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.

Friday, January 30, 2015

A Beginner's Point of View 648-649

Day 648:

No class today because of the weather.

Day 649:

Today we showed up to the dojo to see it already occupied by some other group. They had chairs and a projector like a class was going to happen. After calling our club president to talk to the association, we got the space. We lost enough time that Iaido class was only long enough for 1.5 sets of kata.

In kendo class, we did suburi and kihon. Lots of kihon. We did men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, and doh-ouchi over and over. After that, we moved into harai-men and choose-you-own-waza drills. We practiced several rounds of kakari-geiko and ji-geiko to finish.

I feel well now. Much better than last week. The rest I got recharged my energy. The practice tasked me just enough for a workout.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

A Beginner's Point of View 646-647

Day 647:

I got to Iaido class very early. Still, I was really distracted. It got all balanced out since I completed 3 sets of Iaido by the end.

In Kendo, we had an easy class. Our new student joined us today. We did a lot of fumi-komi drills to work up to basic men drills. We also did a few drills to sync up our arms and legs, including the ogami-men drill where you bend your elbows to raise your shinai up to your face and then try for quick men.

We finished with multiple rounds of ji-geiko and kiri-kaeshi.

Day 648:

No class today because I am ill.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

A Beginner's Point of View 644-645

Day 644:

In Iaido, my thumb is a little better. Stretching it works slowly but surely. Sensei has started training with a new student. I accomplished 3 sets of kata without any real pain.

In Kendo class, after suburi I noticed that my left big toe is sprained. It really hurts when I turn either left or right. I spent the practice not using any real powerful footwork. We practiced a lot of suriage waza. We need to begin moving sooner to strike better. During ji-geiko, I got struck by students on the right arm and elbow several times. The joys of being higher ranking, I suppose.

Day 645:

No class today as I am injured.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

A Beginner's Point of View 642-643

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.