Pushing Myself.

Lessons are rarely the same in our Dojo, which is a good way of keeping us on our toes :)

Our warm up was taken initially by our Senpai and included some different exercises, including cycling on our backs, but with shoulders raised, and this was followed by the usual formalities of the dojo.

After this was Kata - focusing on the Naihanchis.  My Sensei says my posture is improving slightly 😊😊.   This was followed by fundamentals, including punches, receiving techniques, and kicks. I - ran out of steam during last technique (Uke) which I had hoped to complete, so I was a little disappointed with myself 😞😞

After that was Pad work on kicks, punches and receiving techniques.  This was followed by Naihanchi drills with different partners; featuring crashes, head pull downs, knee strikes, forearm strikes, drags, punches, take downs and get aways.

Afterwards realised that I hadn't been cutting back on elements of fundamentals, as I used to to do all the techniques, but had done them all fully until the last one, then I was pleased with myself.  I realise my stamina is improving and am pushing myself more 😊😊

Dojo basics

Saturday's Dojo session was back to basics,  The warm up exercises included stretches, cami rolls and break falls.  After that, it was on to Kata.

For Kata, we went through Naihanchi Shodan to Passai Sho.  Each one was done step by step and then performance, with people who don't know the Kata dropping out on the performance part.  I only did Naihanchi Shodan as performance, because although I know the basic flow of Nidan and Sandan, I don;t think it's good enough to do perform in the Dojo as yet.

From there on, it was pad work drills with different partners, following the Naihanchi Shodan Kata 
Naihanchi pad drills following the Kata sequence.  We went through:

Crashes, 
Head control to knee strikes, 
Elbow strikes, 
Re-directions, 
Punch and Stamping kick combinations  (knee, ankle, shin, inside leg)
Arm drag, head control and over-hip take-down with punch, 
Followed by final stamping kick and away

It was any enjoyable lesson, but what was more enjoyable was the realisation that I am noticing the difference in getting through lessons 😊😊😊  The combination of  exercise and a change in medication is definitely working just now for me 😊😊😊.   There were definitely pains the next day though lol, I nice Okinowan tattoo on the inside of my ankle and aches all over, the price for improvement 💖💓😈

Dojo calm in the midst of things

This last week at home and at work has been a little mixed to say the least, some of it through my own shortcomings and some not, so time at the Dojo on Saturday was a welcome break.  The session was varied as always, which is one of the reasons I love training there 😊😊

There were the usual stretches, plus a few newer ones I first tried last Monday, followed by Kata; only Naihanchi Shodan, this time, as our work was going to be based on that.  I got complemented on being able to tense my stomach well to take a punch, which I appreciated.

Then there were a good few drills, some of which I certainly hadn't done before.  We started off with the Quadrant drill, with different partners,  but then did two drills new to me:

Forearm strike drills, with alternate strike, block, move arm combinations. We did right side then left side practice .with different partners.

Hook drills, alternate punch, block (Neko Ashi Dachi Shuto u
Uke), move combinations, firstly with ducking to change sides, then with take down after third repetition, with different partners.   

After that we went on to Kobudo, with both Bo and Nunchaku.  With Bo we did Kihon Katas Shodan and Nidan, with Nunchaku we did the first part of the Hamahiga Kata;  featuring direction changes and figure 8s. We also did some pad work with Nunchaku, on figure 8 strikes.

A really enjoyable lesson, and I now seem to be struggling less with staying the distance 😊😊😊😊.  I should put this properly to the test in April next, as I just booked mine and my son's places on an Iain Abernathy seminar in April.  4 hours should be a good work out 😊😊😊.

Competition, good news and Dojo day after.

This is by way of a multiple blog because so much happened in two days:

Competition 06/10/19:

I had triple nerves, both as a competitor and a father, as both me and my son were competing.  But I didn't need to worry.  It was at Inter-Club level, so not as intense,  Results were:

Son - NSa 2nd out or 6
Me - NSh  3rd out of 4
Kumite Son - 1 - 1 points, lost on extra minute 1st point

My son thought he had done better in the Kumite, but accepted the result, proud of him,  it was a wonderful day 😁😁.  Our Dojo won 13 medals in total, but more importantly was fun competing with friends.  Than you to my Sensei and all from the Matsuri Dojos.  A special thank you to Sensei Darren Hollis of the Stevenage Dojo for his encouraging words 😊😊.

