Worked at length on basics.  Sensai pointed out that I was leaving my (esp. left) arm bent on gedan-uke. Should be fully extended. I also need to remember to step up and into jodan-uke.

I feel a lot more confident in my technique, which also means I’m more relaxed and breathing better. Nonetheless, by the end I was winded and my technique was noticeably weaker.

Worked on Fyukugata Ⅱ bunkai. We broke the  attacking part down into three sections:

The opening part starts with chudan gyaku-zuki using the opposite arm of the defender (Since you’re facing each other , it ends up being same side – just the opposite of Fyukugata Ⅰ). Then step back  and throw another chudan gyaku-zuki. Finally, kick mai-geri from the front foot landing forward end ending in kumite-dachi.

In the middle part, the attacker steps forward left and punches kizame-zuki, then steps back left again punching kizame-zuki. Steps back right into nekoashi-dachi and blocks the right side kick by covering with the left hand. After the defender throws the tate-hiji-ate, the attacker kicks mai-geri from the front foot, lands forward and punches kizame-zuki.

For the final part (the very end of the kata), the defender starts in gyaku-zuki zenkutsu-dachi right side forward and back to the opponent. The attacker steps forward left and punches kizame-zuki, then steps forward right again punching kizame-zuki. Changes feet using footwork Ⅱ and punches right.

In the black belt class, we went through all sai kata twice (once by the count and once renzoku) and ended class by performing our highest kata (ananku) for Sensai. He had no real comments other than we need to continue to practice.

I also reviewed Yakusoku kumite Ⅴ with Jessan. The opening part of the defense doesn’t require much movement, rather just pivot the feet into naname zenkutsu-dachi and block chudan-uke.