Day 752:
No class today because of the weather.
Day 753:
No class today because I hurt my back shoveling snow.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Thursday, January 21, 2016
A Beginner's Point of View 750-751
Day 750:
In Iaido class, we practiced the 3rd kata. I seem to be doing well. Very few corrections from sensei. I just need to feel where my feet slide back parallel. Also, be sure of the left hand not flexing too much finishing the cut.
In Kendo, I was feeling down. It’s kinda like my symptoms for liver damage. Tired and not strong.
We did leg strengthening exercises and then suri-ashi. We did the wrist exercises to develop a snap in our men-ouchi. We did a new stretch where we raise up, then lunge, then bring up our back leg while swinging the shinai. I tried to keep going to the end. I just barely made it.
Day 751:
In Iaido, we finished the 3rd kata by doing it with a second person to show the attacker’s space and position. I’m getting the hang of it. We used our bokutou to avoid iaito damage. In the 4th kata, I seem to be leaning forward during the tsuka-ate.
In Kendo, I was feeling much better. We did several leg strengthening exercises, wrist exercises, and those snapping men strikes.
We had a guest sensei today as well. He was very fast. We did several kihon waza, focusing on a good men strike. I even got ji-geiko with guest sensei. I got one good men strike…while he got at least 3 strikes. I’m not really up to his level. Still, it’s about doing your best. I was breathless after class, but not feeling down.
In Iaido class, we practiced the 3rd kata. I seem to be doing well. Very few corrections from sensei. I just need to feel where my feet slide back parallel. Also, be sure of the left hand not flexing too much finishing the cut.
In Kendo, I was feeling down. It’s kinda like my symptoms for liver damage. Tired and not strong.
We did leg strengthening exercises and then suri-ashi. We did the wrist exercises to develop a snap in our men-ouchi. We did a new stretch where we raise up, then lunge, then bring up our back leg while swinging the shinai. I tried to keep going to the end. I just barely made it.
Day 751:
In Iaido, we finished the 3rd kata by doing it with a second person to show the attacker’s space and position. I’m getting the hang of it. We used our bokutou to avoid iaito damage. In the 4th kata, I seem to be leaning forward during the tsuka-ate.
In Kendo, I was feeling much better. We did several leg strengthening exercises, wrist exercises, and those snapping men strikes.
We had a guest sensei today as well. He was very fast. We did several kihon waza, focusing on a good men strike. I even got ji-geiko with guest sensei. I got one good men strike…while he got at least 3 strikes. I’m not really up to his level. Still, it’s about doing your best. I was breathless after class, but not feeling down.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
A Beginner's Point of View 748-749
Day 748:
In Iaido, Sensei started giving formal lessons. We began class with leg exercises. We started with kata 1 and 2. I need to increase my saya-biki and reach more on the initial cut.
In Kendo, we started with leg stretches again. It was less painful than before. We also did the wrist exercises fast. After kihon, Sensei called for birthday Kendo. There were two of us celebrating a birthday. We did 30-second ji-geiko for each one. Against my fellow nidan, I only got time for a few strikes because I was trying to taken center instead of messing around.
Day 749:
No class today as I had to stay late at my job.
In Iaido, Sensei started giving formal lessons. We began class with leg exercises. We started with kata 1 and 2. I need to increase my saya-biki and reach more on the initial cut.
In Kendo, we started with leg stretches again. It was less painful than before. We also did the wrist exercises fast. After kihon, Sensei called for birthday Kendo. There were two of us celebrating a birthday. We did 30-second ji-geiko for each one. Against my fellow nidan, I only got time for a few strikes because I was trying to taken center instead of messing around.
Day 749:
No class today as I had to stay late at my job.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
A Beginner's Point of View 746-747
Day 746:
In Iaido, I completed 2.5 sets. I think Sensei needs to put us through some practice exams soon.
In Kendo, we started the new year. Sensei put us through some strengthening exercises. We did some of the leg stretches from Iaido cutting down while kneeling down forward on one knee. Then repeat for the other knee going forward across the floor and back. We did tweo sets when someone boasted we could do a third. The third one got me hurting badly. I only went down a little bit instead of to the floor for the third. It is good exercise. Maybe doing this lots of times will help. We also did a good drill with striking men against our partner’s shinai with only wrists. This was good but tiring.
We then did a lot of basic kihon drills with ji-geiko.
Day 747:
In Iaido I did 2.75 sets of kata. We talked about how the dates for the seminar are set but the registration form is not ready. I need to budget time from work.
In Kendo, we had a guest sensei show up. He’s really good at Kendo. Our class did lots of kiri-kaeshi, kihon, kote-men, and ji-geiko. I tried to really bring my best Kendo for my match with the guest sensei. I got to score a point against him and he scored against me.
After class, I asked for advice on the sandan exam. He hesitated but gave me a lecture about how I don’t have center at all. Also, I’m leaning backwards instead of standing up straight. It’s slowing me down. My sense of center is off. Geesh, I’m not anywhere near ready for the sandan exam. I need to re-invent my Kendo back to basics. I don’t think I should take the exam.
In Iaido, I completed 2.5 sets. I think Sensei needs to put us through some practice exams soon.
In Kendo, we started the new year. Sensei put us through some strengthening exercises. We did some of the leg stretches from Iaido cutting down while kneeling down forward on one knee. Then repeat for the other knee going forward across the floor and back. We did tweo sets when someone boasted we could do a third. The third one got me hurting badly. I only went down a little bit instead of to the floor for the third. It is good exercise. Maybe doing this lots of times will help. We also did a good drill with striking men against our partner’s shinai with only wrists. This was good but tiring.
We then did a lot of basic kihon drills with ji-geiko.
Day 747:
In Iaido I did 2.75 sets of kata. We talked about how the dates for the seminar are set but the registration form is not ready. I need to budget time from work.
In Kendo, we had a guest sensei show up. He’s really good at Kendo. Our class did lots of kiri-kaeshi, kihon, kote-men, and ji-geiko. I tried to really bring my best Kendo for my match with the guest sensei. I got to score a point against him and he scored against me.
After class, I asked for advice on the sandan exam. He hesitated but gave me a lecture about how I don’t have center at all. Also, I’m leaning backwards instead of standing up straight. It’s slowing me down. My sense of center is off. Geesh, I’m not anywhere near ready for the sandan exam. I need to re-invent my Kendo back to basics. I don’t think I should take the exam.
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