...so take a peek & see what you think. (Thanks, Karatechick on twitter.com)
Enjoy - http://adjix.com/p5hr
Sayonara,
Dan
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Mrs. T Gets a Black Belt...
Our longest-term student got her black belt today.
The ceremony is a combination of fun, joyful, and respectful all at the same time. I won't give too many details about the ceremony itself, except to say that there is kneeling, bowing, and hand-shaking galore.
There were 13 other black belts of our art there, all coming from different schools. Some were the heads of their own schools. (This includes our Sensei.) Sensei's Master was there as the highest-ranked teacher in the local branches of our art, Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa Te.
Mrs. T's family and many friends were also present, and I think there might have been as many as 80 people in the room.
I tried to get all the guys in our class to lay at her feet in knocked-out poses for a picture after, but no one was game enough - lol.
It was very cool, and I am most happy for her. A great day.
I'll be back in class in early January, so I'll not likely post much between now and then.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka, and Happy Kwanzaa -
Sayonara, and thanks for reading.
Dan
The ceremony is a combination of fun, joyful, and respectful all at the same time. I won't give too many details about the ceremony itself, except to say that there is kneeling, bowing, and hand-shaking galore.
There were 13 other black belts of our art there, all coming from different schools. Some were the heads of their own schools. (This includes our Sensei.) Sensei's Master was there as the highest-ranked teacher in the local branches of our art, Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa Te.
Mrs. T's family and many friends were also present, and I think there might have been as many as 80 people in the room.
I tried to get all the guys in our class to lay at her feet in knocked-out poses for a picture after, but no one was game enough - lol.
It was very cool, and I am most happy for her. A great day.
I'll be back in class in early January, so I'll not likely post much between now and then.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka, and Happy Kwanzaa -
Sayonara, and thanks for reading.
Dan
Monday, December 1, 2008
YMCA Membership Foibles Continued...
...but not for long. I'm all set to re-up on January 2nd - I would have done it today, but I didn't want to get in the same situation next year where my membership will expire prior to the last class session of the year and cause me to miss the last six weeks of Karate in 2009.
I just spoke to Sensei on the phone and he is well aware of the issues.
Sayonara,
Dan
I just spoke to Sensei on the phone and he is well aware of the issues.
Sayonara,
Dan
Friday, November 21, 2008
No class tonight...
...there was no class tonight, as I've started just going Tuesdays now. Also, there are no classes next week due to the holiday. (U.S. Thanksgiving)
I'll report back the week after Thanksgiving unless I find something cool to post.
Sayonara,
Dan
I'll report back the week after Thanksgiving unless I find something cool to post.
Sayonara,
Dan
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Great class, bag techniques...
...I got there a bit early, got a chance to talk to Sensei. I explained what I'm planning for my membership, so I will be going just on Tuesdays for the time being.
We started tonight with kata, and I was helping one of the new white belts perfect the first form, Takeoko Kai Ichei. He was reaching too far for his punches, for one thing, but he's doing better now.
After kata, we did bag techniques. We started with freestyle 30-seconds hand and foot techniques, then just feet, then just hands.
The final twenty minutes was sparring.
No classes next week due to Thanksgiving - I'll practice at home.
Sayonara,
Dan
We started tonight with kata, and I was helping one of the new white belts perfect the first form, Takeoko Kai Ichei. He was reaching too far for his punches, for one thing, but he's doing better now.
After kata, we did bag techniques. We started with freestyle 30-seconds hand and foot techniques, then just feet, then just hands.
The final twenty minutes was sparring.
No classes next week due to Thanksgiving - I'll practice at home.
Sayonara,
Dan
YMCA Membership Options...or, "Kata In Crisis."
There are several options, but for the time being, it looks like a "program-only" membership is the route I'll go. That runs $54.00 for the year, but the class session costs are double. Instead of $23.00 every six weeks, it will be $43.00 . Still, that beats not being able to go.
I was starting to get a bit anxious about how I was going to continue. The full adult-individual membership is $516.00 per year this year, going to $556.00 per year in January. There's just no way.
Sayonara,
Dan
I was starting to get a bit anxious about how I was going to continue. The full adult-individual membership is $516.00 per year this year, going to $556.00 per year in January. There's just no way.
Sayonara,
Dan
Thursday, November 13, 2008
A Wonderful Class...
...which I have greatly missed these past couple of weeks. It seems like it's been a month.
I will say this here and now: My Sensei is a kind and generous man. I will not discuss details, but I also will never forget.
Class has a bit of a new structure now. We come in at 7:30pm and joing the second half of the beginner's class, and help them work on various techniques at Sensei's discretion.
After the beginner class bows out at 8:00, we bow in for our class.
Tonight, we started with kata, and Sensei broke a few of us back in with Takeoko Kai Ichei before going into Takeoko Kai Shii and Go. (Takeoko Kai 1,4,5 resprectively.)
At that point I had to stay with Takeoko Kai Shii, because I hadn't started learning Takeoko Kai Go yet. After a couple of rounds, he had one of the other yellow belts a bit futher along than I show me the first half of Go tonight.
After kata, Sensei had us doing eight-point soft blocks and 14-point hard blocks, but with a twist, literally. During the soft blocks, we had to turn in place after each block, one turn for each move. Following that, we had to SPEED DRILL the same thing - blocking and turning as quickly as we could.
Next, he had us go through the 14-point hard blocks with our eyes closed, then speed drill with our eyes closed, then speed drill and turn-per-move with our eyes closed.
That was the first half hour.
The second half hour was all sparring, free style two-minute rounds.
I almost forgot - Sensei & two advanced students used bat-pads (literally like square-padded baseball bats) at the end of the beginner sesssion, and had us all use our hard and soft blocks to block pokes and swings with the bats.
Quite an interesting class.
Sayonara,
Dan
I will say this here and now: My Sensei is a kind and generous man. I will not discuss details, but I also will never forget.
Class has a bit of a new structure now. We come in at 7:30pm and joing the second half of the beginner's class, and help them work on various techniques at Sensei's discretion.
After the beginner class bows out at 8:00, we bow in for our class.
Tonight, we started with kata, and Sensei broke a few of us back in with Takeoko Kai Ichei before going into Takeoko Kai Shii and Go. (Takeoko Kai 1,4,5 resprectively.)
At that point I had to stay with Takeoko Kai Shii, because I hadn't started learning Takeoko Kai Go yet. After a couple of rounds, he had one of the other yellow belts a bit futher along than I show me the first half of Go tonight.
After kata, Sensei had us doing eight-point soft blocks and 14-point hard blocks, but with a twist, literally. During the soft blocks, we had to turn in place after each block, one turn for each move. Following that, we had to SPEED DRILL the same thing - blocking and turning as quickly as we could.
Next, he had us go through the 14-point hard blocks with our eyes closed, then speed drill with our eyes closed, then speed drill and turn-per-move with our eyes closed.
That was the first half hour.
The second half hour was all sparring, free style two-minute rounds.
I almost forgot - Sensei & two advanced students used bat-pads (literally like square-padded baseball bats) at the end of the beginner sesssion, and had us all use our hard and soft blocks to block pokes and swings with the bats.
Quite an interesting class.
Sayonara,
Dan
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Just watched "Forbidden Kingdom"...
...with Jackie Chan & Jet Li. That was a completely fun movie, even my wife liked it. The cinematography was great, though not quite on par with "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" or "House Of Flying Daggers." Still, it was way up there for Kung Fu movies. I liked what they said, good musicians or poets have their own form of Kung Fu. (I do a bit of both)
I really think the spirit is the deepest part of everything. Set your mind right, and the limits can be gradually...dissolved. Like water eroding rock, practice brings your spirit into alignment with the source skills of the endeavor by aligning your inner energy with it. Call it Chi if you will, but there is more to it than meets the eye - or the feet and fists.
Sayonara,
Dan
I really think the spirit is the deepest part of everything. Set your mind right, and the limits can be gradually...dissolved. Like water eroding rock, practice brings your spirit into alignment with the source skills of the endeavor by aligning your inner energy with it. Call it Chi if you will, but there is more to it than meets the eye - or the feet and fists.
Sayonara,
Dan
The Fun With My YMCA Membership
Well, part of learning karate at the YMCA is keeping your membership up to date. Finances are kicking me as hard as a flying side kick of late, just like much of the rest of the country.
I'm trying to figure out how to renew my membership, which expires in late November. Since my membership is ending before the class registration would, the YMCA is not letting me register for the current class session.
Sensei will let me attend one class this coming week while I try to get the mess addressed, and I will update here once I know.
Part of the issue is, will I re-up my Y membership as family, or individual. We've had family the whole last year, but only I have really used it. This means, of course, discussion with my lovely wife, which can take a bit of time to sort out.
Kiai! I want to fix this last week! But it will have to wait until Friday at the earliest.
Sayonara & wish me luck.
Dan
I'm trying to figure out how to renew my membership, which expires in late November. Since my membership is ending before the class registration would, the YMCA is not letting me register for the current class session.
Sensei will let me attend one class this coming week while I try to get the mess addressed, and I will update here once I know.
Part of the issue is, will I re-up my Y membership as family, or individual. We've had family the whole last year, but only I have really used it. This means, of course, discussion with my lovely wife, which can take a bit of time to sort out.
Kiai! I want to fix this last week! But it will have to wait until Friday at the earliest.
Sayonara & wish me luck.
Dan
Friday, October 24, 2008
What A Workout!
Tonight, we sparred almost the entire class. We did do kata a couple of times, in our sparring gear. THAT was different. Some of the sparring we had three or four people to one, three-way fights, etc. A very unusual class and very washagi. One interesting thing that happened when I was sparring with a brown belt - I caught one of her kicks. I COULD have flipped her over, but I didn't. *grin*
Sayonara,
Dan
Sayonara,
Dan
Thursday, October 2, 2008
I'm pretty much stuck at the same level right now
I've been working on Takeoko Kai Shii for weeks, but the thrust kicks are still kickin' my butt.
It doesn't help that we had a three week hiatus due to construction at the YMCA, either. That was the last two weeks of August & the first week of September.
There really hasn't been much new to report other than we practiced katas and sparred. A few new students, which is to be expected.
Sensei's teacher is coming to visit on December 6th as we have our highest ranked student being hopefully promoted to black belt that day.
I will try to get here more regularly after classes while I'm fresh, but I don't want to get too monotonous, either.
One new thing I just learned Tuesday, however, was the reverse crescent kick. Not too easy to do.
Sensei also had us practice a rear-leg roundhouse kick followed immediately by a side kick. That is one very tough combo to execute.
Sayonara,
Dan
It doesn't help that we had a three week hiatus due to construction at the YMCA, either. That was the last two weeks of August & the first week of September.
There really hasn't been much new to report other than we practiced katas and sparred. A few new students, which is to be expected.
Sensei's teacher is coming to visit on December 6th as we have our highest ranked student being hopefully promoted to black belt that day.
I will try to get here more regularly after classes while I'm fresh, but I don't want to get too monotonous, either.
One new thing I just learned Tuesday, however, was the reverse crescent kick. Not too easy to do.
Sensei also had us practice a rear-leg roundhouse kick followed immediately by a side kick. That is one very tough combo to execute.
Sayonara,
Dan
Friday, August 15, 2008
Still Sticking On That Kata...
...I am really having a tough time with this one, although I do find incremental improvement.
I've had about three sparring sessions since the last post, the first and second of which I really learned some lessons.
The earliest, I was sparring with one of the guys my age, and we kept jamming each others' kicks shin-to-shin, neither wearing shin guards. I think both of us were pretty bruised up.
The second to last, I was sparring with a gal about half my weight, another yellow belt who started a day after I did, so my peer in class rank. We jammed kicks, and her other foot slipped out from under her, and she fell really hard. I stopped right away and went to help her up, but she hit the floor hard enough that she was just lying there crying. (Later we found out she slammed her elbow / funny bone on the floor) I was scared she'd hit her head even with the padded helmet. That fall was hard and very fast.
I felt like crap, but it really wasn't my fault or hers, she slipped on the under-strap of her foot guard. All I could do was apologize, but even she said it wasn't my fault. I was just glad she was ok in the end. She's a good sport. We were both leery of sparring each other last night, but thankfully no more mis-haps.
Last night during sparring, I had to spar Sensei - I actually scored a couple of points, a first for me. I also sparred just about everyone in class, including two young yellow-green belts a third my size/weight and one rank higher than me. Those kids did a great job, at that size they are lightning-quick. I saw one of them walking out with his Mom at the end of the evening, and I told her she should be proud of her son, because he almost kicked my butt in class. LOL - in Karate that can be very literal...
