Tag Archives: ido kihon

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First class in a week

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Between commitments at home and snow again on Wednesday this is the first class I’ve made in a week and the first for the month of March.

Also marks my first class led by Sensai in five weeks.

Class is qualitatively different when he teaches.

Worked on moving

zenkutsu-dachi gedan-uke turning 180 right and left. First time just the turn, then turn plus gyaku-zuki and finally the turn with a covering block and gyaku-zuki. Adding the block really reduces the effort needed to make the turn and also accelerates it.

nekoashi-dachi gedan/chudan shuto-uke forward and backward. Sensai mentioned that the Okinawans have differing opinions on whether the ido kihon turns should be done with the front or back foot. It’s alright to use whichever feels more natural.

partner drills

attacker slides forward punching gyaku-zuki, defender slides backwards blocking/covering the punch with the front hand.

attacker steps forward shizentai-dachi punches chudan-zuki, then steps forward again punching jodan-zuki. Then steps forward zenkutsu-dachi punches chudan-zuki, finally steps forward punching oi-zuki. Defender counters all attacks with outside uchi-uke changing the level of the block and sliding as necessary to maintain distance.

Kata

Fukyugata Ⅰ

Pinan Shodan – In the final section, never lower the arm before blocking jodan-uke. Instead, raise the previous gedan-uke crossing and covering your center.

Pinan Sandan – make sure to incorporate a twist to the over the shoulder punches. Gives better extension and allows the punch to stay closer to the body.

Naihanchi Shodan – Watch foot placement. When crossing, don’t step too far or you’ll end up closer to jigotai-dachi and trying to correct by shuffling.

Ananku – The first move  should come down hard. The second move needs to include uchi-uke.  Can think of this in terms of trapping and pulling not simply as a chest block.

I was trying to work on keeping closer while free sparring with Nick. I tried to make a point to defocus on his center to see the attack and to move side-to-side. I was able to catch a couple of kicks (one which he landed nicely first anyway) and was often able to counter with multiple punches. I think Nick has better developed and more varied attack combinations. Something I need to work on. I definitely feel like I throw more or less the same technique.

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Frigid Saturday morning

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The first Saturday class of 2015 was small. Sensai even commented at one point that he wondered if anyone was coming.  At ni-kyu, I was the lowest belt, which is a good thing since it means that as a group we can work on most anything.

For most of the class we worked on basics.  Stretching, warming up like the Okinawans recommend, from the extremities in to the core. Kihon Undo, including forearm extension drills.

The 11 Ido Kihon foundation drills. Sensai reminded us to move first and set our feet before executing the hand technique. I’m sure that still applies to me. Thinking about it afterward reminded me of something Senasi Baehr said to me last July when we were practicing Pinan Shodan. I was rushing and he said that I needed to complete each movement.

We also worked through each kata from Fukyugata Ⅰ to Ananku.

The yoi position for all Pinan kata, Sensai reminded me to keep my arms at shoulder width. I am holding them out to the side. Relaxing will probably take care of it.

The chudan hasami-uke (middle scissors block) in Pinan Ⅴ should be close to the body so that you can drive the punch in the following move.

Work on developing koshi in the kata. Any time you double block or cross your hands to execute a technique (jodan uke, gedan uke), you can accelerate it with koshi.  Look for opportunities especially in kata from Pinan Ⅲ through Ananku.

Remember that when receiving a punch by covering with the opposite hand, you can quickly turn the opponents arm and get on the outside by grabbing the wrist and doing an outside chest block.

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First Tuesday class in a while

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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)

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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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Last Monday class for June

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Made a rare (for me) Monday class led by Sempai.

At least for tonight I was the lowest rank in class.

Worked on ido kihon. Few things to remember:

In chudan-uke relax and keep elbows in this will provide natural tension for the block. The elbow should also be about a fist width from the body.

Jodan, chudan, and gedan-uke should all have a pulling motion across the body.

In kazami-zuki mai-geri, the kick should be forward, inline with the body. Be sure to bring the kick back before planting forward.

At this level the rear hand in chudan shuto-uki can come forward quickly. The scoop doesn’t need to be exaggerated or deep.

Matsubayashi-Ryu is a close-in fighting style, so for most techniques, work on rotating at the hip (center). This generates power and improves timing.

Worked on Yakusoku kumite Ⅰ-Ⅳ with Lara. I need to work on the attacking part more as I messed up the footwork on the first three.
The part in Ⅲ where the defender blocks the opponents chambered fist, is not only to prevent a punch, but also to upset his balance and make the tate-hiji-ate more effective.

Developed a couple of practical applications of Ⅲ as well.

In one, the attacker tries to choke with both hands. The defender comes inside the attackers arms with both hands clearing them from his throat and follows with the elbow attack. In another, the attacker grabs the defenders wrist. The defender pulls back with inside uchi-uke and freeing the hand, immediately attacks with uraken or shuto-uke.

In the kata any punch could also be delivered as a kick.

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Soke Nagamine Memorial Class

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The first hour of class was dedicated to stretching, ido kihon, and kiso tanren. One technique I want to work on ouside the dojo in particular, is the front kick with the back leg from kenkutsu-dachi. Numerous punches and kicks were done from each side and in rapid succession. Sensai said that this is how classes in Okinawa are structured.  This was quite tiring, and an excellent workout.

Broke into small groups to perform kata. When evaluating others’ kata, Sensai talked about the importance of first offering praise and positive feedback, and not criticism and correction. This really stuck with me, and thinking about it has made me realize I need to do a better job of remembering this and applying it in all parts of my life.

Regarding the turn after the kosa-dachi in Pinan Yondan, Sensai pointed out that you should step across with your right foot to turn into the nekoashi-dachi.

Unfortunately, I had to leave prior to Sai practice and photos.

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Class and Belt Test

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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).