Most of our members have already taken part, more or less often, in special trainings. This being the case, and all the more so as these seminars were originally set up more specifically for “junior” practitioners, we wanted to orient this forum in such a way as to better answer the legitimate questions that arise in the perspective of a first (and, let's hope, many more thereafter!) participation in these rather special seminars, which are one of the original characteristics of the “traditional” form of practice of Master OHSHIMA's Shotokan school.

Question: First of all, why the term “special”?

SSK: In fact, it comes from the English term “special training”, itself introduced by Master OHSHIMA to designate those periods of training that are a little different from the usual, even advanced, training at the Dojo.

Q.: How are they different?

SSK: Before going into more detail, two major aspects can be identified, which are particularly linked here:

- on the one hand, a high training pace and intensity, which creates the conditions for constantly surpassing one's physical limits,
- on the other hand, the constant appeal to and reinforcement of mental resources, necessary for this physical overcoming in any “fight against oneself”.

The program - and the general atmosphere - are carefully maintained so that everyone can find the right resources within themselves to achieve the desired goal.

Winter Special Training (Bernex GE)

Q.: Are we the only ones offering this kind of training?

SSK: The original concept of “Gasshuku” (the Japanese term for these traditional gatherings) has been taken up by some organizations, albeit few in number. This is for fear of seeing members looking elsewhere for a little more “everything” and “right away” ease.

Q.: Are there people who “crack” in these trainings?

SSK: First of all, it should be pointed out that only members of the Dojos of Shotokan OHSHIMA Associations may take part, having been “qualified” by their Dojo Manager, on the basis of criteria guaranteeing them the theoretical “feasibility” of the operation. This is why it is not permitted to leave the training at any time, except in cases of exceptional force majeure (health, family, etc.) authorized by the training director. And for many years now, there has never been a case of a participant quitting in the face of a self-imposed challenge.

Q.: So they're still unusual practitioners?

SSK: Not at all, we shouldn't be imagining heroes or supermen, but normally constituted people, with only a sincere and disinterested approach, prepared physically and mentally just right. You could say that anyone can do it, provided they really want to. You can measure this by the simple fact that people keep coming back, knowing what lies ahead, or perhaps precisely because they do.

Summer Special Training (Lenk VS)

Q.: So what does the “technical” program consist of?"

SSK: It takes place according to a pre-established basic scenario, with a few variations depending on the number of days allocated (three or four in general), with an average of three training sessions per day, modulated according to the groups of participants (white, brown and black belts). Let's just say right away that, apart from a few special remarks, there are no “technical” classes as such, and each session is spent executing basic techniques (Kihon), Kata or “conventional” assaults, mainly in the “Sanbon Kumite” form. In addition, there are a few “originalities”, such as holding the “Kiba Dachi” posture for an hour or an hour and a half, depending on the age of the practitioner.

Q.: What do you mean by that?

SSK: We want the intensity of effort to be independent of age. This is why, for those over forty and then fifty, we have intentionally reduced certain phases of exercise (quite a few, in fact) so that, given the normal physiological potential beyond this age, the quality and intensity of training can be maintained at the best level of younger practitioners.

Q.: In conclusion, how can we define the benefits of internships?

SSK: Firstly, you've made progress “in the short term”, as repeating basic techniques and Kata hundreds, even thousands of times in just a few sessions, beyond physical exhaustion, leads to real technical progress. Secondly, you've improved your physiological endurance and stamina. And last but not least, the “long-term” gain is the strengthening, often unconscious at first, of one's mental potential. This will gradually translate into a change in behavior and perception in everyday life, improving interpersonal skills, resistance to stress, “letting go” and open-mindedness.

Q.: All this makes you want to give it a try...

SSK: Well, that doesn't surprise me at all! So here's to our next “special training”!