Report on 2007 Cornell Gasshuku

On the weekend of May 26-28th, the 29th Annual Cornell Shorinji Kempo Camp (Gasshuku) was held in Camp Barton Trumansburg, NY. Sakuyama Sensei (Ibaragi Takahagi Doin, Japan) once again led the training session where Kenshi from USA, Canada and Japan participated in this yearly tradition that has become a training staple for the north-east region branches of North America.

Sakuyama Sensei teaches principles of movement

Four Kenshi from Toronto Branch attended this year; it was the first time for all of them at Cornell.

Eduardo and Elisabeth

Sakuyama Sensei, after very fun but strenuous warm up and Kihon, focused on the importance of listening to and studying our bodies when in movement. He made emphasis on how each and every Kenshi must study his/her body when executing a technique, meaning analyzing how the body moves and balance shifts, finding which muscles are actually leading the motion and most important of all, where “our” centre is located throughout the technique.

Kevin, Sakuyama Sensei, Eduardo, Elisabeth and Robert

All 4 Toronto Branch kenshi, Elisabeth, Robert, Kevin and Eduardo, found Sakuyama Sensei to be a real inspiration to continue training and practicing Shorinji Kempo as well as having enjoyed very much meeting Kenshi from all over America and Japan who indeed are great examples of how Shorinji Kempo brings the best qualities out of every individual.

Gassho,

Eduardo Bello
Toronto Branch