Karate helping to deal with a heart condition:
Karate fighting, Cardiovascular workout, confidence, rebuilding stamina, fun, self defence, over 50s but not only, over 50, is it too late, exercise, nerd, okinawa karate, shorin ryu, full contact karate, heart, aging
Recently, I was lucky enough to attend an online lecture given by Hanshi McCarthy, and he has a talent for painting a vivid verbal picture to the background of modern karate, I am in no way going to attempt to make this an academic work, as the lecture was in itself littered with quotes and references I have no way of easily recording, but will attach a link to the lecture itself for anyone who wants to delve further.
The background to karate is the setting in which it developed, Japan being a country still grounded culturally in it's feudal past, where the Emperor was worshiped as god, but developing rapidly in technology and setting itself on a warlike footing 1921 was cited as a pivotal year in karate, firstly because of the country's sudden introduction to boxing. In the first $1 million dollar purse fight in America, Jack Dempsey took on Georges Carpentier, winning by k.o. in the 4th round.
The fight was screened afterwards in Cinemas around the world, including Japan and took the Country by storm. The mainland Japanese had seen nothing like it before, and whilst some of the Japanese Navy had come across it before, Karate was relatively unknown on the mainland. None of the traditional martial arts contained empty handed striking, mainly consisting of weapons handling or grappling.
The Japanese government was then on the lookout for something of their own to slake the Japanese thirst for boxing. Enter Karate, on his way to Europe to study, Crown Prince Hirohito visited Okinawa and was treated to an exhibition of local arts, including of course, Karate, demonstrated by Funokoshi Gichin. News on this got back to the mainland and the rest is history.
In 1922, Funokoshi Gichin was invited to Japan to teach Karate. The Japanese were only interested in being taught the percussive side of karate (punches and kicks) and on this Funokoshi delivered comprehensively. Grappling and other elements were neglected, as these were to be found in other arts, and thus was born Japanese karate.
In the same year, an open boxing challenge took place in Kyoto where a European boxer took on local Judodoka. As it was open to all comers at one point, a slightly overweight 50 year old man got up tro challenge. Apparently there was a lot of mirth at this, until the boxer was knocked out with an open handed palm strike, The deliverer was none other than Motobu Choki, and the superiority of karate to boxing was confirmed to the Japanese people.
According to Jesse Enkamp, to whom much of this fleshed out narriative is attributed, also out of this the feud between Funokoshi Gichin and Motobu Choki developed. When stories of the fight were printed, the illustrations depicted Funokoshi Gichin, rather than Motobu Choki gaining the victory, an early example of "Fake News". Apparently this upset Motobu Choki so much that he returned to Japan to deliver a lesson in Karate to Funokoshi Gichin.
Hope you enjoyed reading. For further reference some of the cited material is given below.
The last few weeks have been even more demanding from a work perspective. I haven't trained as often as I would like, but when I have there have been some interesting sessions. Perhaps the strangest was at 01:00 hours on a Saturday morning over Zoom with Sensei Tuari Dawson and the Cairns Dojo, at the invite of Sensei PJ Broomy. 😀
2408 - Compass point work
The lesson was in kobudo, and I needed to do it outdoors due to the lack of space inside, when wielding a bo or nunchaku. I did a bit of a warm up on my own, but then the lesson started. It was to cover a lot more than I expect as it turned out to be an introduction to bo, tonfa, nunchaku and sai. 😀
2908 - Before the Lesson
We learn bo and nunchaku in my doji, but not tonfa and sai. Not at my level anyway, so learning something new is always a fun challenge. Tonfa I just had to watch, as I don't have any, but was able to borrow my son's sai (onlysmaller ones) to have a go it that. It started to rain part way through, so trying to learn in the rain whilst keeping my tablet dry was a challenge on it's own 😀
2908 - Bo, tonfa, nunchaku and sai
Fortunately I was able to move back inside for the sai part of the lesson, which is just as well, as handling sai proved to be tricky enough as it was, without adding to it by trying to handle slippery weapons in the rain! All in all though, was a fun lesson, with an excellent Sensei. 😀😀 Plus I still managed it fit in my regular Saturday training in both karate and bo.
2908 - Working the compass again
Even on days where I miss training due to work, I still try to fit something in later on, and one of the predominant themes at the moment are the 10 kihon gata. I can finally remember all 10, though not in random order as yet 😀 However, that spinning hook kick in gata number 9 just isn't there yet.
