Luxembourg
by Laura and Anne
We had a great pleasure to accompany the Müllheim club during the first 4 days of the tour. We started here in Luxembourg thursday the 29.5. and trained with Peter Taylor and Pascal Petrella. Then we headed to Hasselt for 3 days and trained with Dirk Heene and Pascal. All together 9 sessions during these hot, steamy early summer days.
The training was fantastic, heavy and fun. We worked to learn more of many different aspects to karate: breathing, kime, techniques, body support, kiai, kata (especially Bassai Dai omote/ura), kihon combinations and kumite, of course. We will definitely remember the kumite training: "Hüfte vor!", "Mehr Kiai!" and so on. We still hear Pascal's voice in our heads reminding us, pushing us forward. Dirk will certainly remember the kumite training as well, because his mae geri was blocked by an empi, performed by a strong orange belt. No crutches needed any more.
It is a mind opener to train with such great Senseis. Every Sensei has his own karate personality, therefore they open doors from slightly different angles to the world of karate. It is humbling and rewarding to experience that.
The heavy training was lightened enjoyably by the evening program. Friday evening we enjoyed delicious grill + salad evening in the courtyard of Honbu dojo, spiced with overpowering ginger (? still haven't figured out) cocktail created by the karateka-bus driver-bar tender guy. Very tasty. In the heat of the saturday evening we explored "Hasselt live" happening, where 51 bands offered their best for us to bend the hips on a different tune. There was pop, salsa, rock, etc.
It was a pleasure to spend 4 days with such a nice group of people. We were struck by the affinity and the feeling of togetherness in the group. Not only that around 32 people sleep in the same Dojo, but also the way they help each other during the training, and how friendly they welcome other people, like us, to join them for few days.
We would like to thank you for your friendliness and we wish that you had a great and safe tour till the end.
Laura and Anne