Kyudo Class
The students of Kozan Kyudojo practice at Halifax Shambhala Centre every
second week (with exceptions) on Sundays 6-8pm.
Anyone interested is encouraged to come observe a class. Please contact
[email protected] for details.
We practice and teach kyudo in the Heki Ryu Bishu Chiko-Rin Ha tradition
of Japan, following the lineage holders of the Shibata family.In this tradition, Kyudo is a form of meditation. Because it is a mindfulness
practice which is done standing, and which involves movement, it is
referred to as ‘meditation in action’, or ‘standing meditation’
Many other traditions of archery have a very different approach, including
other kyudo schools. They focus more on hitting the target, ranks, etc., and
are sometimes referred to as sports kyudo.
In our school, Heki Ryu Bishu Chiko-Rin Ha, hitting the target is not
important. Instead, we work on cutting ego and polishing the mind &
heart. Polishing the mind here means working with hope and fear, being
totally present, and becoming clear, connected. Then your perception is
purified, clear, rather than influenced by the strong ego. Being totally
present with each shot is like polishing the dust from the heart’s mirror,
which has gathered there over years. This polished heart expresses itself in
discipline with oneself, and kindness to others.
How does it work?
Initially and over several classes or a weekend program, students learn the
Seven Coordinations (Shichido), which are a prescribed series of 2
movements which lead to completing a shot. These are repeated over and
over, as the student’s practice deepens.
Once the form has been learned, the student will start practicing shooting
with traditional Japanese longbow on a target only bout 2mm length away.
Once a year, the dojo offers a residential weekend program at Dorje Denma
Ling near Tatamagouch, where long distance shooting is possible.
Long distance or short: the form of Shichido , the Seven Coordinations, is
the doorway to the inner practice of Kyudo - working with ego and
connecting with body, mind and spirit.
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Reach out to [email protected] with any questions!
"One is not polishing one's shooting style or technique, but the mind. The
dignity of shooting is the important point. This is how Kyudo differs from the
common approach to archery. In Kyudo there is no hope. Hope is not the
point. The point is that through long and genuine practice your natural
dignity as a human being comes out. This natural dignity is already in you,
but it is covered up by a lot of obstacles. When they are cleared away, your
natural dignity is allowed to shine forth." - Kanjuro Shibata XX, Sendai