The anatomy of the bo practice kata

I recently had a session working with my friend PJ Broomy in Australia, that convinced me it could be worthwhile to document how I worked out the practice kata that I use.  I based them on one I was shown for Sai, from a person on Facebook who cared to share.

From my practice with PJ Broomy

The Starting point

There are six Kihon that I can remember, I did start to learn more but these are what stuck.  I also started to learn the opening of Shushi no kon, bur since I haven't been back in the dojo since 2020, it seemed like a good idea to link together what I do know in a more dynamic form of practice.   These are the six Kihon Gata I can remember (sorry Ben if they are not in the right order).

Bo Kihon 1 and 2

1. Left foot forward, guard. Back foot up, front foot to Cat stance strike up. Back foot back, strike down. 2. Right foot forward, guard. Back foot up, front foot to Cat stance strike up. Back foot back, strike down.

Bo Kihon 3 and 4

3. Left foot forward, guard. Front foot back into to Cat stance strike up. Back foot back, strike down. 4. Right foot forward, guard. Front foot back into to Cat stance strike up. Back foot back, strike down.

Bo Kihon 5 and 6

5. Step out into Shiko dachi, look right, rotate bo left and follow tip with eyes. Look left, rotate bo right, follow tip with eyes. 6. Step out into Shiko dachi, look right, rotate bo left and follow tip with eyes. Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, strike. Back to Shiko dachi. Look left, rotate bo right, follow tip with eyes. Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, strike. Back to Shiko dachi.

The Practice kata.

This was my objective (with a little addition of a vertical block after each strike in Kihon 6).  I also deemed Kihon 5 to be a subset of Kihon 6.

Kihon 6 with vertical block after strikes.

Kihon 1, Kihon 2, Kihon 1, Kihon 2

Back foot moves round into Shiko dachi

Kihon 6 with vertical block after strikes.

Kihon 3, Kihon 4, Kihon 3, Kihon 4

Back foot moves round into Shiko dachi

Kihon 6 with vertical block after strikes

I started out working on the basic steps and transitions as per the below video and description:

Bo Practice kata - Stage 1

Hand and stance transitions. Step out into Shiko dachi. Left foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi, strike, back to Shiko dachi. Right foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi strike, back to Shiko dachi. Left foot foward, guard, Right foot forward guard. Left foot foward, guard, Right foot forward guard. Front foot as pivot, back foot moves round into Shiko dachi. Left foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi, strike, back to Shiko dachi. Right foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi strike, back to Shiko dachi. Left foot foward, guard, Right foot forward guard. Left foot foward, guard, Right foot forward guard. Front foot as pivot, back foot moves round into Shiko dachi. Left foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi, strike, back to Shiko dachi. Right foot forward into Zenkutsu dachi strike, back to Shiko dachi.

Then I added in the Cat stance elements as per the below:

Bo Practice kata - Stage 2

Then finally I added in the strikes and recieves as per the below:

Bo Practice kata

Bo practice kata in full

Shiko dachi with bo level, look to right then rotate 180 degrees left.  Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, then Left foot forward, LH forward. Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

LF forward, transfer bo so LH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

Turn 270 degrees into Shiko dachi, bo level. Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, then Left foot forward, LH forward. Front leg back, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  L leg forward, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Front leg back, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  RL forward, strike down. 

LF forward, transfer bo so LH forward.  Front leg back, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  LL foward, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Front leg back, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  RL Forward,  strike down. 

Turn 270 degrees into Shiko dachi, bo level, look to right then rotate 180 degrees left. Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Finish.

It's all still al work in progress as far as I'm concerned, but hope some find it of interest.

REY 20/08/2022

Kobudo and the H embusen

Although the Covid pandemic is now considered to be over, I still feel it is safer for me to train alone for the time being, but that doesn't mean I stop training or trying different things.  Some while back, a FaceBook friend shared a video of him doing a simple Sai kata based loosely on Pinan Nidan.   I've been practicing that for a while now, but not doing very much with Bo or Nunchaku.