We are now going on a three-week break due to construction projects and floor-refinishing at the YMCA.
I'll have to practice on my own at home. I'll let you know how it goes.
Sayonara,
Dan
I've had about three sparring sessions since the last post, the first and second of which I really learned some lessons.
The earliest, I was sparring with one of the guys my age, and we kept jamming each others' kicks shin-to-shin, neither wearing shin guards. I think both of us were pretty bruised up.
The second to last, I was sparring with a gal about half my weight, another yellow belt who started a day after I did, so my peer in class rank. We jammed kicks, and her other foot slipped out from under her, and she fell really hard. I stopped right away and went to help her up, but she hit the floor hard enough that she was just lying there crying. (Later we found out she slammed her elbow / funny bone on the floor) I was scared she'd hit her head even with the padded helmet. That fall was hard and very fast.
I felt like crap, but it really wasn't my fault or hers, she slipped on the under-strap of her foot guard. All I could do was apologize, but even she said it wasn't my fault. I was just glad she was ok in the end. She's a good sport. We were both leery of sparring each other last night, but thankfully no more mis-haps.
Last night during sparring, I had to spar Sensei - I actually scored a couple of points, a first for me. I also sparred just about everyone in class, including two young yellow-green belts a third my size/weight and one rank higher than me. Those kids did a great job, at that size they are lightning-quick. I saw one of them walking out with his Mom at the end of the evening, and I told her she should be proud of her son, because he almost kicked my butt in class. LOL - in Karate that can be very literal...
We are now going on a three-week break due to construction projects and floor-refinishing at the YMCA.
I'll have to practice on my own at home. I'll let you know how it goes.
Sayonara,
Dan
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Still Thrusting For That Kick...
...and it's been a bit elusive. I've got the general pattern of Takeo Ko Kai Shi down, but am perfecting execution as yet. Sensei & our new Brown Belt evaluated myself and one other Yellow Belt in class Tuesday, and the consensus is that we are not yet ready to move on to the next kata, neither of us. I agree.
The prior Thursday, we had sparring, and I learned the value of shin guards, which I do not have yet. Myself and another gentleman my age were sparring and jamming each others' kicks, and both of us were bruised up around the shins.
I'm up to about 55 on squat thrusts, which is an improvement.
My weight has plateaued or dropped by a pound, so not too bad. I'm holding at either 320 or 314, depending on if I use our home scale or the medical scale at the YMCA, respectively. That beats gaining in my book.
I have to also say that the extra leg strength is helping ease the arthritis pain in my knees. At 46, I've got a bit of that going on, and Dad tells me it runs in the family. I'm hoping I can take more weight off and reduce both low-level, whole-body inflammatory response, and also weight strain on the joints.
I need to figure out how to get a bit more aerobic exercise in on non-class days. Either that or calesthetics, or a mix of both. I'll work on that and report back later.
A side note, my wife and I watched Step Up 2 The Streets this past weekend. I love that Stepper dancing, but it is way beyond anything I did even back in the Disco / Soul era. I used to love dancing, but I'm not sure I could handle anything like that even if I were in perfect shape at this age. Wow.
Still, even getting back to a little Disco in the basement wouldn't be bad.
Sayonara,
Dan
The prior Thursday, we had sparring, and I learned the value of shin guards, which I do not have yet. Myself and another gentleman my age were sparring and jamming each others' kicks, and both of us were bruised up around the shins.
I'm up to about 55 on squat thrusts, which is an improvement.
My weight has plateaued or dropped by a pound, so not too bad. I'm holding at either 320 or 314, depending on if I use our home scale or the medical scale at the YMCA, respectively. That beats gaining in my book.
I have to also say that the extra leg strength is helping ease the arthritis pain in my knees. At 46, I've got a bit of that going on, and Dad tells me it runs in the family. I'm hoping I can take more weight off and reduce both low-level, whole-body inflammatory response, and also weight strain on the joints.
I need to figure out how to get a bit more aerobic exercise in on non-class days. Either that or calesthetics, or a mix of both. I'll work on that and report back later.
A side note, my wife and I watched Step Up 2 The Streets this past weekend. I love that Stepper dancing, but it is way beyond anything I did even back in the Disco / Soul era. I used to love dancing, but I'm not sure I could handle anything like that even if I were in perfect shape at this age. Wow.
Still, even getting back to a little Disco in the basement wouldn't be bad.
Sayonara,
Dan
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Rain-out...
Class was canceled Thursday night after rough weather moved into the area. We were all there & in uniform, but things got ugly up above, and there was a tornado that took out the high school back in 1990. Several teachers & students were killed. I think Sensei must have been in town back then. He sent us all home.
Safety first -
Sayonara,
Dan
Safety first -
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
I've Been Chasing That Takeo Ko Kai...
Squat thrusts and practice, this one is a tough one to master.
Last week Tuesday, we did kata for the first two thirds of class and sparring the last third. I wasn't at my best in sparring, but so be it.
Thursday, I was out of class for another commitment.
Last night was about 15 minutes of kata followed by sparring the rest of the class. It was one great heavy-duty workout. For the first half of sparring, we were one-on-one, but the rest of the time we were two-on-one. I did really well because of my reach.
Definitely washagi.
Sayonara,
Dan
Last week Tuesday, we did kata for the first two thirds of class and sparring the last third. I wasn't at my best in sparring, but so be it.
Thursday, I was out of class for another commitment.
Last night was about 15 minutes of kata followed by sparring the rest of the class. It was one great heavy-duty workout. For the first half of sparring, we were one-on-one, but the rest of the time we were two-on-one. I did really well because of my reach.
Definitely washagi.
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Perfecting The Form...
Practice, practice, practice. We did kata until we couldn't do kata anymore last night. Takeoko Kai Shii again and again. After which we practiced kicks. Roundhouse, front, side, and lunge punches.
It was physically challenging, but I feel like I'm getting a little better at it.
Sayonara,
Dan
It was physically challenging, but I feel like I'm getting a little better at it.
Sayonara,
Dan
Friday, June 20, 2008
Lunge Punches & The "Push" Kata
Thursday night class was good, a strong work out. We warmed up with Takeo Ko Kai Shii, which is all about thrust kicks. This kata really strengthens the legs and core muscles, but it is very difficult at first. I'm starting to get a little better at it, but have quite a way to go.
I also led the class in Empi Kata, which is all elbow strikes. I'm getting better at that, too, but it still unnerves me a bit to lead the class. Ahh, practice. I'll get over that eventually.
We also practiced lunge punches, which is stepping into a long zenkutsu dachi and using body torque to push through a "reaching" punch.
Following that, we practiced roundhouse and front kicks both on the bar and across the room.
We finished out the class practicing side and front kicks on the large wavemaster.
Definitely a sweat class, or "washagi."
Sayonara,
Dan
I also led the class in Empi Kata, which is all elbow strikes. I'm getting better at that, too, but it still unnerves me a bit to lead the class. Ahh, practice. I'll get over that eventually.
We also practiced lunge punches, which is stepping into a long zenkutsu dachi and using body torque to push through a "reaching" punch.
Following that, we practiced roundhouse and front kicks both on the bar and across the room.
We finished out the class practicing side and front kicks on the large wavemaster.
Definitely a sweat class, or "washagi."
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The Fifth Kata, Or, Rubber Legs...
Takeo Ko Kai Shii - this kata is quite different than the first three Takeo Ko Kai's. The stances and hand movements are quite different, and kicks are included for the first time.
The front kick and augmented block aren't too bad in this, but the forward thrust kick is a whole 'nother animule. It requires you to lean way back and slowly thrust forward with the ball of your foot, as if you were pushing a person away.
This is the reason that I am assigned squat thrusts for homework. Even Sensei says this is one of the two most difficult katas to master.
I am reminding myself that these katas are also designed to strengthen your body to be able to perform the techniques, not just teach the techniques. This principle is stated in the Complete Idiot's Guide To Karate linked below, and Sensei also said the same thing in class today.
Practice, practice, practice.
Sayonara,
Dan
The front kick and augmented block aren't too bad in this, but the forward thrust kick is a whole 'nother animule. It requires you to lean way back and slowly thrust forward with the ball of your foot, as if you were pushing a person away.
This is the reason that I am assigned squat thrusts for homework. Even Sensei says this is one of the two most difficult katas to master.
I am reminding myself that these katas are also designed to strengthen your body to be able to perform the techniques, not just teach the techniques. This principle is stated in the Complete Idiot's Guide To Karate linked below, and Sensei also said the same thing in class today.
Practice, practice, practice.
Sayonara,
Dan
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Complete Idiot's Guide To Karate
I'm finding this book to be a great beginners' resource for class. It explains A LOT.
Authors: Randall G. Hassell & Edmund Otis
ISBN 0-02-863832-8
Sayonara,
Dan
Authors: Randall G. Hassell & Edmund Otis
ISBN 0-02-863832-8
|
Sayonara,
Dan
The Philosophy That Goes with Karate...
I keep hearing about philosophic concepts that go with Karate, that it isn't just about fighting and the body. I'm interested in resources that speak on this aspect of the art.
Anyone that might have a good link or two, please comment.
Thank you, and sayonara.
Dan
Anyone that might have a good link or two, please comment.
Thank you, and sayonara.
Dan
Saturday, June 14, 2008
A Partial History Of Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa Te
The page at this link ( Rod's Okinawa Te Page ) gives a lot of insight into the history of this art, but diverges to the Wyoming branch in the late 1970's, only touching lightly on the Illinois branch.
I will try to find more on the Illinois history as I am able.
Sayonara,
Dan
I will try to find more on the Illinois history as I am able.
Sayonara,
Dan
So, why do I want to learn Karate, anyway?
I've not much discussed my reasons for wanting to learn Karate, but there are several.
For starters, I've been a comic book fan since I was a little kid. Bif, Pow, Bam - Batman, Spiderman, Superman, etc. Around high school, a new comic came out - "Iron Fist." This was an instant hit with me, introducing the concept of "Chi" completely focused with skill. I had the first 15 issues at the time, although all but the last one were stolen a few months later. Also, I'd seen some Bruce Lee and Chuck Norriss films, and of course, "Super Fly."
There was a Tae Kwon Do academy that opened just down the road from my high school as well around this time - and I really wanted to attend. I just didn't have the money.
Fast forward to now, as a middle-aged man, I need the physical exercise, period. There's only one way to stay fairly healthy in the second half of life, and that's to stay physically fit and eat right.
Finally, I am looking to the future. In twenty to twenty five years, I'll be at retirement age. I'd like to teach Karate as a retirement job, both to supplement my income, and to stay active and fit as long as possible. I also just plain enjoy teaching subjects I know well.
Finally, it just plain feels good to get a good work out, and to feel physically secure and capable in self defense.
So, there you have it, my personal reasons for wanting to learn Karate.
Sayonara,
Dan
For starters, I've been a comic book fan since I was a little kid. Bif, Pow, Bam - Batman, Spiderman, Superman, etc. Around high school, a new comic came out - "Iron Fist." This was an instant hit with me, introducing the concept of "Chi" completely focused with skill. I had the first 15 issues at the time, although all but the last one were stolen a few months later. Also, I'd seen some Bruce Lee and Chuck Norriss films, and of course, "Super Fly."
There was a Tae Kwon Do academy that opened just down the road from my high school as well around this time - and I really wanted to attend. I just didn't have the money.
Fast forward to now, as a middle-aged man, I need the physical exercise, period. There's only one way to stay fairly healthy in the second half of life, and that's to stay physically fit and eat right.
Finally, I am looking to the future. In twenty to twenty five years, I'll be at retirement age. I'd like to teach Karate as a retirement job, both to supplement my income, and to stay active and fit as long as possible. I also just plain enjoy teaching subjects I know well.
Finally, it just plain feels good to get a good work out, and to feel physically secure and capable in self defense.
So, there you have it, my personal reasons for wanting to learn Karate.
Sayonara,
Dan
Yellow Belt Certificate
Here's my Yellow Belt certificate, received Thursday.
A simple enough piece of paper, but it makes me feel good to have it recorded.
Sayonara,
Dan
Friday, June 13, 2008
Permanent Link List Added
I've just added a permanent link list in the left side bar for links I believe we should keep handy.
Sayonara,
Dan
Sayonara,
Dan
Promoted...
Four of us were promoted tonight, three white belts to yellow belt, and one purple belt to brown.
For the ceremony, everyone kneels on hands and knees. It is very formal.
