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Inner Truth Taiko Dojo

Toronto, Ontario

Number of Members: 9 (varies)

Founded: 2004

Group History
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What is the alchemy that occurs when an amazing group of women come together in community, apply complete focus and inner strength, nourish mind, body and soul through rituals of yoga, chi kung and meditation, to create the power and beauty of sound? Inner Truth Taiko Dojo.

The name INNER TRUTH is a translation of “Chung Fu” which comes from the I Ching symbol of wind over lake. It is represented by two solid lines on top, two broken lines in the middle, and two solid lines on the bottom. Open in the middle, like a drum, it indicates a heart free of prejudices and therefore open to truth. “Dojo” means school for studying “the way”. At INNER TRUTH TAIKO DOJO self awareness and understanding of the way is developed through the practice of taiko drumming. To learn not to blindly follow along with the group is to trust one’s own inner truth.

Brenda Joy Lem began taiko drumming as a member of Wasabi Daiko in 1986 studying under Shinobu Homma, Lucy Komori, Leslie Komori and Rick Shiomi. Since then she has studied yoga, tai chi, kung fu, modern dance and Asian philosophies which she integrates in her teaching. She was a founding member and teacher to members of RAW for the first five+ years. In 2004, Brenda opened Inner Truth Taiko Dojo. Integrating internal energy work and meditation she creates a body centred spiritual taiko practice.

Founding Inspiration
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Community building, developing a practice of mind/body awareness

Notable History
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  • Workshops: organized by Anti Racist Action Project to teach a workshop with Muslim Women’s group from Regent Park, organized by YWCA to teach a workshop series with women healing from substance abuse,
  • Performances: we enjoy integrating storytelling with taiko for performances for public schools, the toronto public library, and local community festivals

Performance Material Sources
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Songs from Wasabi Daiko that this group is descended from, and some written by group members

Taiko Community Mentors in the Group
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  • Brenda Joy Lem:
    1. workshop on playing taiko as a lifetime practice, how to use chi, body alignment, core strength, gravity to play efficiently and to play longer, without tensing, over tiring or damaging muscles over the time.
    2. can share some Canadian taiko history through her taiko journey starting in 1986, it’s ties to the Asian American movement, community building, solidarity work