Dosa - The Way of Movement

Dousa (動作) = Movement, the way you move or how you move,

動 = to move, to act, 

作 = to make, to work, production, same character as sahou (作法) = manner

We have spoken of Kamae and Inzo in previous posts, but I'll give a brief review and a few more details here.

Inzo being the Seal of the Kamae. The Inzo begins with the finger nails and toe nails to include the position of hands and feet as the point between our tanden and the universe around us. The Inzo seals the intent of the Kamae, so the Kamae is really important, as is it's seal.

Kamae is the Stance / Position / or Pose that implies both the moving in and moving out; but is primarily the position of our tanden in the universe. The position of our Tanden, of course, sets the position of our whole-self. When we discuss Kamae, we are usually talking about the body position, but since there is really no separation between... we are also speaking of: Where we are, How we stand; the positions we hold from our core principles and beliefs.

The third foundation of this triad is Dosa. The Dosa is the moving in and out of Kamae. How we move in the world. How we live our daily life... every moment of every day.

Of course all three of these rely on the secret 5.

1. Kokyu = Breathing

2. Yurumeru = Letting go / to relax

3. Tanden = Our Center

4. Hone = Bone

5. Hari = Stretching

The Dosa / Movement always begin and end with Rei (Manners / Etiquette / the physical bow). And Rei always begins and ends with Tanden (our Core). Moving with the Breath (Kokyu), Blood (Chi), and Bone (Hone) create a beautiful Dosa.

Being mindful of our position in the world and moving from our center without force, without pushing or pulling. By being in a beautiful pose for others to see and emulate, by showing movement of challenged ease, presents the Dosa of the Japanese Do arts.