Category Archives: Karate

The first day of our summer classes went very well. Sensei Kerri Trotman and Sempai Juan Molina led the small class in an exploration of new black belt katas as well as pointing out some corrections to our regular katas. I learned some new training techniques today too involving balance and kicking. While standing on one leg, the other leg kicks into a front thrust kick, then a side kick, and finally a back kick all without moving or setting the kicking leg down. It’s not so much about power and form as it is about balance, however, power and form gets better as you get stronger and develop better balance. The black belt kata we learned today is called Seru. There obviously is no law against colored belts learning higher kata – it keeps things interesting. Next class is Wednesday.

We had a lot of fun today, beginning with a warm up then we did some x patterns. After this we celebrated the last class of the “winter/spring” season by dividing up into teams and we played Calvinball. There were two balls and no rules except that we were not allowed to cross the center line into the opposing team’s domain. If we did we had to drop and do push ups while the game went on. The balls could not be caught but always had to remain in play. We were to use karate kicks, blocks, and punches to keep the balls in motion. There were no winners or losers, and it was quite an aerobic workout and a lot of fun. We then all quit class a little early so we could all go to the local Dairy Queen for an end of season treat together. Next class … Continue reading →

Before, I had my Green Belt of Adequacy, now I have been awarded my Blue Belt of Mediocrity. The grading got on my nerves even before I started. MM and I were the only ones grading today so we had to be up front only 10 feet from the judges. It started out well enough but in spite of my efforts to not tense up until it counts, and to relax at all other points, the sweat was just pouring off me like Niagara Falls. It was hot. I really got lost on the shutos and cat stance, but in other basics I think I did pretty well. It seems that the more tired I get, the stupider I get. Nevertheless, I still managed to hang on until a short break happened. I was pretty low on blood sugar by that time so I was grateful for the break. In … Continue reading →

It hurts to be back. Oh my aching quads! I’ll tell you running up all those hills in my last trail race was hard work and my quads are still really sore. But after I got warmed up a bit the heat dulled the pain so I could do what I had to do. Which is practice my kata and also yakushoku for the grading this Saturday. I’m not planning on running again until after the grading. I think I will succeed in this grading after all. My concern was that I did not remember all the kumite and yakushoku I am supposed to know and it has been a struggle to catch up. I still need to review these frequently on a daily basis until the time comes, but I am not as worried now as I was before. I think I look better in blue than green anyway. … Continue reading →

We explored some stretching and core exercises today before we moved on to basics. We practiced the x pattern with each one of us suggesting a combination of moves. After that we pulled out some mats so we could practice punching and kicking with full force. It is so much different when you have an actual target and not afraid to hit it hard. We practiced punching, all the kicks, and also shutos. It was a most interesting and enjoyable class. Sensei Mike did a good job. At home I will be practicing the few items I am a bit rusty on for grading to my blue belt. That would be the kihon kumite and yakushoku. I will also be practicing with my tonfa and my bow, now that summer is here and I can do it outside where there is more room.

As green belts, we were privileged to learn a Black Belt Kata today. It is called chin pa and uses several techniques we were not familiar with. It was very interesting and fun. Sensei Kevin Trotman led the class in warm ups and basic practice drills. We were the lowest ranking belts there today so maybe that is why they felt it was appropriate to dwell on the finer points of our katas and teach us chin pa too. Marilyn and I felt better than we normally do today since we have been getting a bit of rest from our other training duties. We will go to next Tuesday’s class, but we will miss Saturday since we are off to Calgary to prepare for my marathon.