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.