Karate Budo: The Endless Search for Absolute Kime

319 Pages·2016·25.85 MB·English

by  Lavigne G.K.

ISBN-13:978-1511946407 ISBN-10:1511946407
Copyright © 2015 by Gilles K. Lavigne Editor Jean Montgrain
Graphic Designer Tosha Lord
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner
whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief
quotations in a book review.
Printed in the United States of America First Printing, 2015
Table of Contents
Dedication ........................................................................................................... xi Acknowledgments
............................................................................................. xii Preface
............................................................................................................... xiv Introduction
PART I – Physical
...................................................................................................... xvii
Kime
.................................................................................1 Chapter 1 Lower Body Training
............................................................................5
1.1 Feet ........................................................................................................6
1.2 Zenkutsu dachi .....................................................................................7
1.2.1 Proper feet distance in a dachi ...............................................7
1.2.2 Contraction in Zenkutsu dachi ................................................9
1.2.3 Expansion in Zenkutsu dachi ............................................... 10
1.3 Kôkutsu dachi .................................................................................... 10
1.3.1 Contraction in Kôkutsu dachi ............................................... 11
1.3.2 Expansion in Kôkutsu dachi ................................................. 12
1.4 Kiba dachi ...........................................................................................12
1.5 Turning .................................................................................................13
Chapter 2 Upper Body Training ......................................................................... 15
2.1 Body Angle and Direction ............................................................... 16
2.2 Extensions ..........................................................................................18
2.2.1 Arms at 90 degrees (L Shaped) ........................................... 19
2.2.2 Shuto Uke ................................................................................ 19
2.2.3 Jodan Uke ................................................................................ 20
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2.2.4 Soto Uke .................................................................................. 20
2.2.5 Uchi Uke ................................................................................... 21
2.2.6 Gedan Barai ............................................................................ 22
2.3 “Directing Energy” KI ........................................................................ 22
2.3.2 Brachioradialis ....................................................................... 24
2.3.3 Making of a fist ....................................................................... 25
2.4 “Hikite” the opposing driving force ................................................. 26
2.5 Hineru the circular (twisting) driving force .................................... 26
2.6 Koshi (Body & Hip Rotation) ............................................................ 27
2.6.1 Jun Kiten .................................................................................. 27
2.6.2 Gyaku Kiten ............................................................................. 28
Photo Album 1 • Dojo Life – Over the Years .................................................... 31
Chapter 3 Hand Techniques, Upper Body Drills and Katas ............................. 43
3.1 Te Waza .............................................................................................. 44
3.2 Nine Blows to the Head .................................................................... 45
3.3 Roll the Hands ................................................................................... 49
Chapter 4 Feet & Leg Techniques, Lower Body Drills and Katas .................... 55
4.1 San Ten No Kata ................................................................................ 56
4.1.1 San Ten no Kata Sho .............................................................. 57
4.2 Roll the Feet ........................................................................................57
Photo Album 2 • Friends, Acquaintances, Senseis and Friends ..................... 63
Chapter 5 Ushi Waza Striking Techniques ....................................................... 77
5.1 Ten No Kata ......................................................................................... 78
PART 2 – Mental Kime
................................................................................ 83
Chapter 6 Energy Accumulation and Transformation ...................................... 87
6.1 Breathing Techniques ........................................................................ 88
6.2 Buddhist Breathing ............................................................................ 89
6.3 One Breath Cycle ................................................................................ 89
6.4 Four Breath Cycle ............................................................................... 89
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6.5 Taoist Breathing ................................................................................. 90
