of the kids.

While we were inside, he told them about the weapons, pictures and everything else you can see inside, all of it magical – I had the feeling that I was watching a documentary for children.

You can’t teach without being taught at the same time. I slowly begin to understand hwo to work with so many kids on that age and it’s a particularly important process for us.

There was some real fun going on in the dining area. Sipping from the stew, chewing beans, taking photos. One kids asking for a refill, another saying „This is the best tomato I’ve had in my life!“ … The free time, we used for walks around the village, getting to know the great outdoors and the animal life.

I overheard them talking – ‘Are we leaving for Skopje today?’, and another kid replying ‘Yes’, to which the first one replies ‘Nah, I’m sleeping here.’

It was a beautiful sunny day, filled with love and joy, a day in which a huge dream came true for a lot of kids, and I am incredibly glad for being a part of it. I am grateful to Sensei and Taki, because I was able to take a spin at the ‘merry-go-round’ in that wonderful world thanks to them.

Let them grow happy and let the Ninja Kids section grow with them – we are here to support them in full on the Path. If you find the Path, you can’t stray from it.