Good News

First test results had been inconclusive, but lung age suggested 30 years older
Nurse appointment - new breath test, but said my description of what I did (karate, walking etc) and effects of steroid inhaler said differently
Doctor appointment - results from new breath test not fully uploaded, but showed oxygen levels improved to 97% and continued use of steroid inhaler may give some more improvement

Dojo day after

Lots of aches from the last two days.  We did Some different stretches and core exercises in warm up, then on to Kata: Naihanchi Shodan, followed by Kata and other drills with different partners:

Naihanchi crash - plus add ons
Pinan Crash, punch, arm control - plus add ons
Tegumi style, arm block, finger strike, hammer fist to arm, arm control - plus add ons

Then on to Kobudo, where we did Bo Kihon Katas.  What made it more fun was that my son, who was watching, was invited to take part by Sensei Alison.  He's been wanting to do Kobudo for ages, so all in all a really good few days 😁😁😁

Competition Time dojo

Today's session was dedicated to the inter club competition we have tomorrow, between our own association's dojos.  I'm doing Kata and my son is doing Kata and Jissen Kumite (full contact).  That's triple nerves, two as a dad and one as a competitor.....

So after warm up, it was straight into Kata, and I was first up.  Apparently my intent is now very good, I look like I'm trying to do serious damage 😊😊😊  However, there are still a good few points to work on.  After that, we did round about 45 minutes of drills based on punch / kick combinations to help those going in for Kumite.  Have to say I ran out of steam at that point.

Finally was reminder time, doing pad work based on dirty Naihanchi, to remind us of the self defence basics that get pulled from competition.  Was a really hot and sweaty session in the dojo, but tomorrow is the key.

Looks like I will need to learn point style fighting though if I want to fight, and I do want to try at least once.  My style doesn't allow full contact competition if you are over 35, so looks like I need to practice touchy feely Karate to get a go,  but I am stubborn..... 

Good luck to everyone tomorrow 😊😊😊

Roots and branches

I think for the issues in life that I face, I honestly believe any form of karate would have sufficed to help me.   From what I have read, many clubs of all styles from Sports through to Traditional, would have accommodated me, and for that I have to offer a massive vote of respect to the whole Karate family, and to the many other forms of MA that would also have welcomed me 😊😊😊   

  That said, I have to say that as a Nerd at heart, and only realistically ever going to use Karate as self defence, not in competetive fighting, I was lucky to end up first time in a Traditional dojo.  The Shorin Ryu style suits me just fine and also indulges the historical Nerd in me.

A practitioner of Wado Ryu asked in one forum recently why the basic Kata of many styles were similar and history Nerd went Shorin Ryu to Shotokan to Wado Ryu.  I think a few Karateka today are blissfully unaware of the tradition on which their enjoyment or competition is based,  no problems but that's not my style 😊😊😊 

  There are lots of detailed material available nowadays, with the likes of Patrick McCarthy and Andreas Quast delving into the history of Karate. Having bring lucky enough to have read some of their articles, it persuaded me to get hold of the book written by Sensei Koei Nohara, about the history to Tiy.  Haven't finished it yet, but have got to the point where it's compelling reading.

The direct relationship he suggests between Tiy and Kobudo Kata is especially interesting 😊😊😊  Then I lost my book on a train, so have to buy another copy, never mind, it is worthwhile.  Then along comes another of those I respect, Jesse Enkamp, saying he is going to go to China to look into the roots of Karate, just can't wait  😊😊😊  

Life after Grading

So, the first session as an orange belt.  Kind of strange, because most of the class had graded the week before and so we should have all known where to line up for Seiretsu, but we  were all looking at belts to get where to go, though in truth it was no different to normal, other than we also had a visiting Sensei (Graham), from one of our other dojos, there as well.