I remember a few of the basic kihon for Nunchaku and Bo from the dojo, but these are fairly static,  We did some work on kata as well, but my memory of those is so sketchy it wasn't worth trying to recreate.  I found practicing Sai in a simple kata far more rewarding than doing the basic Bo and Nunchaku kihon on their own, so I came up with the idea of applying these kihon to the basic Pinan H Embusen, as was shown to me with the Sai.

I have documented what I have done below, both in video and written form.  I was also asked to show what I was doing by my friend PJ Broomy.   That demonstration is included after the written description of the Bo Kihon on the H Embusen.  Hopefully some of you find this of interest.

REY 02/07/2022

Sai kata

Turn left into Zenkutsu dachi, LH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, LH retract Sai, RH punch with pommel of Sai.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, RH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, RH retract Sai, LH punch with pommel of Sai.

Turn left into  Zenkutsu dachi, LH Gidan uke with Sai extended. 

Step forward, LH retract Sai, RH Jodan uke with pommel of Sai.

Step forward, LH Jodan uke with pommel of Sai.

Step forward, RH Jodan uke with pommel of Sai.

Turn left 270 degrees into Zenkutsu dachi, LH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, LH retract Sai, RH punch with pommel of Sai.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, RH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, RH retract Sai, JH punch with pommel of Sai.

Turn left into  Zenkutsu dachi, LH Gidan uke with Sai extended. 

Step forward, LH retract Sai, RH punch with pommel of Sai.

Step forward, LH punch with pommel of Sai

Step forward, RH punch with Sat extended, Retract Sai.

Turn left 270 degrees into Zenkutsu dachi, LH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, LH retract Sai, RH horizonal cut with Sai extended.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, RH Gidan uke with Sai extended.  Step forward, RH retract Sai, LH horizontal cut with Sai extended.

Retract Sai and turn left to finish.

Nunchaku Kihon on H Embusen

Turn left into Zenkutsu dachi, LH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch left wrist then LH behind left shoulder.  RH release to guard, LH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

  Step forward, RH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, LH taking back one of pair.  RH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch right wrist then RH behind right shoulder.  LH release to guard, RH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

Step forward, LH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn left into  Zenkutsu dachi, RH taking back one of pair. LH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch left wrist then LH behind left shoulder.  RH release to guard, LH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and take that one of pair.

Right leg forward into Zenkutsu dachi, RH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch right wrist then RH behind right shoulder.  LH release to guard, RH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and take that one of pair.

Left leg forward into Zenkutsu dachi, LH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch left wrist then LH behind left shoulder.  RH release to guard, LH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

Step forward, RH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn left 270 degrees into Zenkutsu dachi, LH taking back one of pair.  LH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch left wrist then LH behind left shoulder.  RH release to guard, LH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

  Step forward, RH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, LH taking back one of pair.  RH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch right wrist then RH behind right shoulder.  LH release to guard, RH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

Step forward, LH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn left into  Zenkutsu dachi, RH taking back one of pair. Raise Nuchaku above head, RH higher than left.  RH release to guard, LH downward forehand cross stroke, backhand cross stoke, upward stroke, downward stroke, forehand cross.  Trap with guard hand and take that one of pair.

Right leg forward into Zenkutsu dachi.  Raise Nuchaku above head, LH higher than right.  LH release to guard, RH downward forehand cross stroke, backhand cross stoke, upward stroke, downward stroke, forehand cross.  Trap with guard hand and take that one of pair..

Left leg forward into Zenkutsu dachi. Raise Nuchaku above head, RH higher than left.  RH release to guard, LH downward forehand cross stroke, backhand cross stoke, upward stroke, downward stroke, forehand cross.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

Step forward, RH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn left 270 degrees into Zenkutsu dachi, LH taking back one of pair.  LH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch left wrist then LH behind left shoulder.  RH release to guard, LH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

  Step forward, RH punch with base of Nunchaku.

Turn Right 180 deg. in to Zenkutsu dachi, LH taking back one of pair.  RH hammer down with base of Nunchaku, touch right wrist then RH behind right shoulder.  LH release to guard, RH figure of Eight 5 times.  Trap with guard hand and transfer.

Step forward, LH punch with base of Nunchaku.  Turn right and finish.

