The day of this year Kagami Biraki was a crisp winter’s day in New York City which felt empty still from the remnants of the celebrations of the American new year. I hastily walked to Honma Dojo through the empty streets. I wanted to get there early, but I arrived just in time.

I climbed to the 5th floor, through the winding slate staircase, to find the dojo already active with energy. A few other dojos had come to train with us today in celebration of Kagami Biraki. Some of the faces I recognized from last year’s gathering, but some were new.

A feeling of anticipation filled the air. I changed quickly and had a few minutes to stretch before we started our training. So much for getting there early.

We lined up in rank order, a little skittery as we found our places intermingling with people from the other dojos. Mokuso. A longer meditation than usual. There is something wonderful about being with so many people in a state of peace, silence. It’s a vibration that you rarely feel in daily life. A sense of kinetic energy.

I’m not sure when Sensei Honma banged the drum to welcome everyone to the dojo but the bass echoed in the human silence and our bodies, betrayed by the weight of the day, responded to the call.

We trained; many punches, many Kiais, many kicks and many sit-ups — this was all done in close quarters with friends side by side. A new year, indeed.

The most wonderful part for me was greeting everyone after we trained, A long line of people all bowing and shaking hands, winding around our dojo, initiating and encircling 2010.

Osu,
Maria

Honma Dojo Grand Opening Party 2009

Honma Dojo Grand Opening Party 2009

Honma Dojo Grand Opening Party 2009

]]> http://honmadojo.com/?feed=rss2&p=129 0 http://honmadojo.com/?p=126 http://honmadojo.com/?p=126#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:55:23 +0000 admin http://honmadojo.com/?p=126 Dear Students and Parents,

Our annual HOLIDAY PARTY is this Saturday, December 12th! Please mark your calendars! The children’s party begins at 1PM and the party for the adult students begins at 6PM. A sign up sheet for food and drink to share will be posted on the bulletin board this week. Your friends and family are welcome to join us!

We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Karatedo Honma Dojo

December 10th
Children’s Promotion (please see Sensei for details)

December 12th
Children’s HOLIDAY PARTY 1PM
Adult Student HOLIDAY SOIREE 6PM

December 19th
DOJO Clean Up

December 24th – 26th
DOJO CLOSED for Christmas

Dec 31st – Jan 3rd
DOJO CLOSED for New Year

January 10th
KAGAMI BIRAKI (New Year’s training for adult students)

January 16th
Adult Promotion (please see Sensei for details)

January 17th
KHD 3rd ANNUAL BOWLING TOURNAMENT
FAREWELL PARTY FOR TADA SATO at USHIWAKAMARU

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Karatedo Honma Dojo

58 East 11th Street (between University Place and Broadway) on the 5th floor.

Our new space is a prime location just four minutes walk south from Union Square. We are located on the 5th floor and have access to the elevator.

For adults we are adding classes dedicated to fundamentals, kata, conditioning and flexibility training.

For children, we are adding a class dedicated to the younger set (3 – 4 years old) and also a conditioning class for the older kids.

For seniors, we are offering two classes per week which will focus on exercises derived from karate.

Please see our new here: Schedule 2009

Despite my adversity to the wee hours of the day, even I must admit that there is something very special about sunrise. The weatherman had reported rain, but our luck held fast and the sun edged its way around the pink dawn clouds.

Sensei kicked around some sand on the beach and showed everyone how to make a seiza bench. As Sensei and the students sat in meditation, I was thinking “donuts… donuts… must save the donuts from the seagulls.” Not a part of the training myself, I could allow my thoughts to wander toward hunger.

The training went very well. I cannot help but smile when I think of the nervous faces of the students as Sensei leads them in punches toward the water. Are they thinking, “how far out are we going? when is he going to turn around?” Yet, they carry on. Brave souls. Lucky the water was so warm from the rain.

By the end of training, everyone was good and filthy with sand in their hair and salt stains on their gi. Pangs of jealousy. I would have liked very much to have been sliding my zenkutsu dachi along the sand with everyone else. Alas, maybe next year.

All in all it was a great morning. The rain held off. With strong determination of spirit, Umid showed up just in time for the donuts. And we all narrowly avoided arrest for swimming before the lifeguards were on duty. I guess it’s not a party until you receive a strongly worded warning from a NYC Parks & Recreation officer who hasn’t had his morning coffee yet.

The blindfolded watermelon break resulted in a broken sword (Justin doesn’t know his own strength!) and a bruised bag (sorry, Takeshi!), but amazingly no sand in the fruit!

I would be seriously remiss not to thank all of the drivers who graciously gave their time and service to helping their fellow students get to the beach and safely home again. Thank you also to everyone for putting together a delicious post-training breakfast (hooray! donuts!).

Next year, we aim to be on the beach BEFORE sunrise! OSU!