Archives for 2011

Today was the first day back to Thursday class after a week off between sessions.  Sensei Cieplik shared some some old and some new Karate with us today.

Kihon….

After the warm up, we started with moving forward and back doing downward block with reverse punch, rising block with reverse punch, inward block with reverse punch and outward block, jab and reverse punch.

Next, we did backstance with knifehand block, and the same with while adding front snap kick.  Sensei had us work spend some time starting in backstance when knifehand block and then moving forward into a front stance with front punch.   This is a very long movement and you need to protect your groin when moving between the stances.

Stretch, fall and punch….

We partnered up.  My partner stood in front of me, out my reach.  From there, I stood in a front stance and stretched with my front hand, stepped forward and then slapped there hand and stretched into a falling front punch.  The idea is to be able to punch even if you are falling as a last resort.

Kata – Live in the moment…..

Sensei had us finish up with some kata and some powerful advice.  We did Heian Shodan twice.  After we did our first kata, Sensei said, slow down your kata, live in the moment when doing your kata.  Don’t worry about the past or the future, do your kata in the present.  Complete each move and don’t move until the current movement is finished.  Do your Karate when doing your kata, your speed, your timing, your kata!

Today was my first day back to Tuesday class after three months of taking two classes a week on Thursday and Friday.  I really missed this class and even though I really enjoyed assisting Sensei Noia with it, but it does feel great to be back as a student.

Kihon….

Sensei had us start class with standing kicks.  We did front snap kick, then side snap kick and side thrust kick.  I am not sure how many we did but there we did a lot of them.  Next, we did front snap kick, side snap kick, side thrust kick and side snap kick.

For the next drill we started in a front stance and did moving forward with front punch.  After the front punch we did a spinning elbow strike in a horse stance.  We did the same with front punch but we did spinning hammer fist instead.  We followed that with front stance with front punch, horse stance with spinning elbow and horse stance with spinning hammer fist while moving forward.

For the last drill, we did started standing upright and then spun around with a hammer fist.  The idea was to turn really fast while trying to keep our balance.   This was not easy to say the least.

Do your kata but make the turns really fast….

We started with Taikyoku Shodan doing the punching movements very slowly and doing the turning blocks very fast.  This was certainly a test of balance and hip mobility.   We did the same Heian Shodan and Heian Nidan.  After that we picked a Heian kata of our choice, I did Heian Yondan with the same fast turns.  We then did Jion, Bassai Dai and our current rank kata, Kanku Dai for me, turning fast again.

Luckily, I didn’t fall over when turning so my first day back was a success.

Today was the last class of this session and Sensei Cieplik had us work on some different drills.

Custom Kihon….

After our warmup, we started from a left foot forward front stance and while standing still, we threw a reverse punch.  From there, we brought the back foot up next to the front foot, stepped back with the right foot and threw a reverse punch again.

For the next drill, we started in a front stance, turned 180 degrees and moved in to a cat stance, then we pushed forward with our hips and did a block.  The key is to make sure that you push forward when turning and blocking instead of to the side.

Another point, that Sensei has mentioned before, when reaching before doing a block, the reaching hand could be used as a block and the block could become a strike.

We also worked on a stationary drill doing a reach and reverse punch.  When doing the reach, we had our palm up and made sure that we rubbed our elbow on our gi.  When concentrating on the draw hand, the punch moves much faster and stronger.

Kata specifics and kata by candlelight….

Sensei gave us some specifics on various moves in a couple of the Heian katas.

While working in Heian Nidan, the second move, when the arms come in to the body should make an X.  When working on Heian Yondan, the first two moves can be done three different ways.

1. The kata can start with the fists to the side much like the start of Heian Nidan.
2. The arms can travel in a wide circular movement.
3. The arms can travel directly, close to the body.

When doing the movements, in kata or kihon, use the hands like whips.  If done correctly, the hands should make what sounds like a snap.  The elbow should not move but the hands should pivot and then be squeezed in to a tight fist at the end of the motion.

When doing kata, your hands should stay inside your body.  One way to practice is in a dark room with a candle behind you.  If your arms goes outside your body, you will see the shadow.

When when standing up after a kata, pull from your heel not your shoulders.  After you finish your kata, you want to keep your face away from the imaginary attacker that you just defeated.  If you stand up from your shoulders, you face will get closer to your opponent but if your heel back, into the ready stance, your face will stay back.  It also helps show Zanshin and that you are ready to go again if needed.

Bow to drop your baggage….

Another excellent comment that Sensei was to drop your baggage when you bow.  When you bow to step on the floor of the dojo, whatever is on your mind stays behind and you do your Karate with a clear head.  Whatever stress you had outside stays outside when your are on the dojo floor.