Day 612:
In Iaido class, I was able to complete 2 sets of Iaido and then a few spare kata. I remembered to try to cut across the shoulders of the enemy instead of “horizontally”. It seems to make the path better.
In Kendo I was teaching again. I had to compress the schedule since he doesn’t show up twice a week. We did rei-hou and stretched. Then we reviewed okuri-ashi, fumi-komi, and 2-step men. Then I put on bogu and taught him kote and doh strikes. After repeating the strikes several times, I had him doing something like kakari-geiko where I give a random opening. Next week is the last training class and I introdouce kiri-kaeshi.
Day 613:
In Iaido class I tried to focus. I squeezed in a full 3 sets of kata and then immediately ending rei-hou. I’m really losing track of time in class. Cutting lower across “shoulders” helps for the first 2 kata.
In Kendo, we had an old-fashioned stamina-training session. After warm-ups and suburi, we had several rounds of okuri-ashi. We had several rounds of men-ouchi, small men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, small kote-ouchi, ai-men-ouchi, and ji-geiko. The new drill was ai-men against men and kote and doh. After class, I was told that I keep dropping my guard. I give bait and then don’t fully recover. I should fix that.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 610-611
Day 610:
I was able to complete three full sets of Iaido again. I concentrated and did not hesitate. I need to remember to cut lower horizontally across the eyes. Maybe I need to imagine cutting across “my shoulders” instead.
In Kendo, I had to teach again. My student came back and seemed eager to practice. We reviewed rei-hou and warm-ups. We went over some words in Japanese and then did some okuri-ashi in our corner of the dojo.
It was time to teach him fumi-komi, so we joined the class. However, when the class did their kiai, he left. He had an anxiety attack and refused. All I could do was try to comfort him and get him to recover. I taught him basic fumi-komi together and we practiced 2-step men with and without fumi-komi.
I added the 4-step suri-ashi drill to the mix and he finished the class today. He told me that he could only practice once per week. Next week I’ll have to compress the schedule and teach him kote and doh.
Day 611:
No class today because I am not well.
I was able to complete three full sets of Iaido again. I concentrated and did not hesitate. I need to remember to cut lower horizontally across the eyes. Maybe I need to imagine cutting across “my shoulders” instead.
In Kendo, I had to teach again. My student came back and seemed eager to practice. We reviewed rei-hou and warm-ups. We went over some words in Japanese and then did some okuri-ashi in our corner of the dojo.
It was time to teach him fumi-komi, so we joined the class. However, when the class did their kiai, he left. He had an anxiety attack and refused. All I could do was try to comfort him and get him to recover. I taught him basic fumi-komi together and we practiced 2-step men with and without fumi-komi.
I added the 4-step suri-ashi drill to the mix and he finished the class today. He told me that he could only practice once per week. Next week I’ll have to compress the schedule and teach him kote and doh.
Day 611:
No class today because I am not well.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 608-609
Day 608:
In Iaido class, I only got to accomplish two and a half sets. I was really distracted. Maybe I was obsessing over being prepared for teaching today. I got my last new shinai from the club. We don’t sell equipment after this so I need to watch my shinais. When I think I need a new one, I’ll have to order two from the website. I also put in an order for the “How to Teach Kendo” book. It has great pictures and explanations.
In Kendo class, I taught my student. We reviewed rei-hou and I included standing rei. We reviewed chudan and some basic footwork. Today I introduced the three-step men. The kid was a natural. After several repetitions, I combined footwork and three-step men.
Day 609:
I finished two sets of Iaido kata today. I didn’t think I was stalling but the time flew by.
No student today, so it was Kendo class. After warm-ups and suburi, we did lots of repetitions of basic waza. Kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, quick-men-ouchi, ai-men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, and quick-kote-ouchi. The advanced waza today was men-debana-kote-ouchi. We finished with ji-geiko. Next week I go back to teaching.
In Iaido class, I only got to accomplish two and a half sets. I was really distracted. Maybe I was obsessing over being prepared for teaching today. I got my last new shinai from the club. We don’t sell equipment after this so I need to watch my shinais. When I think I need a new one, I’ll have to order two from the website. I also put in an order for the “How to Teach Kendo” book. It has great pictures and explanations.
