Rainy Sunday March 20

Wow! It really rained today. Just as I guessed the rain scared off most of you today! But nevertheless a test is just around the corner so the rain failed to keep everyone away. As promised - TEST, TEST, TEST focus! We did basics for the tests, kumite and kata for the tests. Sen practice - making double sen - 2 half techniques. This really helps with keeping zanshin during the practice. footwork - I can never remember the Japanese terms and won't attempt to write it because Eiko and Taichiro will make fun of me. We did two kinds of footwork and then we incorporated those into the sen practice. It helps to use the footwork in a practical way. We discussed posture. Eiko later told me I talked too much...sorry about that. I'm always sensitive to that.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

I was happy because there were even number of students tonight; I was able to pay attention during Kumite drills, instead of practicing with them. And in that small room, 6 students is just about perfect; I was able to watch everyone, and everyone could even do Kata without crushing against each other...!

Warm-up:
Yori-ashi bwd/fwd

Kihon:
Mae-geri ~ Yoko Keage
Mae-geri ~ Mawashi-geri
Mae-geri ~ Oi-zuki
Mae-geri ~ Mawashi-geri ~ Gyaku-zuki

Kumite:
One attack against a stable target
One attack against a move-in target

Kata:
Heian Shodan & Heian Yondan

...But it was a rather small class even though we only have just over a month before the exam. Time to get serious and start working hard!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

OK, I almost forgot to write this entry. My PC was acting up and didn't have a chance to write it. Yes I know, "excuses, excuses... (by Jon B.)"...!

I may be missing some things we did, but the class was something like:

Warm-up:
Kata
Enpi-ate in Shizen-tai
Enpi-ate in Kiba-dachi ~ Gyaku-zuki in Zenkutsu-dachi

Kihon:
Soto-uke / Soto-uke ~Gyaku-zuki / Soto-uke ~ Enpi-ate
Shuto-uke / Shuto-uke ~ Nukite-zuki / Shuto-uke ~ Kizam Mae-geri ~ Nukite
Yoko Keage, Yoko Kekomi
Yoko Keage ~ Yoko Kekomi

Kumite:
...OK, I lost it. I don't remember exactly what we did. I think we did very simple kicking drills, first against a stable target, then against a moving target (shifting-in or pausing). I remember we didn't have much time left at this point and didn't spend too much time on Kumite/timing drills.

Since I taught a class at NKI on Friday, it's hard for me to remember what we did at VTK and what we did at NKI at this point (another excuse!). Sorry! Oh, speaking of NKI, there might be a new beginner joining there. It will be interesting to see how a beginner will progress over there, comparing to our beginners. But of course my students are better for sure!

Wednesday 3/16/11

Nate almost had a private lesson! Small class tonight. Since we had one person taking her first class we had to go slow. But that is what this class is for. When a brand new person comes it actually helps the other people in the class to slow down, really focus on what they are doing, check themselves, adjust. Basics - all blocks and kicks(not back kick though), oizuki Nate made Maegeri-rengeri and mawashageri-rengeri Nate - Heian Yodan Karla - Heian Shodan Test Kumite for both Karla and Nate Pushing practice - moving each other across the room - emphasis on footwork and posture

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Warm-up:
Enpi-ate (sideway) in Shizen-tai or Kiba-dachi
Step fwd in Zenkutsu-dachi, Step bwd in Kokutsu-dachi

Kihon:
Soto-uke, Soto-uke~Gyaku-zuki, Soto-uke~Enpi-ate
Shuto-uke, Shutouke~Nuki-te, Shuto-uke~Kizami Mae-geri~Nuki-te
Mae-geri & Mawashi-geri in Heisoku-dachi
Kizami Mae-geri, Kizami Mawashi-geri

Kumite:
Kizami-geri (front or roundhouse) against a hand
Kizami-geri (front or roundhouse) against a body
Kizami-geri (front or roundhouse) against move-in target
Kizami-geri (front or roundhouse) against move-in target, followed by a punch

Cool-down:
Kata

Sunday - Spring Ahead

Not a bad turnout for a clock changing Sunday!
I'm still not sure why we change the clocks...

I'm focusing on the test until the test.
So for the next month in my classes we will be going over basic test things.
Toward the middle of April I'll have you all do "mock" tests to really get ready.

Kihon - we did all te-waza or hand techniques and ashi-waza - kicking
Kata - we did our kata and a kata drill. The drill went over pretty well. It is important to "see" an opponent. I set up those opponents for you. As we did the kata we had real attackers from every side. It is amazing how the kata changes and how everyone reacts to this. But it gives that "real" feel we miss when simply punching air.

Kumite - basic sanbon kumite for 8th kyu, 6th kyu and 5th kyu tests

Sen drill with pads as target.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Those who were members of the AAKF last year, please give me the renewal form and fee by the end of next week (so that the office will receive it by the month-end) and save $10! You can certainly wait until the exam day but you'll have to pay +$10...

It was a small class for a large studio. I was planning on going over the exam materials more, but had to change the plan to accommodate 2 trial students. I hope they liked it and will come back!

Warm-up:
Yori-ashi bwd/fwd

Kihon:
Zenkutsu-dachi step fwd/bwd
Kokutsu-dachi step fwd/bwd
Oi-zuki
Kokutsu-dachi Shuto-uke
Mae-geri in Heisoku-dachi
Kizami Mae-geri in free-style

Kumite:
Kizami Mae-geri against move-in target
Reaction drill