Category Archives: karate

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Saturday 9/20

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First part of class was led by Sempai

Started with stretching, situps and pushups (20 each) and running 5 laps. Then worked on nekoashi-dachi kihon ido. Sempai was trying to point out that it can be used as a transition to move out of the way of an attack. It shouldn’t be a large movement and should also not be away from an opponent. Moving slightly to the outside of an attack leaves you in the best postion to counterattack and finish.
Asked us to come up with an application. Most (including mine) looked a lot like the final attack in yakusoku kumite Ⅴ.

Worked on yakusoku kumite Ⅰ-Ⅳ with Tom – right and left handed.

Remainder was led by Sensai

Performed Fukyugata Ⅰ/Ⅱ, Pinan Ⅰ-Ⅴ, and Ananku rotating 90° each time like last Wednesday.

Described movements in Pinan Ⅳ as being designed to generate maximum power in a confined space. To do so, you need to use centrifugal force from the turns and spring from the kosa-dachi.
Asked for our interpretations of the opening moves of Pinan Ⅴ, and suggested that we visualize that when performing.

Worked on yakusoku kumite Ⅵ with Tom.

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Back after a hiatus

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Hiatus from blog posts, not karate.

Class led by Sensai.

In weapons class worked on sai and bo. For sai, we broke into two groups of four with each person performing the kata of their choice for the others. I picked one I’ve practiced more lately – Sai Dai Ichi. Sensai commented that I need to work on keeping my thumb at or below the weld on strikes. I need to keep my back leg straight in my zenkutsu-dachi.

Worked on Matsubayashi-ryu bo kata again. Practiced the Four directions (kihon bo) kata as well as Shiromatsu-no-kon.

Performed Naihanchi Ⅰ- Ⅲ, and Ananku kata changing direction 90° each time.

Worked on yakusoku kumite Ⅰ-Ⅴ with Zack

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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

 

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Seminar Day Three

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Marathon Yamanni-Ryu bo training today.

The morning session started with stretching, followed by lots of repetitions of kihon bo demonstrated by Taira Sensai.

Kihon bo Ⅰ was kasa-uchi strikes. Change sides by switching hands and using footwork Ⅱ.

Kihon bo Ⅱ was blocking down and poking

Kihon bo Ⅲ was striking horizontally from side to side.

Practiced bo kata probably 40 times each. Yammani-ryu is all about using the bo to extend the distance on attacks.

Shushi-No-Kon Ichi

Choun-No-Kun Ichi (Choun means “Morning Cloud”)

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Seminar Day Two Afternoon Session

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Ananku – performed kata and worked on oyo bunkai
Partnered with Sensai Rick (trains with Sensai Trombley in Misissagua?)
In opening part, the hands come up into a cross block to block right hand jodan zuki. Then turn hands over and grab opponents wrist using thumb and index finger, pull down to left. At the same time deliver heel strike to oponents knee
when .

Did a 4 direction gedan-uke/chudan-zuki drill 30-40 times

Wankan several oyo bunkai out of parts.
Had to step out during kata since I haven’t learned this yet. Jumped back in during oyo bunkai, again with Sensai Rick.

Yakusoku kumite Ⅰ-Ⅳ

Started with drill stepping forward right punching jodan-zuki. Then step forward left punching chudan-zuki, and follow stepping
forward right into jigotai-dachi, punching oi-zuki. Then step back right and block jodan-uke left, step back left blocking chudan-uke,         and finally step back right and block down left gedan-barai-uke. Repeat on opposite side.

Worked on kumite mainly with Sensai Rick, except for one yakusoku kumite Ⅱ with Sensai Baehr

In defense on Ⅲ, the first block should be soft. The second move, move in (right leg should be between opponent’s legs) block the         opponents chambered and back strongly and block the punching hand up (_not back_) with a twist then attack the opponents floating rib by dropping down and attacking hiji-ate.

On the turn of Ⅳ, block up immediately (look for the punch in peripheral vision) then block down left and punch chudan-zuki at same time.

Practiced kicking with each leg from ippon-ashi-dachi. Performed 30-40 jump-kicks from each leg.

Finished up by performing Naihanchi Shodan once and Fukyugata Ⅰ twice, followed by light stetching jumping jacks and jumping and spinning 360°

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Seminar Day Two Morning Session

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Again stretching and kiso tanren like yesterday, perhaps slightly less. Followed up with 100+ of chudan-zuki from jigotai-dachi and then triple punches.

Practiced a routine like jodan-uke only with blocking hand open. Then drop down with a twist to cover center, and than twist again, throwing down to the side.

Taira stresses twisting at hips in most techniques – noticed this again throughout today’s workout.

Fukyugata Ⅰ worked again on crossing on turns and exploding into gedan-uke like yesterday.
Fukyugata Ⅱ in first move, right foot should go out at 45 deg then turn on ball of foot into jodan-uke

Pinan Shodan – cross blocks in first moves should be away from body – don’t bring arms back in. First turn, deliver kick, then plant turn and block shuto-uke.

Pinan Nidan – focused again on kentsui-uchi being delivered strongly.
Pinan Sandan – refreshed recommendations from yesterday.
Pinan Yondan – like Pinan Shodan, don’t drop hands. Step across right before first big turn (Sensai already taught this.) On knee attack, don’t raise hands too high, but do twist down with both wrists.
Pinan Godan – Taira sensai talked about the dropping block (possibly as a gedan-barai-uke) Need to check with sensai on this. Practiced the part starting with iagoshi-dachi followed by wari-uke.

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Opening Workout

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Class led by Taira sensai. Akamine sensai and Behr sensai helped and watched.

Started with stretching and kiso tanren – 25+ over and back (50 or so total). Was tiring but gave the opportunity to focus on the execution of the technique and pay attention to breathing. Taira sensai reminded the class to do the technique and then relax.

Fukyugata Ⅰ – practiced the turns and gedan uke. Keep blocking elbow in tight to chest durning turn, plant foot and deliver block with twist at hip to provide power.

Fukyugata Ⅱ – practiced the the kick/elbow attack by stopping during the kick and balancing with the knee up, than planting and delivering hiji-ate. Akamine sensai corrected my technique during the warmup hazushi-uke drill and again here. Also worked repeatedly on the final two attacks. Taira sensai talked about the block before the double punch as an inside chest block. One application is to do it softly to block an attack, then come over with a poke to the eyes, or palm-heel attack to the chest or head.

Pinan Shodan – In the opening part, the second upper block should come from where the previous technique ended. Don’t drop arm only to raise it again. The first kosa-dachi should begin with only a small step to the left. Too much will affect your balance and delivery of the ensuing kick.
Behr sensai said to slow down my Pinan Shodan and execute every technique distinctly. He said that O Sensai said each technique should bring something back with it. That provides an avenue for seeing different possibilities in the technique.

Pinan Nidan – The first move is a grab to draw in the attacker’s arm. The following hammer-fist should be delivered with snap.

Pinan Sandan – The second move should have a cross first and twist to power the double block. Also, the elbow blocks should be followed by uraken over top of the attacker’s punch. But when Taira sensai demonstrated, the uraken appeared similar to a chest block. The final strikes over the shoulder should be close into the body. Look first and deliver the punch. Work on extension.

Ended with one Pinan Godan. It was halfway over before I figured out which kata and caught up with where we were. Also another Fukyugata Ⅰ and some more stretching.

Taira sensai said he was happy with the effort made by all.