Monthly Archives: November 2007

Today was fairly easy in terms of effort. We went through everything we had to know for our next grade level. We learned the cat stance. We learned 4 more katas and 5 more kihon kumites. More accurately, we were made aware of them. Learning them well is going to take time. Some of the young kids who are now yellow belts will stay yellow belts for between 6 months and a year and a half, depending on how serious they are in terms of focus, paying attention, and practicing. There is one yellow belt who still can’t tie her own belt, but otherwise is pretty good. Marilyn and I should have our orange belts next grading (March) because we are mature enough to put in the practice and effort. Apparently, the black belts we practice with, from the Devon dojo, and other dojos around Alberta did very well in … Continue reading →

Today’s grading was my first and we (Marilyn and me) found it a lot harder than we expected physically. The first hour was the worst with commands coming fast and furious from the Sensei. The katas were done with intensity and heart I have to say. Achieved our yellow belts. Other colored belts also achieved their goals and graduated to a higher level, but some did not. Some yellow belts stayed where they were and some white belts did not pass. Some white belts I know did not show up for the ranking. I was going to add that they were just kids but there were other kids of the same age who did show up and they did fine. Right now I am exhausted and feel totally drained. The second hour was spent in a similar way with the addition of kihon kumite 1 through 5 for us white … Continue reading →

Today we spent the whole morning practicing what we need to know for the ranking. Next Tuesday there is no class as the school is having a parents/teacher meeting. So the ranking will be next class, which is next Saturday. My toe gave me grief today, especially in the front thrust and snap kicks. I wished I had brought some tape with me but I did not. Next time I will bring some. So, just when I think I have all the moves (blocks) down pat, they make me walk backwards while doing them. Talk about hilarious. At my white belt level, learning all the basics is fairly simple as long as one practices so that the muscles and neural pathways have learned the proper way to coordinate the movements. Of course, the higher belt levels are much more complex in terms of katas and moves. But still, learning to … Continue reading →