Saturday, February 28, 2015

A Beginner's Point of View 656-657

Day 656:

Today was a normal, regular day of kata. I completed three sets of kata.

In Kendo, we had a hard day. We did kihon in pairs. One person does two men-ouchi and then the other person does men-ouchi. Then you repeat as many times as sensei called. I like this one. Catching breath and keeping it lively. We had more ji-geiko. Afterwards, I was told by sensei to start being more definite in my setup.

Day 657:

Today we had more testing. I completed 1.75 kata and then did 2 tests. I averaged 5:36 because I was speeding up the cutting and rei-hou. I need to slow down and not skip the 2 breaths before the first kata.

Today was a hard day of Kendo. One of the sensei did not show up, so I was asked to start the class with kiri-kaeshi and kihon. Afterwards, sensei had us do some oji-waza. I was out of breath and tired to the point of collapse. I had decided to step out after a few more rounds, only to have sensei want to practice hiki-waza, which is less demanding. I was able to catch my breath by the time we had ji-geiko.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

A Beginner's Point of View 654-655

Day 654:

No class today because of the weather.

Day 655:

Today we had a structured Iaido class. We practiced the first 4 kata together. Afterwards, we had two practice tests. I nailed my standard times. First was 5:46 and then after it was 5:44. The advice from sensei was to be more swift and smooth for drawing and cutting, and then slowly on the post cut and zanshin.

In Kendo, we had a hard practice to compensate for missing practices. We did several rounds of kiri-kaeshi, kihon, and debana-waza.

We then did some Kendo kata. I paired with my fellow nidan. We practiced the first seven kata and I was uchidachi. We both messed up the sixth kata. It’s been forever since we practiced. Then we tried to practice the shoto kata. We completely forgot the katas. We even forgot the rei-hou for having both swords. We need to read up on the kata and try again.

Friday, February 13, 2015

A Beginner's Point of View 652-653

Day 652:

No class today as I am ill.

Day 653:

We had another structured Iaido class today. I did a full set of kata by myself, then we practiced the first three kata as a class. I like doing that. We also did that stretch where you mimic the first kata without sliding forward. Front, right, behind, left, repeat. Then I did a set of kata by myself.

I wasn’t feeling well since last practice, so I stopped for the day.

Monday, February 9, 2015

A Beginner's Point of View 650-651

Day 650:

Today I was distracted again. My mind kept wandering. Still, I completed three sets of kata just in time. Sensei was right about Iaido makes your mind wander.

In Kendo, we worked on kihon and then some bokutou-kihon-waza. We pracied the first four kata with bokken and then moved itno performing the same thing with shinai and bogu. Kihon, kote-men, harai-men, and the men-tai-atari-hiki-doh.

Day 651:

Iaido had one of our rare structured classes! We worked on the first three kata together as a group. It was great. I liked practicing together instead of individually. After several iterations, I finished a full set by myself.

Today was a hard day in Kendo. I didn’t feel well all day. My chest felt tight all morning and even at practice. Still, I pushed on. After kihon, we had a lecture about good footwork. We then had a hard day of practice. Kiri-kaeshi, men-kote-doh-ouchi, kote-men-ouchi, harai-men-ouchi, kote-kote-men-ouchi.

Then we had a rare open-ji-geiko. We had to fight at least four different people before finishing. After a while, I felt like one of the sensei in free practice after a tournament. Students would line up to fight me. I finished fighting four students and then received kakari-geiko from a beginner with no bogu.

The entire second half of practice today was done on the ragged edge of health. I could feel how close to collapse I was but I managed my energy well and finished class. I should relax this weekend.