Saturday morning class was about the smallest I’ve seen in quite a while. Only 5 people (including myself) and Sensai.

After stretching, we skipped laps and other conditioning and instead worked Ido Kihon.

When performing nekoashi-dachi, the rear leg should push forward and the front foot should land heel first before returning to nekoashi-dachi again.

Sensai complimented my chudan soto shuto-uke.

Performed Fukyugata Ⅰ/Ⅱ and Pinan Shodan/Nidan.

Sensai also complimented my second Kentsui-uchi in Pinan Nidan.

Sensai talked again about including snap in double blocks where the second is really an attack. Mentioned Soke twisting his wrists when taking breaks between sessions. He also talked about focusing energy on each movement and the importance and connection of the kiai in that regard. My kiais need to be better. They should be less hesitant, more spontaneous and louder.

Belt test

While performing yakusoku kumite Sensai pointed out that I that I am not kiai’ing correctly or consistently. After that, however, I think I performed yakosoku kumite Ⅰ-Ⅳ credibly for my level.

During Nekoashi-dachi as part of Ido Kihon, I really felt it in my quads. Obviously, I have gotten out of shape over the winter. That should improve as I’m working oustide more in the coming months.

I did not know the student creed, however I do know O Sensai’s recommendations for study. Nonetheless, I need to learn the creed since it’s specific to the Mastin dojo.

Performed Fukyugata, Pinan (except godan) and all Naihanchi kata. Of the Naihanchi kata, shodan was the better of the three. Nidan and sandan were somewhat rushed, a bit out of balance ( I had to catch myself more than once.) and I also caught my gi with my hand a couple of times. Somehow, I continue to be nervous and self-conscious during tests despite practicing outside the dojo. I have improved a lot in the last 2.5 years though.

In the end, I not only passed, but passed another belt to San Kyu (Brown Ⅰ).