"We will have one world or we will have no world. We will all live together or we will all die together" 
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Conversation on Jo at lunch break, 6th November seminar in Poole.
Present, myself, Andy, Nigel and Julian.."Why make a move that is unnecessary, keep it simple. ... don't give away your intention". Etiquette will mean that you select a good Jo .... and not someone elses'! A quality Jo is less likely to break when you are depending upon it ... eg in Jo dori or Jo nage. ....and look after it. Also don't lean on it when on the tatami as it damages the mat for one .... or any where else come to think of it." "Keep the shoulders relaxed and as far as possible your elbows in more than they are out, remain free flowing in action." (Leaning on your Jo means that you have given away your control of gravity to something other than self). "Keeping two hands in contact with the Jo when active has an advantage, also when changing hands, crossover of hands, don't take the hand too far from the Jo."
Without tension is surely the way of peace.
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Sensei Luda, Sensei Tony Sargeant, Sensei Sergei At the Koriana Dojo, Kefalonia . 2011.

 


A conversation about Jo – Easter 2011 Kefalonia in the Ionian Sea.

Present; Sensei Tony Sargeant 6th dan Aikiki from the U.K. ; Sergei Stoliarov 3rd dan Aikiki from the Russian Federation; Sensei Richard Small (editor) 3rd dan TIA GB and Sensei Ludmilla Vinogravoda 2nd dan from the Russian Federation.

Sensei Sergei.

‘there is a question of what comes first. Is it form or power?

Many will say that form comes first but we have found from teaching many children that they will learn at least three times faster if we begin with power’. S Sergei later demonstrated the methodology in the Dojo, … it made sense and his students of course are the proof of this method. ‘ from power good form is created, only later is more detail added.

Self discovery is a valuable ingredient of the method and indeed the path we seek to tread’

‘By raising our level through self discovery you can achieve the possibility of teaching that which was never taught to you.’

‘We should open our gaze to other possibilities but must continue to walk the path. Only towards the end will the wisdoms become more apparent. Self teaching is valuable and can be quick. For example, Shaolin monks asked to stand on bricks soon discover the best way to stand!' 'Why is it that we do not find ourselves? Is it that teachers talk too much?'

Editor's note; yes, I'm guilty there, perhaps I will look for more self learning in my own students in future.


Sensei Ludmilla

'It takes time, your own time, to feel the Jo, not understand it but feel it. The Jo, and ken, need to become as much a part of your body as your own arm and you should be able to manipulate it as such'.

Sensei Tony

'wherever in the world I saw Saito Sensei teach the Jo he would just pick one from the same rack as the students. It wasn't a special Jo he used, therefore it is not the object itself but the person that matters. Through confidence form flourishes.'

Sensei Sergei

'Consider this, if you think that you must use the Jo and generate power with the purpose of using the jo then this is a wrong feeling. Though you feel the weapon it is your own effortless power that is put into the Jo. It is much more than choreography. Does the Elephant know he is powerful? When he moves trees out of the way, he doesn't know that other animals cannot do this.'

Editor's note, perhaps only those in the right place on the path will see the wisdom in these words.

'Is form or essence more important?

You know the game for children where they seek a treasure and one who knows will call out, 'cold, warm, hot.'? Our journey through life has these moments when we make some spiritual progress: we can't explain this to self but there is a sense that what we have experienced has taken us closer to what some might call God. For whatever that means to you, we wish to take one step on the path together'.

Sensei Tony;

Changes in self can make it appear that the kata changes, it does not. People say, 'but you have changed that bit'. However it is how you and they see it that has changed. Change occurs for what is necessary for the one on the path at the time. A good teacher is needed to give you opportunity to find ways you can change, the kata does not. Seek ideas on emphasis, direction, body posture, energy, where to relax and where to consolidate. Jo can add to body balance. When blocking with Jo try to release your own tensions .... breathing out on the block can lead to relaxation and be powerful'.

'It is difficult to provide the answers because they will often be different for each person and will relate to where they are with their skill level and spiritual understanding at any given time. If you try and act out high level understandings without sound foundations it is unlikely you will succeed, sound basic comes first. Mind on foundation and the Jo will be a willing partner.'




Editor's note; I wanted to write an article for you the reader which would set out some achievable insights into the Jo practice.

I watched Sensei Sargeant demonstrate different levels of understanding and speak of his discoveries. As I watched and listened the sense and truth was apparent, but I am unable to express it in words – it is simply a personal journey of discovery to be found in your own time and place ... and if you want to. A bit like a holiday snap of a beach or a tree, they mean little to anyone else ... other than those who have been there or plan to. At a certain level the practice of jo kata can almost seem like a more expressive version of counting prayer beads.

So, as my porridge cools and the island of Kefalonia warms in the Sun, I conclude that the Jo in all its forms is merely a companion to you on your path, the path, which like the kata, remains the same – a spiritual path – a journey of the higher self with the rest of you joining in as required .... if not then perhaps the path and Jo have a different meaning for you.

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