Day 433:
No class today as I am not well.
Day 434:
Today I went back and did three sets of Iaido. I was out of breath after class, so I still can’t tell how much better I’m getting. I can’t wait to do the blood tests for the doctor again.
After class, the instructor asked me if I would be an officer of the club. Normally, we elect members of the board (that runs the club). However, he said he wants to try appointing this year. I said I would serve if asked.
This was the last practice of the year. In two weeks is the next practice.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
A Beginner's Point of View 431-432
Day 431:
I arrived at the dojo to find it set for a party. I waited until someone showed up. The instructor said it was ours for the night, so we cleared the floor.
We only had time for two sets, but I was still able to do more. I asked the question about when to spring forward with the tsuka-ate. He said to rise up and bring your toes up first, then spring forward. That makes it easier than springing from tate-heiza like I’ve been trying to master.
The Kendo instructor did not show up, so the Iaido instructor taught the basic Kendo class. He asked me to stay and help teach Kendo kata to the students. We went over the first two kata in detail and showed the third kata.
Day 432:
Today I arrived early. I got three sets in and was very tired. I can’t wait to see the doctor for my checkup.
I’m finding the big chiburi from jodan hard to control. When I asked the instructor, he showed me a simpler chiburi where the tsuba only travels straight down, not left and then right. You use your tenouchi to flick the sword. The sword should not move left and right, only travel in the plane of the blade.
I arrived at the dojo to find it set for a party. I waited until someone showed up. The instructor said it was ours for the night, so we cleared the floor.
We only had time for two sets, but I was still able to do more. I asked the question about when to spring forward with the tsuka-ate. He said to rise up and bring your toes up first, then spring forward. That makes it easier than springing from tate-heiza like I’ve been trying to master.
The Kendo instructor did not show up, so the Iaido instructor taught the basic Kendo class. He asked me to stay and help teach Kendo kata to the students. We went over the first two kata in detail and showed the third kata.
Day 432:
Today I arrived early. I got three sets in and was very tired. I can’t wait to see the doctor for my checkup.
I’m finding the big chiburi from jodan hard to control. When I asked the instructor, he showed me a simpler chiburi where the tsuba only travels straight down, not left and then right. You use your tenouchi to flick the sword. The sword should not move left and right, only travel in the plane of the blade.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
A Beginner's Point of View 429-430
Day 429:
No class today because I am ill.
Day 430:
Today I was feeling average, so I went to class. We had a lot of people in class today so there was almost no room to maneuver. So I did all of my kata randomly to try to fit into the small space.
After class, I asked the instructor why it was that I keep finding myself back to the starting point when I did noto. He told me that this is an aspect of my long legs. I have to step back in smaller steps.
No class today because I am ill.
Day 430:
Today I was feeling average, so I went to class. We had a lot of people in class today so there was almost no room to maneuver. So I did all of my kata randomly to try to fit into the small space.
After class, I asked the instructor why it was that I keep finding myself back to the starting point when I did noto. He told me that this is an aspect of my long legs. I have to step back in smaller steps.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
A Beginner's Point of View 427-428
Day 427:
No class today because I am ill.
Day 428:
Today I feel better. I was able to do three sets without losing my breath. I think I’ve recovered from that Kendo class and horrible sleep all last weekend.
Only things to work on is linking metsuke and making sure to raise the iaito directly over my head before striking.
I've heard of the next Iaido seminar. It's two days instead of one day. I'm only hoping that it won't be too long each day. I might not be ready to participate if it's two full days.
No class today because I am ill.
Day 428:
Today I feel better. I was able to do three sets without losing my breath. I think I’ve recovered from that Kendo class and horrible sleep all last weekend.
Only things to work on is linking metsuke and making sure to raise the iaito directly over my head before striking.
I've heard of the next Iaido seminar. It's two days instead of one day. I'm only hoping that it won't be too long each day. I might not be ready to participate if it's two full days.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
A Beginner's Point of View 425-426
Day 425:
Today was a straight-forward day. No special instruction, just kata. I completed three sets of kata and did well. I just need to remember to raise the iaito above my head before striking.
