It's been 2 weeks since the test, and most of you newly promoted students already learned the new Kata. Great! Keep working on it until all the details become natural to you and that you don't have to think about each step. At the same time, don't forget your previous Kata, as you have to be able to demonstrate all of them when you test for a black belt in the future...
We've been working on Uke-waza (blocking technique) for the past week or two. A block in Japanese is "Uke", which actually means "to receive", however, as I keep telling you, you can't passively wait and receive the incoming attack. You have to reach out and stop before the technique accumulates force, only then you can actually block that attack. Body snap together with forearm or wrist snap is crucial for a successful blocking technique, and we'll keep working on that as well.
Back by popular demand (a.k.a. Menefee and Chris' request), we're soon hosting a Kyu-level tournament! Sunday, November the 4th. Hoping to invite many from other dojos as well.
Book of the Month: Hidden Karate
My emphasis when teaching a Kata is to teach you to move properly, with precise stance with proper posture to execute correct body dynamics for a technique. There are many other schools that emphasize applications of Kata techniques, but I never learned Kata that way, and I feel it's more important and interesting (personally) to develop proper body mechanics. However my idea may be one dimensional and I would encourage you to investigate on different aspects of Karate/Kata on your own.
This book focuses on how to look at Kata as a set of practical fighting/self-defense techniques. Though I would disagree with some ideas, in general it is very well-thought and presented in details. It only covers Heian 1-5 & Tekki 1, but you may easily apply the same ideas when looking at other Kata as well. Skip the fist 1/3 of the book (unless you're really into it) and take a look at the photographed demonstrations of each Kata.
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
June 3 - July 21, 2012
I didn't update for almost 2 months... Shame on me, but for a good reason: I was busy! :-)
Many events happened:
1. National Mini-Camp
Our own Emmanuel participated! He even got to compete against some black belts from other states! I'm sure he learned a lot from the experience. The AAKF continues hosting some seminars across the country regularly, so if any of you're interested in traveling and training, let me know.
2. National Championship
Big thanks to the following people who came to support the event:
Jon B, Eiko, Ron, Chris, Ariana, Emmanuel, Melissa
I hope it was exciting enough to watch. I did pretty good and won 2 golds and 1 bronze.
3. VMAC 1 Year Anniversary!
I can't believe it's been a year since we opened this dojo... The anniversary training didn't draw as many people as we wanted, but we still had a good training, and of course a great party afterwards. We are here to stay and to continue to grow...!
4. ITKF Summer Camp
Thanks to Jon B who covered to teach all the classes, I was able to participate in this training camp. There were about 40 people from different countries, many of them higher ranks and international judges/coaches/examiners/athletes. Sensei Nishiyama used to teach this camp every year down in San Diego for over 30 years, and after 3 years hiatus they resumed this tradition this year. It was a great camp and I learned a lot, hoping to give what I learned to you in classes. It will happen again next year in July; you should try to come even for a day! Beach training at 6am is wonderful in many ways...
5. Nishiyama Memorial Cup
There was a tournament on the last day of the camp. It was held based on the "World Cup" system - 8 men, all start with Kitei, then Kumite, then Kata (twice), and the final match in Kumite. You can lose once but you're out if you lose twice before getting to the Kata round (top 4). I won the first round (Kitei), lost the second round (Kumite, against Damian from Poland - watch the video posted on facebook), then won the next Kumite match and made it to the top 4. After the first Kata I was at 3rd place (after Rafal and Damian) but after the second Kata I beat Damian by a few points and moved up to the 2nd place, then did Kumite as the final match against Rafal (this video on facebook as well). Though they are very young, they are experienced competitors and have won many titles including European or World Cup. They are fast, strong, and have different style from most Americans which was a huge challenge for me. I hurt my old body trying to match up with them but truly enjoyed the experience. Those guys are who I have to face in the next tournament: World Championship in Poland this October!
I put another book on the bookshelf, as the "book of the month" for July and August. It's Lyoto Machida's book. Those who don't know him, he actually used to compete under our Karate rules as a Brazilian national team member, became a professional fighter and at one point was a UFC champion. His fights reflect the style we practice a lot; if you compare him with other fighters, you know what I mean.
So the next exam is just over a month away: August 26. Are you ready? Probably not yet, but are you GOING TO BE ready?? - the answer depends on how much training you do during the coming month!
Many events happened:
1. National Mini-Camp
Our own Emmanuel participated! He even got to compete against some black belts from other states! I'm sure he learned a lot from the experience. The AAKF continues hosting some seminars across the country regularly, so if any of you're interested in traveling and training, let me know.