Nunchaku lesson, kihon on the H Embusen

Bo Kihon on H Embusen

Shiko dachi with bo level.  Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, then Left foot forward, LH forward. Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

LF forward, transfer bo so LH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

Turn 270 degrees into Shiko dachi, bo level. Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, then Left foot forward, LH forward. Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

LF forward, transfer bo so LH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, RH upward strike under chin.  RL back, strike down. 

RF forward, transfer bo so RH forward.  Back leg up, go into Cat stance, LH upward strike under chin.  LL back, strike down. 

Turn 270 degrees into Shiko dachi, bo level. Step left into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. RH drops into vertical parry.

Back to Shiko dachi, turn bo through 180 degrees whilst watching the striking tip.

Step right into Zenkutsu dachi, Bo and hands stay is same position then thrust. LH drops into vertical parry.

Finish.

Australia calling

This last week or so has been extremely hectic from a work point of view, and unfortunately Monday lessons seem to have been mostly lost as a result.  However, there have been a few plusses.  Getting to practice some Motobu Choki drills was one, but the biggest was definitely getting to train with my friend PJ Broomy from Australia online twice in a week ☺☺☺☺

Relaxation kata - June 29

On Wednesday last we had a one on one session in the morning UK time and covered some interesting stuff (lesson details and video here also).  Not only was the practical material, but some interesting discussion too, for me at least ☺☺☺☺☺☺  The different mechanism for punching that his style uses is interesting, along with the simple and direct methods of takedown. These are a lot easier to remember for me than those of Funokoshi Gishin, however those techniques also include transitions afterwards that add to the direct techniques shown by PJ.  

Fundamentals plus kata - June 30

So in my thing of these techniques as two parts, the direct part that should work and then the transition you can do if it doesn't.  Sandwiched in between the two lessons with PJ (he was one of two guest Sensei at our Saturday lesson), was our regular Thursday lesson where we went back to basics with kihon gata, and punches and responses.  Fundamental techniques always need working on ☺☺☺

Australia calling - 1st July

The Saturday lesson was extra special, Sensei Ben featured getting up from the ground with cover, and the first of the Motobu Choki drills I had missed in a previous lesson.  This drill was so direct, it was easy to remember and see how it could be effective.  Love it. ☺ 

After the lesson - 2nd July

For PJ's part of the lesson, we went through the ukes I had practiced earlier in the week with him, plus the sequence of five ukes and the three take downs featuring palm strike,chudan uke and gidan barai respectively.  All simple techniques, but that is what should make the combination work more effective, as they are also easier to remember than more complex combinations. ☺☺☺☺

5 blocks in sequence - 3rd July

Brian Bates' section of the lesson focused on four ditrctional elbow strikes, with and without pads.  Brian's emthusiasm and encouragement is superb and communicates well, even online.  We also did 30 minutes of bo basics.  All in all, a brilliant lesson ☺.  Thank you all 🙏

Lesson - 4th July

I missed the Monday lesson again due to work, but tried to make up a little bit by practicing a four directional mawashi empi drill and having a go at the first three of Motobu Choki's Kumite drills over the next couple of days.  Hopefully, we will get back to some kind of normal soon.

Kata after the lesson - 4th July

Kata - 5th July

Press ups, Mawashi Empi, Naihanchi - 6th July

Motobu Choki drills, Naihanchi - 7th July

0107

PJ Broomy session

Punches + retracted punch (short retraction after delivery of punch). Discussed atifa, technique for transferring power into opponents body (result of retracted punch) Receiving techniques + different gidan ukes Combining sequence of the 5 ukes Comparison of gidan uke (as opposed to gidan barai) to Pinan Shiko dachi step through with elbows on hips Comparison of transitioning for example in Naihanchi on double block. PJ style hand going upwards goes on inside so that descending hand can pull. Practical application of yoi - discussed muchini, stickiness Three throws Pull with front hand to hip, step forward and strike to chin / throat with advancing hand Pull with front hat to hip, step forward with chudan uke as hammerfirst Strong front arm gidan barai (uke) as sweep to block strike and spin them to expose the back Comparison with Techniques illustrated in one of Funokoshi Gichin's books, and demonstrated by my Sensei, which require rotation after the technique

0207

Kata
Kihon kata
Jab and response
Back hand and response
Front hand hook and response
Response sequence
1) jab - sway to back hand side, back hand block, front hand simultanious strike to just behind the elbow
2) backhand punch, small step to side with front leg.  Head moves to front foot side, front hand pushes across, back hand straight punch to solar plexus
3) front hand hook, step forward, front hand blocks with jodan uke, backhand upper cut.