Before the promotion ceremony, we all did warm-up exercises and stretches. Our top brown belt also teaches kick boxing and bag class - she led the class for warm up.
Sensei officiated over the promotions - we each got our new belts and a framed certificate from the academy.
After the ceremony, we did several kata (white-belt level so as not to have a bunch of confusion in front of the family members observing promotions) followed by sparring.
I don't have a picture of the ceremony, my certificate, or myself in Gi yet, but I do have some pictures of the Gi with patches and ribbons added.
The first picture is the entire uniform, folded so I could fit it in. The red ribbons are around the pant ankles, The brown & yellow Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa Te patch is on the left breast, and the black & red Academy patch is on the left outer shoulder.
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Patches & Squat Thrusts
Alright, last week I got my Gi in the cleaners to get the patches put on, and ankle ribbons.
I'll have to get some pictures yet this week of the finished Gi.
(*Side note* I found this forum about my specific style, and some of the people there studied under my Sensei's Master Heriaud. )
My promotion ceremony to yellow belt takes place tomorrow night.l (Thursday 06/12/2008)
As part of yellow belt training for the next rank, I must learn Takeo Ko Kai Shii - and part of that is a thrust kick. I had no idea I even had muscles there!!! The first black belt of my class is also a kick boxing instructor - and she taught me how to do proper squat-thrusts at Sensei's request in order to give me the necessary leg strength to handle it.
White belts - learn this now - it will be a big help when you go to yellow if you're already built up.
Sayonara,
Dan
I'll have to get some pictures yet this week of the finished Gi.
(*Side note* I found this forum about my specific style, and some of the people there studied under my Sensei's Master Heriaud. )
My promotion ceremony to yellow belt takes place tomorrow night.l (Thursday 06/12/2008)
As part of yellow belt training for the next rank, I must learn Takeo Ko Kai Shii - and part of that is a thrust kick. I had no idea I even had muscles there!!! The first black belt of my class is also a kick boxing instructor - and she taught me how to do proper squat-thrusts at Sensei's request in order to give me the necessary leg strength to handle it.
White belts - learn this now - it will be a big help when you go to yellow if you're already built up.
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sweat Classes vs. Thinking Classes, or The Yellow Belt Cometh
Tonight was what I would call a "thinking class." These are classes where Sensei dives into the minutiae of forms and techniques, gives explanations, and has us practice them.
Sweat classes are the ones where he either has us do strength-building drills, or sparring, or both.
I enjoy both kinds of class, and they both have their place.
I was tested tonight for yellow belt - and passed. I tend to think just barely so. You can bet your whatever, that I personally am not satisfied with my own performance, meaning I will drill on it even more.
The ceremony should take place in less than two weeks - time to get my patches and such also in order.
Interestingly, when we started tonight, the class's juvenile body dummy was slightly damaged by someone carelessly throwing it in a closet. Sensei was quite angry, not that I blame him.
We were, however, able to pull most of the dent in it's support base out...
It was a good class.
Sayonara,
Dan
Sweat classes are the ones where he either has us do strength-building drills, or sparring, or both.
I enjoy both kinds of class, and they both have their place.
I was tested tonight for yellow belt - and passed. I tend to think just barely so. You can bet your whatever, that I personally am not satisfied with my own performance, meaning I will drill on it even more.
The ceremony should take place in less than two weeks - time to get my patches and such also in order.
Interestingly, when we started tonight, the class's juvenile body dummy was slightly damaged by someone carelessly throwing it in a closet. Sensei was quite angry, not that I blame him.
We were, however, able to pull most of the dent in it's support base out...
It was a good class.
Sayonara,
Dan
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Last Thursday, This Thursday
Wow, it's been awhile since I could get here. Sorry 'bout that, but these gas prices have driven me onto the commuter trains - which means my commute has gone from two hours round-trip to four. I'm going to have to be a bit more sporadic, not that I like it any.
At any rate, last Thursday was great - we did kata, kata, kata like crazy. Sensei is getting ready to test several levels in the class, so we were really drilling.
Ed and I got to spar the last 15 minutes of class, and it was a good session. He got me a serious blast in the nose, but he also taught me something I'd already suspected: I need to stop pulling my kicks to the point where they don't contact. I'm missing a ton of points in sparring that way. I've always been afraid that if I do make contact when kicking, I'd injure someone. I think maybe now I'm getting enough control I can keep it to light contact.
Tonight, however, was started with Kata, and followed by combination routines on the Wavemaster. (See THIS POST for an explanation of what a Wavemaster is.)
After beating bag for 45 minutes in numerous combinations, we adjourned class.
The last thing Sensei said to myself and the other uniformed white belt in class was that we "should treat every class as if it were a test from here until we're tested in June." I take it there's more meaning in that than just what it seems on the surface.
On that note, Sayonara, and thank you for reading.
Dan
At any rate, last Thursday was great - we did kata, kata, kata like crazy. Sensei is getting ready to test several levels in the class, so we were really drilling.
Ed and I got to spar the last 15 minutes of class, and it was a good session. He got me a serious blast in the nose, but he also taught me something I'd already suspected: I need to stop pulling my kicks to the point where they don't contact. I'm missing a ton of points in sparring that way. I've always been afraid that if I do make contact when kicking, I'd injure someone. I think maybe now I'm getting enough control I can keep it to light contact.
Tonight, however, was started with Kata, and followed by combination routines on the Wavemaster. (See THIS POST for an explanation of what a Wavemaster is.)
After beating bag for 45 minutes in numerous combinations, we adjourned class.
The last thing Sensei said to myself and the other uniformed white belt in class was that we "should treat every class as if it were a test from here until we're tested in June." I take it there's more meaning in that than just what it seems on the surface.
On that note, Sayonara, and thank you for reading.
Dan
Saturday, May 3, 2008
I Got My Roundhouse Kick Back!
Although I haven't mentioned it much in these pages, I took Tae Kwon Do at a different YMCA for a year & 1/2 - to yellow belt. I used to be pretty good at the roundhouse kick - then I broke my foot. MALL WALKING, of all the silly $#!++, but I went on hiatus from martial arts for about 2 & 1/2 years. When I came to karate, my roundhouse kicks were like wet noodles slapping the Wavemaster. Well, last week Thursday, I got my snap back - and I was moving that bag a couple of feet sideways. I overheard one classmate say she'd never seen anyone kick the bag so hard.
On to that, this past week I just have been swamped with things that kept me out of class - so I'm hoping to make it yet today.
Sayonara,
Dan
On to that, this past week I just have been swamped with things that kept me out of class - so I'm hoping to make it yet today.
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Sorry For The Delay - Last Tuesday, This Tuesday - Sparring
Last week Tuesday, class started out with a little bit of kata to warm up, then went to all sparring. We had one-on-one sparring all the way through the class, until everyone had been matched up at least twice. It was a lot of fun. Strangely, I can't seem to help laughing when we spar. The last part of class, we had two-on-one sparring, where we each took a turn being the one attacked by two opponents. That was one SERIOUS workout - definitely washagi. Great training though.
That week was also the last week of session - time to pony up another $60.00 for seven weeks. I do love the YMCA. (You can do seven weeks for $30.00 if you only go Tuesday OR Thursday, $60.00 for both, Saturday is free, thank you, Sensei.)
Last Thursday I had another commitment and was out of class.
This Tuesday was a lot like last Tuesday, starting with Kata, then 50 reps of roundhouse kicks on each leg, then front kicks across the room, then back-step side kicks across the room. After kicking drills, there was sparring for the rest of class. More about that in a minute...
During kata drills, Sensei made me go up front and lead the class on Empi kata. I swear everything I knew flew out my ear and has yet to return! The point being that we will all teach someday, hopefully, I understood what Sensei was doing, but it still rattled me, being unexpected. Sensei also had both the other white belts in class lead a kata, but I was the first one on tap.
Needless to say, I lived through it. (And I need to practice Empi kata more!)
Sparring was interesting. We took red and blue rubber flags and hung them from our belts, then matched up. The first one to pull the other's flag three times won. Then we switched opponents. That was interesting - especially as the other two guys my age, even though yellow belts, seem to be my toughest opponents. Ed is the hardest of all to spar - but I got his belt three times! Ha!
Ed also is famous for groin kicking - which is allowed and why we wear cups, heretofore referred to as "armor." After flag sparring, we returned to regular sparring, and Ed got my armor. well, guess what? I proceeded to give him a taste of his own medicine, twice! LOL
Of course, we are only going for light contact - so no one got hurt here. I like all the people in class, including Ed, but he is a little competitive, which makes it fun.
One day he came into class as Scott and I were talking. Scott is the other guy my age in class, and tough to spar as well. Ed came up saying, "Ahh, Twinkie, and Twinkette!" I couldn't resist - I asked him if that made him the "official bakery cream puff." We all got a good laugh out of that one.
These are good people, and I really like all of them. This class may be work, but it is joyful work.
Sayonara,
Dan
That week was also the last week of session - time to pony up another $60.00 for seven weeks. I do love the YMCA. (You can do seven weeks for $30.00 if you only go Tuesday OR Thursday, $60.00 for both, Saturday is free, thank you, Sensei.)
Last Thursday I had another commitment and was out of class.
This Tuesday was a lot like last Tuesday, starting with Kata, then 50 reps of roundhouse kicks on each leg, then front kicks across the room, then back-step side kicks across the room. After kicking drills, there was sparring for the rest of class. More about that in a minute...
During kata drills, Sensei made me go up front and lead the class on Empi kata. I swear everything I knew flew out my ear and has yet to return! The point being that we will all teach someday, hopefully, I understood what Sensei was doing, but it still rattled me, being unexpected. Sensei also had both the other white belts in class lead a kata, but I was the first one on tap.
Needless to say, I lived through it. (And I need to practice Empi kata more!)
Sparring was interesting. We took red and blue rubber flags and hung them from our belts, then matched up. The first one to pull the other's flag three times won. Then we switched opponents. That was interesting - especially as the other two guys my age, even though yellow belts, seem to be my toughest opponents. Ed is the hardest of all to spar - but I got his belt three times! Ha!
Ed also is famous for groin kicking - which is allowed and why we wear cups, heretofore referred to as "armor." After flag sparring, we returned to regular sparring, and Ed got my armor. well, guess what? I proceeded to give him a taste of his own medicine, twice! LOL
Of course, we are only going for light contact - so no one got hurt here. I like all the people in class, including Ed, but he is a little competitive, which makes it fun.
One day he came into class as Scott and I were talking. Scott is the other guy my age in class, and tough to spar as well. Ed came up saying, "Ahh, Twinkie, and Twinkette!" I couldn't resist - I asked him if that made him the "official bakery cream puff." We all got a good laugh out of that one.
These are good people, and I really like all of them. This class may be work, but it is joyful work.
Sayonara,
Dan
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Tuesday & Thursday Past - Rubber Legs
This past Tuesday was something else. I had worked in our new organic, no-till garden on Sunday, putting in mulch and compost over newspaper, arranging permanent paths and beds. I also installed a flower bed between the trees in our front yard.
After all this work, my legs were very sore in the back of the thighs the next day from working bent over most of the day Sunday. The fallout from this lasted most of the week.
Tuesday night, I went to class, and advised Sensei that I'd wracked my legs putting in the garden. Stretching before class helped a little. (I have learned that stretching before and after gardening is probably a good idea.) Sensei decided that I needed to work it out of my legs - so, kicking drills for most of the class. We dragged out the two big wavemasters, (the size half again as large as the one I bought) and we practiced every kick I've heard of, with a few hand strikes thrown in.
My legs actually did feel better immediately after class. The next day, however, they were pure rubber. I could barely get up and down the stairs at home. Yowsa!
Thursday, we started with kicking drills again, and also some hand and knee strikes. Then we practiced kata as well. (Sensei also told me and one other white belt that we will test for yellow in June.) After kata, we then had sparring practice.
Both days were very much washagi. Sweat city, elevated heart rate, aerobic exercise. Good stuff. My legs are pretty much recovered now.
One of the fun things that happened - there are two other guys my age in class. Two of us were sitting talking a bit before class. Our other 40-something came up, and teasingly said, " Ahh, Twinkie, and Twinkette." I couldn't resist. "So, does that make you the official Bakery Cream Puff?" I asked. We all got a good laugh out of that one.
The funny thing is, these two guys are also the toughest opponents in sparring. Tougher than some of the much higher belt ranks in class. Good for them noth - it was fun and a challenge. Thank goodness for protective gear!
Sayonara,
Dan
After all this work, my legs were very sore in the back of the thighs the next day from working bent over most of the day Sunday. The fallout from this lasted most of the week.
