River of Knowledge - International Chito-Ryu Karate-do Federation ...
River of Knowledge - International Chito-Ryu Karate-do Federation ...
River of Knowledge - International Chito-Ryu Karate-do Federation ...
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2009 KangeikoParticipantsAdam HigginsRhys WoodhouseEmma WoodhouseTasi SchiffersBina SchiffersMonica LesterRyan WilcoxAdrian SpotoTakishugyoTakishugyo can be used in a few different ways. Thefirst is as an ablution, or cleansing <strong>of</strong> the spirit. Thisis most <strong>of</strong>ten found in the buddhist religion andwas/is <strong>of</strong>ten conducted by priests. The waters aresaid to cleanse away the impurities acrued by thespirit.Another aspect <strong>of</strong> Takishugyo is meditation. This is<strong>do</strong>ne by certain Zen sects and martial arts groups,including some karate and aiki<strong>do</strong> practitioners (andpossibly others, but I <strong>do</strong>n’t know).As a meditative tool, Takishugyo challenges thepractitioner to overcome fierce external stimuli andfocus completely on the self. The freezing cold watershocks the body out <strong>of</strong> its normal state <strong>of</strong>complacence and invokes many autonomicreactions including gasping, muscle tension, andflight response.It is the practitioner’s goal to feel and understandthese reactions and to move past them.