Day 642:
Well, it’s back to practice. My thumb is stiff but not painful. Time to work it back into shape. For Iaido class, I got 3 sets of kata done but I was really wobbly on the draw for the first three kata. My thumb isn’t used to the weight of the sword.
In Kendo class I had no problems. I could do suburi and kihon just fine. When pushing myself during higher waza suach as kote-suriage-men, I kinda partially-sprained my left big toe, but not very much. It’ll be fine by the end of the week.
I had a good time with keiko with the dojo. The students really needed to recover from the holiday break by striking openings and I like to be able to try the advanced techniques such as men-kaeshi-doh. I nearly tripped on the stair again. Tapping my heel against the step gave me a sensory flashback to the pain of the original injury. That shook me for the rest of class.
Day 643:
Today was better for Iaido. My thumb is slowly getting better from the exercise. I completed 3 sets of kata and was not quite as wobbly.
In kendo class, we started by doing the first 6 kata of the bokutou kinhon kata. The senseis said we were going to dedicate 2 nights per months to include the kata so lower-ranking students could be prepared for the promotion exams that will start by the end of the year. The rest of class went well. We practiced men0nuk-doh and my toe is getting better, too.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday, November 28, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 630-631
Day 630:
I got a package of supplies today, so the business took up some time. I only had time for 2 sets of Iaido and then three more kata. I do feel a little better, but the sore throat won’t go away totally.
In Kendo class, Sensei decided to ratchet up the intensity for endurance training. After kihon, we went straight into nidan-waza. We practiced kote-men, debana-kote, kote-suriage-men, kakari-geiko, and the a few rounds of ji-geiko. I did well during keiko. Not too tired, pushing myself to move faster. At the end we finished with dreamlight. I got better at it, but I was exhausted.
Day 631:
There was no Sensei today because of the holiday. Still, I completed three sets of Iaido kata.
In Kendo, we performed okuri-ashi and then kihon. We then performed a series of drills to sharpen up our kote-waza. We then practiced kote, kote-men, ai-ouchi-men, ai-kote-kote-men, harai-men, and then ji-geiko.
Close to the end of practice, I got disciplined by Sensei. After I would practice a waza, he then followed up struck my shinai with a kiri-otoshi, and then struck my men. The point was that I was not adopting chudan after turning around. I was being lazy. I picked that up after helping to train the students. I need to not do that in the future.
I got a package of supplies today, so the business took up some time. I only had time for 2 sets of Iaido and then three more kata. I do feel a little better, but the sore throat won’t go away totally.
In Kendo class, Sensei decided to ratchet up the intensity for endurance training. After kihon, we went straight into nidan-waza. We practiced kote-men, debana-kote, kote-suriage-men, kakari-geiko, and the a few rounds of ji-geiko. I did well during keiko. Not too tired, pushing myself to move faster. At the end we finished with dreamlight. I got better at it, but I was exhausted.
Day 631:
There was no Sensei today because of the holiday. Still, I completed three sets of Iaido kata.
In Kendo, we performed okuri-ashi and then kihon. We then performed a series of drills to sharpen up our kote-waza. We then practiced kote, kote-men, ai-ouchi-men, ai-kote-kote-men, harai-men, and then ji-geiko.
Close to the end of practice, I got disciplined by Sensei. After I would practice a waza, he then followed up struck my shinai with a kiri-otoshi, and then struck my men. The point was that I was not adopting chudan after turning around. I was being lazy. I picked that up after helping to train the students. I need to not do that in the future.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 628-629
Day 628:
Today was probably the most awkward day of practice ever. I thought I tied my obi properly, but when I tried to place the saya in my obi, it didn’t work. I figured out that I didn’t rotate my obi so the knot was behind me. I just gave up and slid it aside and finished class. I gotta make sure to not do that again.
I completed 3 sets of kata with time to spare for exercises. The exercise of stepping across the floor while lowering down to 1 knee is fun.
In Kendo, one of our instructors is out for business travel. The other instructor led class in stride. We worked on kiri-kaeshi, kihon, kote-men, kote-suriage-men, and harai-man. We finished with ji-geiko to tie it together. I notice that we’re really pushing our students with nidan-waza. They’re really struggling but that’s good. It’s important to fail and wonder why.
By the end of class, I felt bad. Maybe I wasn’t fully recovered from being sick last week. Still, I finished.
Day 629:
In Iaido, I made sure to tie my obi correctly, thank goodness. We also got a visit from one of our part-time students that only shows up when he can, which is not often.
In Kendo class, we did a full day. Kiri-kaeshi, kihon, kote-men, kote-suriage-men, men-suriage-men, and ji-geiko. We did multiple repitions for each one.
Today was possibly the best practice ever. When it was time for me to do ji-geiko, I fought against sensei. It was then that I found the Golden Gear. It’s that perfect sync between body and mind where I forgot my pain and dehydration. I just summoned all my speed, strength, and accuracy in an endless stream. I struck great points against sensei over and over and over using maai, closing in, baiting, and zanshin effortlessly. Sensei was impressed and so was I. I wish I could find that sync on command. I only seem to find it by accident.
Today was probably the most awkward day of practice ever. I thought I tied my obi properly, but when I tried to place the saya in my obi, it didn’t work. I figured out that I didn’t rotate my obi so the knot was behind me. I just gave up and slid it aside and finished class. I gotta make sure to not do that again.
I completed 3 sets of kata with time to spare for exercises. The exercise of stepping across the floor while lowering down to 1 knee is fun.
In Kendo, one of our instructors is out for business travel. The other instructor led class in stride. We worked on kiri-kaeshi, kihon, kote-men, kote-suriage-men, and harai-man. We finished with ji-geiko to tie it together. I notice that we’re really pushing our students with nidan-waza. They’re really struggling but that’s good. It’s important to fail and wonder why.
By the end of class, I felt bad. Maybe I wasn’t fully recovered from being sick last week. Still, I finished.
Day 629:
In Iaido, I made sure to tie my obi correctly, thank goodness. We also got a visit from one of our part-time students that only shows up when he can, which is not often.
In Kendo class, we did a full day. Kiri-kaeshi, kihon, kote-men, kote-suriage-men, men-suriage-men, and ji-geiko. We did multiple repitions for each one.
Today was possibly the best practice ever. When it was time for me to do ji-geiko, I fought against sensei. It was then that I found the Golden Gear. It’s that perfect sync between body and mind where I forgot my pain and dehydration. I just summoned all my speed, strength, and accuracy in an endless stream. I struck great points against sensei over and over and over using maai, closing in, baiting, and zanshin effortlessly. Sensei was impressed and so was I. I wish I could find that sync on command. I only seem to find it by accident.
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