Training Journal

A journal of my martial arts training

Tag: full circle cuts

  • WCoS

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    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.

  • WCOS

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    Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective full requirements. I then covered Advanced Neck Block as well as reviewed the Advanced Thrust Block. After the break, I examined Bryce’s steel and offered some observations and tips, then we did 50 continuous full circle cuts with steel (myself 2H), starting Bryce on his initial solo steel work. Next I instructed him on Kata Ni, after which we does several rounds of Silent Bokken and Unarmored Parry. I switched between 1H and 2H to cover both styles.

    I was really tired and feeling unmotivated before class, and I always appreciate how when I’m feeling that way, but I have to hold class regardless, once I get into actually running class, I most often feel a lot better. It is a testament to pushing yourself to do the thing even if you’re not feeling it because often it will help you feel better.

    (The last two weeks class was canceled, no students)

  • WCoS

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    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)

  • WCoS

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    Class with Rakta Nadi. Stretch and our respective requirements, then a study session on The Mantis. After a break, we got 100 continuous full circle cuts (I did 2H bokken this time), several rounds of Silent Bokken, some rounds of Unarmored Parry, some rounds of Add-On, and finished with a couple rounds of Refined Strikes.

  • WCOS

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    Class with Bryce and Chris. I worked with Chris on Cutting Pattern 2 initially, then he and Bryce paired for requirements while I worked solo and observed. We worked on Defense Cut, a new move for Chris. After a break, we did 100 full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes, and some pel gauntlet. We finished with Balance 1 and 2.

  • WCoS

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    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.

  • WCOS

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    Class with Chris. Stretch and then we went through our respective full requirements. I then instructed him on Warriors Stance and Whispering Wind (Green Braid version, essentially reverse JT2).

    After a break, we did 100 continuous full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), Refined Strikes, unarmored parry, and finished with Silent Bokken.

  • WCoS

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    Opening class of 2025 with Jesse, Bryce, Rakta Nadi, Chris, Aaliyah, and Miriam. Stretch and requirements followed by a focus study on The Mantis. During the break we reviewed protective gear and armor, making sure everyone would be ready for this weekend’s event, and discussed carpooling. After we bowed in for the second half, we started with 100 continuous full circle cuts (Jesse and I with 2H steel), then I discussed melees and the upcoming event in general since this will be a new thing for Chris, Miriam, and Aaliyah. We wrapped up formal class with several rounds of Refined Strikes. Afterward I helped Aaliyah with prep work for her new helmet’s grill and Miriam with rounding and padding the corners on her cuirass.

  • WCoS

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    Final class of 2024, with Jesse, Bryce, Rakta Nadi, Aaliyah, Miriam, and Ben. Stretch and requirements, than we worked on The Tradition (a new move for Aaliyah). After the break, we did 100 continuous full circle cuts (jesse and I with 2H steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes, and then a round of Blind Man’s Boffer. We finished out with and extended Balance 1 & 2 course.

    After class I turned out the lights and Ben, Miriam, and I did a bit more of the Balance course in the near dark.

    Conditions: intermittent rain, pretty muddy and mucky

    2024 Class Photo of Aaliyah, Jesse, Umbra, Bryce, Rakta Nadi, Miriam, and Ben (not pictured, Chris and Shamay)

  • WCoS

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    Class with Aaliyah, Miriam, and Ben. Stretch and requirements. I reviewed each of them individually, meaning they each went through their requirements 3 times total. We then reviewed Sword Salute, followed by the original Dragon’s Tail, focusing on using the opening movement to rapidly and unexpectedly close with the opponent.