6.6 Taoist One Breath Cycle .................................................................... 91
6.7 Four Breath Cycle ............................................................................... 91
6.8 Mind Over Matter & Visualization Techniques ............................... 92
6.9 Tubular Muscle Contraction .............................................................. 92
6.10 Lightness in the Feet and the lower Body .................................... 93
6.11 Pounding of the heels .................................................................... 94
Chapter 7 Intention, Direction and Explosion .................................................. 97
7.1 Intention, Direction and Explosion .................................................. 98
7.2 Ukimi ................................................................................................... 99
7.3 Zui Ban ..............................................................................................100
Photo Album 3 • ISKA – Over the Years .........................................................103
Chapter 8 Maai, Hyoshi, Kuzuchi (Distance, Cadence and UnBalance) ............... 109
8.1 Maai ...................................................................................................110
8.2 Unsoku ...............................................................................................112
8.2.1 Ayumi Ashi – (frontward walking) .......................................113
8.2.2 Hiki Ashi – (backward walking)...........................................114
8.2.3 Yori Ashi – (sliding) ...............................................................114
8.2.4 Tsugi Ashi – (shuffle) ............................................................115
8.2.5 Okuri Ashi – (single or double step) ...................................116
8.2.6 Mawari Ashi – (Pivoting around on front foot) ..................116
8.2.7 Ushiro Mawari Ashi – (Pivoting around on back foot) ..... 117
8.2.8 Kae Ashi – (Switching legs) .................................................118
8.3 Hyoshi ................................................................................................118
8.4 Kuzuchi ..............................................................................................121
8.4.1 Static Kuzuchi ........................................................................122
8.4.2 Dynamic Kuzuchi ...................................................................123
8.4.3 Reflexive Kuzuchi ..................................................................123
8.4.4 Subtle Kuzuchi .......................................................................124
8.4.5 Mental Kuzuchi ......................................................................126
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Chapter 9 Evasion Drills ...................................................................................129
9.1 Tai Sabaki Four Winds ..................................................................131
9.2 Tai Sabaki Eight Movements (Happo) ...........................................132
9.3 Tai Sabaki Yori-Ashi .........................................................................135
9.4 Tai Sabaki Omote .............................................................................138
Chapter 10 Kihon Training, Kumite Strategies ..............................................145
10.1 Ken No Sen .....................................................................................146
10.2 Tai No Sen ....................................................................................... 147
10.3 Tai Tai No Sen .................................................................................148
10.4 Kihon Fighting Drill #1 – Ten No Kata .......................................148
10.5 Kihon Fighting Drill #2 – Roll the feet ........................................150
Kumite Type Drills ...................................................................................155
10.6 Kihon Fighting (Kumite) Drill #3 – Basic Ippon Kumite ...........155
10.7 Kihon Fighting (Kumite) Drill #4 – Basic Sanbon Kumite .......157
10.8 Kihon Fighting (Kumite) Drill #5 – Basic Gohon Kumite .........159
10.9 Kihon Fighting (Kumite) Drill #6 – Advance Ippon Jiyu Kumite..... 160
10.10 Kihon Fighting (Kumite) Drill #7 – Advance Jyu Kumite .......161
Chapter 11 Yomi, Mushin (Mind no Mind) .....................................................163
11.1 Emotional Dimension: ..................................................................167
11.2 Mental Dimension .......................................................................167
11.3 Causal Dimension .......................................................................168
11.4 Vasana ............................................................................................. 170
Photo Album 3 • Tournaments – Over the Years ...........................................173
PART 3 Spiritual Kime
..............................................................................183
Chapter 12 Eastern Metaphysical Concepts of Energy Levels ......................187
12.1 Hinduism .........................................................................................188
12.2 Buddhism ........................................................................................189
12.3 Taoism .............................................................................................190
12.4 Spiritual Kime ................................................................................191
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Chapter 13 Chakra Meditation ........................................................................195
13.1 The Chakra Energy System ..........................................................197
