Lots of kicks and then more kicks. That was the theme for both classes.

We did rep after rep of roundhouse kicks, front snap kicks and side thrust kicks. Our Sensei showed us some self defense moves. One example is bringing the leg up like a front snap kick and from that position turning the hip and throwing a roundhouse kick. We also worked on hook kicks. I haven’t spent a lot of time working on hook kicks until today and while they are not easy for me, they felt good.

We did one drill where our partner held a pad and we would do a back leg roundhouse kick and reset, then then shuffle up an throw a front leg roundhouse kick.
The second class was almost a repeat of the first class but we did a couple more self defense techniques since it was the advanced class.

One move in particular, was a combination kick where we threw a front snap kick and followed it up with a low roundhouse kick to the inside thigh of our partner. This move is meant to push the person back and shock them with the front snap kick and then take them out by kicking them to the inner thigh or knee.

Good stuff!

We couldn’t make class because my wife was not feeling well so I worked out by myself.

I started with a quick warmup then got right in to it.

Standing slow side thrust kicks – 15 each leg.

While holding a horse stance, 30 front punches, 20 rising blocks, 10 inward blocks, 10 outward blocks, 20 double punches and 10 downward blocks.

From a horse stance, left leg forward front stance with reverse punch, draw back to a horse stance, then right leg forward front stance with reverse punch – 15 each leg.

From a horse stance, left leg forward back stance with knife hand block, draw back to horse stance, then right leg forward back stance with knife hand block – 12 each leg.

Standing front snap kick – 30 each leg.

Throughout the workout, between the other moves, I did standing side leg raises – 5 x 15 each leg.

In my ever ending quest to improve my flexibility, I spend a good amount of time stretching on Saturday. My son assists our Sensei’s with a couple of classes and I like to stretch while sitting there.

I spend a lot of time working my side splits since one of my main goals is to prove that old people like me can still do the splits. I have a long way to go but I am seeing improvement in both my flexibility and my side height of my side thrust and roundhouse kicks. I also work on my hamstrings even though my front snap kicks are good.

Today I did:

Butterflies – I sit with my back against the wall while doing them because I feel that I get a better stretch.
Side splits – I also try to lean my back against the wall but I also lean forward to get what feels like a better stretch. I spend a good amount of time in that position moving my legs farther apart as I relax. I do another variation where I lay on my back and put my legs up on the wall. I cannot hold this position for a long time, around five minutes of so because of gravity forcing my legs down.
Hamstring stretch – I sit on the floor with my leg straight out in front of my. I lean forward and either grab my toes or put my arms on the floor on the outside of my legs. I get the added benefit of a deep calf stretch from this movement too.

I also do a similar simple stretching workout before class on Tuesday and it seems to really help even thought it is very simple.