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Changing of the Guard

Shintaido of America is excited to introduce our new National Technical Council, Chair, Robert Gaston.

With Robert’s extensive experience and passion for Shintaido, he brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our team.

We want to give thanks and express our deep appreciation to Shin Aoki, who dedicated over 15 years to the role of NTC Chair. He will continue as an active member of the council.

Robert is a Senior Instructor and holds the rank of San Dan in Bojutsu and Yon Dan in Kenjutsu and has spent over 35 years teaching and practicing Shintaido.

In addition to his technical expertise, Robert is also a dedicated and approachable educator. He is committed to creating a positive learning environment where students feel comfortable and enjoy participating in his keiko.

We are confident that Robert will make a significant impact on our organization.

Please join us in welcoming Robert to his new position.

Message from Rob

I would like to begin by thanking Shin Aoki as outgoing NTC chair for the many years he has provided us with clear and gentle leadership. I would hope to fulfill my role as well as he has.

I realize that many of you may have some idea about what the Shintaido of America National Technical Council (NTC) is and what we do. To quote the Shintaido of America bylaws. “The role of the National Technical Council is to oversee the quality of Shintaido instruction in the United States. Specifically, they are charged with resolving technical questions, acting as a resource for local instructors, keeping track of the status of instructors on sabbatical, and disseminating information about Shintaido of America’s policy on maintaining instructional credentials. Our current members are listed on the Shintaido of America website at http://www.shintaido.org/national-technical-council/“

I have three main areas where I would like to focus my time over the next two years during my term as chair:

1. Supporting instructors who are currently teaching or may want to start a class and may need help with curriculum design to advance their practice and teaching. We have funds to send emissaries from NTC to locations where they can help our instructors in this way. Please feel free to request support to advance your teaching, practice and development of your class.

2. Making technology available via the Shintaido of America website and YouTube Channel where people can see various Shintaido movements, keiko videos, lectures, etc. The information on the website documents curriculum and examination requirements for kata, kihon and kumite.

3. Facilitate communication to empower Shintaido instructors to advance and grow their understanding of Shintaido of America’s mission to transmit the form and spirit of Shintaido in the United States.

So, whether you are a seasoned/active instructor, current NTC member, new practitioner or someone who has been away from Shintaido for a while, please feel free to reach out to me and the NTC to let us know what’s on your mind about Shintaido.

Sincerely,

Robert Gaston
ntc-chairperson@shintaido.org
robgaston1@aol.com

Discussion on Nature and Shintaido

2023, All Years, Body Dialogue Newsletter

Shinrinyoku to Yugen

by Connie Borden

Shintaido and nature; Nature and Shintaido – always have been linked. I was reminded of this during our recent Shintaido of America Podcast discussion when the topic of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) was discussed. As I reflected more on nature, the teachings of nature on the cycle of life and on giving meaning to life. I realized this connection from the soil to the sky can result in moments of Yugen (a deepening of emotional awareness triggered by awareness of the universe).

One moment of such awareness was in New England in the fall of 1986 at Spring Hill. Annelie Wilde wrote about this in Body Dialogue:

During Friday evening keiko we were treated to a magnificent display of stars. As we studied variations of mochikai, someone turned off the surrounding lights. Lacking competition from earthbound illumination, the stars seemed to multiply and move closer to the earth to fill our hearts and souls with wonder and reverence. lto-sensei asked Faith Ingulsrud read to us from Psalms 19:1

“The heavens declare the glory of God, The vault of heaven proclaims his handiwork; Day discourses of it to day, night to night hands on the knowledge. No utterance at all, no speech, No sound that anyone can hear; Yet their voice goes out through all the earth, And their message to the ends of the world.”

To prepare us for hoshiotoshi or knocking down stars, he told us about the Italian painter Fontana, who painted a canvas all gold and then cut through the canvas to reach the other side. Our objective was to scratch out a mere 1000 stars. There were so many stars in the heavens that night that even if we had each succeeded in our task, none would have been missed.

Perhaps I have stirred some memories for you – at the beach, on a mountain top, in the wilds of national parks or green space in the inner city. I think now of how alive the soil was and is beneath our feet with each handful of soil teaming with life. What moments are stirred for you?

Join us in the monthly Shintaido of America Podcast discussions. Our next meeting is 27 June 2023 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern, 7pm UK and 8pm Europe. Contact Connie at president@shintaido.org for the ZOOM link.

Here is what Joni Mitchell sang about Woodstock:

“We are stardust,

we are golden,

we are billion-year-old carbon”