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Visit From Senshusei Graduate 2007 Simon Gray
My Aikido Journey
I have been studying Aikido for the last five years starting out at the Shudokan, Hombu Dojo in Nottingham under Sensei Ken Robson. I have always been fascinated by Aikido and how it was possible for somebody much smaller to throw a bigger and more powerful aggressor. Coming from a striking background I found the movements difficult and no matter how hard I tried it was impossible to relax! Anyone who has trained with me will tell you that I probably have the stiffest shoulders in the business!
Training under Sensei Ken was a great experience and I found myself becoming more and more interested in Aikido. I worked my way up through the grading syllabus and at about the time I attained 2nd Kyu Brown Belt Sensei Ken brought over two instructors from Poland namely Sensei Sebastian Sopala and Michael Pabiasz who I was lucky enough to train with intensively for my Shodan Test (I was so absorbed by Aikido at this time I actually quit my job to train full time).
I was recommended to read a book called Angry White Pyjamas by Robert Twigger. This book was about something called the 'Riot Police Course' or 'Senshusei Course' at the Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan which takes people from complete beginner to Shodan through 11months of intensive training. I have always been of the mindset that if there is something out there then I have to do it and I knew having read this book I would have to one day enroll on the 'Senshusei Course'.
Senshusei Graduation photo 2007 at the Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo, Japan
Simon Gray, Back row, 4 in from the left.
Arriving in Japan with my girlfriend in May 2005 was a surreal experience, as a Westerner you stand out like a sore thumb and speaking absolutely no Japanese at that time left me feeling really helpless! The first time I entered the Yoshinkan Hombu Dojo in Ochiai, Tokyo was even more surreal. I climbed the stairs and entered through the large wooden double doors. I was greeted by shouts of 'Osu' and people seemed to be rushing around in all directions. I would later find out that these were the current Senshusei! I trained in the regular classes for the first 10months but by Christmas 2005 I had made my mind up to do the 'Course' starting the following April.
Simon Gray Senshusei Graduate 2007,
Goryukan Stafford Uchi Deshi Dan Priest,Left. Gavin Toft, Right.
Senshusei life is tough, from the initial meeting when I first arrived which involved sitting for 40minutes in seiza to the moment we graduated 11months later.
Training is 5 days a week, Tuesday through until Saturday with 3 classes a day. I would get up at 5.20am, leave the house by 6am travel 40minutes by train to the Dojo to be in dogi by 7.20am ready to clean. Everyday felt like getting on a rollercoaster, once you get on there is no getting off and the momentum of the thing just takes you through the day! One of the Sewanin explained to us that from the moment we arrived in the morning until we left at 2pm we should be in constant terror and on red alert, I felt like this everyday! There are so many stories from the 'Course', but some of the most memorable are losing 4 kilos in one class during the summer and having only 20minutes to rehydrate before starting the next class. The daily routine of taping sanitary towels to our backs to soak up the blood from the endless ukemi. Sitting in seiza until our legs went numb then trying to stand which resembled the aftermath of a medieval battle!
Despite the hardship and sacrifice the 'Course' is great. I am so glad I did it. During the 'Course' I wished the days away but now I wish I was back there, I miss it everyday. I made some great friends and had exposure to some of the best instructors in the world, I feel very lucky and privileged to have had the opportunity!
Simon Gray, Jay Savery Sensei, Gavin Toft Uchi Deshi,
Now back in the UK, I am continuing my Aikido training under Jay Savery Sensei at Goryukan Stafford Dojo, (Goryukai Yoshinkan Aikido) and also travel periodically back up to Nottingham to train. I have been really impressed with the training at Goryukan Stafford, the training is tough and true to the real Aikido of the Founder Kancho Gozo Shioda. Jay Sensei has an excellent knowledge of not only Kihon but also how to make Aikido work in a real situation which is something I now need to work on to take my Aikido to the next level. Jay Sensei's Uchi Deshi, Gavin Toft, and Dan Priest put my ukemi to shame and are as tough as any of the people I have trained with. I wish I could spend longer training with Jay Sensei but next stop is Melbourne, Australia. However whenever I come back to Stafford I will be sure to get back on the mats!
Osu!
Simon Gray
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