Tuesday night, I went to class, and advised Sensei that I'd wracked my legs putting in the garden. Stretching before class helped a little. (I have learned that stretching before and after gardening is probably a good idea.) Sensei decided that I needed to work it out of my legs - so, kicking drills for most of the class. We dragged out the two big wavemasters, (the size half again as large as the one I bought) and we practiced every kick I've heard of, with a few hand strikes thrown in.
My legs actually did feel better immediately after class. The next day, however, they were pure rubber. I could barely get up and down the stairs at home. Yowsa!
Thursday, we started with kicking drills again, and also some hand and knee strikes. Then we practiced kata as well. (Sensei also told me and one other white belt that we will test for yellow in June.) After kata, we then had sparring practice.
Both days were very much washagi. Sweat city, elevated heart rate, aerobic exercise. Good stuff. My legs are pretty much recovered now.
One of the fun things that happened - there are two other guys my age in class. Two of us were sitting talking a bit before class. Our other 40-something came up, and teasingly said, " Ahh, Twinkie, and Twinkette." I couldn't resist. "So, does that make you the official Bakery Cream Puff?" I asked. We all got a good laugh out of that one.
The funny thing is, these two guys are also the toughest opponents in sparring. Tougher than some of the much higher belt ranks in class. Good for them noth - it was fun and a challenge. Thank goodness for protective gear!
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Kata & Kicks
Last night's session was begun with high-speed and force kata practice, followed by a slow intricate breakdown of kata practiced at a slow pace.
At the end, we practiced kicks, 50 per leg for roundhouse, 15 for side kick, and back & forth across the room for crescent kicks.
Sensei was tight on correct kicking posture and the same during kata practice, explaining how we could actually hurt ourselves fully powered up if we didn't have proper form, but would develop much more power if we executed correctly.
Next session will either be this coming Saturday or the following Tuesday, most likely the latter.
Sayonara,
Dan
At the end, we practiced kicks, 50 per leg for roundhouse, 15 for side kick, and back & forth across the room for crescent kicks.
Sensei was tight on correct kicking posture and the same during kata practice, explaining how we could actually hurt ourselves fully powered up if we didn't have proper form, but would develop much more power if we executed correctly.
Next session will either be this coming Saturday or the following Tuesday, most likely the latter.
Sayonara,
Dan
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Last Tuesday
I just realized I never got in here last Tuesday to let you know how it went. (Thursday & Saturday are off of classes his week due to Spring Break.)
Last Tuesday, we practiced kata almost exclusively. Sensei explained a few of the things I was doing wrong in Takeoko, most notably my 3/4 turns. I need to do my foot turn-in differently, moving the toe instead of the heel, and draw my pivot leg back just a bit further before turning. I was winding up with too narrow a stance after the turn. This helped a great deal.
Practice, practice, and more practice.
Sayonara,
Dan
Last Tuesday, we practiced kata almost exclusively. Sensei explained a few of the things I was doing wrong in Takeoko, most notably my 3/4 turns. I need to do my foot turn-in differently, moving the toe instead of the heel, and draw my pivot leg back just a bit further before turning. I was winding up with too narrow a stance after the turn. This helped a great deal.
Practice, practice, and more practice.
Sayonara,
Dan
Friday, March 21, 2008
Yahoo Companion Discussion Group Started
You can discuss beginning karate to your heart's content at: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/emptyhand/
Sayonara,
Dan
Sayonara,
Dan
Kata, Sparring
This evening, we spent the first half of clasas practising kata. Four of us tonight were white belts, and the four of us together practiced the first three takeo's, working together to perfect forms. Takeo Kai Ichei, Takeo Kai Ni, and Takeo Kai Son all use the exact same "I-pattern" foot work. In Ichei, you use down blocks and low punches. In Ni, you use middle blocks and middle punches. In Son, you use high blocks and high punches.
We also practiced Empi kata, which is elbow strikes. We did this one twice.
After kata practice, we moved to our regular dojo room. There, we had a graduation ceremony. One of the yellow belts earned sixth degree, which is the last degree of yellow belt. For this, green bands are added to the ends of the yellow belt. Another yellow belt earned his green belt.
In the ceremony, all of us get on our hands and knees to mark the special quality of the occasion, and out of respect for our classmates' achievement. Unfortunately, google image search is failing me on this one. Maybe I'll get to scan a photo when my first belt rank is passed.
After that, we did sparring, and I got to break in the new protective gear. It all worked pretty well, except I had trouble with one of the bottom straps on the left foot guard cutting into the webbing between my next to little toe and foot a bit, and the skin split there at the flex point. The mouthguard was ok, but I got rid of the strap on it.
(My set is all in the metallic blue, and I got a separate Shock Doctor "boil-n-bite" mouthguard. Click on the picture to get the gear pictured.)
The last couple of rounds of sparring, Sensei had us spar two-on-one, and we each got to take turns being the middle person who was getting double-teamed. it's tough, but not impossible.
By the end, we were all pretty tired and thirsty. Definitely a wash-a-gi night.
Sayonara,
Dan
We also practiced Empi kata, which is elbow strikes. We did this one twice.
After kata practice, we moved to our regular dojo room. There, we had a graduation ceremony. One of the yellow belts earned sixth degree, which is the last degree of yellow belt. For this, green bands are added to the ends of the yellow belt. Another yellow belt earned his green belt.
In the ceremony, all of us get on our hands and knees to mark the special quality of the occasion, and out of respect for our classmates' achievement. Unfortunately, google image search is failing me on this one. Maybe I'll get to scan a photo when my first belt rank is passed.
After that, we did sparring, and I got to break in the new protective gear. It all worked pretty well, except I had trouble with one of the bottom straps on the left foot guard cutting into the webbing between my next to little toe and foot a bit, and the skin split there at the flex point. The mouthguard was ok, but I got rid of the strap on it.
(My set is all in the metallic blue, and I got a separate Shock Doctor "boil-n-bite" mouthguard. Click on the picture to get the gear pictured.)
The last couple of rounds of sparring, Sensei had us spar two-on-one, and we each got to take turns being the middle person who was getting double-teamed. it's tough, but not impossible.
By the end, we were all pretty tired and thirsty. Definitely a wash-a-gi night.
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Kata Lotta, Kick The Bag...
Tonight, we practiced kata, several times. Takeio Kai Ichei for white belts, highest kata for yellow on up. (There were two of us white belts tonight.)
We also did Empi kata once or twice, all of us.
After that, we did kicks and strikes on Bob, the rubber head and torso on a stand.
We did combinations of kicks and punches, single kicks, and hand strikes.
Finally, we finished up with ten repetitions of side kicks on each leg.
Sensei advised us that we will spar on Thursday night. Also, there will be a belt promotion ceremony. Two of the yellow belts have earned their green belt. I'm looking forward to it.
I also learned that I have to boil my mouth guard and bite down on it to fit it to my teeth. I didn't know that before.
More on Thursday night.
Sayonara,
Dan
We also did Empi kata once or twice, all of us.
After that, we did kicks and strikes on Bob, the rubber head and torso on a stand.
We did combinations of kicks and punches, single kicks, and hand strikes.
Finally, we finished up with ten repetitions of side kicks on each leg.
Sensei advised us that we will spar on Thursday night. Also, there will be a belt promotion ceremony. Two of the yellow belts have earned their green belt. I'm looking forward to it.
I also learned that I have to boil my mouth guard and bite down on it to fit it to my teeth. I didn't know that before.
More on Thursday night.
Sayonara,
Dan
Friday, March 14, 2008
Sensei Was In An Explanatory Mood Tonight...
...so he took each of us and made sure he explained AT LEAST one thing we were questioning. For me, it was the upward block wrist positioning.
When doing an upward block, your wrist should be straight as far as the up-down bend, but your forearm should be turned slightly upward at a 45 degree angle facing out from your face, and your arm needs to be at a 45 degree angle over your head.
Some Google image search:
You see the first and last pictures in the series - this the correct end-of-motion position for the block.
Also practiced tonight were Takeo Kai Ichei, Ni, and Son. These use down, middle, and upward blocks and punches. Footwork is un-changed in all three kata. Ichei is down blocks and punches, Ni is middle blocks and punches, Son is up blocks and punches.
We also practiced Empi (elbow) kata - which uses several different elbow strikes.
When I get good at these kata, I may do some of them in this space as embedded youtube video, but for now I don't want you learning my mistakes only to have to correct them later.
Finally, we wrapped up with some kicking drills - and Sensei had each of us pick the kick we felt we had the most difficulty with. I chose the side kick, (so did at least four others) simply because I've done it the least and need to learn it better. Sensei then made sure to show us slowly and carefully exactly how it's done.
Last, but not least, I wore the new Karate Gi tonight. It fits far better than the Tae Kwon Do Gi and is easier to move in altogether. I am very well pleased with it. For $22.00 and change, shipping included, it is a great deal from Superfoots.com. See this post: http://karateemptyhand.blogspot.com/2008/03/ordered-new-gi.html
for details on the new Gi purchase and associated notes / photos.
It also didn't hurt that I was able to go to class in no more than a sweat jacket, seeing how it was 45 degrees outside in the West Chicago suburbs. Taieee!! Spring is springing!
By the way, I have lost 10 pounds since starting Karate. THAT is a thrill all its own.
Sayonara,
Dan
When doing an upward block, your wrist should be straight as far as the up-down bend, but your forearm should be turned slightly upward at a 45 degree angle facing out from your face, and your arm needs to be at a 45 degree angle over your head.
Some Google image search:
You see the first and last pictures in the series - this the correct end-of-motion position for the block.
Also practiced tonight were Takeo Kai Ichei, Ni, and Son. These use down, middle, and upward blocks and punches. Footwork is un-changed in all three kata. Ichei is down blocks and punches, Ni is middle blocks and punches, Son is up blocks and punches.
We also practiced Empi (elbow) kata - which uses several different elbow strikes.
When I get good at these kata, I may do some of them in this space as embedded youtube video, but for now I don't want you learning my mistakes only to have to correct them later.
Finally, we wrapped up with some kicking drills - and Sensei had each of us pick the kick we felt we had the most difficulty with. I chose the side kick, (so did at least four others) simply because I've done it the least and need to learn it better. Sensei then made sure to show us slowly and carefully exactly how it's done.
Last, but not least, I wore the new Karate Gi tonight. It fits far better than the Tae Kwon Do Gi and is easier to move in altogether. I am very well pleased with it. For $22.00 and change, shipping included, it is a great deal from Superfoots.com. See this post: http://karateemptyhand.blogspot.com/2008/03/ordered-new-gi.html
for details on the new Gi purchase and associated notes / photos.
It also didn't hurt that I was able to go to class in no more than a sweat jacket, seeing how it was 45 degrees outside in the West Chicago suburbs. Taieee!! Spring is springing!
By the way, I have lost 10 pounds since starting Karate. THAT is a thrill all its own.
Sayonara,
Dan
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The New Gi Arrived Yesterday...
...and I'll be trying it out in class tonight. What I like about the Karate Gi vs. the Tae Kwon Do Gi, is the way the shirt is done.
In the Tae Kwon Do Gi, the shirt is a pull-over. In the Karate Gi, it closes in front similar to a button-down shirt, but is held closed by your rank belt.
Pull-overs are a pain to take off in the locker room after a hard, sweaty work out. They stick to your skin when wet. Yuckity.
Sayonara,
Dan
In the Tae Kwon Do Gi, the shirt is a pull-over. In the Karate Gi, it closes in front similar to a button-down shirt, but is held closed by your rank belt.
Pull-overs are a pain to take off in the locker room after a hard, sweaty work out. They stick to your skin when wet. Yuckity.
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Sick out of class again
All, my apologies, but I was not well enough yet to attend class last night. Tomorrow night it will be.
Sayonara,
Dan
Sayonara,
Dan
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Aaaaahchoo!!
I've had a cold for several days and it's been impossible to go to class or practice. I'll be back in class this evening, so please hang in there - or go kick your wavemaster...
Sayonara, and thank you for reading.
Dan
Sayonara, and thank you for reading.
Dan
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Ordered a new Gi...