After the warm up (rolls, break falls, shrimping, stretches) and formal opening, we were in to toughening exercises, first kicks then "Kote kitae" (arm work).  At this moment in time, it seems my training partners are somewhat more proficient than me with Mawashi Geri kicks, it's the second week in a row that my Vegas nerve seems to have a big "kick me" sign on it.  I think I caught three or four on the trot on one leg, sheesh, I think I need to work on that one 😞  

Then it was on to a two person drill with different partners.  We were doing the quadrant drill featured in an earlier blog, with its combinations of hay maker, hammer fist, back fist and elbow receiving techniques, including counter strikes; followed by ridge hand strikes, gable grip pull down, knee strikes and head butt.  Working with different partners gives experience of adjusting techniques to accommodate different shapes and sizes of opponent.

Then it was on to Kata.  For me, I was concentrating on Naihanchi Shodan as ever, but was also allowed to do my  first performance version of Naihanchi Nidan in class, so I think I'm improving 😊  Got some good one-on-one time with Sensei Ben in doing Shodan, and apparently the intent emphasis of my Kata is coming on well.  So happy there too😊.

We finished off with pad work based on the Kihon katas, so a good varied lesson.  We have an inter-dojo competition coming up, so I get to test my performance of Naihachi Shodan competitively again.  Am looking forward to that, also my son wants to go to do full contact Kumite and Kata, so will be a dose of double nerves again, both as a dad and a competitor 😊 😊

Frustrations of grading

The grading on Sunday was good, apart from a double set of nerves, as they split the session in two: Firstly my son had to grade, then me.  So I was nervous for him and for me, but had to pop out half way through his grading to get in my gi.

When I was done, he was on to his Kata, and I know he knows his Kata 😊😊😊  He got a good pass and his green belt, then it was my turn.  I did ok and got a good pass, but my frustration is still with my kicks, especially Yoko Geri and Ushiro Geri.  Have practiced them, but they are still ropy.

So today I decided to try to slow them right down and hold them for about 5 seconds each in knee raise and extended positions (only on my better side) for each kick.  Here are the results:

Yoko Geri

Ushiro Geri

Both have wobble, but the Yoko Geri is better, as I managed a better extension.  Long way to go, but I think I can do better than I actually did in the grading, so just got to keep trying 😊😊.

Grading fundamentals

Sunday is grading day, and so Saturday's session was all about fundamentals.  It was also about pushing ourselves. staying sharp and executing  with good attitude. Strong Shiko Dachi and crisp movement.

We went through the various Ukes, Tsukis and kicks, followed by the 10 fundamental or kihon kata that form the basis of our style.   I only need the first two for grading this time (orange belt), but will need the first four and Naihanchi Shodan next time (blue belt).   

After that was a good session of practicing Naihanchi Shodan, followed by some basic drills featuring crashing, knee strikes, elbow strikes and pushing away.  I can't help but reflect how much of an improvement was, compared to the sessions before the last grading in March.  I struggled far less than then, probably both due to more practice and improved medication.

My son should be grading as well, to Green belt, so hopefully tomorrow will be a wonderful day 😊😊😊 

Aching All Over 😊

After today's session, I'm aching in places I haven't ached for ages.  From my shoulders down to my elbows, and my upper thighs, I ache most of all.  I warmed up outside the Dojo, during the Cadet class, with Kata.

Once in the Dojo, was running, rolls, jumps, squatageri's and stretches.  I can't forward roll well and landed on my shoulder in one attempt,so that's a part of the aches.

It's grading next week, so it was fundamentals day, going through the grading syllabus.  First up tsukis and ukes.  This is probably the source of the upper leg aches.  We do these in Shiko Dachi stance, and Sensei Ben got me to go a lot deeper than I have been (photo above shows lack of stretch).   We were doing these for about 20 minutes, so my muscles got some stretching.

Then it was kicks, followed by Kilhon Kata, I need the first two for grading, but did the first four.  Then it was Kata, and I need Naihanchi Shodan for the grading after next.  I lost count of the repetitions there, but it was over 10.  

This was followed by hardening exercises and then a pad circuit of punch combinations, kicks and knee strikes.  All in all, I seemed to need a few less breaks than I would have expected and the aches are good ones, so I'm happy 😊😊😊 Plus, I've been told I'm ready to grade, along with my son 😊😊😊 Happy days 😊😊😊