Open Dojo by myself. 30 minutes to stretch, review all of my requirements, do a little focus on Whispering Wind and Phantom, do 100 Full Circle Cuts, and set up a couple targets for a multi-opponent gambit/Refined Strikes. I used my new BKS Slayer for everything tonight. The balance point is a couple inches or so from the guard, compared to my old BKS Slayer where the balance point is within a half inch of the guard. I miss the agility and ease of use, but the new sword is straight and has a good clean feel to it, and I’m already starting to get used to the difference.
Tag: steel
-
Class with Bryce. Both Rakta Nadi and Risa called out. Stretch and once through Bryce’s requirements. After which, we did a focus on Akira again. After a break, we did some Move Builder, each constructing a couple sequences, followed by 100 Full Circle Cuts, and finished with a few rounds of Refined Strikes (with the 6′ targets). As usual, I wielded steel, including the Refined Strikes.
-
In addition to regular weekly formal class, I have begun a weekly “Open Dojo” night, with tonight being the first occurrence (though no one came tonight). This serves two primary purposes. First and foremost, I am embarking on the final steps toward my Silver Chain and need to train more at my level. Likewise, each of the current Portland region students are working toward their White Rope. Open Dojo will provide a training space with the usual resources, and an opportunity to train with anyone else that attends. There will be no formal instruction, though attendees must arrive by the 7pm start time for a semi-formal session opening.
Tonight I stretched, reviewed all of my requirements wielding steel, including some focus on Cutting Pattern 3, Whispering Wind, Musashi, and Kata San. I 100 Full Circle Cuts and a single pass of Refined Strikes against one of the new targets (6′), about 30 minutes or so all told.
-
Class with Bryce. Call-outs from Rakta Nadi and Risa. Stretch and full through our respective requirements. Focus session on Akira. After a short break, we used the new free standing targets along with a couple of the previous targets such that we were both surrounded by four “opponents”, allowing for several rounds of Multi-Opponent Refined Strikes. We then did 100 Full Circle Cuts, and finished with Balance 1 & 2.
In addition to the new targets, this class was the inaugural night for the new free standing sword rack and an additional light array opposite the current strand of lights to cut out the severe shadows from the previous one-sided lighting.
I performed everything with steel except the Refined Strikes.
-
Class with Rakta Nadi. Stretch and a review of his requirements. Focus on Kata Ich and The Lightning. Also worked on how to better incorporate his off-hand dagger. After a break, worked on stance and movement, then incorporated the sword back in for 100 Full Circle Cuts. Finished with Balance 1 & 2.
As usual, I did everything with steel, mostly two handed, but occasionally switching to one handed to match Rakta Nadi for a particular demonstration (and adding off hand dagger, too).
This was the belated final class for 2020, regular class will resume maybe late January, probably early February.
-
Class with Bryce. Stretch and once through his requirements. Focus session on Jumping Tiger 2 and The Mantis, then a bit on Kata Ich. Break, followed by 100 Full Circle Cuts, some Move Builder, and finished with Balance 1 & 2. I used steel for everything (one handed for Move Builder to match with Bryce).
-
Class with Rissa. Stretch and once through her requirements. Focus on thrust, advanced thrust, and Dragon’s Tail. Discussed how we present, through force of will, training ourselves to not telegraph when we know we’ve made a mistake, so an opponent cannot take advantage of it. After a break, 100 Full Circle Cuts, followed by Move Builder (we took turns creating a 3 — 6 technique sequence, teaching it to the other, and trying it out), and Balance 1 & 2.
Everything I did was was with steel.
-
Class with Risa. Stretch and then a couple times through her requirements. Tonight’s theme was “Full Circle Cuts”. Took a break, then started in on a focus session on The Mantis. Next was a few rounds of Refined Strikes with the targets, then 100 Full Circle Cuts. Finished with a focus session on just combat movement, taking it slow and working on awareness of quad and glute activation and weight transfer. Worked in a very brief primer on front punch & front lunge punch.
Entire night was steel for me.
-
Class with Bryce. Stretch and once through his requirements. Focus on stance, sinking into and lengthening it. Applied while training Double Chop and The Illusion. Break. 100 Full Circle Cuts (myself steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes against the targets, finished with some repetition of offensive defense moves, going through The Tradition, Kill the Tiger, and Akira.
-
Class with Rakta Nadi. Stretch and White Rope requirements for both of us (myself with steel, all night except where noted). Did some focus work on Kata Ich. Break. Stance and movement drilling, 100 Full Circle Cuts, a few rounds of Refined Strikes against the targets (boken), and finished with some ad-hoc sequence creation.
Conditions: intermittent light rain
-
Class with Risa. White Rope Requirements for both of us (myself using steel, for nearly everything the whole class). Focus session on the Full Circle Cut, and then on the basic thrust, revisiting some of the foundations to tune up and refine. Break. Focus session on stance and movement, taking care to move with the hips/quads/glutes and feeling the intentional weight transfer from one leg/foot to the other. 100 full circle cuts (me, steel, as noted). A few rounds of Refined Strikes with the targets (my only boken drill). Finished with further review of Kata Ich.
