Containment & Expansion

During the hot August evenings at the dojo, class would often take place across the street at the park, switching out the hard-polished wooden floors of the dojo for the grass and cool earth of the park.

At the end of class we would all sit in a large circle and when your name would be called out by the teacher you would move to the center of the circle and pair up with the other name called out and demonstrate one of the techniques from the class.

There was a silence to sitting in that circle.

No longer confined to the four walls of the dojo, the expansiveness of the park and the field we sat in meant the circle was large, easily fifteen feet between each student, which meant each demonstration was watched from a distance, and that one had control over the space where they sat.

One the one hand the mind passively listening for you name to be called, and if called a sudden snap from passive to active, moving to the center of the circle.

One the other hand sitting in that circle with an expanded awareness.

The cool relief of the earth through the hakama as you sat in seiza on the ground.

A faint breeze blowing over the hill and through the park.

The heaviness of the cooling heat from the day in the air.

The faint chip of crickets in the forest.

The rising moon to enjoy.

The sound of breath regulating itself.

But one was always listening for their name to be called and to spring to action.