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Training in Bogota

por Pedro Casablanca - US/Miami - 19-Mar-2019



Konnichiwa Mina-San
Shitsurei Shimasu,

With great joy, I would like to begin this testimonial by thanking everybody at the Colombia unit. I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Bogota for business and vacation. Senpai Takeshi highly suggested to stop by at the Bogota Institute. At the Asociacion Cultural Japonesa, Senpai Andrés welcome me with open arms and treated me like I was one of his students. Looking forward for the training session to start. I was super excited seen Niten´s companions arriving at the dojo. We started the Saturday session with a strong Kiai, stretching, running through out the big dojo.

I had the opportunity to learn, practice Kendo-Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu and was able to see a demonstration of Jojutsu. So cool! The Kendo-Kenjutsu session was strong and energetic, practicing many techniques and katas, every shot of breath counted. The Samurai grit was in the air! After finalizing the katas, we went straight to Keiko. It was on! Later, we took out the tape to mark the fighting sections, and we all went at it. We started with to big teams. Senpai Andrés put me in the spot. He wanted to make sure I would cross swords with every Bushido student for few rounds. It was a lesson of perseverance. No breaks, just loud Kiai, real life combat scenario. After so much adrenaline and warrior spirit been on display, it was time to meditate and congratulate all students.

The teachings shared by Senpai Andrés was amazing. He asked me to pair with Nikolai-san to start the Iaijutsu exercises. Nikolai-san focused in some of the basics of Suio, Sekiguchi, Kishikawa Iaijutsu. I learned the fundamentals of ´Nukitsuke, Kiritsuke, Chiburi and Noto´. There was so much techniques and information to grasp, I could not blink for 1 second. At the end of the Iaijutsu session Senpai Andrés tested my serenity & accuracy. I couldn´t ask for more, it was pure awesomeness.

It was a great experience; technically, mentally and spiritually. After much training and effort we went to get beverages and chat. Now of course I could not miss the opportunity to tour the City of Bogota. Me being a sumi-e and drawing art practitioner I had to go to the Bogota gallery. From museums, famous streets, to food and people. If you love Salsa culture, like I do been from Puerto Rico, well Colombia is the spot. Thanks to Senpai & all the students for your guidance, a lot was given to me to study, contemplate and execute. Hope to see ya´ll again.

Sayounara,
Domo arigatou gozaimashitá, Senpai Andrés, Saludos!
Pedro Casablanca - (Miami Unit)




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