3108 - An Evening workout
I think from my own dojo, the best lesson for me was one where they taught combinations of knee strikes, and elbow strikes. My limited abilities make the use of knees very attractive, as well as being effective. What was the clincher for me though was the realisation that the whole range of kicking techniques we use include knee strikes. 😀😀
0509
At close range, a mawashi geri is of no use, but if you do a roundhouse knee and they move away, it turns immediately into a mawashi geri. Similary a straight knee can be turmed into a mai geri, and I guess something like a ushiro geri could be a knee to the side followed by a kick behind. Similar extensions can also be applied to elbow strikes, a downward elbow can be extended into a hammer fist, a crashing elbow can be extended into a back fist, and so on.
0809
The brain also needs to be fed, and after the lesson in knees and elbows, I had the privilege of attending a zoom lecture by Patrick McCarthy, but more of that in another blog. The important thing is the variety and mental stimulus it brings. In times of uncertainy, an anchor point for anybody can be something such as karate. The routine of training being maintained is a conforting one, however if all it contains is endless repetition of the same things trhen the end result cam be couner productive.
1009
For me, the lockdown has given many challenges, but the constant of having more opportunities to train, and the regular nature of the framework, has been a constant about which I have been able to build a routine to cope with both my physical and mental health issues However, having done this for over five months now, if there wan't any variety the value would have been greatly reduced.
1209
As well as doing the routine training, it has been necessary for me to go outside the box as well as rely on the lesson, but I think anyone who wants to progress in any direction has to do this anyway. I have been lucky in that my Sensei, Ben and Alison Slack, always try to work something in over a period of time that we haven't done in the same way before, or expand on what we have done before.
Also, if people wanted to (and I did), they have offered the opportunity to work with different instructors as well, via Zoom. I have had the incredible luck to be able to train with Brian Bates, PJ Broomy, Les Bubka, Don Came, Jamie Clubb, Chris Hanson and Sensei Nohara, and though PJ train with Senei Tuari Dawson. I have taken part of a "lockdown" pub quiz with my dojo, hosted by Iain Abernethy and attended lectures by Andreas Quast and Patrick McCarthy, so what can I say?
To cope with massive uncertainty, a strong routine is a massive plus in being able to be able to cope. But to to be of any value, the routine has to have a degree of variety built in, and preferably with the opportunity to develop things further for the students if they wish. I am glad to say that my Sensei offer all of that, and on a personal level have been so supportive I can never thank them enough
2408
Kata, all 10 kihon gata
2908
Sensei Tuari Dawson
Kobudo - Bo, Tonfa, Nunchaku and Sai - introduction and drills
Regular lesson
Teisho and escape practice Step back Zenkutsu dachi with hooking receives (FH) - upper tudan uke, tudan uke, gidan uke, to receive same sided stirke and open up the back. Working in the after.
Kata, pad work. - Face slap (to ear cup). head to chest clasp, shoulder barge, head but, elbow. Then wall trap drill. Slide to side, groin slaps, head control, turn into Zebkutsu dachi to drive head into wall, then hammerfirst or downard elbow strikes to finish.
Bo,
First 6 kihon gata, followed by short run through of what each person remembers from Shushi no kon
3008
Jamie Clubb
Discipline - including cued padwork, with one and two attackers
0509
Kata
Quadrant drill
Pad work - gross motor skills, hammerfist, teisho, elbow, knee, turning takedown
Nunchaku
Kihon gata, including one legged stance
1009
Fundamentals
Kihon gata
Pad work
Teisho, hammer fist, elbow, knee, step through, turning throw (back leg move across, front leg pull back)
These are my recollections of the online lecture given by Andreas Quast to Karate Virtual on 22/08/2020. This lecture was given against the timeline given in: Peridization of Ryukyukan History Pre 1609 - Old Ryukyu 1609-1879 - Early Modern Ryukyu 1879 onward - Modern and Present Ryukyu Old Ryukyu, according to the lecture, was a very martial place, but not by way of open hand martial arts. There were originally a number of distinct early kingdoms which were unified at the start of the Sho dynasty (The Ryukyukan Royal family from 1429 or 1470 to 1879). The Ryukyukans of the time prided themselves on their prowess, and with the Royal family being invested by the Chinese, they had a monopoly of trade with the mainland. The Satsuma clan from Japan, a part of the Shogunate, had tried to come to arrangements with Ryukyu for access to trade and intelligence, but weren't exactly met with approval. On a least one occasion, the severed head of an emissary was sent back to the Satsuma clan. The final straw was when an army from Ryukyu attacked the Satsuma holdings in Japan itself. This resulting in the Satsuma clan's army invading Ryukyu and subjugating the country in 1609. The Satsuma clan allowed the Sho Dynasty to keep the throne of Ryukyu (presumably to maintain the links with China), but gained access