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!

Please try to come to class on time. This helps everyone to be on task without interruptions.

If you are coming in late to class, please wait at the door until you are noticed and acknowledged by an instructor or the person leading class to come in.

Depending on how late you come in, push ups may be assigned. Remember that its very possible you may be assigned push ups, jumping jacks, and so forth (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, etc.) according to your rank before joining the class.

Do these exercises in the back and then join the class at the END of the line regardless of your rank. This way everyone doesn’t have to shift over because you were late. So please be on time. Thank you.

~ Sensei Sasha

Karate and the martial arts is a different setting than a regular classroom. All teachers expect respect in the classroom, however within the martial arts more is expected of you. Why? Well you start training together, sweating, working with weapons, or even partners you can be seriously hurt if you don’t listen and pay attention to the Sensei (instructor/teacher).

So when you see a Udancha (black belts) coming in the door the first time. If you are the first one to see them, call out “KEOSKEI” which means come to attention. (hands and feet together standing up). Face the door way and wait for everyone else to stand up and get up. Then call “REI” which means to bow. This can happen anytime throughout the class whether its in the middle of a workout, or at the beginning of class any black belt coming in deserves the respectful bow-in.

When working with partners, please bow before starting your moves or exercises (as a greeting) and again bow once you conclude with the exercise.

When you are being taught whether its by a black belt or an assistant, please wait for an appropriate time to ask questions and ask in a respectful manner according to the situation. (such as raising your hand so the Sensei can see you).

~ Sensei Sasha