Facebook Mentoring

Mentoring - I recently took part in a mentoring scheme in a Facebook group to work on Cardio Vascular exercise for my heart condition, In addition to adding to the stretches and exercises I use, also the developed the use of slow kata as CV exercise. A big thank you to Robey Jenkins, who acted as my mentor 🙏. This is the article on which the kata work is based:

Karate Katas Yoga

The idea of doing tai chi style Kata was supported by my sister, who did Judo when younger and does Tai Chi now when she can; she is 11 years older than me, but still active 😊.  In addition to the kata, we also worked on adding to my stretches, plus punches to try and help me improve on my chicken winged style (emphasising practicing tsuke punches by rotating the hips and sliding my arm by my side when delivering a punch).

My initial tai chi style kata was based on Naihanchi Shodan, but now I try to follow it with Nidan as well. My Sensei says my posture has improved greatly and so have some of the other elements, so not only has this provided a good source of Cardio Vascular exercise it has also actually (in my mind) helped me improve this aspect of my Karate as well 😊

This is the latest video of my exercise kata: