Monthly Archives: August 2014

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Belt Test (aka Ananku Saved Me)

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Far from my finest belt test. I completely blanked when performing Naihanchi Sandan. Even after three times, it still wasn’t correct.

Aside from that, there were many positives. My technique feels stronger. I’m also not thinking about things as much and consequently there is better flow to my kata. I feel like things are slowing down and as I continue to improve, at times, I feel like things are coming together. I correctly answered all the questions Sensai asked regarding the history of Matsubayashi-Ryu and precepts for study.

Some things I need to work on:

Continue to improve my Ido Kihon especially by practicing the turns.

Kiais need to be consistently better.

Keep my fists tighter, and my thumbs tucked in.

I’m not rotating my left hip enough on my gedan-uke zenkutsu-dachi.

Need to practice Yakusoku kumite Ⅴ more. The initial attack is a right side kizame-zuki. On defense, when I block down in kosa-dachi, I need to turn so my belt knot faces my opponent.

Need to work on the move from kosa-dachi to iaigoshi-dachi in Pinan Godan. The movement should be “L” shaped and the rear foot should be on the line.

In Ananku, I need to work on rotating my hip to add power to the chudan-uke naname-zenkutsu-dachi. Right now I’m cheating and moving my right (rear) foot. Sensai complimented me on this kata, saying that it was better than that of some black belts.

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Morning Training

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Worked on basic footwork including the hands. I think I do better at Ⅲ than the others. I still tend to think too much about the feet, and need to work on better executing the blocks and delivering the strikes. Generally, that means that I haven’t really practiced enough to be comfortable with the technique.

Practiced other basics – front punches in jigotai-dachi, kaku-zuki also in jigotai-dachi. Try to work on extension on the punch and allow the natural tension in the the body to return the punching hand to a chambered position. Use the other hand along with hip rotation to accelerate the punch.

Performed katas from Fukyugata Ⅰ through Pinan Sandan. Sensai said not to hold the final jodan-zuki of Fukyugata Ⅰ any longer than any other move. After delivering the punch, return to yoi. Then, broke into groups of three (with Tom and Sensai Palmer) each performing one kata of our own choice. I chose Pinan Yondan because it’s not my favorite and I tend to practice it less than most of the others.

Did a partner drill with Tom where you try to touch the other’s shoulder and the partner blocks. When successful, you switch and become the defender and the partner tries to touch.

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First August Kata Class

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Arrived late and jumped in during Naihanchi Shodan. Went on to do Naihanchi Nidan a couple of times, and finally worked on Sandan with Jessan and Lara. All of them felt awkward due to lack of practice lately.

Worked on applications of portions of Naihanchi Shodan. The opening two moves could be used to block a front punch and then pull the attacker in to finish. The moroto-uke could be used in the same way. You need to step in and turn to the side to make it work. Think about the motion starting with an inside uchi-uke. Sensai said that any point in the kata where your hands come together could be a trap. Also can be a block and simultaneous attack.

Sensai had us perform the other kata. We worked on one part of Pinan Yondan (kosa-dachi to the ¾ turn). He also reiterated how to step into, turn and slide when delivering the iaigoshi -dachi in Pinan Godan. In Ananku, you need to rotate your hip out when turning from outside uchi-uke to naname-zenkutsu-dachi.

Worked on Yamanni-ryu bo basics, the four strikes, and the four directions basics.

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First Post-Seminar Workout

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Class led by Sensai today.

Practiced all kata from Fukyugata Ⅰ through Ananku. Sensai commented that our Pinan Yondan kata needed work. I’m sure that applies to me, since for some reason, that’s one of my least favorite katas and one I have practiced less this year.

Worked on partner drills in groups of three. worked on a front punch/outside chudan-uke drill.

Working in groups of three, practiced the basic yakusoku kumite high-middle-low drill from the Canada seminar. Also a kumite routine composed of Ⅶ, Ⅳ, Ⅵ