0407

Ben

Going down and getting up with cover
Motobu drill, open hand fighting stance, step forward R leg, hand trap (L Hand) and cover (R Arm), drop right elbow into ribs and push away

PJ

Ukes individual and combining sequence of the 5 ukes (Jodan uke, Chudan uke, Soto uke, Gidan barai, Gidan uke)
Three throws Pull with front hand to hip, step forward and strike to chin / throat with advancing hand Pull with front hat to hip, step forward with chudan uke as hammerfirst Strong front arm gidan barai (uke) as sweep to block strike and spin them to expose the back

Brian

Mawashi Empi style drill
Left leg forward, set forward right leg rising elbow (R) (12h), turn to 6h Mawashi Empi (L), 3h dropping elbow (R), 9h hammer down elbow (L). Then with pads - need to remember footwork.
Free striking to pads with elbows, several strikes them get away.
Defensive, cover, crash, technique then get away.

Bo lesson

Kihon gata

Times they are a changing,,,,

Missing practice definitely messes up the routine I have developed for myself to cope with the claustrophobic feeling of being cooped up for over three months now..  Work has become much busier though, due to the firm I am contracted to starting to ramp things up for going back to more office based working towards the end of July.  

Dancing in the spotlight 1706 

I've missed the last two Monday Lessons (15th and 29th of June) as a result, but the weekends have been more full, so I suppose that kind of makes up for it.  As well as the additional kobudo lessons we've been having in bo and nunchaku, on Sunday 21st we had our first zoom lesson with the head of our Ryukyukan Shorin-Ryu association, Hanshi Koei Nohara.  On Friday evening of 26th, I got to watch Senei Noah Legel's Naihanchi Seminar (that may have been a bridge too far as it was from 23:00 to 01:00 UK time and had no practice, so actually dozed through a part of it 😞😞😞) and on Sunday 29th my dojo hosted an online seminar about awareness, given by Jamie Clubb.

Kata and pad work 1806

Katate for me has become my touchstone for my mental as with as physical health, as I have documented in earlier blogs.  I feel that is important for both that I am able to train and take all the opportunities I can to do so.  Mentally, it gives me the "space" I need to be able to subconsciously process all the dynamics of home and work, when they both have to be done from the same location.

Bo Practice 2006

There are many issues that I have to prioretise, including some that clamour for immediate attention have had to take a back seat, due to the intensity of work.  This gives me little time to pay the proper attention to these things, but karate for me helps me the clarity of mind that it is best sometimes to delay this things until I have proper time to deal with them.  Sometime it is worse to try to do things in a rush, as the resulting complication could actually make things far worse,

Kata and press ups 2106

I thing tensions in any home would be strained if people who normally spend time apart are all cooped up for three to four months with no mechanisms for release, and where mental health is involved this can be doubly so.  This can be magnified if multiple people with such issues live together.  Here again, the relaxation and realisation of the way things can escalate areof great importance to me.  I am no paragon of virtue, but the lessons learnt through karate again I believe stand me in good stead.

Bo and kata 2306

From a purely dojo based point of view the last few weeks have involved going back to our roots.  Last week, two of the lessons focused on the throwing techniques of Funokoshi Geishin, and the lesson I missed this week featured the kumite techniques of Motobu Choki.  I have been promised the next lesson will follow on with his work, definitely looking forward to it ☺☺☺☺

Smorgasbord 2406

I short Karate is one of the few reliable constants I have at a time when things, and the challenges they bring, are constantly changing.  I really need to continue to train ☺☺☺.  And now I'm doing the 25  press up, 25 day challenge aimed at raising the awareness of mental health issues.

