Day 443:
Today felt like a short day. I did three sets of kata while the instructor timed himself. I did some spare kata until he had a moment. I asked him to watch me perform the first kata. I thought I was cutting too low, but he said it was just about right. Maybe my hands could have been lower but the ki-saki was in the right position relative to the tsuba.
Day 444:
No practice today as I am not well.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
A Beginner's Point of View 441-442
Day 441:
Today I really had a lot of energy. I did three sets by the time the class was half over. I did a few spare kata before I noticed something. The instructor was holding his iaito differently than I was. He always had the blade facing towards the opponent where my hands were twisting it sideways. It was just a natural motion, but apparently, it’s making my chiburi harder.
I started keeping the blade straight forward and then only flexing my elbow and wrist. I did twist the blade towards the new plane of motion. Then I did better chiburi seeing only the back side of the blade when it stopped moving.
Day 442:
I did three sets of kata today at a normal pace. I didn’t do a big enough saya-biki several times, causing the sword to rattle coming out on the draw. Also, one of the instructors let me know that on the sixth kata I was not raising the sword high enough before swinging downward. I slowed down my steps, giving myself enough time to raise up higher.
Today I really had a lot of energy. I did three sets by the time the class was half over. I did a few spare kata before I noticed something. The instructor was holding his iaito differently than I was. He always had the blade facing towards the opponent where my hands were twisting it sideways. It was just a natural motion, but apparently, it’s making my chiburi harder.
I started keeping the blade straight forward and then only flexing my elbow and wrist. I did twist the blade towards the new plane of motion. Then I did better chiburi seeing only the back side of the blade when it stopped moving.
Day 442:
I did three sets of kata today at a normal pace. I didn’t do a big enough saya-biki several times, causing the sword to rattle coming out on the draw. Also, one of the instructors let me know that on the sixth kata I was not raising the sword high enough before swinging downward. I slowed down my steps, giving myself enough time to raise up higher.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
A Beginner's Point of View 439-440
Day 439:
Today I started doing two sets of kata. Then we did practice tests. The instructor said I got 5:45 and 5:47 for times. That’s right about perfect for a target time. All I have to remember is to take a deep, slow breath between kata. I still look awkward going into tate-heiza. He said I need to not slide my right foot forward and just keep it still going down, even to the knee.
Day 440:
Against the same day. Two times sets of kata and then two practice tests. I got times around the 5:50 mark which is good. The instructor said that I look somewhere around the ni-kyu level. If I can keep this up and not backslide then I’ll do well in Iaido.
Next week I give blood to the doctor for analysis. Hopefully I can get some good results.
Today I started doing two sets of kata. Then we did practice tests. The instructor said I got 5:45 and 5:47 for times. That’s right about perfect for a target time. All I have to remember is to take a deep, slow breath between kata. I still look awkward going into tate-heiza. He said I need to not slide my right foot forward and just keep it still going down, even to the knee.
Day 440:
Against the same day. Two times sets of kata and then two practice tests. I got times around the 5:50 mark which is good. The instructor said that I look somewhere around the ni-kyu level. If I can keep this up and not backslide then I’ll do well in Iaido.
Next week I give blood to the doctor for analysis. Hopefully I can get some good results.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
A Beginner's Point of View 435-438
Day 435-437:
No class today because of the holiday.
Day 438:
Today is the first practice of the new year. I must have eaten some good food, because I did three sets of kata by the time the class was half over. Still, I was tired. I practiced a few spare random kata to fill the time. I noticed that someone from Kendo stopped by to practice with us. I forget if he usually practices with us before, but I don’t think so.
Next week, the instructor says he’ll start doing practice tests for us. I’m not nearly ready to go back since the seminar and exam will be spread out over two days in two locations across two states! No way. Ugh.
No class today because of the holiday.
Day 438:
Today is the first practice of the new year. I must have eaten some good food, because I did three sets of kata by the time the class was half over. Still, I was tired. I practiced a few spare random kata to fill the time. I noticed that someone from Kendo stopped by to practice with us. I forget if he usually practices with us before, but I don’t think so.
Next week, the instructor says he’ll start doing practice tests for us. I’m not nearly ready to go back since the seminar and exam will be spread out over two days in two locations across two states! No way. Ugh.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
A Beginner's Point of View 433-434
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.
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.
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.
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