to trade and information, and took control of the protection of Ryukyu, with the arrangement to defend the kingdom if needed. They instituted an uncontrolled Fire arms ban, but access to swords and other weapons was never removed. At this time, Japanese martial arts would have also started to feature in the culture of Ryukyu. The martial aspect of Ryukyukan culture was not removed, but rather reflected into internal security. Duties such Coast guard duties, defense of official shipping against against pirates, local law enforcement, protection of property and noble families, etc. became a major feature of their culture. Local officials started to be trained accordingly and eventually three "schools" were established for this function. These were in Shuri, Naha and Tomari (sound familiar?) with (if I remember correctly) the School in Naha concentrating on Coastal and Shipping protection and the one in Tomari on Law Enforcement. The use of fire-arms was permitted, but only under license from the Satsuma clan. There was an arsenal maintained in Naha, from which were signed out Cannon and other firearms, for use in the protection of shipping against piratic activity. Once the duties were finished, the weapons had to be returned to the arsenal and accounted for. Apart from swords, naginata and the like in the hands of nobility and their protectors, two other weapons that were in use at the time, for things such as law enforcement and property protection were probably bo and sai. The sai of the time were not stabbing weapons but were blunted, possibly used for prodding, weapon and limb trapping and control. Martial arts of the time were not just limited to security, coastal protection and law enforcement; they took the form of dance, physical exercise, sport and cultural events. The use of bo in village festivals is well established, there are dances which draw heavily on martial influences and demonstrations of martial prowess formed a part of things such as building dedications. There are definite local roots to sports such as wrestling (Shimi is an old local form of wrestling similar to Sumo) in Ryukyu as well. Where do kata feature in all of this? That there was a long established Chinese trading enclave in Ryukyu is long established, and the practice of forms as part of Chinese martial art is also well established. However, there were also Chinese settlers in Ryukyu. Most of these lived in the area known as Kume village. For many years, the earliest known demonstration of kata took place at the Ochayagoten in the East garden of Shuri castle on March 24th, 1867, for the visit of the Chinese Sappochi, as part of a three part demonstration of folk dance, drum music and bujutsu. The kata performed at the event were seisan by Aragaki Tsuji. and suparinpei by Tomura Chikudon. This is event has become known as "The 10 items of Bugei" 10 items of Bugei - Jesse Enkamp (P. McCarthu) What is less well known is that the performers were not from Shuri, Naha or Tomari, rather they came from the village of Kume. However, more recently an earlier demonstration has come to light, from an interview carried out at the start of the 20th century with one of the participants. The demonstration to place in the late 1849 for the renewal celebrations for one of the wooden palaces at Shuri Castle. The kata he recalled being performed were Passai and Kushanku, again by the people of Kume village. In conclusion (these are mine, not Andreas') The Meiji restoration of 1879, dismantling of the Kingdom of Ryukyu and militarization of Japan all probably helped trigger the foundation of what we know as Karate of today, but what it is made up of is a melange of all the things that went before, during the Early Modern period. What individual styles teach now is more likely a result of who the originators were taught by, and trained with, rather than the place they came from. Kata similar do not belong to any particular style, as labelled Shuri, Naha or Tomari te in origin, but are again a function of what specific masters learnt from others around them. A video of the full lecture can be found by following the below link: Martial Arts of Ryukyu Through the Centuries - Andreas Quast /Karate Virtual You can always watch and drawn your own conclusions.
It's hard to describe how things are at the moment, I'm on a short break at the moment, as work has been fairly intense lately. Still no news on when I'm expected to start back to work, but my shielding is over. There are some issues in my personal life which are causing a worry and mentally things are a little on the tough side.
0908 - Slow kata
There are a good few things I could have done, or organised better to say the least. However with the massive uncertainty of the times we live in, nothing is certain and I have to try not to beat myself up too much about some of the things. That especially applies to things over I have little or no control, but sometimes that is easier said than done.
1008 - Cool down kata
I am still training, an obvious must given my conditions, but have felt less inclined to make as many videos as I have in the past. From the feedback I've had though, my Sensei think I am making good progress, which is also a positive for me. I still don't feel comfortable with the idea of meeting up in groups to train, so have missed the open air classes that my dojo have started to do one a week.
