The Essence of Shinseido and Walking

What we did on Sunday 11 March 2012

An inspirational session and one from which everyone who attended gained a great deal. 

Group 1:  Consolidation and statement of components that make Shinseido special and somewhat unique.  How every movement within Shinseido represents a physical metaphor for everyday life; the significance of symbolism; how the continuum principle leads to an understanding of non-dualism; the true nature of tornado hands; therapeutics; philosophy.

Current state of tornado hands:


1)    The four elements:  High in hands; Low out hands; Low in hands; High out hands.

2)    Regular hands and Reversed hands

3)    Bow hands lateral, oblique and vertical. 

4)    Forward and backward hand rolls in unison. 

5)    Forward and backward hand rolls following. 

6)    Forward and backward hand rolls contrary motion. 

7)    Horizontal hand circles counter-clockwise and clockwise. 

8)    Horizontal hand circles counter-clockwise and clockwise following.

9)    Horizontal hand circles contrary motion inwards then outwards matching.
10)   Horizontal hand circles contrary motion in wards then outwards following.

11)  Horizontal figure of eight hands led by thumb side then little finger side of hand.

12)  Longitudinal figure eight hands regular and reversed.

13)  Vertical figure of eight hands led by thumb side then little finger side of hand.

14)  Vertical figure of eight hands, palm led then backhand led.

15)  Vertical figure of eight hands palm and backhand simultaneously then in reverse.

16)  Holding single energy ball and holding an energy ball in both hands.

Group 2:   Note: One of our long term members has cerebral palsy and is undergoing a difficult period.  He is moving towards mobilising himself again so that he can get back into the art proper and begin to take part in class activities.  This involves specific strengthening and mobility exercises. The Art of Walking:  Using ten mats initially for safety and then as stepping ‘stones’ to encourage confidence in elevating the feet to walk on and off the mats.  Learning about posture, poise, balance.  Dispensing with the stick and standing unaided.  Posture correction.  Walking with minimum support (seisei’s hand), checking posture, balance and ability to remain standing unaided after each foot placement.  Rules established: straighten legs, rock hip girdle forwards, stretch up, draw shoulders back over hips.  Walking from one end of the dojo and back again.  Placing self on floor supine and resting.  Turning into prone position and pushing up into kneeling position, then standing with minimal aid.  Expressing importance of doing exercises at home every day, reserving dojo sessions in future for functional emphasis as in walking, standing, getting down onto floor and up again, being able to stand unaided in order to execute hand and arm movements of Shinseido.  Statement of home exercises to do week to week.  This activity linked powerfully with the first, emphasising the broad therapeutic nature of Shinseido for each individual student.