From http://www.superfoots.com/whitstudkaru10.html
"Home » Uniforms and Belts » Traditional Style Karate Uniforms » White Student Karate Uniform
"Home » Uniforms and Belts » Traditional Style Karate Uniforms » White Student Karate Uniform
White Student Karate Uniform
ECNW$34.95Your Price: $12.49Size: 0000001 (+$2)=$14.492 (+$2)=$14.493 (+$2)=$14.494 (+$4)=$16.495 (+$4)=$16.496 (+$4)=$16.497 (+$6)=$18.498 (+$6.50)=$18.99 Click Here for Uniform Sizing Chart This traditional cut white martial arts uniform includes a white belt, elastic waist pant with draw string and traditional cut jacket. Made of a 8 oz per square yard of a 55% Polyester, 45% Cotton blend cloth resists wrinkling. The uniform jacket and pant are cut for the standard physical build of an westerner. This Quality Karate Uniform is an excellent lightweight wash and wear choice for martial artists of all rank."
Hopefully it will be here by Friday or Monday - and I can use the Tae Kwon Do Gi for practice at home.
Otherwise, I was between classes last night, and tonight I am on my 1st Thursday of the month where I have a regular appointment for something else, so I won't be in class this evening. I'll try to get in some practice on my own, though, or find something cool & obscure to report. (Those are always fun)
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
500 kicks...per leg
Wow. Sensei really put us through the paces tonight.
First, we did kicking drills against pad bags, then a large wavemaster. We practiced combinations, and flying side kicks.
THEN, he started having us get on the bar and do fifty round house kicks per leg, alternating sides four times. After that, he had us pair with a partner each, hold hands, and fifty more facing away from each other with each leg. Then in groups of three, fifty more per leg. Then in groups of four, twenty five more per leg. Then in groups of five, twenty five more per leg, with a hop forward in a circle after each kick.
After that, four katas, including Takeo Kai Ichei, Empi, Takeo Kai Nee.
DEFINITELY washagi. (A GI is a karate uniform. We sweated bullets - get it?)
I think I'll crawl everywhere tomorrow - but lose a couple of pounds, too. Awesome.
Sayonara,
Dan
First, we did kicking drills against pad bags, then a large wavemaster. We practiced combinations, and flying side kicks.
THEN, he started having us get on the bar and do fifty round house kicks per leg, alternating sides four times. After that, he had us pair with a partner each, hold hands, and fifty more facing away from each other with each leg. Then in groups of three, fifty more per leg. Then in groups of four, twenty five more per leg. Then in groups of five, twenty five more per leg, with a hop forward in a circle after each kick.
After that, four katas, including Takeo Kai Ichei, Empi, Takeo Kai Nee.
DEFINITELY washagi. (A GI is a karate uniform. We sweated bullets - get it?)
I think I'll crawl everywhere tomorrow - but lose a couple of pounds, too. Awesome.
Sayonara,
Dan
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Saturday Class Review and...a New Wavemaster!
Saturday:
Saturday is open instruction. Basically, Sensei comes in and gives everyone a chance at a free extra hour of instruction for taking the class. (Since I am on both the Tuesday & Thursday schedule, this means I pay for two and get the third free. Given the rates at the Y, this is a great deal.) The only separation is by age - the kids go in two divisions, beginner & advanced, and then the adults. He puts in a total of three hours.
The division isn't quite a hard, fast rule. There can be a little mixing of kids and adults on Saturday, but they train in separate parts of the room which serves as our dojo.
Sensei was pretty busy, so basically I just practiced kata, blocks, kicks, and punches for an hour after stretching. (I still use the Tae Kwon Do stretches.) I did kicks last, and worked out hard for an hour, raising a good sweat.
One thing I did learn on Saturday was proper wrist positioning on an upward block. I'm going to have to get a picture in here to explain it, so I'll reserve that for another post.
Then the fun part: I got a new Wavemaster Original model today! (I got it at Sports Authority, which was the same price without any shipping as the link below, but you can get more info at the link. Just click on the picture of the Wavemaster.)
It holds about 26 gallons or so of water in the base, so I got an extra work out toting water to the basement. Our house has a 2nd floor laundry, so no water in the basement. I used an empty gallon milk jug and a two-gallon flower sprinkler can with the sprinkler head removed to fill it, so about 8-9 trips from the kitchen sink to the basement to fill it up.
I broke it in with a 45 minute work out today. The bare concrete floor isn't fun, and leaves grey concrete dust all over the bag afterward, so I had to get a damp cloth and clean it up, but it works. I got a good sweat going, then cooled down with kata and blocks. (I couldn't do this Saturday at the dojo because I have to share BOB with the rest of the class.)
Now I've broken the ice working out at home - which should speed my training and fitness level a bit.
Sayonara,
Dan
The Original Wavemaster:
Saturday is open instruction. Basically, Sensei comes in and gives everyone a chance at a free extra hour of instruction for taking the class. (Since I am on both the Tuesday & Thursday schedule, this means I pay for two and get the third free. Given the rates at the Y, this is a great deal.) The only separation is by age - the kids go in two divisions, beginner & advanced, and then the adults. He puts in a total of three hours.
The division isn't quite a hard, fast rule. There can be a little mixing of kids and adults on Saturday, but they train in separate parts of the room which serves as our dojo.
Sensei was pretty busy, so basically I just practiced kata, blocks, kicks, and punches for an hour after stretching. (I still use the Tae Kwon Do stretches.) I did kicks last, and worked out hard for an hour, raising a good sweat.
One thing I did learn on Saturday was proper wrist positioning on an upward block. I'm going to have to get a picture in here to explain it, so I'll reserve that for another post.
Then the fun part: I got a new Wavemaster Original model today! (I got it at Sports Authority, which was the same price without any shipping as the link below, but you can get more info at the link. Just click on the picture of the Wavemaster.)
It holds about 26 gallons or so of water in the base, so I got an extra work out toting water to the basement. Our house has a 2nd floor laundry, so no water in the basement. I used an empty gallon milk jug and a two-gallon flower sprinkler can with the sprinkler head removed to fill it, so about 8-9 trips from the kitchen sink to the basement to fill it up.
I broke it in with a 45 minute work out today. The bare concrete floor isn't fun, and leaves grey concrete dust all over the bag afterward, so I had to get a damp cloth and clean it up, but it works. I got a good sweat going, then cooled down with kata and blocks. (I couldn't do this Saturday at the dojo because I have to share BOB with the rest of the class.)
Now I've broken the ice working out at home - which should speed my training and fitness level a bit.
Sayonara,
Dan
The Original Wavemaster:
Friday, February 29, 2008
Kata, Kicks, Punches, and Elbows...
Tonight was fun. Sensei was off working with a newcomer to class, getting her up to speed, so he had our purple belt teach the rest of the class. First she had us doing kata takeo kai ichei four times. The first time was nice and slow, work on perfecting forms and stances. The second time was a bit faster, the thirsd as fast as we could go and a bit more "powered up." (Using full strength, or more strength.) TYhe final time, she had us do it with our eyes closed! That was different indeed. Try it some time.
After kata, we did kicking drills on our body-dummy, Bob. Being made of rubber, he's pretty compliant. We started off with front kicks, then roundhouse, then hook, then crescent, then step behind side kick, etc. (Alternating legs on each type, of course.) After that, we did punches and such.
Sensei came back in with the new gal about two-thirds of the way through class, and had us practising various kicks and elbow strikes, and also a few joint locks and combinations.
It amazes me how many variations there are for this art. I always suspected there was a lot more to karate then I had ever heard, and how!
I'm having to watch the old knees, though. I've got a little bit of arthritis in them, and being so new, I don't have proper form yet. I think it will be less strain on the knees once I lose some weight and get better form and execution of my moves happening.
At any rate, have a great weekend!
Sayonara,
Dan
After kata, we did kicking drills on our body-dummy, Bob. Being made of rubber, he's pretty compliant. We started off with front kicks, then roundhouse, then hook, then crescent, then step behind side kick, etc. (Alternating legs on each type, of course.) After that, we did punches and such.
Sensei came back in with the new gal about two-thirds of the way through class, and had us practising various kicks and elbow strikes, and also a few joint locks and combinations.
It amazes me how many variations there are for this art. I always suspected there was a lot more to karate then I had ever heard, and how!
I'm having to watch the old knees, though. I've got a little bit of arthritis in them, and being so new, I don't have proper form yet. I think it will be less strain on the knees once I lose some weight and get better form and execution of my moves happening.
At any rate, have a great weekend!
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
A Good Class...
We had two new gals in class tonight, one young gal is a real go-getter, great kicking. Sensei started us off doing the highest kata we know. (I just know number one) Then he had us doing hand strikes and kicks. For this, he had various students holding large kicking pads while the rest of us lined up and practiced kicking. (We all got to take turns, me included, holding the pads)
One of the interesting drills was where we formed two lines, and we'd practice kicking two pads at the same time together. The idea was to get us working on reacting to peripheral vision cues with instant action. It also allowed us to work on being fighting teams of two using in-synch attack timing. Pretty cool stuff.
Hard enough for me to believe, this is the last of our seven-week session. I just ponied up for the next seven weeks tonight. (With a full YMCA membership that's $30.00 per session, and since I'm taking both Tuesday and Thursday night classes, that winds up at $60.00 for seven weeks for me.)
BTW, I got my new kicks and head gear in last Friday, but we haven't sparred yet, so I haven't used them. I'll let you know when we do.
Kicks drilled: Front, side, roundhouse, crescent, back, and reverse roundhouse.
Sayonara,
Dan
One of the interesting drills was where we formed two lines, and we'd practice kicking two pads at the same time together. The idea was to get us working on reacting to peripheral vision cues with instant action. It also allowed us to work on being fighting teams of two using in-synch attack timing. Pretty cool stuff.
Hard enough for me to believe, this is the last of our seven-week session. I just ponied up for the next seven weeks tonight. (With a full YMCA membership that's $30.00 per session, and since I'm taking both Tuesday and Thursday night classes, that winds up at $60.00 for seven weeks for me.)
BTW, I got my new kicks and head gear in last Friday, but we haven't sparred yet, so I haven't used them. I'll let you know when we do.
Kicks drilled: Front, side, roundhouse, crescent, back, and reverse roundhouse.
Sayonara,
Dan
Saturday, February 23, 2008
An interesting karate blog I found...
The Goju Ryu Karate blog - it has a lot of video from tournaments, dietary, and workout information. This post ( http://gojuryujkf.blogspot.com/2007/12/work-your-entire-body.html ) I found particularly interesting. It speaks about the differences in metabolism activation between workouts of single muscles in isolation vs. entire muscle groups. Stop over there and give this one a read, it's very informative.
Sayonara,
Dan
Sayonara,
Dan
Friday, February 22, 2008
It Was A Good Night...
...I got to give my apologies to the young lady who taught me a lesson about sparring. That had been weighing on my mind a bit. She was very good-natured about it.
Did all the stretches I could remember from Tae Kwon Do, etc. (I always make it a point to be there early for this reason.)
The one brown belt in class was teaching tonight, as Sensei was teaching a brand-new beginner white belt one-on-one for her first evening.
Our brown belt turns out to be a good teacher, not uptight at all. (It helps when the people in class are respectful.) She started us out with drilling on kata. (I'm going out on a limb here, as I'm usually a very good speller, but don't know the words in Japanese, so I'll spell them phonetically until I see them in print.) I only know the first kata, Takeo Kai Ichei. (Ichei means "one" in Japanese.)
Takeo Kai Ichei begins with attention stance and bow, then you block left and right at the same time as you move your left leg into horse stance. Immediately look left, then right.
Now pretend the closest attacker is coming from your left. You execute a left one-quarter turn and low block left, then step forward and low punch right.
The other attacker is now coming from behind you. You elbow behind you and look that way, then half-turn and low block right, following with a forward step and low punch. You are now facing the direction that was to your right when you started.
Another attacker is now coming from the direction you were originally facing, now to your left. You execute a quarter turn left and low block left. Follow through with three step-forward low punches.
Look over your right arm, execute a three-quarter turn left with a low block left. Step forward, low punch right.
Look behind you over your right shoulder, elbow strike to the rear right. Execute a half-turn right, low block right. Step forward, low punch left.
Look over your left shoulder to your left, one-quarter turn left, left low block. Step forward low punch three times, kiai (yell) on the last punch.
Look right over your right shoulder, three-quarter turn left, low block left. Step forward low punch right.
Look right behind you over your right shoulder, elbow strike rear with your right elbow. One-half turn right, low block right. Step forward low punch left.
One quarter turn left into horse stance, low block both directions as you move into stance. Stand at attention, (move right leg to your left leg) and bow.
Kata is complete.
Every time you block or punch, your next move is performed with the other hand. If I just low blocked left, I wil step forward punch right. The three step forward punches are right-left-right.
