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

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

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

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


Complete Idiot's Guide to Karate by Randall G. Hassell and Edmond Otis (Paperback - Jul 5, 2000)
Buy new: $18.95 $12.89 36 Used & new from $3.47
Get it by Wednesday, Jun 18 if you order in the next 21 hours and choose one-day shipping.
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.
4.6 out of 5 stars (17)




Idiot's Guide To Karate Cover Thumbnail



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

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

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

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

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