13.1.1 ...............................................................................................198
13.1.2 ...............................................................................................198
13.1.3 ...............................................................................................198
13.2 Chakras ...........................................................................................199
13.3 Chakra Meditation .........................................................................201
13.4 Pranayama .....................................................................................204
13.5 Mantras ...........................................................................................205
13.6 Kototamas ......................................................................................205
Photo Album 5 • Seminars – Over the Years .................................................209
Chapter 14 Kundalini Experience ....................................................................221
14.1 Sub-Conscious and the Sympathetic Nervous System ............223
14.2 Kundalini Chakra Meditation & Equivalent Western States of Consciousness
..............................................................................227
14.2.1 Muladhara Chakra ..............................................................227
14.2.2 Svadhistara Chakra ............................................................227
14.2.3 Manipura Chakra ................................................................227
14.2.4 Anahata Chakra .................................................................228
14.2.5 Vishuddha Chakra .............................................................228
14.2.6 Ajna Chakra ........................................................................228
14.2.7 Sahasrara Chakra ...............................................................228
14.3 Kundalini .........................................................................................230
Black Belt Exam with Kyoshi Lavigne ..........................................................233
Bibliography ....................................................................................................237
Dedication
First and foremost I would like to dedicate this book to my family; my wife Lyne Châtelain, my sons
Benoit, Martin, Cédrick and daughter Claudia. They have been a deep source of love and
encouragement in my pursuit of Karate-do. Their sacrifices are to numerous to mention as my walk on
this path of Liberation has taken me away sometimes physically, sometimes mentally, and lastly
spiritually away from them. You must understand it is no easy emotional and psychological matter to
have to share a husband, a father, and friend with countless others who have come to me and my dojo.
For this I love you all very much and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Acknowledgments
I want to thank all my Senseis in the Association for their patience in waiting for this book to be
published as it has been a topic of conversation and anticipation. I am truly grateful for their
enthusiasm and help in the last stages of the book. Special thanks to the photographic models and
photographer: Jean-Pierre Groulx Shihan, Stéphane Lachapelle Renshi, Nicholas Myre Sensei,
Michelle Laviolette Sensei, Jaki St Arnaud Sensei, Denis Gauthier Sensei, and Joel Deschênes
Sensei. A special thanks also goes out to Richard Phillips who provided some computer visual
diagram which complimented some of the exercise descriptions.
Last but not least is my friend, student and fellow karate-ka Jean Montgrain. Jean was instrumental in
motivating me and continued to be that source from beginning to end in this endeavor. It started when
he offered his services to me as writer and editor. He provided a good deal of insight in the material
on Spiritual Kime. Together we labored to accomplish this work which was in retrospect inspired by
V Cruz Hanshi. The theme of this book came to me after a visit from Hanshi to Canada, a seminar
held in Cantley Québec on KIME. Given the time allotted he could only touch on the Physical and
some aspects of Mental Kime. Jean, who was at the seminar asked Hanshi what his thoughts were on
Spiritual Kime as he mentioned that that dimension should not be forgotten in our study of KIME. His
short answer became a koan of contemplation for both of us which in the end inspired this book.
“There are many aspects to Spiritual Kime some of which are cosmic in nature. However for you
students I want you to focus on your commitment to the art and to your Senseis. For you Senseis, I
need you to focus on the love and devotion you must have for your students. Do this, and you will
open the
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doors to acquiring the knowledge of Spiritual Kime”. V Cruz Hanshi
This book, I hope is a response to Hanshi’s request and I assure you a devotional gift to my students.
Before plunging into the material in this book I would like to share an often used verse that I quote
now from Armando Jemmott Kyoshi : “Savor and Appreciate”!!!
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Preface
At the age of 13, a week before my 14 birthday, I began my journey along the path of Karate-do. My
first lessons were offered to me by my parents as a birthday gift. Why Karate some of you may ask?
Well, as a child I had become first interested in the art through the commercial advertisements in
comic books. They professed that you could become a type of super human, walk with incredible
self-confidence, command respect, attract attention of the opposite sex not to mention become an
instant black belt with purchase of their karate training courses.