Kata after the lesson 2506

Lessons and Seminars

1806

Kata
Padwork, Fence, palm strike, crash, head control, knee strikes, head up and elbow strike, arm drag, head pull, punch, escape
Naihanchi shadow sparring

2006

Take downs x 6 from Funokoshi

1) To topple a folding screen.

RH fighting stance open handed.  Rising LH block to RH punch then arm grab. RH open palm under chin.  R leg step through behind opponent, push up and through with RH, using trapped arm as  pivot, push over stepped through leg.

2) Spinning top

RH fighting stance open handed. Step outside RH punch, hook over with RH and grasp / pull.  LH push onto back of exposed shoulder, step back with R leg and turn into Shiko dachi. Pulling through with RH, pushing down with left.

3) To encircle the neck

RH fighting stance open handed. Step outside RH punch, hook over with RH.  R leg step through behind opponent, R arm comes ups to encircle neck, rotate upper body to left to pull over stepped through leg.

4) Half wheel throw

RH fighting stance open handed. Step outside RH punch, hook over with RH.  R leg step through in front of opponent.  R arm comes ups to encircle neck, L arm goes down to go grab leg.  Step back with right leg to throw (turn, lift and pull)

5) V turning swallow

RH fighting stance, open handed.  Cross block to rising punch, left hand hooks and controls, R foot step in (in front of opponent) and punch under their chin, then grab under extended (r) arm into the armpit.  Pull wrist to hip, and step back with left leg, rotating counter clockwise and sinking to onto the left knee, using the rotation of the arm to throw the opponent.

6) To throw off a cliff (hip throw)

RH fighting stance, opponent throws hook punch. Block high left and grasp RH, step in with R leg and punch to gut with R hand.  Grab round back with right hand and pull with LH./Push in with R hip, step back left leg and pull them onto and over R hip to floor, keeping hold of R hand.  Punch and release.

Bo

Shushi no kon

Kata in the rain 2707

2106 (Sensei Nohara)

Fundamentals -ukes and tsukis, mai geri, shuto, hisa geri
Kata Naihanchi, Pinan and Passai (stayed with Naihanchi)

2506

Jamie Clubb's 10 round MMA workout, at over 30 degrees.  My heart rate was over 150 after the first two rounds, and so say I had to miss some bits out was an understatement, but kept trying.  Then kata to finish, including 1 legged Naihanchi

2606

Noah Legel's Naihanchi Seminar

2706

Kata
Funokoshi throws

To circle with the arm
Opponent attacks two handed, step back (L leg) and counter with two handed rising block.  Sink down (sliding R foot forward) and deliver two hammer fists to the sides.  Sink down further and take down by tackling behind the knees then pulling back

To hammer upside down

Opponent attack right handed high punch, step back (L leg) and counter with right hand rising block.  Slide (R leg) forward into Shiko dachi, sliding right shoulder under opponent's arm pit and taking hold of opponent's left thigh.  Lift and overturn, drive head into the ground.

Nunchaku

A run through various techniques and transitioning.

2806

Jamie Clubb's awareness seminar

Covid Blues and Dancing in the rain

This blog is one of the hardest I've had to write, as I think the best way to describe what I suffered from was a dose of the Covid blues.  It's been over eleven weeks now since I left the house, and the and after the 10th week it was like running into a brick wall.  Being on the at risk register makes you more aware of the risks, and seeing the country gearing up to go back to work, but coupled with the lack of responsibly some people seem to show put extra worries on top an already fraught household. 

After the 25th May lesson...

It's fair to say that my family has more than it's fair share of issues, some relating to mental health, which sit on top of my own health concerns.  My own mental health hasn't been the best, making more distracted and tetchy than usual.  The worrying prospect of having to go back to work on insanely crowded public transport, without any reasonable treatment having been found was looming on the horizon was and still is a big factor, but the final straw as it felt at the time was the weekend of the 30th of May.

