...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
Friday, August 15, 2008
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
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