I need a LOT more practice before I will have executed this kata properly. I need to work on proper stance on step forward, keeping my foot just above the floor and sweeping it in a crescent arc. I also need to work hard on executing the turns properly.
The next two kata are basically the same, except number two is middle blocks and punches, and number three is high blocks and punches. By the time all three are perfected, you will have the stances and footwork very practiced.
Ms. Brown Belt then had us practice kata again, only starting in a different direction. By the time we finished kata, we had faced all four directions. We had also squeezed into a line of four shoulder-to-shoulder and tried kata. Last, we practiced the forward step across the room, then BACKWARD to where we started.
----------------
After the kata, we brought out Bob, our body dummy. He is basically a rubber torso and head on a sand bag pedestal. Bob is used for kicking and punching drills.
Ms. Brown Belt had us line up, then she had the first person in line figure out a four-move hand attack combination. We were doing various punches, chops, palm strikes, tiger claw, etc. After everyone had performed the specified hand combination back to the person who called it out, the next person called out another combination. We worked our way through until the entire line had called a combination and everyone had practiced them.
Next, we did kicking combinations in the same manner, through the whole line.
By the time class was over, I'd learned three new kicks and fou hand strikes. pretty good for one evening.
I also figured out how to wear the cup. Put one of those on upside down, I dare you. Your thighs will NOT thank you.
Sayonara, and thank you for reading.
Dan
PS: I gave the kicks that were too small to the class inventory, and discovered that I left my soap holder in the shower in the mens' locker room last Thursday. The cleaning guy said he turned it in, but the desk threw it out because it had soap in it. Drat! Those old-fashioned soap holders aren't easy to find anymore.
Did all the stretches I could remember from Tae Kwon Do, etc. (I always make it a point to be there early for this reason.)
The one brown belt in class was teaching tonight, as Sensei was teaching a brand-new beginner white belt one-on-one for her first evening.
Our brown belt turns out to be a good teacher, not uptight at all. (It helps when the people in class are respectful.) She started us out with drilling on kata. (I'm going out on a limb here, as I'm usually a very good speller, but don't know the words in Japanese, so I'll spell them phonetically until I see them in print.) I only know the first kata, Takeo Kai Ichei. (Ichei means "one" in Japanese.)
Takeo Kai Ichei begins with attention stance and bow, then you block left and right at the same time as you move your left leg into horse stance. Immediately look left, then right.
Now pretend the closest attacker is coming from your left. You execute a left one-quarter turn and low block left, then step forward and low punch right.
The other attacker is now coming from behind you. You elbow behind you and look that way, then half-turn and low block right, following with a forward step and low punch. You are now facing the direction that was to your right when you started.
Another attacker is now coming from the direction you were originally facing, now to your left. You execute a quarter turn left and low block left. Follow through with three step-forward low punches.
Look over your right arm, execute a three-quarter turn left with a low block left. Step forward, low punch right.
Look behind you over your right shoulder, elbow strike to the rear right. Execute a half-turn right, low block right. Step forward, low punch left.
Look over your left shoulder to your left, one-quarter turn left, left low block. Step forward low punch three times, kiai (yell) on the last punch.
Look right over your right shoulder, three-quarter turn left, low block left. Step forward low punch right.
Look right behind you over your right shoulder, elbow strike rear with your right elbow. One-half turn right, low block right. Step forward low punch left.
One quarter turn left into horse stance, low block both directions as you move into stance. Stand at attention, (move right leg to your left leg) and bow.
Kata is complete.
Every time you block or punch, your next move is performed with the other hand. If I just low blocked left, I wil step forward punch right. The three step forward punches are right-left-right.
I need a LOT more practice before I will have executed this kata properly. I need to work on proper stance on step forward, keeping my foot just above the floor and sweeping it in a crescent arc. I also need to work hard on executing the turns properly.
The next two kata are basically the same, except number two is middle blocks and punches, and number three is high blocks and punches. By the time all three are perfected, you will have the stances and footwork very practiced.
Ms. Brown Belt then had us practice kata again, only starting in a different direction. By the time we finished kata, we had faced all four directions. We had also squeezed into a line of four shoulder-to-shoulder and tried kata. Last, we practiced the forward step across the room, then BACKWARD to where we started.
----------------
After the kata, we brought out Bob, our body dummy. He is basically a rubber torso and head on a sand bag pedestal. Bob is used for kicking and punching drills.
Ms. Brown Belt had us line up, then she had the first person in line figure out a four-move hand attack combination. We were doing various punches, chops, palm strikes, tiger claw, etc. After everyone had performed the specified hand combination back to the person who called it out, the next person called out another combination. We worked our way through until the entire line had called a combination and everyone had practiced them.
Next, we did kicking combinations in the same manner, through the whole line.
By the time class was over, I'd learned three new kicks and fou hand strikes. pretty good for one evening.
I also figured out how to wear the cup. Put one of those on upside down, I dare you. Your thighs will NOT thank you.
Sayonara, and thank you for reading.
Dan
PS: I gave the kicks that were too small to the class inventory, and discovered that I left my soap holder in the shower in the mens' locker room last Thursday. The cleaning guy said he turned it in, but the desk threw it out because it had soap in it. Drat! Those old-fashioned soap holders aren't easy to find anymore.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Sorry I didn't make it here yesterday...
...but I'm back in the game today, and class is on tonight. I'm looking forward to it, I need to get all this mass back in motion. :-)
More later -
Sayonara,
Dan
More later -
Sayonara,
Dan
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Unfortunately, I didn't make class last night...
...I am feeling a bit under the weather and the side-effects precluded me from attending. Sorry for the brief post, but at least I can look forward to Thursday's class and the arrival of my new kicks and headgear on Friday.
Regards,
Dan
Regards,
Dan
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
*Note on the new kicks and head gear...
...I received a couple of e-mails today, it looks like the new gear is going to be delivered this Friday, if UPS keeps to their word.
Meanwhile, I need to get a 2nd bag ready for this type of equipment - one gym bag is just a bit too full with all that stuff in it.
I've got class this evening, I'll let you know how it goes later.
Sayonara,
Dan
Meanwhile, I need to get a 2nd bag ready for this type of equipment - one gym bag is just a bit too full with all that stuff in it.
I've got class this evening, I'll let you know how it goes later.
Sayonara,
Dan
Some Intial Thoughts On Weapons In Karate...
...I'm running across quite a few references to various martial arts weapons in Karate, along with much discussion of lineage, history, and Japanese vs. Okinawan terminology.
First, on the subject of weapons, I feel that adding weapons to this practice is something I want little part of at this juncture. I suppose that at some time in the future, I may want to train with weapons to further hone skill or coordination, but at first glance I am rather repulsed by the idea. Becoming adept at "Empty Hand" seems to me to have a more noble, principled allure. This is just something I feel, and at this point, I couldn't put my finger on why.
There is quite a bit of weapons discussion going on here: The Oninawa Karate & Kobudo Blog. If you want to get into that sort of thing, go check them out. For me, it's just not what I want to get into. Maybe I have enough on my hands right now just learning with them empty. Only time will tell.
As to the history and Japanese-language terminology, I think I am in for a lot of schooling. Maybe it will also improve my ability to absorb rote memorization, or have other benefits. Because new knowledge almost always brings with it new opportunities, I will look forward to learning as I go along.
Sayonara,
Dan
First, on the subject of weapons, I feel that adding weapons to this practice is something I want little part of at this juncture. I suppose that at some time in the future, I may want to train with weapons to further hone skill or coordination, but at first glance I am rather repulsed by the idea. Becoming adept at "Empty Hand" seems to me to have a more noble, principled allure. This is just something I feel, and at this point, I couldn't put my finger on why.
There is quite a bit of weapons discussion going on here: The Oninawa Karate & Kobudo Blog. If you want to get into that sort of thing, go check them out. For me, it's just not what I want to get into. Maybe I have enough on my hands right now just learning with them empty. Only time will tell.
As to the history and Japanese-language terminology, I think I am in for a lot of schooling. Maybe it will also improve my ability to absorb rote memorization, or have other benefits. Because new knowledge almost always brings with it new opportunities, I will look forward to learning as I go along.
Sayonara,
Dan
Monday, February 18, 2008
New Kicks...
...I just ordered ProForce Lightning kicks and headgear from http://www.superfoots.com - under $40.00 shipping included, in blue. Shipping option is UPS ground, so it might take a week or two. I'll let you know when they arrive.
http://www.superfoots.com also looks to have uniforms and such at very reasonable prices - but I'll worry about that later. For right now, the Tae Kwon Do gi will have to do.
Sayonara,
Dan
http://www.superfoots.com also looks to have uniforms and such at very reasonable prices - but I'll worry about that later. For right now, the Tae Kwon Do gi will have to do.
Sayonara,
Dan
The Protection Racket...
...I signed up today at the local Sports Authority store. Just kidding!
Actually, I went in and bought a cup and mouth guard for sparring. Let's hope it's protection enough. I know I certainly do!
It took a bit to find a sales associate who was available, but that's not unusual these days in any store. Once our young expert became available, however, he was mostly able to help me locate my best choices. I've yet to try them on - these aren't the type of things you can't try without buying - so an actual review will have to come later as far as the specific pieces of equipment I purchased. I'll try to get into that later this week.
S.A. did have the sparring gloves and helmets I need, but not the foot protectors. According to the young fellow on a ladder stocking the shelves, those aren't carried at S.A. - or at least not this location.
I only purchased the cup and mouth guard on this trip, however. I'm going to wait on the helmet and foot protectors. One of the fellows in class told me about a site. http://www.superfoots.com , where I should be able to pick these items up very inexpensively. I'll let you know how it goes.
Meanwhile, the boys have to go to jail now every time I go to class. :-)
Sayonara,
Dan
Actually, I went in and bought a cup and mouth guard for sparring. Let's hope it's protection enough. I know I certainly do!
It took a bit to find a sales associate who was available, but that's not unusual these days in any store. Once our young expert became available, however, he was mostly able to help me locate my best choices. I've yet to try them on - these aren't the type of things you can't try without buying - so an actual review will have to come later as far as the specific pieces of equipment I purchased. I'll try to get into that later this week.
S.A. did have the sparring gloves and helmets I need, but not the foot protectors. According to the young fellow on a ladder stocking the shelves, those aren't carried at S.A. - or at least not this location.
I only purchased the cup and mouth guard on this trip, however. I'm going to wait on the helmet and foot protectors. One of the fellows in class told me about a site. http://www.superfoots.com , where I should be able to pick these items up very inexpensively. I'll let you know how it goes.
Meanwhile, the boys have to go to jail now every time I go to class. :-)
Sayonara,
Dan
Sunday, February 17, 2008
One more Thought For Tonight...
...keep it light and keep your sense of humor. Learning Karate, you are going to be awkward, you are going to make mistakes, and that is only human. From life experience, I've found it is best to replace pride with humor and not take yourself too seriously.
ALL of us are beginners at some point in everything we learn in this life. No one is born adept and skilled, we have to learn from the bottom up, and give our best to reach our potential.
If you goof up, have the respect for your instructor, your classmates, and yourself to apologize and laugh WITH others at your mistakes. This will allow you to learn from them and move forward. Being angry, with yourself and others, only leads to greater mistakes.
Learn, let go, move on, and hopefully your gentle laughter will allow you to move on, seeing the reality of what you are: a life-long student. No matter how far you may progress, there is always more to learn as long as you live. To stop learning and growing is to stop living.
Sayonara,
Dan
ALL of us are beginners at some point in everything we learn in this life. No one is born adept and skilled, we have to learn from the bottom up, and give our best to reach our potential.
If you goof up, have the respect for your instructor, your classmates, and yourself to apologize and laugh WITH others at your mistakes. This will allow you to learn from them and move forward. Being angry, with yourself and others, only leads to greater mistakes.
Learn, let go, move on, and hopefully your gentle laughter will allow you to move on, seeing the reality of what you are: a life-long student. No matter how far you may progress, there is always more to learn as long as you live. To stop learning and growing is to stop living.
Sayonara,
Dan
Too Cool !! The Hawai'i Karate Museum...
Hawai'i Karate Museum
First, credit where it's due: I found this courtesy of the Karate Thoughts Blog. I plan on going over and reading them a bit after I check out more on the museum.
The Hawai'i Karate Museum has all kinds of cool stuff being posted online, from rare books to photos and old newspaper articles. They have photos of various Karate weapons, links to other arts and local dojos, and more. They even have Japanese (Okinawan) Karate postage stamps, of all things.
From what I can see, they are still in the fairly early stages of digitizing their collections, so it would be well worth it to check back on them from time to time.
