202:Friday 7:00 : June 30, 2006

Basic:
Kihon Dosa Renzoku

Technique:
Ryote Mochi Sankajo Osae-1

Kotegaeshi (getting the Kotegaeshi hands part)

Note:
Class of 2...and I trained! : )

Although, couldnt kneel properly yet...also. it was very very difficult to apply Sankajo from Ryote Mochi. We got stuck in movements so many times then, finally sensei moved instead of we moved him after all.

What he told us was simpler than what we actually tried to do or did. (he said points were only THREE, I cant remember in his exact words but all I remember is...
Stay in Kamae
Do not lose Kamae
Keep your center line...all about Kamae...anything else?

There are things to focus on to stay in kamae such as like to push your hip and so...but its all about stay in a good kamae.

For Kotegaeshi, I have been trying hard to get the right Kotegaeshi hands movement. Still cant get it right. I still dont see how to get Uke off balance as I try to make Hiriki no yosei-2 turn. Or, I need to get Uke off balance then I make the turn, otherwise...it doesnt work. Also,
I dont forget that "baby finger" is a very important factor, still...it will take more time : )

It was very humid in the dojo (sensei pushed the magic bottom to get the cool air!),
however I felt good to train!

How to deal with an injury continues... ; )

201:Thursday 5:45 : June 29, 2006

Back on the MAT!

Yet, I was allowed to do only stretching...still felt much better to be back on the mat with dogi on : )

Dogis are comfortable ; )

NOTE: Its not the only thing I have in my closet.

200:Wednesday 5:45 : June 28, 2006 (Mitorigeiko)

Basic:
Shumatsu Dosa

Technique:
Katate Mochi Shihonage-1 & 2
Yokomen Uchi Shihonage-1
Shomen Uchi Shihonage

Katate Mochi Sankajo Osae-1 & 2
Ushirowaza Katate Eri Mochi Sankajo Osae-1 & 2
Hiji Mochi Sankajo Osae-1

Note:
Class of 1 and me doing Mitorigeiko, also my 200th!

The class focused on the very detail points of Shihonages, and Ushiro Sankajos.

When they were working on how to make the circle to get Shihonage shape from Shomen Uchi/Yokomen Uchi...I wanted to run and join and do it!

Mitori-geiko is a good training, yet I prefer to train! Maybe, Mitori-geiko is also good for realizing it ; )

199:Tuesday 5:45 : June 27, 2006 (Mitorigeiko)

Basic:

Kihon Dosa (Tai no Henko-1 & 2)

Technique:

Shomen Uchi Nikajo Osae-1
Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae-1

Note:
Class of 2 and me (Mitorigeiko), it was very interesting class to do Mitori after all.
I think I learned a lot by watching...many times it helps a great deal to get an image in my head for what to do/how to do.

During the class, I was remembering that one class that we worked so much on Ikkajo a several weeks ago, I thought I learned a lot then, hope I still remember them...

When I first learned Shomen Uchi Nikajo, I could not even get an idea to relate its initial movement to Ikkajo one...now, at least, I see it even though I dont quite do it. Let's call it a progress and feel good about it : )

198:Saturday 6:15 : June 24, 2006

Basic:


Technique:
Suwariwaza Katate Ayamochi Nikajo Osae-1
Katate Ayamochi Nikajo Osae-1
Suwariwaza Katate Ayamohi Nikajo Osae-2
Katate Ayamochi Nikajo Osae-2

Katate Mochi Hijiate Kokyunage-1

(Jujitsu like)
Kicking Sokumen Iriminage
Kicking Kokyunage

Note:
Class of 6. Series of Ayamochi Nikajo...I dont think I understand Nikajo at all, well so I keep training...the day may come!! ( I feel the same way, everytime!)

With Hijiate Kokyunage, I was trying to flip by jumping higher as I learned earlier, not really know if I could make any difference in day, yet an attempt was there.