In Kendo class, I taught my student. We reviewed rei-hou and I included standing rei. We reviewed chudan and some basic footwork. Today I introduced the three-step men. The kid was a natural. After several repetitions, I combined footwork and three-step men.
Day 609:
I finished two sets of Iaido kata today. I didn’t think I was stalling but the time flew by.
No student today, so it was Kendo class. After warm-ups and suburi, we did lots of repetitions of basic waza. Kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, quick-men-ouchi, ai-men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, and quick-kote-ouchi. The advanced waza today was men-debana-kote-ouchi. We finished with ji-geiko. Next week I go back to teaching.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 606-607
Day 606:
No class today as it is a holiday.
Day 607:
In Iaido class, I finished three sets and then practiced the fifth kata again. I need to pull the sword against the saya before drawing to make it more smoothly.
Today, I started being an instructor in Kendo. I was given a young kid for a student and this was his first class. I taught him rei-hou, stretching, holding the sword, and walking. I kept his attention by suggesting that he imagine a street thug as tall as he is trying to rob him. He holds the sword at the throat of the attacker and holds it. He did well. After about half an hour, I put on men and stepped into class. My instructor suggested this as he felt half an hour was enough to keep his attention. I still had a talk with him about the bogu and what it did.
In class, I did a quick kiri-kaeshi and then a few rounds of men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, kakari-geiko, and ji-geiko. I had taken my tabi off after Iaido and I was astounded by my speed and acceleration with bare skin touching the floor. That tabi really forces me to grip the floor with my toes.
No class today as it is a holiday.
Day 607:
In Iaido class, I finished three sets and then practiced the fifth kata again. I need to pull the sword against the saya before drawing to make it more smoothly.
Today, I started being an instructor in Kendo. I was given a young kid for a student and this was his first class. I taught him rei-hou, stretching, holding the sword, and walking. I kept his attention by suggesting that he imagine a street thug as tall as he is trying to rob him. He holds the sword at the throat of the attacker and holds it. He did well. After about half an hour, I put on men and stepped into class. My instructor suggested this as he felt half an hour was enough to keep his attention. I still had a talk with him about the bogu and what it did.
In class, I did a quick kiri-kaeshi and then a few rounds of men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, kakari-geiko, and ji-geiko. I had taken my tabi off after Iaido and I was astounded by my speed and acceleration with bare skin touching the floor. That tabi really forces me to grip the floor with my toes.
Friday, August 29, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 604-605
Day 604:
Today Iaido class went quickly. I made sure to push the blade forward and rotate slowly to make ready to strike.
In kendo class, our normal sensei was on vacation. So, I had to lead stretches and suburi. After men-tsuke, we practiced various men strikes. Men-ouchi, ai-ouchi-men, kote-ouchi, kote-men-ouchi, and then ji-geiko.
Day 605:
I showed up late from traffic but still had enough time for three full sets of Iaido kata. Simply pivoting my wrist seems to make the cut in the third kata even easier. I should practice that.
In Kendo, today was the same as previous day. Various men-ouchi-waza were done today.
Today Iaido class went quickly. I made sure to push the blade forward and rotate slowly to make ready to strike.
In kendo class, our normal sensei was on vacation. So, I had to lead stretches and suburi. After men-tsuke, we practiced various men strikes. Men-ouchi, ai-ouchi-men, kote-ouchi, kote-men-ouchi, and then ji-geiko.
Day 605:
I showed up late from traffic but still had enough time for three full sets of Iaido kata. Simply pivoting my wrist seems to make the cut in the third kata even easier. I should practice that.
In Kendo, today was the same as previous day. Various men-ouchi-waza were done today.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 602-603
Day 602:
Today I arrived late but still had enough time for three full sets. I tried pushing the sword forward as much as up and it seems to make to the swinging around into strike position much easier.
