A journal of my martial arts training
Class with Bryce. Stretch and White Rope requirements (myself matching, one handed). We then did some focus work on Akira and Thorn.
After the break, we had 30 one-on-one matches with some variety of weapons. Both started one-handed (9 matches), then sword and buckler (9 matches), then he returned to single one-handed and I went two hand axe (6), and the last set I went back to single one-handed as well (6).
Conditions ranged from light rain to spritz.
Class with Risa. Stretch and we both did White Rope requirements (me two handed long sword bokken). Took some time to apply some temporary repair to Risa’s pommel, then we went over Advanced Thrust, a requirement she didn’t have yet. During a break we got protective gear on and then in the second half we had a total of 9 one on one matches (I used 1 handed for six, then the 2 handed long sword for the last three).
Class with Risa. Stretch and we both did White Rope requirements (myself one handed). Did some study on Dragons Tail and Double Thrust. Took a break. Did 50 continuous full circle cuts (bokken), advanced response training (boffer), and Refined Strikes.
Class with Bryce. Stretch and White Rope requirements through for both of us. We did a focus session on Thorn, and then on Kill the Tiger. After the break, we did refined strikes, first with bokken, then with daggers. We then did Advanced Response Training and finished with a round of Add-On.
I worked all one-handed.
The last couple classes were cancelled due to call-outs.
Class with Bryce. Stretch and then we both did White Rope requirements, myself matching him in one handed. We reviewed Akira and The Tradition then took a break. Afterward, we resumed with 100 continuous full circle cuts (bokken), followed by refined strikes, and then we donned helmets and mitts for Advanced Response training, switch Parry, Centered Cuts, and finished with a round of Add-On.
Special one-on-one session with Jesse B to work on his Red Rope requirements. We started with a one hour hand-to-hand session in Shotokan karate, covering stances (front, back, side), punches (lunge, jab), kicks (front snap & thrust), and blocks (down, up). It was a lot of material, but a good foundation, and we discuss a lot of how it could apply to combat situations with respect to the Western Circle.
We then moved to the sword and did a few rounds of Refined Strikes, focusing primarily on controlled force.
Donning helmets and mitts, we did a round of Centered Cuts.
Finally, we finished with some bokken Advanced Response Training while we had the gear on.
Class with Bryce and Risa. Stretch, some leap frog and kneeling advance warm up, and requirements once through. Focus session on Akira, then a break. 100 full circle cuts (bokken), Several passes through pel gambit, refined strikes, and finished with Move Builder.
Class with Bryce, Risa, and Chris. Stretch and had the students go through requirements once, after which we then did a focus session on The I Move. We got our protective gear on during the break and logged 39 1-on-1 matches (myself all 1-handed).
Class with Chris. Stretch and requirements, then focused on Thorn. Break and then combat movement, 50 full circle cuts, 1-attack unarmored parry (aka silent sword), and balance 1 & 2.
Class with Bryce. Stretch and requirements, sparring for 25 matches.
Class with Bryce and Risa. Stretch and had them go through requirements while I solo’d my own (steel). Reviewed one of their practiced moves then took a break. Afterward, did 100 full circle cuts (mine steel), refined strikes, advanced response training, and pel gauntlet.
(missed a few weeks due to back to back travel)
Class with Chris. Stretch and requirements, focus on some of his practiced moves, then sparring 18 matches total.
Class with Bryce and Chris. Stretch first, then I reviewed their respective cuts and blocks individually before putting them together for requirments while I soloed my own requirements. We then took some time to work on The Mantis, including examining variations in application. After a break we did 100 CFCC (myself steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes, and finished with Balance 1 & 2.
Class with Chris. Stretch and his Green Braid requirements once through (myself matching him). Did a focus session on Dragons Tail. Took a break and get into protective gear. After the break, had 21 one-on-one matches. I did 9 with my two handed style, 9 with one handed style, and the final 3 with a two-sword style.
Class with Rakta Nadi and Chris. Stretch and had them go through requirements while I soloed mine (with steel), after which we then did a focus session on Jumping Tiger 2. Took a break, then started the second half with a roughly half mile jog, after which we sat in seiza for several minutes to take a moment to take in the evening and let all students regain their breath. We continued with Refined Strikes, then a pel gambit, and finally some Move Builder.
Class with Bryce. Stretch and our respective requirements, him repeating his once. We did a focus session on Thorn, focusing on clean movement using our quads and core, not leaning into it. After a break, we had 24 one-on-one matches. I used two handed for 9, one handed for 9, and two sword for the last 6.
Class with Bryce and Chris. Stretch and had them do requirements while I soloed mine. We then did a focus session on The Tradition. After a break, we did 100 continuous full circle cuts (myself steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes, and some Pel Gauntlet.
Class with Chris. Stretch and our respective requirements, with him repeating his practiced moves a few times through. Focus work on one of his moves, then a break. After the break, we did just 50 continuous full circle cuts (myself steel), then a couple rounds of Add-On, then we donned helmets, mits, and legs for armored parry ( 1-attack, 3-attack, and switch- ).
Class with Rakta Nadi. Stretch and went through his requirements, then reviewed Dragons Tail a little and did a focus session on The Tradition. After a break, we did some Move Builder, followed by Add-On, and finished with 100 full circle cuts (myself steel).
Class with Bryce and Chris. Stretch and requirements, first reviewing their cuts and blocks individually, then paired them for their full requirements while I soloed mine. We then spent some time studying Jumping Tiger 1, a new move for Chris. After the break, we did 100 full circle cuts (myself steel), refined strikes, and move builder.
Class with Bryce and Chris. Stretch and then had them review requirements while I solo’d my own. We then had a focus session on The I Move and did 100 continuous Full Circle Cuts (bokken). During the break we geared up, then had a total of 36 one on one matches and a final multi-opponent match with all three of us.
Class with Chris. Stretch and requirements. We did 100 full circle cuts (bokken) and a focus session on The Mantis. During the break, got our protective gear on, and in the second half got in 25 one-on-one matches.
Class with Bryce and Chris. Stretch and requirements (paired them, I went through mine solo). Study on Mantis again, continuing to work to move that muscle memory groove/habit into the smoother, better transition into each follow-up attack. After a break, instructed on Gad’s Sword Disarming Move, then worked on combat movement, did 100 full circle cuts (me with steel), and finished with Balance 1 & 2.
Class with Bryce. Stretch and respective requirements. Worked on Mantis with the revised/improved flow from cut to cut. 100 full circle cuts. Did some Move Builder and Add-On. I used one handed all night except steel for the FCC.
Class with Chris. Stretch and one through our respective requirements. Instructed him on Dragons Tail. Got in armor and had 20 of 1-on-1 matches. Spates of medium to heavy rain, muddy unstable footing conditions.