Category Archives: Karate

I felt not that good today because of allergies caused by me playing around in the yard. There was a lot of dry grass and weed dust and moldy vegetation I was raking around. I got a sore throat and feel like I have the flu, but I think it is just allergies. Anyway, in the early part of the class came the warm up as usual then we did some sparring practice which I really, really hate. Really. I suppose if I was not such a klutz I might like it more. But being handicapped by a lack of flexibility, joint problems, and coordination I really have no chance of doing well in this area. When I look at how much better everyone else is at this, I really feel it is all futile. Intellectually I know it is not futile. I will get better at it and pretty … Continue reading →

A lot of push-ups, crunches, and core exercises and stretching were followed by basic kicks kata. Later we were shown juroku. We were shown this kata once before, but we had to relearn it in yesterday’s class. It is another woman’s kata. It was designed for women. This kata allows for defense against much larger and stronger adversaries, which is why this kata was ideal for women. The other woman’s kata we learned was aoyagi. Woman samurai were not allowed to carry swords and this one allowed the dagger women samurai carried to be concealed during the strike. I’ve not gone into very precise detailed description here so don’t quote me on anything. It is not a sexist thing, really. It is a practical thing. If I were to say, “It’s a girly kata”, that would be sexist. Historically, such kata were preferred for women because you did not have … Continue reading →

Today’s class had me thinking that I can actually kick now. The Sensei keeps saying, your form is good but don’t leave your leg hanging out there. Make sure you snap it back right away or it will get grabbed and you’re going down. Or something to that effect. What he doesn’t realize is that we know this already, it’s just that I am so surprised at how good I’ve just kicked that I just pause and blink at it for a while thinking how great I just kicked and relishing the moment! There are a lot of moments like this in karate. Another goes: Don’t pause during your turn-and-block. Again, I know this. It’s just that I’ve just done it so well that I’m all surprised about it and I want to enjoy the warm fuzzy feeling I get when I’ve done something right. I’m not ready to do … Continue reading →

I was very happy to get our blue belts (finally) today in class, thanks to Sensei Tony Baller for bringing them out. Today’s class was tough physically. We did lots of stretching, pushups, crunches, leg raises and other core exercises alternating with basics practice such as kicks, and walking. One of the practices we use is to do an x pattern, which just means you turn and face different directions while practicing blocks, kicks, and punches on each turn. Your feet trace out an x pattern on the floor as opposed to basic kata which traces out an H pattern. I still have a long way to go, but I am happy with the improvement in my kicks. Few things are more satisfying than kicking properly and knowing you did it right. You just feel it. Later we practiced Aoyagi which means bending willow and it is a woman’s kata … Continue reading →

A bad day was had by none. How’s that for a fake left and strike right? Today Jordon Sensei came in from the Elmwood Dojo to take over from Juan who had other commitments today. Thanks, Jordon! Of course, Jordon had to make us work hard and we practiced kicks. I find these quite hard, the worst being the side thrust kick because I have flexibility issues. OK, so I have strength and endurance issues as well. OK, so I have some balance issues too. Can I stop now? Kicks take a lot of effort, and for me I can do them fairly well the first few reps but then I get tired and sloppy and I can’t do them as well anymore, to the point where it looks like I’m not even trying. But it’s just because I am so stressed all the time – I mean stressed physically … Continue reading →

I sucked so bad today it was unbelievable. Worst karate class ever. Just don’t even talk about it. OK, I won’t.

Yesterday’s class attendance suffered as everyone is on vacation or doing summertime things. It was just me, MM, Juan, and Eddie. That’s it. So we didn’t mind, it was business as usual. Warm-ups, basics, kata, and towards the end Eddie and Juan went off to do their kata while MM and I practiced basic kumite.