Good job in class Thursday. It was good to see some faces that I haven’t seen in a while. A couple points that I noticed while class was going on. In class IS the time to take a technique and slow it down. On the street it will be faster, but you can only master it at full-speed after you have mastered it at half-speed. I also saw a lot of flailing and just trying to hit the other person without regard to technique, form, power, or precision. It is much better to get that one punch that turns the tide of a fight than to get one-thousand hits that don’t do anything. Everybody GREEN BELT/ ADULT and up, don’t forget the after-class grappling sessions on the next few Thursdays from 20:00-20:30.

 Before coming to class Tuesday, please take some time to think about how you perform your basic punches and blocks (muscles used, amt. of hip rotation, any visualizations you use, etc.) and then think of how you think they should be. Are you close? Being self-critical about your own techniques is very helpful in improving them.

A belated welcome back for Sensei Sasha! Hope you feel better soon…

Worked on some leg exercises and reviewed Ippons, Teazus and Kihons. We also practiced our Kihons in four directions with opponents. It’s always good to be able to perform these on the opposite side, as well as on the regular side that you normally practice them on. Remember to practice the bunkai for your kata! See you Thursday!

Beginners:
Today we did a testing review for the people who are testing. I hopefully answered your questions and concerns. Everyone else worked on the basics. Here is a review sheet for the written portion…

1. What is the name of our School?
2. What is the name of our style of karate?
3. List 2 Characteristics of Shuri System:
4. What are the 2 ways to sit (in Japanese and English)?
5. List 3 Dojo Rules:
6. What is the Japanese translations of the following kata and how many opponents do you fight in each?
H-Form Kata _________________________________ Opponents: ____________
7. What word or words should you scream if someone grabs you or attacks you?
8. There are how many parts to a kick?
9. Hitotsu means …..
10. Karate means “empty hand.” Why do you think that is so?

Advanced:

We worked on creative weapons and how to use things around us to defend yourself. Its all about using your creativity and your brain. It’s more important that you use your head or brain than you use your muscles and technique. Your mind can do wonders for you even if you have a limited bag of techniques. So always look at your advantages, what you can use around you, how you can use them and so on. You also received rulers to help you mark your stretching so continue to bring those and work on the stretch because without that - you cant have great high kicks.

Good job and well done.

Beginners: Today we worked on tying your belts, we also worked on ippon 1-4.

All ippons are the same with the exception of the shuto changed to :

Ippon #2 : hammer fist
Ippon #3 : Inverted lepoard fist
Ippon #4 : tate zuki (2nd punch) also known as can punch
Ippon #5 : palm heal strike

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Advanced:

Worked on weapons and doing your kata with a weapon. We concluded with a fairly intense 45 second rounds.

By the way, I was looking for kama videos online and I found the video that I purchased a while ago its up on youtube.com so you can view the video belows to review… (its nearly identical to what we covered in class).
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ffUk3naQTys

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4Lg5FhrkyB0

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bporeQLORXI

There are others on there to just search for them

Beginners:

Today we worked on stepping properly using different methods.

1) The first step was a straight step. Back foot comes to front and then back out. For example if you have your left foot forward. Step up with the right foot to the left foot, then step out with the left foot.

2) Next was using the front leg to lead. If your in a left f

ront stance. Use the left foot and step forward a little then guide the right foot behind it. Remember not to drag your feet on the floor.

3) We also did a cross behind step. Facing side ways to start but eyes and hands to the front, take the foot thats in the back step behind you and then take the other foot and step forward to get back to your original stance.

4) crescent step: Almost like basic step #1 above except the feet do more of a semi-circle (or crescent shape) to come in and out. A little trickier than the others.

We also worked on getting our knee up higher by using objects to help us kick over them.

Finally we did kiba limbo to work on a strong foundation on our kiba (horse) stance and perfect on getting lower in our stances.

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Advanced:

Today we worked the majority of the day with Sai’s remember that in Japanese there is no plural when mentioning Sai’s it is Nichosai for 2 (or a pair). However in English we still say “sai’s”.

Plenty was covered today. The Sai has a long background, it should be the length of your elbow or +1 inch longer once held in your reverse grip.

Zaki or Saki is the tip of the Sai
Mana Uchi - is the Sai shaft
Yoku - is the tymes or the forks
Nagiri or sometimes Suka - Handle
Gashida or Kashida - Butt of the Sai

Stuff we didnt cover in class terms:
Natural grip = Kante Moshi
Yakutae Moshi = Forearm block grip

We worked on a few different holds, strikes, and applications. For safety reasons its best to practice the things we discussed and not get confused with what I write online here. As a review though we worked on:

High block, middle block, and low block with the Sai.

This includes opening the Sai and switching grips to execute the blocks (so two different ways to execute the blocks)

After the block we added a strike to the collar bone followed by two punches with the butt of the Sai.

Final notes: the Sai is the perfect shape to strike and follow up to the throat, groin, grab and sweep the legs.

On your chamber remember to do a half-chamber or else you will either grab your uniform with the Yoku or stab yourself if your in the reverse hold

Don’t forget on your standard grip to keep your thumb in the center, NOT ON THE SIDE!

Sai’s run about $30-$35 for 2 (a pair). This way you are able to practice at home.
Remember to make sure you have the correct measurements before placing your order.