Class with Hiroko, Lynette and Ivan today. Began as usual with high repetition kihon, then had each of us create a 3 – 5 technique sequence which we repeated a number of times. We then took up shinai and paired for Cutting Pattern 1 repeated many times. To end the session, we performed Standing Iai 1 several times.
During the Cutting Pattern and Iai, I stressed that now that they are comfortable with the patterns, the attacks need to be more alive. When the blade is brought back and then the cut made, it should be like snapping a rubber band, rather than a “1,2” count.