Kyudo Seminars in the State of New York

The Zen Mountain Monastery (ZMM) Mt. Tremper, NY, offers two seminars in Kyudo Zen Archery this summer. In this retreat, beginners will receive training in the Seven Coordinations: holding the yumi (bow) and ya (arrow), sighting the target, creating a stance, lifting and drawing the yumi, and releasing the ya to the target. The Seven Coordinations are the ground on which to balance the energy of the body, mind, and bow, and provide the basis for more advanced practice. Intermediate students will receive personalized instruction in basic and formal group shooting. Formless aspects of Kyudo will be taught as well. Over the years, ZMM’s Kyudo retreats have developed a reputation for being foremost among Kyudo training opportunities in the U.S. Zen students as well as anyone interested in the contemplative arts can engage this special training. The retreat accommodates both beginners and intermediate Kyudo students. Traditional handcrafted yumi as well as other necessary equipment are provided.

Don Symanski is the instructor of these sminars. He is a longtime friend of the Monastery and a warm, skillful teacher. He has studied Kyudo with Kanjuro Shibata Sensei since 1980. Currently he is one of two head instructors in the Hekiryu Bishu Chikurinha form of Kyudo as taught by Shibata Sensei. Don learned bow making with Shibata Senseiís son, Nobuhiro Shibata, in Kyoto. Since 1991, he has made yumi for Kyudo students and taught students in the proper use of the yumi and in Kyudo as a meditation path.