2. National Championship
Big thanks to the following people who came to support the event:
Jon B, Eiko, Ron, Chris, Ariana, Emmanuel, Melissa
I hope it was exciting enough to watch. I did pretty good and won 2 golds and 1 bronze.
3. VMAC 1 Year Anniversary!
I can't believe it's been a year since we opened this dojo... The anniversary training didn't draw as many people as we wanted, but we still had a good training, and of course a great party afterwards. We are here to stay and to continue to grow...!
4. ITKF Summer Camp
Thanks to Jon B who covered to teach all the classes, I was able to participate in this training camp. There were about 40 people from different countries, many of them higher ranks and international judges/coaches/examiners/athletes. Sensei Nishiyama used to teach this camp every year down in San Diego for over 30 years, and after 3 years hiatus they resumed this tradition this year. It was a great camp and I learned a lot, hoping to give what I learned to you in classes. It will happen again next year in July; you should try to come even for a day! Beach training at 6am is wonderful in many ways...
5. Nishiyama Memorial Cup
There was a tournament on the last day of the camp. It was held based on the "World Cup" system - 8 men, all start with Kitei, then Kumite, then Kata (twice), and the final match in Kumite. You can lose once but you're out if you lose twice before getting to the Kata round (top 4). I won the first round (Kitei), lost the second round (Kumite, against Damian from Poland - watch the video posted on facebook), then won the next Kumite match and made it to the top 4. After the first Kata I was at 3rd place (after Rafal and Damian) but after the second Kata I beat Damian by a few points and moved up to the 2nd place, then did Kumite as the final match against Rafal (this video on facebook as well). Though they are very young, they are experienced competitors and have won many titles including European or World Cup. They are fast, strong, and have different style from most Americans which was a huge challenge for me. I hurt my old body trying to match up with them but truly enjoyed the experience. Those guys are who I have to face in the next tournament: World Championship in Poland this October!
I put another book on the bookshelf, as the "book of the month" for July and August. It's Lyoto Machida's book. Those who don't know him, he actually used to compete under our Karate rules as a Brazilian national team member, became a professional fighter and at one point was a UFC champion. His fights reflect the style we practice a lot; if you compare him with other fighters, you know what I mean.
So the next exam is just over a month away: August 26. Are you ready? Probably not yet, but are you GOING TO BE ready?? - the answer depends on how much training you do during the coming month!
Monday, June 4, 2012
May 27 - June 2, 2012
It's June already. Time flies...! National Championships in about 10 days!
"Book of the Month" special edition:
http://www.amazon.com/Shotokan-Karate-Kyu-level-Grading-Guidebook/dp/1470142120/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338875261&sr=8-1
or
https://www.createspace.com/3810291
Yep, it's on sale now. Now you really have no excuse not to know your basics for the exam. Our students can purchase it for $10 ($5 discount). I'm sorry but I'm not going to put this book up on the bookshelf; you have to purchase one to get the most benefit out of it!
I'm planning to shift the training subject toward more fundamental points. Basic timing, body dynamics, etc. Perhaps I'll cover a few of the exam required basics, too, just to get you become aware that the next exam is only 2.5 months away...!
"Book of the Month" special edition:
http://www.amazon.com/Shotokan-Karate-Kyu-level-Grading-Guidebook/dp/1470142120/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338875261&sr=8-1
or
https://www.createspace.com/3810291
Yep, it's on sale now. Now you really have no excuse not to know your basics for the exam. Our students can purchase it for $10 ($5 discount). I'm sorry but I'm not going to put this book up on the bookshelf; you have to purchase one to get the most benefit out of it!
I'm planning to shift the training subject toward more fundamental points. Basic timing, body dynamics, etc. Perhaps I'll cover a few of the exam required basics, too, just to get you become aware that the next exam is only 2.5 months away...!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
April 30 - May 5, 2012
Oops, a week behind...
Nothing much new is happening at the dojo, except having a couple of new students joining us. Welcome Artur and Leroy. They both have background in karate similar to what we practice, so I wouldn't be surprised if they catch up rather quickly. Don't underestimate them just because they're wearing a white belt!
I put a Book of the Month on the bookshelf. It is a karate book written by a person named Ashihara. His style, Ashihara Karate, is a rather new style but is very unique and I always wanted to try out (but never had a chance). They allow grabbing and throwing, and combining with kicks, punches and sweeps the style appears and practices very differently. I personally don't like to call it "karate" but nevertheless it is an interesting fighting system. They use a lot of side shifting or circular steps as well. Take a look at the book when you have a chance and let me know what you think.
