April 15 - 21, 2012 and KYU EXAM (April 22)

I usually don't focus on the exam requirement a week prior to the test, but this time I had to continue teaching it since many of you didn't seem to be well prepared.  As Chief Instructor of this dojo I'm responsible for your training and progress.  I hate to see any of our students failing but at the same time I can't let our standard drop either, so what I have to do is to make sure those who test are ready.

Unfortunately I did not do a good enough job and a few students failed this time.  We invite examiners from outside our dojo for an objectivity.  I felt bad that I did not teach well enough to those who failed, that some of the points those examiners mentioned were not well covered in my classes.  I have to learn from this and try to teach better; this was really a big lesson to me.

Regardless of the results of the exam, I hope you all learned some valuable lessons.  Just like a competition, victory is not the goal but the process leading to it and what you learned through the experience are of greater value.  An exam is a milestone in your lifelong training; even if you achieve a high rank you wanted, that only means that you now have more responsibilities and a lot more to learn...  But don't be discouraged; it still is a fun process nevertheless!  I promise!!

Those who passed, it's time for you to learn a new Kata.  Check this blog's old entries and find your new Kata's youtube clips.  There is a Kata book in our kitchen, too.  Ask the higher ranks before or after the class.  I will try to spend some time individually after every class, so try not to miss too many classes for next one month (or even one year...!).

We will also continue with a set-up strategy (Sasoi-waza = inviting) for the next 1-2 weeks.  The Regional Championship is coming up this weekend.  A tournament will be held at Peer's dojo in San Diego.  The Nationals will take place in June.  Still a lot of events are happening...  And only 4 MORE MONTHS UNTIL THE NEXT EXAM!!! :-)

April 8 - 14, 2012

Attendance has been low still... Only a week left before the exam! Exam Kihon, Exam Kumite (Focusing on single attack Kime and Go-no-sen counter attack timing), and Kata.

April 1 - 7, 2012

OK, 2 more weeks till the exam. Most of you will only train 5 times or less in 2 weeks; ask yourself if you're really going to be ready or not. You can certainly give it a shot even if you feel not quite ready. Or you sure can skip this time and focus on the next one (which will be in August). We don't practice just to pass the exam, but it's always nice to see yourself moving up the ranks and to get to learn a new Kata.

Training subjects: exam Kihon, your Kata, basic timing drills and single attack drills to improve Kime on each technique.

I don't have any more books to put out on the bookshelf as Book of the Month.... I don't want to put a book that you need to spend hours reading it, because let's face it, no one spends hours in that kitchen (except when we're having Menefee margaritas, of course). This month I decided to put this one out: ITKF Competition Rules. The Regionals and the Nationals are coming up; it's good to know some competition rule details even if you're just watching. That's a lot of readings, but just read through one category at a time, and it shouldn't be too bad. I will have to start thinking about next month's BOTM already...

March 25 - 31, 2012

Continuing with the same subjects... No, this blog entry is up to date. I mean about the training subject.

At this point you should know exactly what you need to do for your exam if you're testing. If not, sorry. ...I mean, sorry that I haven't gone over them clearly enough for you. Simply ask me or take a look at the handbook. I was hoping to finish creating the "exam Kihon book" by now, but I've been too busy (plus I hurt myself so I couldn't continue the photo shoot) and I won't be able to finish it in time. But judging from the reaction to my previous post, perhaps no one wants to buy this book??

Only 3 more weeks left before the exam. If you're aiming at the next exam, you only have about 4 months and 3 weeks! Are you getting nervous? Confidence only comes from within, which you build by consistent training. The longer break you take, the harder it gets to come back, so keep coming to the classes!

March 18 - 24, 2012

This blog update is one week behind, yet again...

Focusing on exam Kihon, plus basic timing drills. "Hands touching, center following, feet moving" exercise is working pretty well - it is my invention! Many of the drills I teach came from Sensei Nishiyama's classes, but I have created a few on my own based on his teaching, and this is one of them.

It is unusual that the attendance is still low one month before the exam - come train more often. You know it does your body good!