We tried some Jujitsu style techniques which start from Kicking, I had no idea of "kicking" so I did not know what to expect. The first one was much more fun than it looked. Not much to do but big effect was lying on the mat before you knew it. It happened with the second one. I FELL! with my knee bending to the wrong way!! It made a funny sound and I could not figure out what happened to my knee for like 30 secs...Soon I was able to stand up, so nothing was broken was a good news : )

Next morning, I knew I was carrying an injury with the pain as I woke up! I did not know what's really happening for a little while not knowing what to do...soon I realized it will heal, I just needed to figure out what to do/ what not to do ; )

To deal with injuries: It was a good thing that I had decided not to be afraid of getting injured because it would always heal. I felt so much easier after deciding that and it helped /encouraged me a great deal to get over the fear esp. for Jiyuwaza. Now, this, which was on my (kinda) to do list, happend for real.

To get injured and heal must sound silly to have it on my to do list even for the martial art...however, it will become a fact if you do it, not only having in my mind. I am not exactly enjoying the pain itself but "kinda" enjoying the situation in a way after all. : )

197:Saturday 11:30 : June 24, 2006

Kokusai Class with Jo

Basic:

Suriashi
180 pivot...

Technique:

forgot the real name: like tenchi nage
like tenchi nage starts from turning around
Ikkajo
Shihonage
do nothing and make uke flip (like ducking down with barehand)

After Class : Jiyuwaza
I still move too much as Uke, it mostly takes a lot of energy and also gives less chance to be in control of own movements...only my assumption but...its good to make movements smaller.

Jump and Flip!
To flip higher, I've got a tip to jump high. Need to practice JUMPING, then jump and flip. Its not easy as it sounds...think its gonna take sometime...♪


Note:
Class of many, 20 plus? Its always fun to train with Senshuseis, I enjoy the energy they have.
Its been nearly 3 months since the course had started, even those senshuseis who started Yoshinkan in April are not beginners any more.

Kagari geiko using a soft mat to flip. My first class with Jo, it wasnt easy not knowing how to handle a jo but it was such a fun class.

196:Friday 7:00 : June 23, 2006

Happy Birthday Steven!

Basic:
Back Breakfalls 39 x 2...78! (He looks so young for that age... !)

180 Pivot ..stay low and forward

Technique:

Ushirowaza Katate Mochi Shomen Iriminage (non-basic)
Ushirowaza Katate Mochi Kotegaeshi(non-basic)

Kotegaeshi pin practice
Sankajo Practice

Note:
Class of 2, San nin dori class.

My body parts are gradually getting damaged since I started training, my right elbow is kinda bad and I was carring some pain with my left wrist from massive Sankajo training with Sugar a week ago. Sensei must have some kind of animal instinct to hit exactly what I'm weak at!

Today's Specials were: Kotegaeshi pin with my right elbow and Sankajo with my left wrist.
I just could not stop laughing when sensei showed the way on my right elbow, it was nothing but pain! He even made Steven to try on me when he finished explaining...lucky me : )

Also Sankajo practice, we could not move sensei at all...I thought I had found some line to turn with pivot last week, but it must have been just an illusion. Its just a start over, Sankajo is tough, so is everything else ; )

195:Thursday 7:00 : June 22, 2006

Basic:

Hiriki no Yosei with partner 1 & 2

Technqiue:
Suwariwaza Mune Mochi Nikajo Osae-1
Mune Mochi Nikajo Osae-1
Suwariwaza Mune Mochi Nikajo Osae-2
Mune Mochi Nikajo Osae-2

Note:
Class of 7, 4 pairs with sensei. I just had NO IDEA what I was supposed to do with series of Mune Mochi esp. with Nikajo! Its fun to work on things I even dont understand...yet it was confusing. I'm sure I will feel the same way when we do "Mune-mochi" the next time.

194:Thursday 5:45 : June 22, 2006

Basic:
Kihon Dosa Renzoku (successful with the third try!)

Technique:
Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Nikajo Osae 1 & 2
Ushiro Ryote Mochi Sankajo Osae 1 & 2
Suwariwaza Yokomen Uchi Shomen Iriminage 1 & 2
Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Kotegaeshi 1 & 2
Yokomen Uchi Shihonage 1 & 2
Katate Mochi Ikkajo Osae 1 & 2

Note:

Class of 2.

