Tag: hayward dojo

• WCoS

  2021-06-05

  hayward dojo, silver chain, sword, wcos

  Head Kaiden Gad led a special session to review requirements for myself, Kaiden Steelwind, and Kaiden Ravenstar. Most of my requirements were fine, no particular comments from Gad. Key notes, however:

  Battle Stance – it is close to an L stance, but directed about 10 – 15 degrees off the line

  Expert blocks – head (r/l), neck (r/l), adv. neck (r/l), decap (r/l), mid  (r/l – drop over outside of arms), leg (r/l), adv thrust, thrust, palmed head, grounded leg (r/l), adv. head (r/l)

  Kata San – there will be some alterations based on recent elucidation from Kaiden Joseph, but no changes for me at this time

• WCoS

  2014-12-04

  hayward dojo, wcos

  Sal and I journeyed to the Hayward Dojo for their 2014 closing class, held by Head Kaiden Gad. Over the course of the class, I went through my silver chain requirements with PJ, and later with Gad.

  Gad had the following notes for me:
  – The I Move should be applied against targets other than just the arm in combat,
  – I should move further laterally on Musashi for greater safety,
  – The thrust when demonstrating Dragons Tail solo should be angled up to catch the falling opponent squarely,
  – The Raven should always be demonstrated as a temple/eye cut (though it may be applied against any available target),
  – The Shadow should be a double temple attack (not neck),
  – Start applying Spike more often, aiming for the middle of the forehead, even if it means asking students to wear additional safety glasses if they’re face guards are inadequate.

  He also finished instructing me on Kata San:
  * Akira, look left, bring right foot forward and then rotate 90 left stepping back with the left and making advanced thrust block, cross-step forward with FC to opponents right torso, 180 left rotate on left foot, bring sword to jodan with an in-place foot change to right stance, spring forward cross stepping with head chop, right right and step out with right performing Crescent Cut, follow through rotating 180 to left stance with FC to opponents right leg, cross step forward with The Illusion.

  By the Best of the Best (Jan 10) I must craft my Cutting Pattern 4, and I need to remember to invite him to a game of chess at that time, both as part of my silver chain requirements.

  Kaiden Gad provided a list of four goals as “my end of year homework” (though with no time stipulation):
  – Win the Best of the Best,
  – Earn the rank of Black Belt in the WCoS,
  – Earn the rank of Silver Chain,
  – Grow my new class (to-be) in Portland while continuing to support and lend guidance from afar to Sal and the Redding Dojo.

  Lastly, I am honored that my student Sal has been granted Honorary Kaidenship to continue the Redding Dojo.

• WCoS

  2014-11-06

  hayward dojo, wcos

  I journeyed to the Hayward Dojo with Sal tonight for class led by Gad. I went through all of my requirements with Gad, receiving a few tips and adjustments. Key items were:
  – Draw cuts incorporate more rotation/movement of the feet, particularly for the rising/femoral draws to allow the body to open more.
  – the Whispering Wind for target is conducted as a disarming technique, applying a short chop/push to the opponents weapon.
  – He instructed me on the first 80% of Kata San.

  Akira, 90 L with Adv thrust block, Lightning, 180 L in jodan, return to defensive stance, deep cross-step with head chop… (only two-ish more moves)

  During the second half, Gad went through a variety of tests and competitions to highlight different traits we train for and must be aware of.