Special thanks this week to Sensei Jimmy. It’s always nice to have you back at the dojo, and we all appreciate and enjoy your instruction and presence.

 Good work sparring tonight. Remember to keep your kicks above the belt when you are sparring. A few minor injuries today, but everyone walked away. Just remember your control, whether you are working with a younger student or a more advanced rank. Don’t forget your fundamentals or your form. Also, evaluate yourself as well as your opponent, you should be finding your weaknesses as well as your opponents.

Here is a review of the 8 Types of Attack:

Direct

Defensive

Counter

Circular

Sacrifical

Surprise

Hit and Run

Passive

Good work with the universal level of the kata, everyone. Just remember to keep the techniques effective and know what you are doing with each technique and against what. As you run your kata at home, remember the 10 points of kata and try to focus on a different one each time you run your kata.

Thursday, we will be sparring, so remember to bring your sparring gear (espescially mouthguards if you have them) and come focused and ready to spar!

Good work on your kata today, and remember, KEEP PRACTICING! There is no such thing as practicing or learning your kata too much. If you already know your highest kata, work on the spiritual and universal aspects. Learn the bunkai for your kata so that you know what your opponents are doing in addition to what you are supposed to be doing in your kata.
Here is the 10 Principles of Kata if you were not able to copy them down: 

Speed
Power
Form
Balance
Intent (Meaning that you know what your strikes are and what kind of damage they are inflicting)
Breathing
Focus
Zanshin (or open mindedness. Meaning that you are aware of what you are doing in your kata.)
Kime (Focus)
Kiai (Spirit)

Remember, no class on Thursday this week. Have a good weekend; See you all Tuesday!

Good class today. Thank you Sensei Sasha for coming to class even though you didn’t feel well. Created our own 10 kick series and did some grappling. Whenever you are grappling and trying to reach the cone, remember to always put yourself in between the cone and the person who you are stopping. Always keep in front of them so that they can’t rush past you. Also, when trying to stop someone, don’t just grab onto their legs and hold on like an anchor, make sure to go after the entire body so that you can lock them up. For people who are trying to get to the cone, try spinning and rolling over the person to get to the cone. Don’t try to take your opponent head on, you make it much harder on yourself, instead when they push you, shift their hands and deflect their body weight off to the sides so that you can throw off their balance. Pushing back and forth like sumo wrestlers is not very effective, spin, roll, and shift your weight in order to throw your opponent off. Make sure to also take advantage of every mistake your opponent makes. See you all Thursday, and remember what Sensei Hope said about your attitude and humility!