Continuing with Sasoi-waza this week.
Nothing much new is happening at the dojo, except having a couple of new students joining us. Welcome Artur and Leroy. They both have background in karate similar to what we practice, so I wouldn't be surprised if they catch up rather quickly. Don't underestimate them just because they're wearing a white belt!
I put a Book of the Month on the bookshelf. It is a karate book written by a person named Ashihara. His style, Ashihara Karate, is a rather new style but is very unique and I always wanted to try out (but never had a chance). They allow grabbing and throwing, and combining with kicks, punches and sweeps the style appears and practices very differently. I personally don't like to call it "karate" but nevertheless it is an interesting fighting system. They use a lot of side shifting or circular steps as well. Take a look at the book when you have a chance and let me know what you think.
Continuing with Sasoi-waza this week.
Monday, April 9, 2012
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...
Saturday, March 3, 2012
February 26 - March 3, 2012
Practicing leg sweeps this week and the next. I must admit that this is not my favorite technique and I'm rarely able to make it work in a free-sparring. But I still like to practice it because at least I can get more comfortable with it and learn how to avoid getting swept.
Thank you so much to those who took me out on my birthday! It was a great night out and I thoroughly enjoyed it and my Facebook profile pic proves it! Now I want my birthday gift from every one of you... COME TRAIN MORE OFTEN! Those of you who are thinking of testing, it's less than 2 months away. Get your practice time in, ask for a help if you have any problems. Take a private lesson or two if you must. I'm working hard to create a material that hopefully would help your test preparation, and here is a sneak preview:
Book of the Month has already been placed on the bookshelf. It's Karatedo Kyohan written by Master Funakoshi (the picture on our dojo wall, the left one). I used to have this book but misplaced it (how?? It's a big book and I don't think I gave it to anyone!) so I had to get another one for the dojo. This is a limited edition and not is no longer available. There is a book with the same title readily available at a bookstore, however, the photographs had been swapped with someone else's therefore it's not the same book. Anyway, it's surprising to see how different our karate looks from what this Master demonstrates in the book, but I'm sure the principles remain the same.
An announcement: our region's effort of fundraising for the Nationals continues - They are having yet another Garage Sale in Santa Monica on Saturday, March 24. Please donate any unwanted items that you think can sell. We had our own Garage Sale a few months ago and made a few hundred bucks (thanks to my chair collections! :-)) and we're trying to make even more this time. Gather stuff at our dojo, and I will take them to Santa Monica. Your help would be highly appreciated.
Thank you so much to those who took me out on my birthday! It was a great night out and I thoroughly enjoyed it and my Facebook profile pic proves it! Now I want my birthday gift from every one of you... COME TRAIN MORE OFTEN! Those of you who are thinking of testing, it's less than 2 months away. Get your practice time in, ask for a help if you have any problems. Take a private lesson or two if you must. I'm working hard to create a material that hopefully would help your test preparation, and here is a sneak preview:
Book of the Month has already been placed on the bookshelf. It's Karatedo Kyohan written by Master Funakoshi (the picture on our dojo wall, the left one). I used to have this book but misplaced it (how?? It's a big book and I don't think I gave it to anyone!) so I had to get another one for the dojo. This is a limited edition and not is no longer available. There is a book with the same title readily available at a bookstore, however, the photographs had been swapped with someone else's therefore it's not the same book. Anyway, it's surprising to see how different our karate looks from what this Master demonstrates in the book, but I'm sure the principles remain the same.
An announcement: our region's effort of fundraising for the Nationals continues - They are having yet another Garage Sale in Santa Monica on Saturday, March 24. Please donate any unwanted items that you think can sell. We had our own Garage Sale a few months ago and made a few hundred bucks (thanks to my chair collections! :-)) and we're trying to make even more this time. Gather stuff at our dojo, and I will take them to Santa Monica. Your help would be highly appreciated.
Lastly, renew your AAKF membership, please! I'm collecting the forms and dues for now, and will forward them to the region in 10 days. If you want to save $10, you have 10 more days left to give me the form and $20.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
January 29 - February 4, 2012
It's been a month since we started the advanced class. I'm definitely enjoying it (as well as getting hurt from it...) but I want all our brown belts to try to make it more often. I know it's Saturday but you know it's good for you!
