Class with Jesse and Miriam. Stretch and requirements.

I worked with Miriam first, trying her on a 2 handed style to see if it will work out better for her. Its a bit late, she was so close to green braid, but I think it will be better for her in the long run, and so far she was positive about it.

I then worked with Jesse to review any of his sword+dagger technique that he had questions on.

As a class, we did a study/review on Mantis.

After a break, we did 100 full circle cuts (me 2H steel), some rounds of Refined Strikes, and finished with multi-opponent pel gambit.

Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective requirements. 100 full circle cuts (me 2H steel). Refined Strikes, Advanced Response training, multi-opponent pel gambits.

Class with Jesse and Miriam. Reviewed Miriam’s requirements to bring her back up to speed since her hiatus, reviewed much of Jesse’s one handed requirements. We did a study session on The Tradition.

After the break, we had 100 continuous cuts (me 2H steel), some rounds of Refined Strikes, and some rounds of Advanced Response Training. I wrapped up with a couple Move Builders.

Class with Jesse. Our respective requirements full through. Skills and drills in the second half including 100 continuous full circle cuts with our steel.

Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective requirements. Spent some time drilling on Kata Ni. After the break, started with 50 continuous full circle cuts (steel, myself 2H). Several rounds of Refined Strikes, then Add-On, and finished with some unarmored parry.

Class with Bryce and Rakta Nadi. Stretch and requirements (paired them and I soloed). Instructed Rakta Nadi on Jodan and advanced blocks (adv neck and thrust), reviewing for Bryce. After a break, we did 50 continuous full circle cuts with steel (myself 2h), then a few sets of refined strikes against the pels. Next was a several rounds of Advanced Response training, and we finished with a couple rounds of Add-On and one more of 2-attack Add-On.

Class with Rakta Nadi. Stretch and our respective requirements. Worked on updating a couple of his moves, Thorn and Akira, to better incorporate his offhand weapon. Reviewed Kata Ich a bit. Added his full complement of Chop Cuts.

After a break, we did 100 continuous full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), then we did an additional 50 for both of us wielding offensive-defense 2 sword (bokken). Next was several rounds of Advanced Response Training. We moved to a couple rounds of Refined Strikes against the pells, then a couple rounds of Refined Strikes targeting each other. We wrapped up with a couple rounds of Add-On.

Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective requirements. I used my one-hander tonight for nearly everything. We spent a little extra time on reviewing Kata Ni, and I discussed a little about building on the basics of Akira and Defense cut now, changing them from the 1-2 mentality into just a single movement, i.e. “a modified neck cut” (footwork, timing).

After a break, we started with 50 steel continuous full circle cuts (mine 2H), then several rounds of boffer sword + dagger Active Response Training and Active Response Parry. Moved on to a few rounds of Refined Strikes against the pels to allow a faster pace with light contact, followed by partner Refined Strikes and then the new Refined Strikes with active defensive stance.

Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective requirements. I was using my true long sword for most of tonight, including requirements. We worked a bit extra on Kata Ni and then took a break.

After the break, we started with 50 full circle cuts with our steel (myself 2H), then some rounds of Refined Strikes. I tried out a new variant tonight, with uke starting in defensive stance and then the the partner performing the refined strikes may incorporate blade controlling techniques to move it, after which the uke slowly returns to defensive stance. It worked nicely. We then did some multi opponent (target) drills with four of the pels, first in a trapezoid phalanx arrangement, then in an encirclement crescent. We finished with several rounds of Add-On.

Class with Bryce (late) and Chris. Stretch and requirements. Went over Jodan and Chop Cuts with Bryce for his new requirements. As a class we reviewed Double Chop.

After the break, we did 100 full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), then did some multi-opponent Refined Strikes and multi-opponent defense. Wrapped up with some move builder.

(no class last week, no students)

Class with Chris and Miriam. Stretch and then I reviewed each of their requirements. I then instructed on Double Thrust, a new move for each of them. After the break, we did 100 continuous full circle cuts (myself 2H Steel), advanced response training, refined strikes, pel gauntlets, and finished with Move Builder.