So. In today’s class we practiced our ippon kumites and then we split the class and some practiced with the Bo while I elected to practice some team kata for the first time. I’ve never tried team kata before. It was a lot of fun, but we weren’t that good at it. But not bad for the first try. We did Itosu Rohai Shodan. There were three of us, a blue belt, a brown belt, and my orange belt.
For some strange reason, I just can’t remember the beginning and the ending of every kata. I will have to actually write it down so I can drill it into my head over and over until I don’t have to think about it anymore. I think you put your feet together, first left, then right, then you bow, then you do the typical itosu hand gestures (I know there is a name for this but I don’t remember it). It’s kind of like a formal beginning and ending for every kata that is the same for every kata. Then you move the right foot, left foot into shizentai and announce the name of the kata. Then you begin. At the end, you stand up with both feet together, bow, do the hand gesture thing, then I think it is the right foot, left foot into a shizentai. Or is it left then right? Or is it both at the same time? How many points can you lose for doing it wrong?
I know I can put this to rest next time I corner an instructor. So I will be entering the kata competition and the sparring. I spar about as well as a 6 month old baby trying to walk. I totally suck and I really hate it. But I am forcing myself to do it anyway because, well, because I hate it so much. Sort of a self-discipline, get out of your comfy place thing. Besides, I wouldn’t like it if I was cornered in a real fight anyway, and why wait until then to find out you just can’t spar because it’s not something you’ve ever practiced in a public and stressful situation. Like Sensei Kevin Trotman said, it’s good to put yourself in a stressful situation where things are controlled and you have a choice. At least you are among friends, who, although kicking your ass and making you look like an idiot, don’t try to kill or injure you. In an alley fight, you will at least be familiar with the stress levels and be better able to maintain some sort of presence. Not that I’ll be looking for a street fight any time soon, ha ha.
Maybe I can lord it over little old ladies and children. Be the scourge of the seniors homes, taking their pain killers, and then moving on to kindergarten and take kid’s lunch money in exchange for my “protection”. I’m KIDDING! I hope you figured that out!