1508 - Nunchaku practice
However, we (both me and my son) have not had to forgo the lessons, as my Sensei have been kind enough to share them via Zoom. As ever therefore, karate still forms a major focal point of my life, something that is both good for me physically and mentally and gives a framework of something to do in which I can feel I am making progress.
1708 - Quadrant drill and a little kata
I regret having to miss lessons because of my workload, but that is unavoidable. However, it makes me appreciate the lessons that I do make even more. The time I really do appreciate in the lesson in Mokosu or "silent time", as for me it helps to focus on a complete reset. I find it helps me to shut out the outside world for a little while and concentrate on other things. A "haven from the storm" if you like.
From a personal point of view, I have started to work on changing direction with various forms of compass drills, as this is something that doesn't feature heavily in the Naihanchi kata, but something I will need in the future ☺☺
2008 - Nunchaku and elbow compass workout
When there are mental health issues involved, this is even more important, and the lockdown and subsequent period have certainly thrown up a few of those. Karate wise, over the last few weeks, apart from fundamental, kata and padwork, our main focus has been the Quadrant drill. It is best done in it's paired form, but can be done solo almost as a more explicit version of a kata if you like. That is definitely something that I enjoy doing ☺☺☺
2208 - Oops up too early
Today, we had the honour of taking part in a Zoom lesson with the head of our Ryukyukan federation, Sensei Nohara, and there are a few more interesting lessons and webinars to come, so still much to lokk forward to a ficus on, outside of the stream of the humdrum. So time to keep on carrying on, as ever ☺☺☺☺
Lessons 0808 Kata Pad drill. (2 to 3 attackers) step off to side (to see if anyone behind and line them up if so). Teisho x 2, crash. Hammerfist x2 knee ( rugby tackle ) sprawl, hasmmer fist x 2 (neck lock from behind) 2 to 3 hammerfists to back of kneck. open shoulders to break lock and push away 1008
Quadrant drill: jab, cross hook, hammer fist, looping left, hook, back hand slap, elbow, upper cut, uppercut, ridge hand, ridge hand, (gable grip) Swap stance, (dragging head to left) left knee, swap stance (dragging head to right), right knee, head butt, sweep down tto clear arms, shoulder barge.
Right mawashi geri, back to stance, swap stance, left mawashi geri, back to stance, swap stance, right mawashi geri, hold out, right mawashi geri, follow through back to stance, Ashe Uke, Mai geri, ball of foot to stomach, Mai geri, ball of foot to stomach, Mai geri, top of foot to groin, left back fist, cross, jab, cross, jab to head, cross, jab, cross to body (solar plexus, liver spleen), duck left moving legs circle head under punch, step back hands up
1608
Quadrant drill, padwork - Teisho, hammer first, elbow Nunchaku
Figure of 8s both hands, Striking both hands: Crosswise strike towards body, crosswise strike away from body, upward strike over shoulder, downward strike. How ordinary items such as a belt, a hadbag, or a doglead, can be used to carry out similar strikes to nunchaku. Kihon kata: 1) Step back into Shiko dachi, front hand downward strike, emulating bike handle, both sides. 2) Step back into Shiko dachi, ront hand downward strike, emulating bike handle, touch to front wrist, back hand under, front hand up to bring Nunchaku behind front shoulder, both sides. 3) Step back into Shiko dachi, ront hand downward strike, emulating bike handle, touch to front wrist, back hand under, front hand up to bring Nunchaku behind front shoulder, front hand figure of eight five times, catch at waist on back hand, both sides. Free sparring Nunchaku 2008
Fundamentals, kata, pad work, different forms of teisho, straight, upwards, hook then short slap with double hip movement. 2208 Fundamentals and kata (with Sensei Nohara)
Its been a while now since my last blog and so much has been going on, it's been kind of hard to keep track. I've kept my usual notes on the lessons, done a few videos but that was about it, not been writing anything else down as too much else is going on.
0907 Slow kata and press ups after lesson
In the end I suppose all I can do is try to summarise. Working from home can be both a blessing and a curse. early in the lockdown it was a blessing, as it allowed me the flexibility to train three times a week for the first time ever. Later in the lockdown it has become a bit of a millstone, as there has been so much work going on to get ready for offices re-opening that it has overflowed at times into home life and time. On balance though, I still believe it to have been good for me, as it allowed me to keep working full time even though I have had to shield. Now comes the uncertainty of when I will be asked to go back to the office, and how that will be done when travelling on public transport will become a major issue for me.