In kendo we had a hard day of practice. We stepped into practice right after suburi. Several round of men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi. then we started to work on advanced concepts of kote-men, ai-ouchi-men, and then step-step-men. We’re trying to teach to see and strike the men upon sight of target. Finishing with kakari-geiko and ji-geiko was satisfying.
Day 603:
Iaido class went quickly. After three sets, I practiced the third kata by pushing the blade forward again. It does make the swivel easier. My foot felt mildly sprained after last class but it feels fine now.
In Kendo class, I tried to take it easy, especially with the fumi-komi. After suburi, we went back to okuri-ashi practice. I like okuri-ashi, it fixes my footwork well.
We did a series of drills to work up towards small men strikes. We apparently don’t call it sashi-men anymore because ‘sashi’ means ‘stab’. Calling it stab must be rude or too sensitive or something. I don’t care.
Kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, and ai-men-ouchi were the drills for the day.
Today I arrived late but still had enough time for three full sets. I tried pushing the sword forward as much as up and it seems to make to the swinging around into strike position much easier.
In kendo we had a hard day of practice. We stepped into practice right after suburi. Several round of men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, doh-ouchi. then we started to work on advanced concepts of kote-men, ai-ouchi-men, and then step-step-men. We’re trying to teach to see and strike the men upon sight of target. Finishing with kakari-geiko and ji-geiko was satisfying.
Day 603:
Iaido class went quickly. After three sets, I practiced the third kata by pushing the blade forward again. It does make the swivel easier. My foot felt mildly sprained after last class but it feels fine now.
In Kendo class, I tried to take it easy, especially with the fumi-komi. After suburi, we went back to okuri-ashi practice. I like okuri-ashi, it fixes my footwork well.
We did a series of drills to work up towards small men strikes. We apparently don’t call it sashi-men anymore because ‘sashi’ means ‘stab’. Calling it stab must be rude or too sensitive or something. I don’t care.
Kiri-kaeshi, men-ouchi, and ai-men-ouchi were the drills for the day.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
A Beginner's Point of View 600-601
Day 600:
Another day of fast kata, three sets long. The third kata is getting awkward. I nearly clip my head as I swing my sword around. I asked Sensei and he demonstrated the swing. I think I’m not pushing the blade forward as I push it up.
Kendo class was hard work today. After surburi, we went right into men-tsuke. We did multiple iterations of men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, and doh-ouchi. We practiced kote-men and then went into a series of ai-men-ouchi and ai-men-kote-kote-men-ouchi to teach us to always try to strike kote-men rather than just men. We finished with ji-geiko.
Day 601:
Iaido class is getting fast. Fast to practice and fast time ticking by. As a class, we did half of the set together after the new student was taught the tenth kata.
Today was a repeat of last class with men-ouchgi, kote-ouchi, kote-men-ouchi, and then into ai-kote-men-ouchi drills. We finished with ji-geiko.
We’re getting close to the time when we are supposed to cut our hours. I wonder if we’re going to include a mandatory kata lesson at the end to cool down. That would help me. I need to learn the three shoto kata for sandan test.
Another day of fast kata, three sets long. The third kata is getting awkward. I nearly clip my head as I swing my sword around. I asked Sensei and he demonstrated the swing. I think I’m not pushing the blade forward as I push it up.
Kendo class was hard work today. After surburi, we went right into men-tsuke. We did multiple iterations of men-ouchi, kote-ouchi, and doh-ouchi. We practiced kote-men and then went into a series of ai-men-ouchi and ai-men-kote-kote-men-ouchi to teach us to always try to strike kote-men rather than just men. We finished with ji-geiko.
Day 601:
Iaido class is getting fast. Fast to practice and fast time ticking by. As a class, we did half of the set together after the new student was taught the tenth kata.
Today was a repeat of last class with men-ouchgi, kote-ouchi, kote-men-ouchi, and then into ai-kote-men-ouchi drills. We finished with ji-geiko.
We’re getting close to the time when we are supposed to cut our hours. I wonder if we’re going to include a mandatory kata lesson at the end to cool down. That would help me. I need to learn the three shoto kata for sandan test.
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