    After the break, we did 100 full circle cuts (myself 2H steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes, and finished with Balance 1 and 2.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse, Bryce, Miriam, Ben, Aaliyah, and Shamay. Stretch and requirements. I worked with Shamay, adding Cutting Pattern 1, and reviewed some of Ben’s techniques. As a class we did a study session on The I Move, a new move for both Aaliyah and Shamay. After the break, we started with 100 continuous full circle cuts (Jesse and I with 2h steel). We then moved pumpkin cutting, first doing several rounds of stationary cutting, and then a couple rounds of tossed targets.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse, Miriam, Ben, and Aaliyah. Stretch and requirements. I reviewed Aaliyah and Miriam. As a class we worked on The Mantis, as new move for Aaliyah. After the break, we did a lot of light armored parry. I gave the students a variety of opponent types; hand-and-a-half, single handed, long sword, double hand axe, and for Jesse two sword. We wrapped up with 100 full circle cuts (myself and jesse with 2h steel).

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse, Rakta Nadi, Aaliyah, and Shamay. Stretch and requirements. Covered thrust block for Shamay. As a class we reviewed a practiced move (?). After the break, we had 100 continuous full circle cuts (me and Jesse just bokken), a few rounds of Refined Strikes, and did Move Builder with myself, Jesse, and Rakta Nadi creating a sequence each.

    (no class last week, I was sick)

  • WCoS

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    Class with Bryce, Miriam, Ben, and Aliyah. Stretch and requirements. I rotated through working with each student for a short while, reviewing and polishing. As a class, we did a study on Dragons Tail (new move for Aliyah). After the break, all students tonight are one handers, so I then handed everyone a dagger and we did 100 continuous full circle cuts (bokken for me tonight). We then did another 25 cuts with a dagger stab after every 5th cut, reinforcing the need to keep the offhand weapon engaged rather than passively tucked away. We then did a few rounds of Refined Strikes, followed by Unarmored Parry (new for Aliyah).

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse, Miriam, Ben, Aliyah, and Shamay. Stretch and requirements. I worked with Shamay, going over the Neck, Decap, and Leg blocks, and I worked with Aliyah on Cutting Pattern 1. As a class we did a study session on Thorn, a new move for Aliyah and Shamay.

    After the break, we had 100 full circle cuts (myself steel 2H), and then moved into Machinegun Drill. I started us off with just head attacks/blocks, then did a set of any upper attack, and then finished with a set of neck or leg attacks.

    I wrapped up the formal class and then held an abbreviated bokken care workshop, going over sanding grits and procedures to clean up their bokken, and reapplying a non-lacquer such as the linseed oil I use, particularly trying to do it a couple days before a class when we’re expecting rain.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse, Rakta Nadi, Miriam, Ben, Aliyah, and Shamay. Stretch and requirements. I reviewed Aliyah, and then Shamay, adding thrust and head block for Shamay. As a class we worked on Jumping Tiger 2, a new move for Aliyah. After the break, we did combat movement, 100 full circle cuts (me steel 2H), advanced response training, Balance 1 & 2, and finished with more balance 1 while practicing our basics (cuts and blocks).

  • WCOS

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    Class with Risa and Chris. Stretch and requirements. I reviewed part of mine while Chris and Risa went through theirs. I reviewed The Tradition, Dragons Tail, and Akira with Risa, discussing her two sword style. I reviewed Kata Ich and Cutting Pattern 2 with Chris, and then instructed him on The Illusion. As a class, we all continued to practice The Illusion together. After the break, we did 100 continuous full circle cuts (me 2H steel), refined strikes, and finished with Move Builder.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Chris, Miriam, Ben, and Shamay. Stretch and requirements. I worked with each student individually: discussed the 6 traditions with Shamay and added decap and leg cuts; reviewed basic cuts and blocks with Ben; then same with Miriam; and reviewed kata ichi and cutting pattern 2 with Chris. As a class we drilled on Jumping Tiger 2, a new move for Shamay.

    During the break I scattered obstructions throughout the dojo and we started the second half with altered terrain combat movement, then 100 full circle cuts (mine 2H steel) in the altered terrain. I shifted everything closer and we then did The Ground is Lava balance 1, and we finished with more continuous full circle cuts with the obstructions as an obstacle course (i.e. no touching them at all) (I got in another 50 cuts with steel for the final round).

