A Beginner's Point of View 706-707

Day 706:

In Iaido, it was hot and humid. I got to complete 2.75 sets of kata. Then sensei gave us a lecture about making everything smoother. No hesitation or stopping the sword. Got to string all the moves together. Act as if there are no gears to shift.

In Kendo, my student quit early today. She said she felt bad, so I made sure to talk to her parents about it.

I joined the rest of Kendo class. Kiri-kaeshi, kihon, and oji-waza were the order of the day. We practiced oji-waza for each of targets, men-nuki-men, kote-nuki, men, and doh-kiri-otoshi-men. We finished with ji-geiko. Several of those oji-waza reminded me of the kendo kihon kata that I learned at the seminar where I earned nidan.

Day 707:

I showed up early to help perform a demo for an open house that the community center showcased. We started with kata. I helped teach newer students kata 1-7 and then got to practice kata 8-10 a couple of times. We then did kiri-kaeshi and ji-geiko.

After the demo, we did Iaido class. I did 3 full sets of kata even though we started late. I tried to not hesitate between movements.

Today I taught doh-ouchi-waza to the student and then smoothed it out from 2-step waza into 1-step waza. When I tried to teach kiai, the student was very quiet. She needs to kiai loudly in the future.

At the end of class, I stepped in for ji-geiko to finish class. Head Sensei actually showed up this time, teaching the class about enthusiasm and deliberate action.

A Beginner's Point of View 704-705

Day 704:

I completed 3 full sets of kata in Iaido.

In Kendo, I continued to tech our beginner. I added a lesson on how to strike kote. We practiced our footwork and fixed our chudan-no-kamae.

At the end of class, I stepped in for ji-geiko. I did well. Moving very fast.

Day 705:

I completed 3 full sets of kata in Iaido.

In Kendo, we reviewed the lessons of men-ouchi and kote-ouchi. Smoothed out the suri-ashi. I then taught fumi-komi and added it to the men and kote strikes. We charged across the practice area over and over to add it in.

I stepped in for ji-geiko and did well. I noticed that my strikes were crisper, sharper, and faster. It was someone’s birthday, so we took turns with one-on-one ji-geiko. I brought the thunder and showed best spirit, but still I let her get a hit on me since she’s lower-ranking than I.

A Beginner's Point of View 702-703

Day 702:

I came back to class today. My back is still stiff and I don’t want to overdo it. I did 3 sets of kata. My first attempt at the eleventh kata was terrible. The horizontal cut was wobbly and awkward. Sensei corrected me saying that I should not step fully coming up on the third kata. I only slide my foot up to my right knee. He was right.

Next time I’ll go to Kendo class.

Day 703:

In Iaido class, I did 3.75 sets of kata. I really had a good day. There were visitors watching. It pushed me to be good.

In Kendo, Sensei asked me to teach the new beginner. It is my turn to teach. I taught her the basics of standing, holding the Sinai, chudan-no-kamae, suri-ashi, and 3-step men. She was really hesitant and timid. Hopefully this will get better.

We stopped with 15 minutes left in class. I should have stepped in for a few ji-geiko matches but I misread the clock. My back seems okay now, but really stiff.

A Beginner's Point of View 700-701

Day 700:

I decided not to go to class today because of back pain from my job.

Day 701:

I decided not to go to class today because of back pain from my job.

A Beginner's Point of View 698-699

Day 698:

In Iaido class, I completed three sets of kata. Sensei corrected me on the third kata. I was pushing my left foot too far out and then sliding my right foot to match my left foot. This makes me slide too far to the side and going out of my way.

In Kendo class, Sensei taught our beginner. Our other nidan ran the regular class. We had a day of learning to take center and using seme. Kihon drills taught the receiver to resist at first and then give an opening. In was very hot and very humid. The heat index for the day was over 100 degrees. We built in a couple of breaks so people could cool off and get water. We finished with ji-geiko and kiri-kaeshi.

Day 699:

I decided not to go to class today because of back pain from my job.

A Beginner's Point of View 696-697

Day 696:

The doctor gave me some medicine and I feel better. Good enough for Iaido class.

In Iaido, my reflexes are dull and my limbs are unsteady. I just barely completed three sets of kata plus a few spare kata.

I did not plan to practice Kendo so I planned to just go home. However, our other nidan did not show up. Sensei needed me to teach our new beginner. Good thing I brought my shinai to class. I took him through lessons of footwork, kihon waza, and answered questions about shinais.

Day 697:

I feel even better. Still, I’ll wait until next week for Kendo.

In Iaido class, I completed three sets of kata. Sensei gave a short lesson about drawing the sword in the third kata. You must put tension in the wrist so the blade springs up to catch the opponent’s attack.

I was told by Sensei that I wouldn’t need to teach. Our other nidan showed up. However, Sensei went to class and asked me to tech again. I repeated the last lesson, except made 2-step men into 1-step men. I also merged footwork and striking. This makes him closer to joining the class. About 2 weeks in and he’s almost ready for kiri-kaeshi.

Next week and I plan to join Kendo. I just hope I don’t overdo it.

A Beginner's Point of View 694-695

Day 694:

No class today as I am ill.

Day 695:

No class today as I am ill.

Being sick is terrible. Maybe the doctor can help me.