剣道の平常心

平常心は剣道にとって、重要の理念です。しかし、私が最近平常心の意味はなんですかと思考しました。

この水曜日（７／１１）がタイペイの中山道場で稽古しました。二時間くらいで、稽古が四回だけしました。第一回目と第三回目は六段の先生と稽古しました。第二回目は八段の先生と稽古しました。とっても疲れました。ちょっと自分に失望しました。後で考えて、どうしてそんなに疲れましたか？多分緊張すぎると思います。平常心がなくてからです。先生達の攻めが慣れませんでした。しかし、疲れたが早いけれど、各稽古が始めからいい稽古をしたと思います。それが緊張の利点と思います。自分の最高の剣道を出しました。だがそのせいで早くて疲れました。最後に、天気の影響もあると思います。タイペイは暑くて、湿気もとっても高いでした。私の体はまだ慣れませんでした。

金曜日（７／１３）の稽古は比べて楽にしました。五回の稽古をしました。第一回と第四回の稽古は高段者じゃありません。そして毎回の稽古後で、存分に休憩をしました。稽古のレベルも満足でした。日曜日の稽古は大安国中で練習しました。再度四回だけの稽古をしました。稽古のレベルはいいけれど、ちょっと苦しいと思いました。全然休憩しませんでした。だから、結論は二つがあります。新しい道場で稽古する時に、私は緊張すぎます。変更しなければなりません。そして、天気と体力をあわせて、休憩しなければなりません。もう若くないから、体力をもっと注意しなければなりません。^_^;;

だから、平常心は大切けど、時々緊張をしても悪くないと思います。テンションを上げて、いい稽古とかいい試合とかをできます。重要のポイントは体力のコントロルしなければならないと思います。

Kendo's heijyoushin

Heijyoushin is an important concept to kendo. However, recently I've been thinking what exactly does heijyoushin really mean.

This Wednesday (7/11) I practiced kendo at 中山道場 in Taipei. In 2 hours, I only practiced 4 times. The first and third time were both with rokudan sensei. The second time was with a hachidan sensei. I was a bit disappointed with myself. Afterwards, I thought about why I tired so easily. I think it was probably because I was too nervous. I was lacking heijyoushin. I wasn't used to the senseis' level of seme. However, even though I tired quickly, I felt that I played well at the beginning of each match. That's an advantage of being nervous, I think. It brings out your best kendo. Of course that also tires you out more quickly. Finally, the weather was also a factor. It is very hot in Taipei, with high humidity. My body isn't used to practicing in this environment.

On Friday (7/13) the practice seemed much easier. I practiced 5 times. The first and fourth time were not with high-ranking sensei though. I also made sure to rest sufficiently after each match. My level of kendo was also satisfactory. On Sunday I practiced at 大安國中. Again I only practiced 4 times. Although my level of kendo was ok, it felt very difficult. I barely rested at all. I think I have 2 conclusions. I am too nervous when practicing at a new dojo for the first time. I need to overcome that. Second, I need to take the weather and my body into account, and rest sufficiently during practice. I'm not young anymore so I need to keep better track of my stamina. ^_^;;

So, even though heijyoushin is important, I think being nervous from time to time isn't a bad thing. As the level of tension rises, you could actually perform better in practice or at a tournament. The important thing, I think, is to maintain control over your stamina.

(Upon further review, I only covered here how the lack of heijyoushin could affect your stamina. What this does not cover is how heijyoushin is applicable DURING your practice or match. That is probably because of the drain I felt on my physical reserves practicing here in Taipei in the summer for the first time. Mentally I wanted to practice more, but physically I couldn't. 心有餘，力不足。 I felt that my level of kendo was fairly satisfactory taking into account my relative lack of stamina. :-p I suppose I need to implement more stamina training after returning to the US.)