Russian Martial Arts Northwest
We arrived in time for a welcome feast. This was my first experience of German cooking
which was very delicious and wholesome. If was also the first opportunity to meet
Andreas and the other 15 students who were
taking part in the seminar. Most were
from Andreas’ class in Augsburg, the rest came from mainland Europe. Having feasted
the students settled into small cabins which would be home for the rest of the week
and had time to explore the site and surrounding forest.
Day 1
At 0930 Hours the next morning we assembled on a field at the far end of the
campsite. After a warm up consisting of press ups, squats s and leg raises we formed
up in two lines and marched up a track into the forest. Periodically Sergej would
halt our progress for more exercises, then continue our march into the unknown. We
would have to run up steep slopes or walk in a crouched position, whilst tensing
different body parts. No matter what the exercise our focus was always on our breathing.
Sergej was fond of saying, “No matter what happens to you just breath.”
In another drill he had us rolling up and down a sloping dirt track. We also had
to jump from a raised area over a track then land and roll using the correct breathing
and and form to absorb the impact. It soon became clear that it was easier to breath
in on take off and exhale on the landing.
Sergej then found us some logs to carry
in teams further into the forest. After climbing up a particularly steep section
of forest we came to a large log pile. Here we had to climb onto the side of the
stack then jump down and roll. We also had to learn to climb holding weapons, bound
and as a team.
