Fil Kearney
Sandan, 3rd degree
Training since 1997

"My recent trip to Japan yielded very fruitful knowledge for me. I have observed a feeling of timing while there... there appears to be a tension that exists in an interaction... there is a tempo that drives the tension, and on each "beat" something happens. What happens isn't scripted, but if one feels the tempo... an individual can act in time. Even if other participants are doing something counterproductive. Keeping in time allows an opportunity to resolve situations with others while still proceeding. Relaxing, observing the interaction, and maintaining kamae seem key to feeling this tension, and keeping-- or breaking-- the beat."