July 21st, 2022
Shorinji Kempo Downtown New York branch master Ohashi Sensei was invited by Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash to lead a special session for Brooklyn Nets players on June 15, 2022, at the Nets’s training center in Brooklyn. More than 20 players were in attendance, along with Nash and other staff.
Assisted by 3rd Dan kenshi David Bogdan, Ohashi Sensei shared some fundamental Shorinji Kempo principles concerning balance, timing, body alignment and mechanics, and the manipulation of force from and to an opponent. He was even able to show a few hokei techniques with David kenshi. And while the Nets players won’t be using Shorinji Kempo techniques on the basketball court anytime soon, the method of movement Ohashi Sensei demonstrated will certainly be studied by the esteemed Coach Nash and incorporated into his team’s gameplay.
From left: Kenshi David Bogdan, Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash, and Ohashi Sensei.
Tags: 2022, Brooklyn Nets
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March 15th, 2022
This post was written by black belt kenshi Steven Krieg.
We need to improve our mental state. We need to strengthen our physical bodies. We need to reconnect to our family, friends, and colleagues.
For the past 20 years, as a student of the martial art Shorinji Kempo, I can confess that you can accomplish all three through our practice and training. Let me be clear, Shorinji Kempo is not about beating other people; it wasn’t developed to overpower others or for brute strength. The founder Doshin So created Shorinji Kempo as a way for individuals to make a positive contribution to society. From a grassroots level, Shorinji Kempo aims to develop physically and mentally strong individuals through the study of techniques and philosophy. We do this by practicing with partners. “I will perform this technique on you and you tell me if I am doing it correctly. Now you try and I will tell you.” This back and forth communication fosters an atmosphere of compassion and cooperation.
With the Coronavirus hopefully on the way out let’s come out now, carefully if you may, and let’s get together and improve our society by improving ourselves, together! We are the Downtown New York City Branch, please contact us at info@shorinjikemponyc.org for more information.
Tags: Shorinji Kempo, Shorinji Kempo NYC
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January 17th, 2022
In January we welcomed in the new year with a virtual gathering. Although we miss seeing each other regularly in person, the virtual party allowed for kenshi who’ve recently moved from New York to join in and catch up together. From Italy to California to New York, it was wonderful to keep our close ties and continue to discuss Shorinji Kempo values and philosophy together.
We wish everyone a safe and healthy 2022! Hope to see everyone in person soon.
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November 12th, 2021
This post was written by black belt kenshi David Bogdan.
The pandemic has presented many challenges to our lives and to our practice of Shorinji Kempo, but amid all the difficulties, there have also been some golden opportunities. During the pandemic, Shorinji Kempo Downtown New York Branch was unable to hold class in its usual format, however, a few dedicated kenshi, under the guidance of Branch Master Ohashi Sensei, were able to seize the opportunity to break convention and practice Shorinji Kempo in new and exciting ways.
In our modified classes, we endeavored in deconstructing Shorinji Kempo hokei (paired techniques) in order to understand the “basics within basics” of techniques. We studied relaxation, timing, balance, body alignment, and motor-nerve manipulation, among many other fundamental elements.
As we examined these topics, we sought to apply them to simple yet seemingly impossible situations: Can you throw an opponent without grabbing him? Can you bring your opponent off-balance by changing only your own balance point? Can you subdue an opponent with just a handshake or a touch on the shoulder or arm? And can you do it all in only an instant, without letting the opponent know what’s happening?
It turns out you can do these things and much more…if you have time to practice. And while these are not official Shorinji Kempo techniques, they work like riddles with solutions that shed new light on your training as a whole. When we take this newfound knowledge and apply it to hokei practice, both old and new techniques suddenly take on new dimensions.
Now that classes have returned to normal, the window of our golden opportunity is closing. In its place, we look forward to the opportunity to share our knowledge from the past year with new and returning kenshi.
Tags: Hokei, Shorinji Kempo
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November 10th, 2021
Shorinji Kempo is not just a self-defense martial arts but incorporates self-development. It’s fun to be aware of our potential.
You might try to use only hands and arms for defense while sitting but how to use your trunk is the key. It’s often difficult to visualize because the movement is within the body. You must experience it for yourself.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more photos and videos.
Tags: black belt, Hokei, Seiza, Shorinji Kempo
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February 9th, 2020
Happy 2020! This weekend we celebrated another year of training together with a luncheon at Congee Village. We enjoyed delicious food and conversation, it was nice to get to know each other more and catch up after our Saturday morning class. We were also able to offer Ohashi Sensei our thanks with a small gift of gratitude. Without his guidance, we would be lost! We are so grateful for his hard work and dedication to Shorinji Kempo and our class. This year we will continue training hard and enjoying our dojo together!
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December 5th, 2019
We’re nearing the end of 2019 and are grateful for all of our training this year with old and many new members. Here is a recent video from our Facebook page of our kihon (basics) practice. Every class incorporates these foundational techniques and movements, and it is also very positive to unite our ki energy as we train together.
Tags: kihon, Shorinji Kempo NYC
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July 12th, 2019
As we do every summer, we gathered to celebrate the 4th of July at Ohashi Sensei’s house. It was especially nice to get to know our newer kenshi and to have a chance to eat, drink, and chat together. Family and friends also attended, and even pet family members. We were treated to a homemade meal made by Ohashi Sensei’s wife, and we enjoyed ice cream and watermelon for dessert. After dark, we went up to the rooftop and enjoyed the city’s fireworks, both official and unofficial. We are grateful to have wonderful members and to enjoy a summer evening together!
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March 21st, 2019
For over a decade, Downtown New York Branch has been participating in the annual Harumatsuri (Japanese Spring Festival) at the United Nations International School (UNIS). On March 18, 2019, Ohashi Sensei and three senior members demonstrated basic Shorinji Kempo techniques and philosopy to students from the New York and New Jersey area who are interested in Japanese culture and are learning the language.
This year there were a few groups of students as young as seven years old, and we were treated with their enthusiasm and laughters of wonder. We showed them how to politely and calmly stand in kesshu gamae, and then immediately contrasted our movements with kaisoku chudan, and strong furiko zuki and chudan geri. The little kids also loved to kiai and had huge smiles as they shouted mightily with all their energy. Another technique they enjoyed was mae ukemi, as they watched one another fall, roll on the ground, and immediately get up with a strong kiai and defensive zuki.
With groups of high schoolers, we demonstrated happo moku, and as they paired up, the defender aimed to maintain a safe ma’ai from his/her offensive partner while walking about in various directions. These students were fascinated by the few practical juho techniques Ohashi Sensei demonstrated, such as johaku nuki, and also how to escape if pushed and backed against a wall.
Our hearts were warmed by each student’s enthusiasm, focus, and appreciation of our interaction. We are grateful to UNIS for their annual invitation. We look forward to the same wonderful fusion of energy next year!
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February 3rd, 2019
In this recent video from our Facebook page, two senior kenshi demonstrate one way to practice accurate punches. Shorinji Kempo practice requires accuracy to a target and speed, but it must also be safe. To avoid injury, they aim their punches at shoulder height in this video.
Tags: Shorinji Kempo NYC, Video
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