A journal of my martial arts training
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 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.
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.
Class with Bryce. Full requirements for both of us, then we got geared up and had 35 one-on-one matches.
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.
Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective requirements. Discussed what we could in preparation for the White Rope test next month. Got into armor and had 16 matches.
I did a mix of 2-Handed and 1-Handed, and the last match I did 2 Sword.
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.
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.
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
Class with Aaliyah. Stretch and full requirements for each of us. We then took a break and got geared up and in the second half got in 27 1-on-1 matches.
Class with Miriam. Stretch and full requirements for both of us. Took a little more time on reviewing The Mantis. We got into protective gear and then got in 21 one-on-one matches. (I did 9 2H and 12 1H)
Conditions: Cold, near freezing, but dry
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.
Class with Jesse, Bryce, Miriam, and Ben. Stretch and requirements. As a class we reviewed The Mantis. After the break, we had a number of 1-on-1 matches, focusing on trying to get Miriam and Ben more sparring matches, though Jesse and I did a few steel matches as well.
Conditions were intermittent rain, around 40 degrees.
Class with Miriam and Shamay. Stretch and then we all three did requirements together, round robin, which allowed me to demonstrate all my requirements for both of them. After a break, we did armored parry for the rest of the class.
Mid-40s, intermittent rain, semi-slick conditions.
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.
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).
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)
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).
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.
Class with Bryce and Chris. Shamay observed for their first night. Requirements for them, I reviewed Bryce and then worked with Chris on reviewing Kata Ich and teaching Cutting Pattern 2. As a class, we did a study on Double Chop, a new move for Chris. After the break we had sparring, a total of 26 matches (myself 20).