Ollie took us through a quick stretch and then some kihon. We then practiced kick combinations, which was good (and rarely done enough). Some combinations included mai/fumikomi and mai/mawashi/ushiro/yoko kekomi.
We moved to kata next. Tekki Shodan was done several times, then Heian Godan several times.
The last section of class we went over techniques for dealing with an opponent that is armed with a knife or similar weapon. Though this training does not appeal to me, I am always reminded that it is an important aspect of the art. In the long run, however, should you be faced with a situation such as that, your best tactic is to arm yourself, too.
When ever I do defense training for knives, I recall a story that was told to me by my sensei in PCKD. There was a young woman in the dojo that had earned Shodan or Needan rank (first or second black belt rank). One night a man forced his way into her apartment. He had a knife, she had her many years of advanced karate training. He killed her. Every time I think of this story, it gives me shivers, but it is a very important story and I think there is more than one lesson to be learned from it. So though I practice the techniques, I will never attempt to use them in a real situation unless there really is no other alternative.
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