1107 Tensho to go
On the family level, the lockdown has put a strain on all concerned. I think even the best of families would have been pushed to all stay in the same house 24x7 for four months. I had some mental health issues going into the lockdown and I think it is fair to say that all of us have suffered with various issues over this period. My biggest mistake I think was trying to deal with my issues in isolation from other things that have been going on, and that added somewhat to the tensions we have all geen suffering from. In recent weeks, though things have eased somewhat as we are all talking to one another and are trying to work things through.
1107 No Lesson so Fundamentals
On the karate front, I still use my karate to help both my phyiscal and metnal health. Even my wife gave it a go for a few lessons, before deciding it wasn't quite for her just now. I think the different ways me and our son approach karate and try to show things didn't help, at times that can get confusing for a complete beginner, I'm still a novice myself of course. There is still a lot of variety in the lessons, but it's obvious that many are chomping at the bit to get back in the dojo. That cxan't happen for me anytime soon, so the online lessons will still continue for some time to come, even when the dojo does re-open.
1407 Compass elbow drill practice and Naihanchi
Work and family issues have limited training over the last month or so down to one or two times a week on average, but during this time have at least had the opportunity to train with PJ Broomy again. This time both me and my son took part, and managed to get some partnered drill work in, another great lesson, thank you PJ.
1507 Kicks, take downs and kata
For my own part, when I have had no lessons, I've been trying mostly to do forms for exercise and practice fundamentals and kata as a more formal kind of practice, rather than working on aide memoires from lessons. Usually we would have gone over the material over the course of a couple of lessons and some of the ideas would have stuck, but the sporadic nature of my attendance has mean this hasn't always happened, so made the aide memoire style of working much more difficult to do.
1507 Open handed Naihanchi and Tensho
Until I have to go back to the office full time, I am aiming to train at least two times a week if at all possible, so as not to have to knock off the ring rust again. Will have to see how things go.
Lessons 0907 Fundamentals Kata - Naihanchi Shodan and Nidan, technical performances 1607 Kata, single move and performance, Naihanchi Shodan Speed combinations Jab, reverse punch, hook, upper cut, knee, then three variations to follow: Drag down, stamp Encircle waist with arm, turn away, hip throw. Step through after knee, leg sweep and reverse punch to ground Last 5 kihon gata -
Rokudan
Ashi uke, jab, cross, Mawashi Geri
Nanadan
Mae Geri (land in front) right jab, back kick
Hachidan
Mae Geri (land in front), back kick, reverse punch
Kyudan
Shuffle, backhand forehand punch, shuffle, backhand forehand punch, right then left mawashi geri, spinning kick
Judan
Shuffle, backhand forehand punch, shuffle, backhand forehand punch, right then left mawashi geri, hisa geri
An Australian lesson
1907 - lesson with PJ
Advanced stuff comes from understanding the basics correctly. We did 3 levels of tzuki. Looked at wrist alignment. The importance of breathing. Considered the workings of the modern and primitive brain under stress. We did a combo Gedan barai (arm clear), yoko uraken (which includes the empi uchi) and a gyaku tzuki to change the relationship and facilitate a rudimentary nage waza. Followed this up kote waza (kansetsu waza) to stop conflict immediately.
2007 Kihon and kata
2307 Forms and kata
2307 Kata then Naihanchi Sandan drills
Double grab, trap and forearm smash into neck while turning body away and to the side (zenkutsu)Step in front of attacker into zenkutsu for taiotoshi (body drop throw)
trap grabbing hands, forearm strike into neck while turning body away and to side (zenkutsu), elbow, backfist, knee
block / trap hook with one hand, taisho, push past head, circle under arm to lock elbow with other, secure second arm and free up original blocking hand to strike.
2307 Kata peformance
Warm down form and kata 2507
2507 Summary of today's lesson: Kata, escaping from headlock (elbow, slap, hammerfist, followed by knee then escape). Stepping to one side to evade, then attacking. Emphasis on moving back foot across the using an appropriate technique) Bo was first 4 kihons plus walk through of Shushi no kon.
0608 Kata practice and questions. I got the one about the opening of Naihanchi Nidan and answered with it being a counter to a bear hug, sink and open up the shoulders and arms to break the hug. Worked on a short drill from one of the Pinans, as pad work. Intercept punch (symbolised by pad hand), ear slap then head control, front leg knee strike, then front hand goes under the arm, back hand controls the head. Pivot on front black, back leg moving away to effect a throw.
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
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.