If I ever get to Hawai'i again, I am going to want to check them out in person. They are located on the big island in Aiea, Hawaii. This is a bit Northwest of Honolulu.
Added note: Mr. Charles C. Goodin is the author of the Karate Thoughts Blog and the head of the Hawai'i Karate Museum. On going back to read through the blog, the first post I chose was "Emphasize Peace." I very strongly recommend reading this post if you are considering study of this art. This is the truest spirit and heart of the art.
First, credit where it's due: I found this courtesy of the Karate Thoughts Blog. I plan on going over and reading them a bit after I check out more on the museum.
The Hawai'i Karate Museum has all kinds of cool stuff being posted online, from rare books to photos and old newspaper articles. They have photos of various Karate weapons, links to other arts and local dojos, and more. They even have Japanese (Okinawan) Karate postage stamps, of all things.
From what I can see, they are still in the fairly early stages of digitizing their collections, so it would be well worth it to check back on them from time to time.
If I ever get to Hawai'i again, I am going to want to check them out in person. They are located on the big island in Aiea, Hawaii. This is a bit Northwest of Honolulu.
Added note: Mr. Charles C. Goodin is the author of the Karate Thoughts Blog and the head of the Hawai'i Karate Museum. On going back to read through the blog, the first post I chose was "Emphasize Peace." I very strongly recommend reading this post if you are considering study of this art. This is the truest spirit and heart of the art.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Looking to other bloggers on Karate...
...tonight, I'm taking some time off from the art, still pretty sore. In the mean time, I am going to occasionally check out other blogs on Karate and see who's out there. The first one I came across is Shotokan Karate Grrl. It sounds like she's a bit discouraged at last post, and has let the blogging go for a bit. It might be nice if some of us stopped by to lend a bit of empathy and heart to a sister of the art. If you have time, stop by her blog and drop a comment.
After all, part of our art is how we can become better human beings.
Thanks, and sayonara.
Dan
After all, part of our art is how we can become better human beings.
Thanks, and sayonara.
Dan
That Was Quite A Workout Last Night...
...after the sparring: Ok, I told you all about sparring, and my first experience with it. That was the last two thirds of class yesterday. What I didn't tell you about was the first third of the class: drills.
Punching drills, kicking drills, kata, stances, and push ups. Yep, pushups. Sensei was in drill instructor mode for the beginning of class last night, working us hard and fast. It was total rapid fire drilling, high punches, low punches, middle punches, short punches, front kicks, round house kicks, crescent kicks. First kata, second kata, third kata. Ten and twenty punches and kicks, as fast as we could do them, ten to fifteen pushups, jump up, more kicks, more punches, more pushups. I'm a bit sore today - which means I got a very good workout yesterday.
Now, I have to say, nowhere near every class is like this. Many are slow, careful drills trying to perfect form and memorize motions. You don't even break a sweat on days like that. Last night, however, we stretched, drilled our butts off, (hopefully) then sparred, then stretched again.
The point here is that Karate has both a very cerebral logic component and a hard physical component, making it a well-rounded sport and art.
I think for tonight, I'm just going to get in some good stretching to combat the soreness and let my muscles have a day of rest, otherwise. I haven't worked out like this in quite some time, so I can't just go day after day after day yet. I am slowly getting back to speed, but you have to work your way up to things. It's at times like this that I could literally kick my own ass for not keeping up with practicing my Tae Kwon Do after dropping out of class. At least I'd have kept what I did gain.
The moral of the story: if you fall off the wagon, start walking until you can catch another ride. Sitting there in the mud puddle just gets you fat and dirty. (I'm reminding myself as much as my readers here.)
Also, on a side note, one night per week classes have turned into often three nights. Sensei comes in on Saturdays for open extra training for adults and kids for two hours, in two separate classes, so most Saturdays I go in for the extra instruction. He also is letting me attend Tuesdays as well, and where he is teaching things I'm not ready for, he just has me over to one side of the room practicing kata or blocks, kicks, punches, etc.
I find this to be of great benefit, and I'm glad it worked out this way. The extra days in class give me some extra garantee of time to practice and work out. Being a married, full-time employed adult, being at home often gets too busy to allow me to practice, and one day per week just wouldn't do what I need. I gladly take the extra days for this reason alone. Karate is a privilege to learn, and I recognize that clearly after waiting so long in life to have the opportunity to pursue a martial art. I've waited since high school for this. I've also learned over the years that persistence in the face of obstacles of all kinds often pays great dividends.
On another tack, you've seen me mention kata several times now in this journal. I gave the basic explanation of what kata is, but not the real in-depth explanation. Here it is: kata forms were originally dances used to train and stay in practice for karate artists developed when the practice of karate was forbidden. Karate originates on the island of Okinawa, which was once independent. Te was the original Okinawan martial art. After Okinawa became part of Japan, Japan wound up under Chinese control for a time. Chinese martial arts were combined with Te to form early versions of Karate.
After a time, the Chinese forbade the practice or teaching of martial arts in Japan except in the case of practicioners loyal to the Chinese. Dance forms, known as kata, were developed that had Karate moves embedded within them. Disguised as dance, the people maintained their art. Even Tae Kwon Do uses this method of practice, even though it originates from Korea.
There have been many blendings of martial arts in Asia, India, and now the Americas over the centuries. Martial arts are a living, evolving art form, as is any human practice. Some forms are closer to the traditional, and some are radically modified. Most provide the benefits of physical fitness and self-defense. For a decent basic primer on Karate, I am currently reading Tuttle Martial Arts' "Karate Basics" by Robin Reilly. My instructor also has recommended the Idiot's Guide To Karate, which I have ordered through Borders. (I just got the call today that it's in, so will be picking that up sometime tomorrow.)
So, this is it for tonight. I hope you've gained a bit more insight and found this useful. As always, thank you for reading here.
Dan
Punching drills, kicking drills, kata, stances, and push ups. Yep, pushups. Sensei was in drill instructor mode for the beginning of class last night, working us hard and fast. It was total rapid fire drilling, high punches, low punches, middle punches, short punches, front kicks, round house kicks, crescent kicks. First kata, second kata, third kata. Ten and twenty punches and kicks, as fast as we could do them, ten to fifteen pushups, jump up, more kicks, more punches, more pushups. I'm a bit sore today - which means I got a very good workout yesterday.
Now, I have to say, nowhere near every class is like this. Many are slow, careful drills trying to perfect form and memorize motions. You don't even break a sweat on days like that. Last night, however, we stretched, drilled our butts off, (hopefully) then sparred, then stretched again.
The point here is that Karate has both a very cerebral logic component and a hard physical component, making it a well-rounded sport and art.
I think for tonight, I'm just going to get in some good stretching to combat the soreness and let my muscles have a day of rest, otherwise. I haven't worked out like this in quite some time, so I can't just go day after day after day yet. I am slowly getting back to speed, but you have to work your way up to things. It's at times like this that I could literally kick my own ass for not keeping up with practicing my Tae Kwon Do after dropping out of class. At least I'd have kept what I did gain.
The moral of the story: if you fall off the wagon, start walking until you can catch another ride. Sitting there in the mud puddle just gets you fat and dirty. (I'm reminding myself as much as my readers here.)
Also, on a side note, one night per week classes have turned into often three nights. Sensei comes in on Saturdays for open extra training for adults and kids for two hours, in two separate classes, so most Saturdays I go in for the extra instruction. He also is letting me attend Tuesdays as well, and where he is teaching things I'm not ready for, he just has me over to one side of the room practicing kata or blocks, kicks, punches, etc.
I find this to be of great benefit, and I'm glad it worked out this way. The extra days in class give me some extra garantee of time to practice and work out. Being a married, full-time employed adult, being at home often gets too busy to allow me to practice, and one day per week just wouldn't do what I need. I gladly take the extra days for this reason alone. Karate is a privilege to learn, and I recognize that clearly after waiting so long in life to have the opportunity to pursue a martial art. I've waited since high school for this. I've also learned over the years that persistence in the face of obstacles of all kinds often pays great dividends.
On another tack, you've seen me mention kata several times now in this journal. I gave the basic explanation of what kata is, but not the real in-depth explanation. Here it is: kata forms were originally dances used to train and stay in practice for karate artists developed when the practice of karate was forbidden. Karate originates on the island of Okinawa, which was once independent. Te was the original Okinawan martial art. After Okinawa became part of Japan, Japan wound up under Chinese control for a time. Chinese martial arts were combined with Te to form early versions of Karate.
After a time, the Chinese forbade the practice or teaching of martial arts in Japan except in the case of practicioners loyal to the Chinese. Dance forms, known as kata, were developed that had Karate moves embedded within them. Disguised as dance, the people maintained their art. Even Tae Kwon Do uses this method of practice, even though it originates from Korea.
There have been many blendings of martial arts in Asia, India, and now the Americas over the centuries. Martial arts are a living, evolving art form, as is any human practice. Some forms are closer to the traditional, and some are radically modified. Most provide the benefits of physical fitness and self-defense. For a decent basic primer on Karate, I am currently reading Tuttle Martial Arts' "Karate Basics" by Robin Reilly. My instructor also has recommended the Idiot's Guide To Karate, which I have ordered through Borders. (I just got the call today that it's in, so will be picking that up sometime tomorrow.)
So, this is it for tonight. I hope you've gained a bit more insight and found this useful. As always, thank you for reading here.
Dan
Friday, February 15, 2008
So I Want To Learn Karate...
Ok, so I signed up for a 7-week session of Karate. When I went to the Plainfield Y to sign up, (We'd already gotten a family membership the month prior) I was given a choice between Tuesday night & Thursday night for adult class. Cool! I jumped on the Tuesday thing, because the World Headquarters for the Theosophical Society is only about 45 minutes from my house, and they have these really fun lectures on Thursday nights, like "Contacting The Dead by Antique Radio," and "What Your Aura Colors Say About You," or "Peace For The World" with people like the Dalai Lama. Really out-there, totally fun stuff for a nutty Aquarian trying to make his way in this wierd universe.
Ok, I'm all primed - I bought my annual membership to the Theosophical Society and I packed a gym bag with soap and a towel and my old Tae Kwon Do uniform, (Bulging with non-practiced fattitude I am hoping to LOSE) and head down to the Y for class. I even put on my old white belt, anticipating the "start over" scene. What's the first thing my instructor says? "What are you doing here on a Tuesday night? Tuesday night is for advanced students." Lovely. There go my dreams of crop circle slide shows and Area 51 Secrets Revealed, crashing like a UFO caught in a bad neutron storm. The Angels of Nirvana will have to "Om" without me - for awhile.
The other zinger was "Nice gi - too bad it's the wrong one."
Now, you have to understand, my instructor has a great sense of humor - and a dry, deadpan delivery that can raise hairs on the hackles of the uninitiated. He has not dogged me since about wearing a Tae Kwon Do gi to Karate class, and I will at the first available opportunity buy the correct gi for Karate. (*Note: "gi" is Japanese for "uniform.")
First, however, I need to get such things as padded fist gloves, padded foot protectors, padded head protector, a mouth guard, and...eeeeyah! A nut cup. Yep, in this system of karate, kicking at the groin is part of the method. Can you guess that the order of equipment listed above DOES NOT match the order of purchase?? I am putting those boys in jail, in the padded plastic cell, ASAP!
BTW, one of the guys in class had an extra pair of fist pads and footpads that he gave me. This helps greatly, as the finances are tight. (Ahem!) Now, the footpads in Karate class protect the TOP of the feet. Most roundhouse kicks, which is the most common kick, use the upper part of the foot for impact. These pads are NOT to protect me. They are to protect my opponent. In case you haven't guessed, there is a lot of sparring in this Karate system. I want to express my gratitude to the un-named gentleman for this kind gift. (You know who you are.) The footpads are a size too small, but they will work, at least until I can get the right size.
(*NOTE: Sparring in this class is supposed to be LIGHT CONTACT ONLY. We are not to beat each other black, blue, or broken. The whole idea is to learn finesse, control, and skill. Properly protected and with appropriate contact only, no one should be hurt in class. Caution, control, and respect, folks. :-)
I wasn't actually supposed to start sparring until the last class of the session, which is three weeks away, I guess. However, Sensei decided that tonight I would start early - without cup or cough drops! I'd left the donated gear at home until the last class night of the session. Sensei got me in sparring last night anyway, though. It actually worked out pretty well. He sparred with me first time out, and then had me work my way down through the belts. I am restricted to having a green belt or above referee my sparring sessions, however, because I am so new and someone needs to be ready to stop the action if there are any accidents or issues.
