Monthly Archives: February 2008

We had a great class today. It was not too difficult. We did some interesting variations on the x pattern and then we practiced kihon kumite and katas. I am not very happy with the state of my big toe and my ankles for that matter. I think I could do much better if these were not so sore. What with practicing for the tournament and with the Christmas break, I have not had much time to practice what I need to in order to grade to orange. Another grading is coming up, and I will wait and see if I can do what I need to do in order to grade. I can do all my upcoming requirements for grading, but I cannot do them well. I know what I need to work on. I need to learn the Japanese names, I need to work on Neko Ashi Dachi … Continue reading →

Just got back from the tournament. It was my first tournament as a spectator. Many people I knew from my own dojo, but there was a lot of people who had come from Sylvan Lake from a Goju Ryu style dojo. I enjoyed it enough to want to enter the next one, which I think is in my own Devon dojo! Here are some pictures I took from this event. The Sylvan Lake Goju Ryu White Belts being judged on their team kata. Judging individual and team novice katas. Scorecards. The highest and lowest scores from the 5 judges are thrown out, the other three are added. Marilyn helping out by flipping the score cards for kumite (sparring against an opponent). Sensei Joe Barrau is standing behind the two ladies. Barrau Sensei is the chief instructor for all of Alberta. He is a 5th Dan. Members of my own Devon … Continue reading →

Today we spent a lot of time on the basic kicks. Then we practiced some kihon kumite. During the break the instructors pulled out some weapons and did a small demo for whoever wanted to watch. After the break we concentrated mostly on sparring. We had a visitor from Ontario who will be at the tournament tomorrow. Marilyn and I will be going to the tournament tomorrow which is being held in Edmonton. We won’t be competing but I have not ruled out entering the kata competition. I am not likely to though because I am tired and need some serious healing time. Also I do not want to embarrass my dojo by not being ready for it. I don’t know all the protocols yet so there is no harm in watching my first tournament so I can enter with more confidence next time.

This evening’s class was very good. Troy led the class and we did basics again with an emphasis on perfect form. During our respective katas, each move was halted midstream and our form was carefully checked over by the instructors. Often we were asked to back up one move in order to be shown the correct way to do it. Each kata has a dozen or two moves, depending on the kata. Katas are an ideal training form. Their purpose is to perfect form and technique. Each kata is designed to be a series of defensive moves against a real attack. Although you will never encounter a real attack where you would perform a complete formal kata, you will know the katas well enough to react with the appropriate defensive move without thinking. The moves reflect actual defensive and offensive strategies one would take in a real street fight. Katas … Continue reading →