Kata at dusk (27th May)

Watching footage of people piling on to beaches yet again, insane traffic queues following the government's ill advised (in my opinion) opening up of unlimited travel set the alarm bells ringing.  Then we found we had new neighbours...... They announced themselves with a barbecue with guests from outside the household.  There certainly wasn't space in their back garden to socially distance and it sounded like they were having an after barbeque drinks part inside as well.  It didn't feel safe to go out and train that day and honestly felt like Covid city had come home to roost on the doorstep 😔😔😔

Kata after 28th May Lesson

On top of that some cricitcism I got got stuck iny brain, so I didn't venture out for about for about three days.  In the middle of that was Jamie Chubb's seminar and a Nunchacku lesson, all indoors.  It's fair to say I felt nowhere near my normal levels of enthusiasm for doing karate. I had a mental health counselling session booked in for the Tuesday morning though, and these have been another thing that have kept my going.  I felt the need to do something positive prior to the session, so on the Tuesday morning, ventured out to do some kata in the garden.

2nd June, The dawn kata

That and the counselling helped, so I started to feel better about myself, though a lot of the worries still remain.  I ventured out the following morning in the early hours to get myself back in the habit of going outside, this time with a little improvised work and to keep pushing myself.

3rd June, Bo, kicks and kata

The Thursday lesson I did indoors due to a rather wet and inclement evening, bu there was no way I was staying in doors for the Saturday.  There was a bit of drizzle but to be honest it felt good to train outdoors again, both for the regular lesson and the bo lesson that followed.  Afterwards I did a bit of bo kihon and regular kata, still with a little bit of rain coming down, hence the title of that video "dancing in the rain" ☺☺☺☺

6th June, Dancing in the rain

Made sure I got outside again on the Sunday as well to do a bit of practice base on one of the week's lessons, plus a recap on the Nunchaku lesson from the week before.  Just got to keep on going and trying my best to live in the moment, and put to one side for now what the coming weeks might bring.  I will have to face those challenges when I come to them, but since I don't know what they will be, there is no point in worry in what they might be.  I must also try to keep my own reactions to situations on an even keel, and not take too much to heart.  These are my resolutions for the time being, as to how well I do going forward, only time will tell.

7th June, Ukes, nunchaku and kata

Lessons

2505

Jab, cross, step forward, RH jab, step forward LH, knee strike, RH elbow, head control. step forward, pivot of right foot to left takedown, 270 degree rotation, gyaku tsuki, stomp
Cat stance, inside scoop (of kick), step through into Shiko dachi, Right elbow strike takedown, gyaku tsuki, stomp
Outside sweeping block, Step in front leg, jab cross should be in there ( missed out in lesson) take down (hooking neck with forearm over shouider), gyaku tsuki, stomp
Inside sweeping block catstance, side kick, low sweep with left foot, elbow under, take back, stomping pick, gyaku Tsuki, stomp

2805

Fundamentals including tobi mai geri (jumping front kick) and outside block
kata
padwork on hooks, hammerfist and cutting elbow

3005

Guest lesson with Jamie Chubb - soft skills, use of the sprawl, checking for escape routes

Nunchaku lesson

Kihon kata, strike down, forearm touch, transition behind, figure of eight, transition behind, strike down

0406

Jodan uke in yoi, transition to Shiko dachi, jodan uke again
Chudan uke in yoi, transition to Shiko dachi, chudan uke again.
Shoto uke in yoi, transition to Shiko dachi, shoto uke again
Jodan uke, gedan uke, one side punch other, repeat both sides
Jodan uke, gedan uke, shoto uke one side punch other, repeat both sides
Jodan uke, gedan uke, shoto uke, chudan uke one side punch other, repeat both sides
Short piece of work on other uke combinations
Kata
Pad work on back fist
Kata

0606

Quadrant drill, individual elements, short section drills, through to mawashi geri
Jab, cross, front hand hook.
Hammer fist, looping left, back hand hook.
Front hand slap, cutting elbow, left upper cut, right uppercut
Left hand ridge hand, right hand shuto, gable grip, LH step back and drag, left knee, switch to RH drag and knee
Head butt, hands up, LH shoulder barge.
Right leg mawashi geri, back to stance, switch,left leg mawashi geri, back to stance, switch, hold out right leg mawashi geri, back to stance, spin through mawashi geri, round back to stance

Bo

First six kihon kata

!0 weeks and counting ....

This blog is very late due to work and other issues 😟 However, I still want to keep on blogging, so here goes.   Week 10 of lockdown was challenging to say the least, there was a big down after the good ending to the previous week, with the Kata with family call that I did.