We were struggling with Katate Mochi Ikkajo when Sensei walked in...so we asked if we could ask a question then he said with a sleepy grin, " Umm..send me an email", shocked us and even froze us by disappearing from our sight... Of course, he came back and taught us a minute later : )

I had started to pace my condition a week before the test by not doing anything other than test training and not asking teachers for jiyuwaza and so.
After the test/gasshuku, I found being "exhausted", so I tried to adjust my condition by skipping a few classes. Somehow I started feeling like I might have lost something...yet instead of worry about it, I thought it was probably the sign for being ready to get back to "really train" again : )

To avoid getting lost in movements, I tried to go through techniques as precise as possible. There are things (or many things) I can't quite do just yet, but I do know what I'm suppose to do, and there are somethings I'm able to do. I assume how to set your mind when you train is very important, and I enjoyed to feel the differences.

After the class, Sensei gave us BROWN BELTS, YEY! Although, it felt a bit awkward to wear it for the first time...guess it takes some time to get used to, and it starts fitting us when we move on, or we start fitting to it : )

193:Wednesday 7 :00 : June 21, 2006

Self Defence continues...

Class of 2.

I was surprised myself for having such intention to let Uke down even when I was not supposed to do so... Its sure that sometimes holding Uke is more effective than just letting them down with a chance for them to get up and attack again.

Sensei presented some "nasty" ways to defeat a person in non-basic ways...I personally dont care for these things as I simply enjoy training Aikido "friendly", however its important to know how things really work in the real world...so it was good to learn, an interesting class.

192:Wednesday 5:45 : June 21, 2006

Self Defence

Class of 1.

Going behind Uke's knee and kick was so COOL! You should not let your teacher to step on your feet exspecially between toe area...I somehow got myself into it and got bruised big time...

Oh, poor me...

191:Tuesday 7:00 : June 20, 2006

Basic:
Kihon Dosa Renzoku
180 Pivot with partner (forever...)

Technique:
Katate Mochi, Kaitennage (a bit of Hajime)
Katate Mochi, Yokomen Uchi, Sokumen Iriminage
Katate Mochi, Shomen Tsuki, Kokyunage


Note:
Class of 6. Man! It was HOT!!

I, at least, tried to have that Kamae moment before applying techniques, for today pivoting. Yet, the rest of everything was not anywhere...the best I could do was not to lose myself...it was very very hard class for me, maybe I was not still at my best condition...

190:Tuesday 5:45 : June 20, 2006

John's TEST and he PASSED!!
Congrats!

189:Saturday 6:15 : June 17, 2006

Basic:

Technique:

Several Techniques randomly chosen from Dai Ichi and Dai Ni
such as...
Suwariwaza Ryote Mochi Kokyuho
Suwariwaza Katate Mochi Yonkajo
Ryote Mochi Tenchinage
Katate Mochi Hijiate Kokyunage
Shomen Tsuki Kotegaeshi
...and some more...

Ushirowaza Ryote Mochi Sankajo Osae-1 & 2

Note:
Class of 4, great Sankajo session for me : )

As SOMEONE suggested, we tried on resisting as hard as we could for one or two rounds. The amount we sweat was almost unconceivable! It was worth learning to get the arms in positions with the strongest resist, as long as you go low enough, altough I had to pay the price by carrying the shoulder/wrist soreness for the next few days... ; )

Also for Sankajo, there is a line to make a circle to move the strong/heavy Uke with Sankajo.

Sankajo-2 has been the most uneffective technique for me for the last several months, I feel better to be able to see the chance for finding the line after all. I havent found the way yet, still I see the light is good enough for me.

188:Thursday 7:00 : June 15, 2006

Test Training

Kokyuho 1 & 2, I cant get off of my head the way Sensei showed us at this class.

The circle is smaller the better. Dont move your front foot, meaning be in the center of your circle and you have to recreate your circle if you keep moving.

For Sankajo...I think teachers have different circles, there is no right or wrong, its just the way they are.