We'll try to shift away from Sasoi-waza and work on other offensive strategies soon. Any request?
I now put out another book on our bookshelf. It's an anatomy/body conditioning book. It definitely helps to understand your own body for karate improvement. I had to memorize all the muscles, bones and nerves for my PT school/board exam, but I lost all that knowledge, so don't ask me any and just take a look at this book! :-) According to this book, a man should be able to do 8 pull-ups and a woman once as the national average - are we all "above average"?? Take the challenge and add it to your list of New Year resolution if you're below average!
It looks like the AAKF is holding another national seminar, this time in April in Milwaukee. I might try to go if I can save up the fund; let me know if anyone is interested in sharing a hotel room with me. It's always fun to travel and meet karate people from different part of country or world.
We'll try to shift away from Sasoi-waza and work on other offensive strategies soon. Any request?
I now put out another book on our bookshelf. It's an anatomy/body conditioning book. It definitely helps to understand your own body for karate improvement. I had to memorize all the muscles, bones and nerves for my PT school/board exam, but I lost all that knowledge, so don't ask me any and just take a look at this book! :-) According to this book, a man should be able to do 8 pull-ups and a woman once as the national average - are we all "above average"?? Take the challenge and add it to your list of New Year resolution if you're below average!
It looks like the AAKF is holding another national seminar, this time in April in Milwaukee. I might try to go if I can save up the fund; let me know if anyone is interested in sharing a hotel room with me. It's always fun to travel and meet karate people from different part of country or world.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
December 18, 2011 to... HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I thought I already wrote 12/18-24 entry, but I guess not. Sorry, time flies. And we're in 2012 already!
We've been working on new Kata, plus practicing Koroshi-waza quite a bit. It's a great offensive strategy to compliment "Sen" (defensive/responding) timing we regularly work on. We're expanding it as we continue, including close-distance Koroshi or a failed Koroshi switching to combination attack. We'll do this for another week or so, then move on to another offensive strategy, I think.
Thank you very much for those who helped us clean the dojo at the end of last year. Tiffany, who failed to show up, agreed to do it all by herself at the end of this year. It's on the blog, so it's official...! The dojo sure feels clean and we started out the year very fresh. Thanks again, everyone.
Some exciting things are gonna happen this year. The national championship will be held right here in LA in June. Hopefully I'll do well and be able to compete at the World again (this time in Poland in November... COLD!!!). We will probably host a couple of Kyu tournaments again. Many of you will keep advancing in the rank (exams in April, August and December). Advanced class will start this Saturday. I'm gonna get married... Just kidding, just checking if you're paying attention. But maybe someone else will. And someone will have a baby. Very exciting year indeed.
I put out a new "Book of the Month" on the bookshelf. It's a Kata learning book which is a great learning tool to look at when you just started a new Kata.
Don't forget, Winter Training is going to be this month, 9th to 14th. Some of us participated and completed the whole week last year. Who is in this year??
We've been working on new Kata, plus practicing Koroshi-waza quite a bit. It's a great offensive strategy to compliment "Sen" (defensive/responding) timing we regularly work on. We're expanding it as we continue, including close-distance Koroshi or a failed Koroshi switching to combination attack. We'll do this for another week or so, then move on to another offensive strategy, I think.
Thank you very much for those who helped us clean the dojo at the end of last year. Tiffany, who failed to show up, agreed to do it all by herself at the end of this year. It's on the blog, so it's official...! The dojo sure feels clean and we started out the year very fresh. Thanks again, everyone.
Some exciting things are gonna happen this year. The national championship will be held right here in LA in June. Hopefully I'll do well and be able to compete at the World again (this time in Poland in November... COLD!!!). We will probably host a couple of Kyu tournaments again. Many of you will keep advancing in the rank (exams in April, August and December). Advanced class will start this Saturday. I'm gonna get married... Just kidding, just checking if you're paying attention. But maybe someone else will. And someone will have a baby. Very exciting year indeed.
I put out a new "Book of the Month" on the bookshelf. It's a Kata learning book which is a great learning tool to look at when you just started a new Kata.
Don't forget, Winter Training is going to be this month, 9th to 14th. Some of us participated and completed the whole week last year. Who is in this year??
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Book of the Month - December
I forgot to tell you that I put out another book on the bookshelf:
Dynamic Karate
by M. Nakayama
Master Nakayama was a co-founder (so was Sensei Nishiyama) of JKA and its first Chief Instructor. He passed away before I began training but he used to come down to San Diego Summer Camp which used to be held annually. He was senior to Sensei Nishiyama but I heard that they had mutual respect to each other.