Kata with family

Work was starting to ramp up up with preparations for offices I cover region wide making preparations for re-opening, and the tensions within a family of 4 being cooped up together for 10 weeks bubbling along, there was not as much quality time for training.

Monday kata after the lesson

That said, formal training is an absolute lifeline.  With the extra kobudo lesson my dojo are now doing, plus a free lesson on the Sunday by Brian Bates, that I was invited to by my Sensei, I managed over four hours of training that way, best ever ☺☺☺  Because I have been keeping up my training, my physical health hasn't been too bad despite the lockdown, however it has taken a toll mentally.

Practice 1905

The worry for me about what will happen when the lockdown ends is starting to kick in.  I have been lucky enough to get mental health support, unlike some members of my family,  and this has been really helpful for me at least.   If we don't try facing up to our problems, they become even harder to deal with 😟😟

Two things that have become clear to me with time are that:

1) You can only be responsible for your own feelings and behaviour, not those of other people

2) Whatever the mistakes of the past, you can only deal with what is here and now

Going down the route of what if and if only is the route to complete bitterness and confusion 😟

For me, without family, a job and karate, I would be lost.

1805

Kata - Naihanchi Shodan, Nidan (Sandan)

Kicks

Front leg Mai geri, back leg Mai geri, both sides

Front leg Mawashi geri, back leg Mawashi geri both sides

Front leg Yoku geri, back leg Yoku geri both sides

Spinning back kick, both sides

Balancing, knee up, front leg Mai geri, Mawashi geri, Yoku geri, rotate 45 deg then back kick without kicking leg touching the ground, both sides.

Shadow sparring, first practising jab, cross, upper cut,

 and jumping front kick then free form.

Naihanchi Shodan

Naihanchi 2105

2105

Flowing Naihanchi - continuous smooth

Hands only Naihanchmovementsi

Then interpretations of Naihanchi

Pre-emptive strike (2 palm strikes), crash, two knees

Elbow strikes to arm, eyes closed,

Back slap, elbow, pull in, two knees

Front hand hook and forearm strike, back hand hook

Developing into Front hand hook, forearm strike and pull, two back hand hooks

Imagine someone holding clothing.  Back hand strike down (onto holding harm), back fist

(Open hand slap to face) Back hand strike down (onto arm), back fist, strike down (onto arm), front hand punch, back fist

As Drill: Back hand - open palm strike, strike down, backfist, Naihanchi double block (front hand up and outside, back hand down, front hand back fist

Then equivalent kata movements in fighting stance as drill, back hand block, double block, front hand back fist

Back fist, front leg stomping heel kick (to knee) forearm strike (to side of neck)

Back foot stomping kick, back hand pulling (arm), front arm chudan uke. (represents pulling opponents arm out straight and rolling over nerve point with other arm then hyper-extending)

Step out with front leg, double arm sweep (represents step behind, back arm clears opponent's arm, front arm pushes opponent over leg)

Flowing Naihanchi - continuous smooth

A bit of a workout

2305

Kata

Kihon gata

Bo lesson

Shushi no kon

2405

Pad work

Palm, elbow, elbow, knee (groin) , drag down, stomp (first four going forward)

Crash, forearm strike, clinch head into shoulder, knee, drag down, stomp

Crash, forearm strike, clinch head into shoulder, elbow, elbow , knee, drag down, stomp

<you are in a clinch> eye gouge, (bite, head butt), elbow, elbow, knee. dragdown, stomp

Basic bo and the value of variety.

It's been an interesting week.  Workwise challenging, karate wise, a few unexpected variations thrown in.  At least one new technique to me (jumping front kick), and an extra lesson (in bo).  What was good was that something I had been struggling with in bo clicked into place, always a good feeling ☺☺☺☺

5th and 6th of May

On a personal level, karate is one of the things that keeps me motivated, and definitely the one that most helps me stay calmer in challenging circumstances.  There are a good few of those when there are four of you all under the same roof for what is now the eighth week, I would imagine even people without issues would struggle. Deep breathing, being able to let things go for the most part, doing kata and working on the pads ll play their, part.  Lessons and practice give something to effectively plan the week on, work allowing, and so we get by.