Day 426:
Today was oddly a bad day. I got off work early to take a nap and store up energy. I had planned to eat before class, but my nap was two and a half hours long. Not enough time to eat. So, I did kata on an empty stomach. Half of my kata had flaws in them. I did three full sets and a few spare ones before class was over. The instructor watched me for several kata and did not comment. I think that means I’m doing okay.
Today was a straight-forward day. No special instruction, just kata. I completed three sets of kata and did well. I just need to remember to raise the iaito above my head before striking.
Day 426:
Today was oddly a bad day. I got off work early to take a nap and store up energy. I had planned to eat before class, but my nap was two and a half hours long. Not enough time to eat. So, I did kata on an empty stomach. Half of my kata had flaws in them. I did three full sets and a few spare ones before class was over. The instructor watched me for several kata and did not comment. I think that means I’m doing okay.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
A Beginner's Point of View 423-424
Day 423:
Today I did three full sets of Iaido. Today was a bad day. I had a headache and an uneasy stomach all day. I did some awkward cutting vertically downward because of that. So, I just let it go and kept at it. It seemed as if I could only remember to use metsuke or bring the sword directly above my head after a cut, not both.
Day 424:
Today I decided to pace myself. I only accomplished two sets, but that was by design. I had a question about hakamas. I’ve seen some Iaidoka tuck in their hakama after kneeling in seiza and others leave it alone. Often, on leg of my hakama is splayed wider than the other and I wonder if I should do something about it. The instructor said not to bother. It was most important about economy of motion. Tucking is an extra step unless I need to do it to avoid stepping on my hakama.
I went back to Kendo for one night. The instructor made sure to let me know about stepping out if I needed to. I survived stretches and suburi fairly well. I also completed footwork drills, although I’m out of practice timing my fumi-komi and swings. I stepped into line for waza drills and was doing well. However, I started losing my breath. Even having a break halfway through didn’t help that much. I had to step out. I watched the others finish waza and then perform kakari-geiko. I still led ending rei-hou. It was a good practice, but I think I have more healing to do. I can’t wait to visit the doctor again in a few months.
Today I did three full sets of Iaido. Today was a bad day. I had a headache and an uneasy stomach all day. I did some awkward cutting vertically downward because of that. So, I just let it go and kept at it. It seemed as if I could only remember to use metsuke or bring the sword directly above my head after a cut, not both.
Day 424:
Today I decided to pace myself. I only accomplished two sets, but that was by design. I had a question about hakamas. I’ve seen some Iaidoka tuck in their hakama after kneeling in seiza and others leave it alone. Often, on leg of my hakama is splayed wider than the other and I wonder if I should do something about it. The instructor said not to bother. It was most important about economy of motion. Tucking is an extra step unless I need to do it to avoid stepping on my hakama.
I went back to Kendo for one night. The instructor made sure to let me know about stepping out if I needed to. I survived stretches and suburi fairly well. I also completed footwork drills, although I’m out of practice timing my fumi-komi and swings. I stepped into line for waza drills and was doing well. However, I started losing my breath. Even having a break halfway through didn’t help that much. I had to step out. I watched the others finish waza and then perform kakari-geiko. I still led ending rei-hou. It was a good practice, but I think I have more healing to do. I can’t wait to visit the doctor again in a few months.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
A Beginner's Point of View 421-422
Day 419:
Today I did three sets of kata, pacing myself and adding more metsuke.
Day 420:
Today I was able to finish three sets of kata before the instructor decided to give a lesson on the sixth kata. He pointed out that you need to draw the sword above your opponent’s head and swing down. It’s not enough to just flick the wrist because there’s no power behind the strike.
Today I did three sets of kata, pacing myself and adding more metsuke.
Day 420:
Today I was able to finish three sets of kata before the instructor decided to give a lesson on the sixth kata. He pointed out that you need to draw the sword above your opponent’s head and swing down. It’s not enough to just flick the wrist because there’s no power behind the strike.
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