Pytel Sensei and I had the good fortune to attend the 2013 York PA gasshuku (training seminar) hosted at York Okinawan Karate Academy in York PA. The training was in-depth and varied. I'll go through some of the highlights here.
The morning started with some warm-up exercises done mostly independently. Then there was a short introduction in which everyone introduced themselves followed by a lecture style session. Instead of talking about specific techniques, we discussed the larger principles and ideas present in Shobayashi-Ryu so that we could then apply the ideas to our techniques, kata, etc.
Then after a short healthy lunch break we went through several techniques taken from various kata. Just like before, the techniques were taught in order to present an idea that could then be carried over to other kata. The senior martial artists in the groups then assisted with the technique either to correct mistakes, or to take the technique to a more advanced level.
After the physical part of the training, we had a chance to discuss ideas, and look through some of Hayes' Sensei's photo-albums from his time on Okinawa. Pytel Sensei and I were fortunate enough for Hayes Sensei to look through the photos with us, giving interesting details and anecdotes to go with each picture.
With the welcoming family style of an Okinawan karate brotherhood, we all went and got dinner together that night. Food choices were healthy all around both to help us recover from a long day of training, and to prepare us for another.
The final day of the training consisted mostly of breathing exercises and kata practice. There were a lot of people asking questions about ideas and applications of the techniques. As always, when a lot of people are asking questions, interesting and informative answers are provided.
Then I had the 5.5 hour drive home during which I contemplated all that I'd learned over the weekend.