-
Class with Bryce. Stretch and once through his requirements, myself matching with White Rope requirements using steel. We then did a study of The I Move and The Mantis, working on deflection angles when we step of the initial line, and on quality and efficient cuts. After the break, we got in our 100 cuts, then did a study of slow motion weight transfer, and we finished with practice move building (technique chaining), exploring combat scenarios.
I continue to perform all of my training with steel.
-
Class with Risa. Stretch and a detailed once through of her requirements. Additional review of Cutting Pattern 2 and Kata Ich. Discussed blade and cutting angles, and the angles of blocking to maximize defense. After a break, we did 100 Full Circle cuts, a few rounds of Refined Strikes against the targets, and finished with a study of slow motion weight transition.
-
Class with Bryce and Rakta Nadi. Stretch and then they went through requirements while I observed and did minor training on the side. We then reviewed Cutting Pattern 2 for a bit, followed by Jumping Tiger 1.
After a break, we did 100 Full Circle Cuts (myself steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes against the targets, and then I had everyone use blunted steel for target cutting practice against tossed pumpkins, which started out softball-sized and we took down to a pieces mostly no greater than a couple inches. We finished with Balance 1 & 2.
-
Class with Bryce. Stretch and all of our respective requirements (myself wielding steel), then a focus on Dragons Tail. After a break, we did 100 Full Circle Cuts (again, myself with steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes against the targets, and finished with cutting and blocking while standing on the planed and full round cabers (Balance 1).
-
Special session with Risa. Stretch and requirements full through for both of us (her repeating her 12 moves a second time). We then did a focus on Jumping Tiger 2 and then took a break. After the break, we started with some core stance and movement, then added the sword to do 50 Full Circle Cuts. All of my technique up to and including the full circle cuts with with two handed steel. We finished with a few rounds of Refined Strikes against the targets, both with boken.
-
Class with Rakta Nadi, and Rayn (sp?) observed. Stretch and requirements. Focus session on Kata Ich and Akira. Break. Focus on stance and movement, then did 100 full circle cuts (myself steel). A few rounds of Refined Strikes with the targets, and finished with Balance 1 & 2.
-
Had to cancel a couple classes due to extreme air quality from wild fires.
Class with Bryce. Stretch and requirements. Focus on a Jumping Tiger 1. Break. 100 full circle cuts (myself steel), refined strikes against the targets, student challenge Balance 1 & 2.
-
Class with Bryce and Rakta Nadi. Stretch and their requirements (twice for each of them, one with me, one solo). Focus session on Thorn, discussing the elements of evasion, control of measure/ma, and timing. After the break, combat movement in Altered Terrain, followed by 100 Full Circle Cuts in Altered Terrain (myself with steel), and lastly a couple rounds of Refined Strikes (against the targets) in Altered Terrain.
-
Class with Bryce. Stretch and his requirements. Focus session on The Illusion. Short break. 100 full circle cuts (myself with steel), five rounds of refined strikes (with the dummy targets), some more focus on stance and combat movement, and finished with some speed gambit (attack each of the three targets as quickly and effectively as possible).
-
Class with Bryce. Stretch and requirements full through. Focus session on Akira.
After a break, took a short jog through the park, including Balance 2, then did 100 cuts (myself with steel) and a few rounds of Refined Strikes with the targets. Finished with Balance 1 & 2.
-
Class with Rakta Nadi. Stretch and then full through our respective requirements. Spent some time analyzing some of their moves, I’m working on getting a sense of where they are and what has intentionally been taught to the differently vs something they just haven’t been taught or learned to do better.
After a break, did 100 cuts (myself with steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes with the targets, a short jog through the park including Balance 2.
-
Class with Bryce and Rakta Nadi, first back in person with the COVID-19 pandemic. For safety, additional class rules are in effect for the duration of the pandemic, being masks at all times, minimum separation of 10 feet (and thus no sparring or warriors greeting), and only using personal gear and supplies.
Had them each go through their requirements individually while I observed and instructed, then did focused on a couple practiced moves.
After a break, did 100 full circle cuts (myself in steel), a few rounds of Refined Strikes using the head-and-shoulders targets I’ve created, and Balance 1 & 2.
-
Virtual class recording sent to Bryce and Kaidens. Discussed the third Rule of Swordsmanship, Awareness, and it’s application in regard to the beginning and ending of tournament matches, then covered differentiators between the Full Circle Cut and Chop Cuts, using Jumping Tiger 2, Double Chop, and The “I” Move to demonstrate, and tossing in The Lightning to include the Short Circle Cut in the mix.
-
Virtual class recording sent to Bryce and Kaidens. Discussed angles with regard to basic blocks, maximizing defensive coverage and effectiveness, then reviewed Jumping Tiger 1 & 2.