Just as the Sun goes down

This week the lessons concentrated on fundamentals, kata, a different interpretation of some of Naihanchi, kicks, the quadrant drill and pad work.  The different interpretation of Naihanchi involves a pull back into Shiko dachi, coupled with a palm strike, covering pulling hand, step back into Zenkutsu dachi to extend arm then arm bar.   We also did a few less often practised kicks in the jumping front kick (I actually got off the ground! ☺☺☺), spinning back and hook kicks.  The spinning back kick I can just about do now, but the spinning hook kick is a little ways off.  

Then there was an unexpected extra, a bo lesson, before my tablet ovrheated (hot day on Saturday!!).  It was just going through the kihon kata (outlined below).  I finally worked out what I was doing wrong on the up strikes of the first four (sometimes drawing back to the wrong side), so now I can practice them correctly ☺☺☺☺

Another good week in the virtual dojo! ☺☺☺☺

Bo kihon and improv.

Contents of the lessons

0405

Warm up
Mokosu
Formal opening
Receiving techniques - slow and fast both sides
Punches - slow and fast both sides
Kicks  - slow and fast both sides
Other techniques, hisa geri, ashai uke, shuto,
Kata

0705

Warm up
Mokosu
Formal opening
Kata
Naihanchi Shodan, Nidan
Fighting stance,
Step back into Shiko dachi
Rh pull back, Lh pslm strike
Lh cover on Rh
L leg step back into Zenkutsu dachi
Lh, Rh drag back to left hip
R leg step through into arm bar
Quadrant drill, through to Ashai uke

Sunday working

0905

Warm up
Mokosu
Formal opening
Working on kicks - with and without chair
Yoko geri, Ushiro geri. Mawashi geri, Mai geii
Then
Jumping front kick. Fighting stance, swap guard, raise leg as if going to do Mai geri, hop and do front leg Mai geri.
Spinning back kick. Fighting stance, front leg across then continue rotation 270 degrees  until side on.  Deliver back kick, rotate same direction back to fighting stance.
Spinning hookkick. Fighting stance, front leg across then continue rotation ??? degrees until ??????.
Extend back leg out straight and continue spin with leg out back to fighting stance
Pad work, hook RH, LH, hammer fist RH, LH, palm strike RH, LH,cutting elbow, RH, LH,
Combinations, RH LH, hook, hammer fist, palm strike, elbow.  RH LH, 4 each hook, hammerfist, palm strike, elbow.
Naihanchi Shodan

Bo

Lost video for warm up

Kihon kata

Shodan - Fighting stance - Cat stance strike up, step forward into Shiko dachi, strike down, back into Cat stance, strike up.
Nidan- Step out into left fighting stance, transfer bo - Cat stance strike up, step forward into Shiko dachi, strike down, back into Cat stance, strike up.
Sandan - Fighting stance - Cat stance strike up, step back into Shiko dachi, strike down, forward into Cat stance, strike up.
Yondan - Step out into left fighting stance, transfer bo - Cat stance strike up, step back into Shiko dachi, strike down, back into Cat stance, strike up.
Godan - bo in front horizontally hands at 1/3 point either side,.Put bo out from body and look at left tip, rotate to right swapping over hands, eyes track tip, pull bo into body look to centre. Put bo out from body and look at right tip, rotate to left swapping over hands, eyes track tip, pull bo into body look to centre.
Rokudan- bo in front horizontally hands at 1/3 point either side,.Put bo out from body and look at left tip, rotate to right swapping over hands, eyes track tip. Step out right into Shiko dachi, leaving bo in postion, strike out at rotate bo, right arm full length with bo under left armpit. Pull back from Shik dachi and bring bo back to centre, pull bo into body look to centre. Put bo out from body and look at right tip, rotate to left swapping over hands, eyes track tip. Step out left into Shiko dachi, leaving bo in postion, strike out at rotate bo, left arm full length with bo under right armpit. Pull back from Shiko dachi and bring bo back to centre, pull bo into body look to centre.

Then my tablet overheated, bringing the lesson for me to an end.