Tuesday, December 23, 2014

A Beginner's Point of View 638-641

Day 638:

No class today as I am injured.

Day 639-641:

No class as the dojo is closed for the holiday.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

A Beginner's Point of View 636-637

Day 636:

No class today as I am injured.

Day 637:

No class today as I am injured.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

A Beginner's Point of View 634-635

Day 634:

In Iaido, I was distracted. Distracted by how I felt. I was tired, cold, lethargic, and not well. The weather took a sudden downturn and we were all feeling it. I only completed 2.5 sets of kata and they weren’t very good. My limbs acted wobbly and slow.

In Kendo, we started with okuri-ashi. I hoped that would wake me up but I never quite fully came awake. After kihon we had several kakari-geiko in a row for endurance training. We had a short break to catch our breath and then we practiced some oji-waza such as men-nuki-men. Then we had multiple ji-geiko matches to practice our waza. Still, I felt lousy. It was a bad class but at least I finished it.

Day 635:

Today I felt really well. Sharp, active, alert. I completed 3 full sets of Iaido and then practiced the twelfth kata a few times to remind myself to saya-biki with the draw. Our new student wasn’t here today. I hope she comes back.

I Kendo, it was a good day. After kihon, it was more kihon. 3, 5, 7, and then 9 repetitions of waza for everything. It was breath-draining. We then had another set of multiple kakari-geiko. I just barely finished still standing. After a short break for breath, we practiced men-nuki-men and then ji-geiko. I had a ji-geiko against sensei and I felt great. I bought my best game and scored multiple strikes. At the end, I stepped back with vigor to rei.

I tripped over the raised step towards the door, flipped three-quarters around in a backward somersault, and landed against the wall. All I could think of was…”Please, flimsy wooden railing, do not break and impale me through the back.” My body weight collapsed onto my right hand and bent my thumb backwards. I felt the bones crunch against each other, but not break.

I had to sit out the rest of class because my entire thumb is sprained. The class went on to figure out kote-nuki-kote and then finish. I stayed for the end of class to lead the closing rei.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

A Beginner's Point of View 632-633

Day 632:

Today in Iaido was another day of training. I like how my metsuke is improving but I was really eager. I kept shoving my weight forward so I was off-balance. I need to calm down.

In Kendo class, it was a hard day of stamina work. After suburi, we did okuri-ashi. I never did like okuri-ashi because it robs me of breath. Still, it’s good for my suri-ashi.

We then spent a lot of time in kinhon-waza. 3, 5, and 7 repetitions of the same waza. We then did a few debana-waza like men-debana-kote-ouchi. Then we finished the class with a marathon of ji-geiko of increasing length. I was so tired and breathless after class.

Day 633:

No class today as I am not well.