「Private or Group Lesson (Sports)」カテゴリーアーカイブ

Raaef Ahmed: Fly Dance Studio

投稿日時: 投稿者:

Igloo – Kiss of Life

For my CIP, I took k-pop dance classes at a dance studio every week. I went to the same two lessons each week, one with a friend, and the other by myself.

It was a lot of fun; I loved learning new choreo each class, and just getting to continue doing dance during my study abroad. Also, since I had the same two instructors each week, I was able to build a good relationship with both of them.

At first, especially in the class that I just went to on my own, I was a little intimidated, because there were some regulars that the instructor already knew well, and trying to add to their conversations with the added pressure of the language barrier was pretty hard. I think the solution is to start with things that you already have in common (in this case, anything about k-pop), and then over time you’ll become comfortable enough to talk about whatever comes to mind. Everyone is also super welcoming, they were always happy to reexplain whenever I didn’t understand something, and never got impatient when it took me some time to figure out how to say what I wanted to in Japanese.

Issei Hata: Kickboxing

投稿日時: 投稿者:

My CIP was kickboxing at W-Beast Gym. The Activity is very intuitive; it’s just kickboxing, but in Kyoto. The gym was very small and clean, and everyone was very friendly. I started kickboxing through the CIP, but they were very helpful with technique and providing me opportunities to spar. I recommend everyone to be very proactive when it comes to talking to people at the CIP. I know it can be intimidating but almost everyone around you wants to help you, and with the short time you have in the program it’s very important you make the best of every moment!

Floe Yang: Kyudo

投稿日時: 投稿者:

My CIP activity is kyudo in the 道場 of 武道センター. It was a kind of Japanese traditional sport, and we would use a 2-meter long arch to practice, and it involves a series of actions, not just shooting, but also manners, using arch, etc. It was honestly really tiring at first, and pulling the arch felt challenging. But as I learned more about it, I get to feel what they say how kyudo would make people feel calm and find the internal peace. My suggestions to people coming next is that you should definitely try it, and don’t be afraid to talk to sensei even though we’re usually not that confident about our Japanese skills. I guarantee you they’re some of the most nice teachers I’ve ever met.

Kyle Chen: Archery

投稿日時: 投稿者:

I took a traditional Japanese archery class at the Kyoto Budou Center. It was a 10-class course where Furuya sensei taught us from beginning to end how to walk, sit, and eventually honed our skills in archery in the shooting range.

It was a very enjoyable 10 classes, and I felt immersed in Japanese culture as I was taking classes at the Budou center. The environment felt friendly at the Budou center, and it was a lot of fun picking up a traditional Japanese art form.

I recommend anyone who is even a little bit interested in Japanese archery to sign up. It was a beginner-friendly class, and Furuya sensei is very patient.

Sasha Jiang: 弓道（Kyudo）

投稿日時: 投稿者:

My CIP activity was Kyudo, where I practiced traditional Japanese archery while learning both the physical techniques and the underlying mindset behind the sport. Through this, I was able to engage with Japanese culture in a more hands-on and meaningful way.

What stood out to me the most was how much Kyudo emphasizes patience, control, and intention rather than just results. The sensei was incredibly kind and supportive, which made the learning environment feel welcoming and encouraged me to keep improving.

I would strongly recommend choosing kyudo as your CIP activity. It’s a unique opportunity to experience Japanese culture through a traditional sport, and even if it feels challenging at first, the process is incredibly rewarding if you stay patient and committed.

Emilija Strydom: Fly Dance Studio

投稿日時: 投稿者:

Hypnotize by XG Dance Video

For my CIP this semester, I attended dance classes with a friend at Fly Dance Studio once a week. Here, I learned a new short choreography every lesson. 

This was an amazing experience, as not only did I get to practice a new kind of dance, but I also got to meet and interact with other Japanese people who attended, as well as the teacher. Through this, I feel that I was not only able to improve my dancing skills, but my Japanese speaking as well!

Some advice I would give is not to be afraid to ask questions in class! I think it can be easy to get stuck in the headspace thinking you have to suffer in silence if you don’t remember a certain part of the choreography, for example, but the dance teachers are so welcoming. Also, asking questions is a great way to interact with the teacher as well as other students who may attend class!

Elise Nishii-Kim: Yin Yoga

投稿日時: 投稿者:

Me with my yoga teacher, Asako-sensei!

For my Community Involvement Project, I attended weekly Yin Yoga sessions at Tamisa Yoga Studio’s Teramachi-dori location. Our classes focused on breathing and slow pose transitions, which created an amazingly relaxed and centered environment. The instructor, Asako-sensei, was a kind and supportive presence for me throughout the semester and I always looked forward to attending her class. Studying abroad can be overwhelming and stressful at times, and going to Yin Yoga was a great way for me to practice mindfulness and calm while also learning about Japanese culture, communication styles, and social expectations.  I loved my class and my teacher, and was able to build a lot of meaningful connections with my classmates during our post-class tea time. I highly recommend Tamisa Yoga studio to incoming students, whether they have experience with yoga or not!

Sam Kirkconnell: Kyudo at the Kyoto City Budo Center

投稿日時: 投稿者:

Kyudo is a Japanese martial art of longbow archery, which incorporates rhythmic movement with fluid marksmanship, achieving the spiritual state of inner peace and the mindful act of shooting its target. In Kyudo, there are eight essential steps you perform before you shoot the target, and there is a heavy emphasis in taking time in learning each step as masterfully as you can before you can even pick up a bow.  A lot of patience is required in order to not only achieve a well-rehearsed performance but to also see the merit and enjoyment of Kyudo. As stated before, a large part in practicing Kyudo is being able to observe the instructions the Kyudo sensei is able to give and being able to apply the correct techniques in order to have a smooth performance with a zen mindset.

Colin Dunn: Futur Boxing Gym

投稿日時: 投稿者:

 

For my CIP activity I elected to join the Futur Boxing Gym by Muratamachi Station. By signing up, you get access to all the gyms facilities throughout the week, with instructors on standby to adjust your form, give you tips, help you run drills (like pad work), and assist you in getting acquainted with the training area. I had a great time not only training with the coaches, who were always enthusiastic and eager to help, but also using the sport to bond with others over a shared admiration. If you watch combat sports, it can be a fantastic way to break the ice with some of the other people training there. My advice for anyone interested in boxing gyms is to be confident when approaching someone to practice Japanese. Because of the nature of the gym, people probably won’t just come up to you to talk, it’s up to you to make the first move. However, if you do overcome some of the awkwardness, it can be an extremely rewarding experience both physically and linguistically.

Andrew Feenstra: Kyudo

投稿日時: 投稿者:

For my CIP, I decided to do Kyudo at the Kyoto City Budo Center. There are a lot of things to remember each week, such as proper etiquette, proper form, etc., but once you get it down it feels insanely rewarding. The sensei at the dojo was super friendly and was very accommodating despite the language barrier. At the end, I felt extremely comfortable using the huge bow and was able to hit the target almost in the center! My advice to incoming students would be that you should not hesitate to make more friends at the dojo! It can be intimidating, but it can make your experience a lot more meaningful and improve your Japanese tenfold.