Jiyuwaza: Use the attack, dont wait for it too long, or too late. Make the attack as a part of your movement.

187:Thursday 5:45 : June 15, 2006

Basic:

Technique:

Must Techniques for the Test

Note:
Class of 4

186: Wednesday 7:00 : June 14, 2006

Basic:
Pivot

Technique:
Ushiro Eri Mochi Ikkajo Osae-1
Ushiro Eri Mochi Ikkajo Osae-2

Note:

Class of 3.

185:Wednesday 5:45 : June 14, 2006

Basic:

Kihon Dosa

Technique:

Shomen Uchi Shihonage
Kata Mochi Ikkajo Osae-1 & 2
Hiji Mochi Ikkajo Osae-1 & 2
Ushiro Eri Moch Ikkajo Osae 1 & 2
Hiji Mochi Nikajo Osae-1 & 2
Katate Aya Mochi Nikajo Osae-1


Note:

Class of 1, Dai San gets difficult!

184:Tuesday 7:00 : June 13, 2006

Basic:

Technique:(non-basic)

Katate Ayamochi Shomen Iriminage-2
Katate Ayamochi Kotegaeshi-2

Suwariwaza Ryote Mochi Kokyuho-2

Note:
Class of 6. NON TEST TRAINING!

183:Tuesday 5:45 : June 13, 2006

Basic:

Technique:

Test Training

Note:
Class of 2...

182:Gasshuku Day 3, 10:00 : June 11, 2006

Back Breakfalls (110)

Jiyuwaza

Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Nage
Shomen Uchi Shihonage

---

Yokomen Strike Practice (43, each side)

Yokomen Uchi Yonkajo, Sokumen Iriminage
Yokomen Uchi Yonkajo Nage

FUN FUN Gasshuku was OVER!

Honestly, I was worn out as finished taking the test, I have no idea how I went through all these classes after that...Although it was very enjoyable and we will do it again!

181:Gasshuku Day 3, 6:45 : June 11, 2006

Back Breakfalls (43)


Kihon Dosa with Bokken

Katate Mochi Shihonage 1 & 2
Ryote Mochi Shihonage 1 & 2

180:Gasshuku Day 2, 16:00 : June 10, 2006

Bokken Class

179:Gasshuku Day 2, 13:30 : June 10, 2006

Tanto Soho-10

1: Shomen Tsuki, Side Sashi
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:
10:

178: Gasshuku Day2, 10:00 : June 10, 2006

Kihon Dosa 30 mins!

Damn Damn LooooonG Kihon Dosa...Sensei told us that the comments for the test were all there...Tai no Henko-1(left), Tai no Henko-2(right)...all came to the right knee...

Hajime for 17 mins!

Ushirowaza Ryote Mochi Sokumen Iriminage-2: which I thought was a brilliant choice to do Hajime. You could have minimize the movements as Shite, then you could stay focued even for Hajime, was what I thought. Still, Uke was a bit hard as usual.

177:Gasshuku Day 2, 6:45 : June 10, 2006

TEST!!

4 tests, We all Passed!

A bird was flying in the dojo... : )

176:Friday 7:00 : June 9, 2006

Test Training

Basic:
Back Breakfalls (20)
Jumpy Back Break falls (10)

...

Technique:

All Test MUST Techniques

Note:

Class of 2,

175:Thursday 7:00 : June 8, 2006

Test Training

Jiyuwaza practice (Kagari geiko)

Note:
Class of 7, all Jiyuwaza practice.

Not to move and make Uke move, being the center of the circle.

174:Thursday 5:45 : June 8, 2006

Basic:

Technique:

Jiyuwaza Practice

Note:

Class of 3, I did Mitori until 6:30, then Jiyuwaza for the last 15 mins.

4 points: Kamae, Going forward, Pivot, and Not to Look down.