At any rate, I felt pretty good with it by the end of the evening, and I only got one minor bruise on my ankle blocking a kick. I didn't hurt anyone as far as I can tell. I think I will be fairly good at this, once I get my forms down better and gain more control.
I did have one issue, though. One of the primary rules is that we guys can't touch the gals in the upper or lower anatomy. Well, this makes perfect sense, but it also is a reflex to punch at an opponent's body to either score a point or to feignt and open the opponent up for a head punch or a kick. I found out by accident that, at my height, I can't reach down far enough for the most part to get even at a solar plexus level on the gals, because they are just plain too low to the ground for me. I was absolutely mortified! Yikes! I don't want to get kicked out of class for an accidental anything. New self-rule: NO BODY SHOTS AT THE WOMEN with the hands. Kicks are easy enough to aim at safe areas, punches are NOT. Any of you tall guys learning the art, you either already know this, or you'd best hear me clear.
Karate - the art of the empty hand. Best we keep it that way. Next time, I'll discuss some of the blocks, punches, kicks, and beginning kata. (Kata are dance-like training forms used to build "muscle memory" of the moves you need for the art.) Good night, All, and thanks for reading.
Ok, I'm all primed - I bought my annual membership to the Theosophical Society and I packed a gym bag with soap and a towel and my old Tae Kwon Do uniform, (Bulging with non-practiced fattitude I am hoping to LOSE) and head down to the Y for class. I even put on my old white belt, anticipating the "start over" scene. What's the first thing my instructor says? "What are you doing here on a Tuesday night? Tuesday night is for advanced students." Lovely. There go my dreams of crop circle slide shows and Area 51 Secrets Revealed, crashing like a UFO caught in a bad neutron storm. The Angels of Nirvana will have to "Om" without me - for awhile.
The other zinger was "Nice gi - too bad it's the wrong one."
Now, you have to understand, my instructor has a great sense of humor - and a dry, deadpan delivery that can raise hairs on the hackles of the uninitiated. He has not dogged me since about wearing a Tae Kwon Do gi to Karate class, and I will at the first available opportunity buy the correct gi for Karate. (*Note: "gi" is Japanese for "uniform.")
First, however, I need to get such things as padded fist gloves, padded foot protectors, padded head protector, a mouth guard, and...eeeeyah! A nut cup. Yep, in this system of karate, kicking at the groin is part of the method. Can you guess that the order of equipment listed above DOES NOT match the order of purchase?? I am putting those boys in jail, in the padded plastic cell, ASAP!
BTW, one of the guys in class had an extra pair of fist pads and footpads that he gave me. This helps greatly, as the finances are tight. (Ahem!) Now, the footpads in Karate class protect the TOP of the feet. Most roundhouse kicks, which is the most common kick, use the upper part of the foot for impact. These pads are NOT to protect me. They are to protect my opponent. In case you haven't guessed, there is a lot of sparring in this Karate system. I want to express my gratitude to the un-named gentleman for this kind gift. (You know who you are.) The footpads are a size too small, but they will work, at least until I can get the right size.
(*NOTE: Sparring in this class is supposed to be LIGHT CONTACT ONLY. We are not to beat each other black, blue, or broken. The whole idea is to learn finesse, control, and skill. Properly protected and with appropriate contact only, no one should be hurt in class. Caution, control, and respect, folks. :-)
I wasn't actually supposed to start sparring until the last class of the session, which is three weeks away, I guess. However, Sensei decided that tonight I would start early - without cup or cough drops! I'd left the donated gear at home until the last class night of the session. Sensei got me in sparring last night anyway, though. It actually worked out pretty well. He sparred with me first time out, and then had me work my way down through the belts. I am restricted to having a green belt or above referee my sparring sessions, however, because I am so new and someone needs to be ready to stop the action if there are any accidents or issues.
At any rate, I felt pretty good with it by the end of the evening, and I only got one minor bruise on my ankle blocking a kick. I didn't hurt anyone as far as I can tell. I think I will be fairly good at this, once I get my forms down better and gain more control.
I did have one issue, though. One of the primary rules is that we guys can't touch the gals in the upper or lower anatomy. Well, this makes perfect sense, but it also is a reflex to punch at an opponent's body to either score a point or to feignt and open the opponent up for a head punch or a kick. I found out by accident that, at my height, I can't reach down far enough for the most part to get even at a solar plexus level on the gals, because they are just plain too low to the ground for me. I was absolutely mortified! Yikes! I don't want to get kicked out of class for an accidental anything. New self-rule: NO BODY SHOTS AT THE WOMEN with the hands. Kicks are easy enough to aim at safe areas, punches are NOT. Any of you tall guys learning the art, you either already know this, or you'd best hear me clear.
Karate - the art of the empty hand. Best we keep it that way. Next time, I'll discuss some of the blocks, punches, kicks, and beginning kata. (Kata are dance-like training forms used to build "muscle memory" of the moves you need for the art.) Good night, All, and thanks for reading.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
In the beginning...
...I heard about Tae Kwon Do in high school - Madison, WI, and many years ago. (I don't want to get into exactly when - LOL) I always wanted to learn, but money was an obstacle to anything like that for me.
Fast-forward to the past few years - I joined the local YMCA about 4-5 years ago - only the local Y was in the next town over, Naperville. Plainfield was still in boom state, growing up from a little farmburg, and didn't have it's own Y yet. I joined mostly to lose wait and get back in shape - that middle age "OH MY GOD" moment so many of us have getting on a scale and putting on pants. You know those moments - can't breath tying your shoes, people run if you wear a tank top, no shirt will stay tucked in your pants once you get them zipped...and let's NOT talk about what it does for sex.
Anyway, the Naperville Y had Tae Kwon Do classes - "Yippeeeee!" I'm thinking. Finally I get to do this! (I also love swimming, was doing that too.) So I join the class - only almost everone taking it is 13 or under!
Now this is too comical. I am 6' 6" and 330lbs - yep, that's no typo, three hundred thirty pounds. I'm in there doing the beginner thing, learning all the moves - I mean, hey, no way can I afford private schools in the strip malls, I have a modern mortgage, man! I really was enjoying it.
The stretches with Tae Kwon Do are great - and geared towards extreme flexibility in the hips and legs, so you can kick straight up. (I still use the stretches while I'm learning Karate now)
So I'm going along, and then they had us doing no-contact sparring. Well, anyone who's ever done martial arts knows that beginners - white belts - don't have the greatest control. They had me sparring with a 12-13 year old boy as he's the biggest one there after me. He leads at me with a roundhouse kick - and I do a low block to block the kick. If we'd had no contact, it would have been fine. But both of us were white belts, and I ended up giving the poor kid a charlie horse in his left thigh blocking. Gawd, I felt horrible! This is why age-separated martial arts training makes sense, folks. One slip, and with my mass and reach, the younger ones just don't have the structure to shrug off even glancing blows from a guy my size. Anyway, I apologized profusely, but he was always leery after that, to the point where he was holding back sparring because of it. Not good - because that could have impeded his training.
There was one truly hilarious moment - the instructor is maybe 5' 7" and 150lbs - and he's going to teach us the flying side kick. Now, this kick, you run full speed across the room, jump up in the air on your side, and one-two kick at your opponent before landing on your feet.
The instructor was standing at one end of the training room holding this huge 3' x 4' pad like a shield. Well, with all the kids, they hardly even budged him. Then there's me. I zoomed lickety-split across the room, went airborne, executed the kick fairly well - and knocked the instructor back at least five feet. Do NOT try this at home, folks! You'll either break yourselves or the walls!
Anyway, I got through yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do, and then something purely stupid happened. I stress fractured my right foot - speed walking at the mall on a Sunday! Ahhhh!! A stress fracture isn't a clean break - oh, no! it is a spiral break around the bone - those long bones between your toes and your ankle. The bone isn't even in two pieces - it's just opened up and burns like hell when you step on it.
So much for Tae Kwon Do training - I let our Y membership lapse, money got tight, I didn't get to re-join and start back up - and here we are alomost three years later. Me being me, I got pissed off about not being able to go, and so didn't stay in practise. Did I mention I weighed in at 295lbs when I was taking Tae Kwon Do? Oops - now you know how I got to 330lbs.
So now, my wife finally gets into exercise, and we join the Y again - only now Plainfield has one a mile from the house, and she wants to go there instead of the other Y. This is how I wound up rusty as hell, a good deal fatter, and taking Isshin Shorinjii Ryu Okinawa Te - style karate.
Here we go, I am a white belt again, (new art) only now, the class is all adult. (I'm still wearing the Tae Kwon Do uniform, because I can't afford to get a karate uniform yet. It works, and my instructor thinks it's fun and cool - but THE WRONG ONE! He told me so the very first day.
Since I just got home from work a little while ago, and I have to go to class this evening before work, I need to go get some sleep. Until next time, Sayonara...(splg?)
Fast-forward to the past few years - I joined the local YMCA about 4-5 years ago - only the local Y was in the next town over, Naperville. Plainfield was still in boom state, growing up from a little farmburg, and didn't have it's own Y yet. I joined mostly to lose wait and get back in shape - that middle age "OH MY GOD" moment so many of us have getting on a scale and putting on pants. You know those moments - can't breath tying your shoes, people run if you wear a tank top, no shirt will stay tucked in your pants once you get them zipped...and let's NOT talk about what it does for sex.
Anyway, the Naperville Y had Tae Kwon Do classes - "Yippeeeee!" I'm thinking. Finally I get to do this! (I also love swimming, was doing that too.) So I join the class - only almost everone taking it is 13 or under!
Now this is too comical. I am 6' 6" and 330lbs - yep, that's no typo, three hundred thirty pounds. I'm in there doing the beginner thing, learning all the moves - I mean, hey, no way can I afford private schools in the strip malls, I have a modern mortgage, man! I really was enjoying it.
The stretches with Tae Kwon Do are great - and geared towards extreme flexibility in the hips and legs, so you can kick straight up. (I still use the stretches while I'm learning Karate now)
So I'm going along, and then they had us doing no-contact sparring. Well, anyone who's ever done martial arts knows that beginners - white belts - don't have the greatest control. They had me sparring with a 12-13 year old boy as he's the biggest one there after me. He leads at me with a roundhouse kick - and I do a low block to block the kick. If we'd had no contact, it would have been fine. But both of us were white belts, and I ended up giving the poor kid a charlie horse in his left thigh blocking. Gawd, I felt horrible! This is why age-separated martial arts training makes sense, folks. One slip, and with my mass and reach, the younger ones just don't have the structure to shrug off even glancing blows from a guy my size. Anyway, I apologized profusely, but he was always leery after that, to the point where he was holding back sparring because of it. Not good - because that could have impeded his training.
There was one truly hilarious moment - the instructor is maybe 5' 7" and 150lbs - and he's going to teach us the flying side kick. Now, this kick, you run full speed across the room, jump up in the air on your side, and one-two kick at your opponent before landing on your feet.
The instructor was standing at one end of the training room holding this huge 3' x 4' pad like a shield. Well, with all the kids, they hardly even budged him. Then there's me. I zoomed lickety-split across the room, went airborne, executed the kick fairly well - and knocked the instructor back at least five feet. Do NOT try this at home, folks! You'll either break yourselves or the walls!
Anyway, I got through yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do, and then something purely stupid happened. I stress fractured my right foot - speed walking at the mall on a Sunday! Ahhhh!! A stress fracture isn't a clean break - oh, no! it is a spiral break around the bone - those long bones between your toes and your ankle. The bone isn't even in two pieces - it's just opened up and burns like hell when you step on it.
So much for Tae Kwon Do training - I let our Y membership lapse, money got tight, I didn't get to re-join and start back up - and here we are alomost three years later. Me being me, I got pissed off about not being able to go, and so didn't stay in practise. Did I mention I weighed in at 295lbs when I was taking Tae Kwon Do? Oops - now you know how I got to 330lbs.
So now, my wife finally gets into exercise, and we join the Y again - only now Plainfield has one a mile from the house, and she wants to go there instead of the other Y. This is how I wound up rusty as hell, a good deal fatter, and taking Isshin Shorinjii Ryu Okinawa Te - style karate.
Here we go, I am a white belt again, (new art) only now, the class is all adult. (I'm still wearing the Tae Kwon Do uniform, because I can't afford to get a karate uniform yet. It works, and my instructor thinks it's fun and cool - but THE WRONG ONE! He told me so the very first day.
Since I just got home from work a little while ago, and I have to go to class this evening before work, I need to go get some sleep. Until next time, Sayonara...(splg?)
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