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse, Rakta Nadi, Miriam, Ben, Aalilah, and Shamay. Stretch and requirements. Introduced Shamay to Defensive Stance and head and neck cuts. Added decap and leg blocks for Aalilah. The whole class worked on Jumping Tiger 1, a new move for Shamay. After the break, we worked on combat movement, continuous full circle cuts (100 2handed steel for me), and a few pel gauntlet patterns (classic zig-zag, single file, and two groups of 3). We finished with Balance 1.

  • WCOS

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    Class with Rakta Nadi, Chris, Ben, and Aaliyah. Shamay observed his second night and plans to join next week. Stretch and requirements. I paired Rakta Nadi with Ben and then started with Aaliyah, reviewing where she was at and added Head Blocks. I then reviewed Cutting Pattern 2 and Kata Ich with Chris. As a class, we continued to drill on Jumping Tiger 1, including working on the difference between facing a right or left hand dominant opponent.

    After the break, we worked on combat movement, then 100 continuous full circle cuts (myself two handed steel), and then a few rounds of Refined Strikes. We finished with Balance 1 & 2.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse, Risa, & Ben. Stretch and requirements. I reviewed Risa in two sword, which she is switching back to. As a class we reviewed The Mantis. After the break, we did combat movement, 100 continuous full circle cuts (Jesse and I with two handed steel), and a few rounds of Refined Strikes. We then went through a few configurations of Pel Gauntlet to continue drilling combat movement and multi-opponent.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse, Rakta Nadi, Chris, Ben, and Aaliyah. Stretch and requirements. I worked primarily with Aaliyah, adding decap and leg cuts and thrust. As a class we again did a focus session on Jumping Tiger 1. After the break we worked on combat movement followed by 100 continuous full circle cuts (Jesse and I with steel, myself 2 handed). We had a few rounds of Refined Strikes and finished with a number of pel gauntlet passes, doing a few configurations (zigzag, pairs, and finished with a multi-opponent circle).

  • WCOS

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    Class with Chris and Aliyah. Stretch and requirements. Instructed Aliyah on stance and head & neck cuts, plus some of the traditions. Instructed Chris on Basic Strikes and Kata Ich. As a class, we did a study on Jumping Tiger 1, a new move for Aliyah.

    After the break, Chris and I did 100 continuous full circle cuts (myself 2 handed steel), and Aliyah 50 cuts. We had a few sets of Advanced Response Training, then finished with Balance 1 & 2.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Jesse and Rakta Nadi. Iasha observed for her first time. Stretch and requirements. I reviewed Rakta Nadi, and then Jesse in sword+dagger. We did a group session on A…

    After the break, we started with a four rounds of Refined Strikes, followed by 100 continuous full circle cuts (steel jesse and I, myself sword+dagger). We did a couple sets of Advanced Response Training and a few rounds of Add-On.

    It was around 93F when class began and ended around 87F, so I was moderating a bit. I recorded a 1200 calorie burn for the roughly 2 hour class.

  • WCoS

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    Class with Rakta Nadi, Chris, Miriam, Ben, and Derek. Stretch and requirements. I worked with Derek, adding Cutting Pattern 1. As a class, we did a study on The Tradition, a new move for Derek. After the break, we started with our 100 full circle cuts (myself steel sword & dagger). We then did a few rounds of static uke gauntlet (one swordsperson moves through a gantlet of everyone else in static poses), then a few rounds of pel gauntlet. Next was a few rounds of Advanced Response Training, and finished with a few rounds of machinegun drill (any upper attack).

    I used my new Polar H10 chest strap heart monitor tonight and captured the 2 hour class. According to it, average heartrate was 129bpm with a max of 159bpm and calories burn of 1188.