173:Wednesday 7:00 : June 7, 2006

Test Training

Basic:

Migi Hanmi no Kamae
Hidari Hanmi no Kamae

Seiza Ho
Shikko Ho

Back Breakfalls (10)
Forward Rolls

Tai no Henko-1
Tai no Henko-2

Hiriki no Yosei-1
Hiriki no Yosei-2

Shumatsu Dosa-1
Shumatsu Dosa-2

Technique:

Katate Mochi Sokumen Iriminage-1
Kata Mochi Hijishime-2
Shomen Uchi Ikkajo Osae-1
Katate Mochi Nikajo Osae-2

Note:

Class of 6, good practice to train for the other test. Amazing to find that a little change makes a huge difference.

Fun training to focus on the specifics ; )

172:Wednesday 5:45 : June 7, 2006

Basic:

Technique:

Almost All of Dai Ni Kihon Techniques (Right side only)

Katate Mochi Ikkajo Osae-1
Kata Mochi Sokumen Iriminage-2

Note:

Class of 4, the secret of Kata Mochi Sokumen Iriminage was told!!

I tried to stay in the center of my circle...dont know how much I could have done...

For techniques, can do and can't do...at least we know the basic idea of all : )

171:Tuesday 7:00 : June 6, 2006

Test Training!!

Basic:

Technique:

Must Techniques

Katate Mochi Ikkajo Osae-1 & 2
Kata Mochi Nikajo Osae-1 & 2


Note:

Class of 7 on the mat, 2 off the mat.

Ikkajo: Shoulder
Nikajo:Shoulder

Stay in the center of the circle, and move Uke.

170:Tuesday 5:45 : June 6, 2006

Test Training!

Basic:

Technique:

Jiyuwaza from Katate Mochi, Yokomen Uchi, Shomen Tsuki

Note:

Class of 5!

Stay in Kamae, Never to go backwards, Pivot...and one more thing I cant remember, they are the ONLY 4 points for Jiyuwaza along with everything else : )

169:Saturday 6:15 : June 3, 2006

Basic:

Tai no Henko-1
Tai no Henko-2

Hiriki no Yosei-1
Hiriki no Yosei-2

Shumatsu Dosa-1
Shumatsu Dosa-2

Technique:

Test Must Techniques

Jiyuwaza Practice

Note:

Class of 5, one more week before the test!

I need to make my body learn not to get excited. I really should focus on...stay low and forward and balanced in Kamae. For Jiyuwaza, PIVOT.

168:Friday 7:00 : June 2, 2006

Basic:

Back Breakfalls (50)

Hiriki no Yosei-1
Hiriki no Yosei-2

Technique:

Suwariwaza Ryote Mochi Kokyuho-1
Yokomen Uchi Shihonage-1
Shomen Uchi Yonkajo Osae-1
Shomen Tsuki Kotegaeshi-1 & 2
Ushirowaza Ryote Mochi Ikkajo Osae-1 & 2
Hanmi Handachi Katate Mochi Shihonage-1 & 2

Push Ups 10

Note:
Class of 4, be surprised...test training : )

Is it becoming a tradition?? 50 back breakfalls...

167:Thursday 7:00 : June 1, 2006

Basic:
Back Breakfalls (30)

Tai no Henko-1
Tai no Henko-2
Hiriki no Yosei-1
Hiriki no Yosei-2

Technique:

Dai Ichi Kihon (except for Suwariwaza Ryote Mochi Kokyuho-2, ran out of time)

Jiyuwaza practice

Note:
Class of 8, its all about test continues.

Be in the center of my own circle as Shite, and move Uke around. If I move, I have to keep creating my own circle to apply the technique.

For Kata Mochi Hijishime, try to use shoulder more useful, then Hijishime would fall into where I'd be.

166: Thursday 5:45 : June 1 , 2006

Basic:

Technique:

Suwariwaza Yokomen Uchi Kotegaeshi-1
Katate Mochi Yonkajo Osae-2
Ushirowaza Ryote Mochi Sankajo Osae-1 & 2
Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Sankajo Osae-1 & 2

Kotegaeshi Practice

Note:

Class of 2, worked on "pin" points. I'm not good at pins, yet I get worse with Suwariwaza Pins...

Well, I dont mean this to be something I have to worry about, its just that it would be good to remember what I had a hard time with, and when...so I can laugh when I get to Nidan ; )