That is what I wanted! However, I knew also these correspondence courses were of little value so
when my parents offered the real deal with a professional karate instructor I didn’t hesitate to say:
“yes”! Also helping my decision at the time was the fact that my father was a student and a holder of a
blue belt in the Chito-Ryu style taught to him by sensei André Langelier.
I still vividly remember my first class where I was waiting in the stairs near the office of the Head
Instructor “Sensei Myre”. My father was in the office striking up a deal. I sat there while the
negotiations were going on and observed with great interest the juniors that were coming up the stairs
to enter the dojo. I was extremely impressed with these karate-kas and they were all very nice as they
passed me by to enter onto the dojo floor. I also recollect two braggarts sitting a few stairs above me
who were expounding with great bravery how they were going to smash some jaws and grinned at me
while they got up and entered with the others. This I can tell you put the fear in me and I was now
thinking of backing out and going home explaining to my father that I was no longer interested. Luckily
enough my father came out as I was entertaining these thoughts and handed me my first karate kimono
and without too much ceremony introduced me to my Sensei. He in turn showed me where to change
and I did so in a great hurry. As I entered the dojo I recall thinking “ I hope I don’t run into those two
guys that were in the stairs”. After the warm-up, my sensei took me aside and proceeded to introduce
me to the basics. I was completely enthralled with the art and continued with great anticipation my
classes during the week and the weekend. It seemed that I couldn’t get enough. After three months, I
was awarded a trophy as the most promising student which only encouraged me more in my training.
By year-end I was part of the dojo team that went to the local karate tournaments and more often than
not winning most of my competitions. This of course only fueled my desire to continue. It is not long
after that I was awarded my blue belt. It was a significant time for me as I befriended a fellow karate-
ka. He was at the time a brown belt and we became very close friends.
Together over the years we encouraged one another and he served as my guide and mentor. I was
awarded my black belt in 1977 and he had played a big part in getting me to that level. Daniel
Gingras and I were inseparable and I had nick named him Dan (Bruce Lee). In the late seventies and
early eighties we entered a great many of competitions and always came home with a trophy of sorts.
It was the days of full contact and we fought in the US, Mexico and in our home town of Gatineau
(Hull) Québec. Through hard work and perseverance we eventually made our way onto the Canadian
Karate Team and represented our country in competitions held in Mexico, US and other provinces in
Canada. They were good years filled with many victories and I look back on these memories with
fondness and pride.
The success of competition over the years was not enough and the learning of the deeper levels of
Karate-do came to the forefront of my mind. I was a sandan at the time, and hungry, no I would rather
say famished for something different more than what the physical and limited levels of mind could
achieve to perfect my art. It was a pivotal time where I started earnestly seeking instruction from
many reputable instructors in the concepts of energy which eventually lead me to studying Tai Chi
Chuan. I also took up the study of Reiki. Reiki is a Japanese healing art which is done through the
manipulation of energy. My hunger for new instruction also lead me to a California based Karate
Association called ISKA. Cruz Hanshi and the organization’s numerous instructors helped and
continue to provide guidance in my journey in Karate-do. To mention a few there are: the ISKA
Shihans Ricardo Llewelyn, and Robert Stevenson with
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whom I have been able to share the highs and lows in this journey.
It was through V. Cruz Hanshi that I was able to understand some energy subtleties on the physical,
mental and spiritual planes. I was also, thanks to Cruz Hanshi exposed to O.Sensei H. Nishiyama’s
instruction and attended many of O’Sensei’s seminars over the years up and until his death in
November 2008. That was a very sad day for all of us in ISKA as O’Sensei was a friend to many in
ISKA especially V. Cruz Hanshi. Their relationship stretched many years from post WWII Japan ,
O’Sensei’s immigration to the USA , and continued life in California. Their personal and business
relationship lasted until his death in 2008. Without a doubt Nishiyama’s patronage of ISKA brought
benefits to all its’ members, especially to me and my Karate Association in Canada.