October | 2014 | Yardwig Communications

Worked on sai tonight starting with moving drills:

One drill was moving forward in zenkutsu-dachi, blocking down, striking down, blocking down again and following with gyaku-zuki. Repeat the routine on the other side.

Another was stepping forward into jodan-uchi, followed by an around-the-head strike, then around-the-world strike and z-block. Finally, another gyaku-zuki before stepping forward and repeating on the opposite side.

Last was to step forward left into zenkutsu-dachi and punch up with both hands. Then step forward with the right (facing left) into jigotai-dachi and sweep around and down to the right. Then step forward with the left (facing right) into jigotai-dachi and strike across the body up to the left and then the same to the right. Finally turn back left into zenkutsu-dachi and repeat the routine starting with the double strike.

Practiced Fukyugata Ⅰ with sai as a group before breaking out to work on Hanagushiku-no-sai. Sensai pointed out that the last strike should be up and forward like a motion in Rohai. When stepping out of the kosa-dachi to the left, the right foot should slide over so you are upright rather than in jigotai-dachi.

Practiced ido kihon and kihon undo. Dan ranks are expected to know the order of these exercises. Following that, partnered with Dave to work on yakusoku kumite Ⅰ-Ⅳ from both right and left sides. Next we broke into a groups (me, Dave and Zack) with each member selecting and performing one basic, one intermediate and one advanced kata for the others. I chose Pinan Shodan, Naihanchi Nidan and Ananku. Dave commented that he’d like to have my chudan shuto-uke. In Ananku, I need to work on keeping the wari-uke out in front of me. I seem to be crossing my arms drawing my fists in toward my body before throwing them back out forward.

In the last part of class, performed Shiromatsu-no-kon. I need to continue to work on it, but I have the basic routine mostly down.
Also worked on Pinan Sandan bunkai (write down the order)

Class led by Sensai

Moving drills applied techniques out of Pinan Shodan and Nidan

Worked on timing and distance and avoiding a chudan-zuki by turning at the hips. Started in nekoashi-dachi and turned into kosa-dachi while blocking. The initial block can turn into a grab and be used to draw the attacker in. A counter attack can be delivered under the opponents arm if necessary.

Also applied gedan shuto-uke as a block for a front kick. Sensai said to think in terms of again twisting somewhat at the hip to deflect the attack while catching the opponent’s heel and delivering a blow to the leg with the other hand. Think of twisting the heel/leg after catching.

Performed all of the Pinan kata by the count and renzoku. Sensai talked about the mentality of attacking the attack in Matsubayashi-ryu kata. For example, in Pinan Shodan even though the first move is defensive, it is followed immediately by forward movement pursuing the attacker.

Suggested that our karate will ultimately become, over time, an extension of our own personal style – more defensive or aggressive depending on individual personality.

Sparred with Tom and Bill Palmer. I always get a lot out of training with Bill. I admire his focus, his speed and the way he works on incorporating previous ideas in class into his sparring. I find myself still working on basics – thinking about what I’m doing rather than just relaxing into whatever the sparring session and opponent happen to bring at the time.

Finished with more stretching at the end of class.

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Monthly Archives: October 2014

First Tuesday class in a while

Welcome to October