This book is kind of similar to Sensei Nishiyama's book, in the way it covers most of fundamental topics. There is a famous series of books "Best Karate" by the same author, and from what I understand the "Best Karate" series was based on this book.
Next month I will make a Kata book available, so that those who pass the test and start learning the new Kata can benefit from it.
Dynamic Karate
by M. Nakayama
Master Nakayama was a co-founder (so was Sensei Nishiyama) of JKA and its first Chief Instructor. He passed away before I began training but he used to come down to San Diego Summer Camp which used to be held annually. He was senior to Sensei Nishiyama but I heard that they had mutual respect to each other.
This book is kind of similar to Sensei Nishiyama's book, in the way it covers most of fundamental topics. There is a famous series of books "Best Karate" by the same author, and from what I understand the "Best Karate" series was based on this book.
Next month I will make a Kata book available, so that those who pass the test and start learning the new Kata can benefit from it.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
October 31 - November 5, 2011
I'm still 1 week behind the regular update...
We continued focusing on Zanshin, together with some basic timing drills. And on Wednesday the 2nd, a UFC fighter Mr. Takeya Mizugaki came over to take a class. Thank you all for showing up; it was the biggest Wednesday class I've ever seen! It's always fun to have some guests, whether s/he is a famous fighter, known karate master or a movie star...!
As I posted on Facebook, Mr. Mizugaki's visit may possibly be featured on a Japanese MMA magazine "Gong Kakutogi" published in a few weeks. The reporter (Mr. Takashima, who is actually very famous in this business; thank you for visiting us!) was so excited that he took some cool photos of "MMA champion getting punched by an American girl with glasses". Britani, you'll be famous in Japan soon...! :-D
It's already November. I hope you enjoyed the last month's "Book of the Month". This month, I put out a stretching book. I'm not very limber person myself, but I see a lot of you are even worse...! The best time to do stretching is when you're warmed up; after the training, after taking a long warm bath, etc. Don't force it or you'll damage the muscles/tendons; do it gently, with breathing (exhale), and hold the same position for over 20-30 seconds at a time. If you have a question abut how to stretch, ask this physical therapist and I'll gladly point you to the bookshelf.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
September 25 - October 1, 2011
Oh, less than 3 more weeks until the Kyu Level Tournament! If you're still wondering whether you should compete or not, I'd say just do it! It's a great learning experience, beer always tastes better after a good workout (except when you get hit and cut inside the mouth... ouch!), and it also is a fundraising event for the Nationals next year. Too many reasons not to pass...
So I should be focusing primarily on your favorite Kata and basic Kumite timing/strategy, assuming all our students will participate. If you choose to perform another Kata than the one you're currently working on at the tournament, let me know so that I can let you practice it.
I just randomly decided to present you "Karate Book of the Month". This month, it is Sensei Nishiyama's book: Karate, The Art of Empty-Hand Fighting. This is such an old book and a lot of contents is outdated (remember, Sensei Nishiyama's karate evolved/refined tremendously over the years) but it still is considered a definite text of the subject, and it actually is the world's best selling karate book. I have one copy available in our kitchen, for you to take a look.
Those who are subscribed to this blog, there is a way to receive an e-mail notification every time I update it. I usually try to write a new post on weekend (or sometimes Monday) but you can just get it e-mailed to you so that you don't have to check it. I'm not announcing something extra important here exclusively, so you shouldn't miss much even if you don't check it regularly, but I sure hope your training will be facilitated by the info you find here.
So I should be focusing primarily on your favorite Kata and basic Kumite timing/strategy, assuming all our students will participate. If you choose to perform another Kata than the one you're currently working on at the tournament, let me know so that I can let you practice it.
I just randomly decided to present you "Karate Book of the Month". This month, it is Sensei Nishiyama's book: Karate, The Art of Empty-Hand Fighting. This is such an old book and a lot of contents is outdated (remember, Sensei Nishiyama's karate evolved/refined tremendously over the years) but it still is considered a definite text of the subject, and it actually is the world's best selling karate book. I have one copy available in our kitchen, for you to take a look.
Those who are subscribed to this blog, there is a way to receive an e-mail notification every time I update it. I usually try to write a new post on weekend (or sometimes Monday) but you can just get it e-mailed to you so that you don't have to check it. I'm not announcing something extra important here exclusively, so you shouldn't miss much even if you don't check it regularly, but I sure hope your training will be facilitated by the info you find here.
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