It’s the last day of the session so Sensei Noia had us hit it hard today.  Both figuratively and literally.

Warm up the body with some kihon….

After the warm up, we got a partner and a pad.  We both moved into a horse stance, facing each other and punched the pads as Sensei counted.  This was just a quick warm up to get our arms and legs ready for what was coming next.

Next, from a horse stance, we brought both knees together, stepped back into a front stance and did a downward block.  After that we did the same with the other leg in front but always bringing the legs knees back to center between each stance.

For the next drill, we moved from a horse stance into a back stance doing a rising outward block and downward block from Heian Godan.  We finished up these drills with in a horse stance moving sideways doing a double downward block.

Hit those pads hard….

We paired up with our partner again and did the following strikes to the pad:

1. Elbow the pad with horizontal elbow, sideways elbow or draw hand elbow.
2. Back fist or hammer fist.
3. Front punch, reverse punch or jab.
4. Knife hand or ridge hand strike.
5. Palm heel either sideways or straight.

Next came the big pads and the huge air shields.  We did back kicks and spinning back kicks on the big pads and full power roundhouse kicks on the air shields.

It’s always fun to hit the big pads because we can go all out and not hurt the person holding them and it was also a fun way to end the session.

Sensei Cieplik is still putting a lot of focus on our kicks.  I know I can certainly improve my kicks but walking after class is another story.   I need to find a way to quiet my hips down because they are talking way too much after class.

Same kihon, different order….

After our warm up, we did moving forward with front leg front snap kick, rear leg front snap kick and triple punch.

Next we did moving forward with downward block with reverse punch, turn, inward block with reverse punch, turn and rising block with reverse punch.  We did the same moves as above but moving backward and turning.

After those we did moving forward and backward in back stance with knife hand block.  Moving forward and backward in back stance with knife hand block, front snap kick and move into front stance with spear hand strike.

Next, from a horse stance, we stepped across in a horse stance trying to keep our feet in a line.  We did the same stepping across but we added side thrust kick, then side snap kick and we finished that drill with side thrust and side snap kick for one count.

Toe to toe roundhouse kicks….

The next drill needed a pad and a partner.  From a short front stance , we faced each other with the pad in front and between us.  From there, one partner did (or in my case tried) a front leg front snap kick to the knot of our partners belt.  This was not an easy drill for me at all.  This not only requires good flexibility but also a very strong core to execute this movement properly.

For the next, we stood toe to toe with our partner.  From that close distance, we did short, front leg roundhouse kicks to each others sides.  The kick was more like a cutting kick because of the short distance but I am sure it is effective for those with the flexibility to do it.

Lots of Kata….

We finished up class with some kata.  We did Heian Shodan twice, Heian Nidan twice, Heian Godan twice, Tekki Shodan twice, Jion twice and Bassai twice up to the first kiai.

Sensei Noia has been working on our stances for the last few classes.  I certainly feel that all the stance training is helping me even though the classes have been painful.  It’s a good pain though.

Move those feet…

We started in a horse stance and did many punches.  While still in the horse stance, we pivoted to the left and reverse punched and then the same to the right.  We followed those up, still in a horse stance with pivot left and punch head high, pivot right and punch stomach level and pivot left again and punch at or below belt level.  These drills really get the hips working.

Next, we moved to a front stance.  From there, we switched feet (from left foot forward, we brought the right foot to the left foot and brought the right foot back) and punch, then rinse and repeat.

The following drill was somewhat similar but it helped us work three stances.  As above we did the front stance, switch feet and punch with both the left and right foot forward.  We then brought the back foot to the front foot and moved into a back stance with a knife hand block for both sides.  After that we moved into a horse stance with an upper and lower double block on both sides.  The key to all these moves was bringing the knees together when switching feet.

For the next drill, we moved forward with front punch, switched feet and punched and then switched feet and punched again.  It went as follows; start with the left foot forward, step forward and punch with the right hand and right foot forward, then switch feet and punch with the left hand and left foot forward, then switch feet again and punch with the right hand and right foot forward, then step forward and repeat on the opposite side.

Knock your partner out of their stance….

We paired up with partner and pad.  For the first drill, both partners were in a horse stance with one holding the pad and the other punching the pad.  For the following drills, the partner holding the pad was in a horse stance and the other partner punched from a cat stance and a cross leg stance.

With one partner still holding the pad in a horse stance the other partner did spinning back kick.  Next, came left leg side thrust kick, with right leg spinning back kick and left leg roundhouse kick for one count.

Kata time…

We finished up with some kata.  The Shodan’s and above did two Kanku Dai, Hangetsu, Empi and the kata of their choice (Gojushiho Sho for me).

See you soon to a good friend and Sensei…..

Today, Sensei Gatch visited class to tell us that he is leaving for a great career opportunity in Va.  Most everyone who has taken class at this dojo has had Sensei Gatch as a Sensei or has trained with him over the last 10 years that I have been involved with the club.  He was one of the first Sensei’s that I worked with and he will be missed.  Best wishes to him on his new job and this is not goodbye but see you soon.