Kyudo, the Way of the Bow, is one of the oldest arts in
the Japanese tradition of contemplative warriorship. Working with
the precision of the form, a natural process gradually unfolds in
which the practitioner has the opportunity to see his or her mind
at the moment of the arrow's release. This distinguishes Kyudo from
sports archery where competition to hit the target is the goal.
Kyudo is a long-term discipline of synchronizing body and mind to
ultimately connect with one's warrior heart.
For every student, the Kyudo experience carries its own special
meaning. Some encounter their fear of confrontation, others, the
difficulty in letting go. For many, Kyudo is a way of relieving
stress by quieting their mind as they focus completely on the meditative
process of shooting the "ya" or arrow. Zen Archery is a
way to polish the mind and manifest natural dignity.
We offer regular weekly Kyudo classes in meditation, equipment
care and several elaborate archery forms. They are taught in a simple
and thoughtful way to ensure that the student will become adept
in the Kyudo forms and well-grounded in the principles from which
they derive.
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