Class Log: Kihon Gata & Change

Today, on careful consideration of what I’m about to say and in reflecting on the point that Budo as a living art.  I would like to reiterate the fact that there is “no theme” unlike the previous years.

2009 is an excuse to reflect on the inner make up of warriorship and make the necessary changes needed to connect that which is most important in my opinion “Shin Gi Tai” / Sanshin. 

A student’s review and interpretation:

“FOCUSED” & (DAT)

 

 In the beginning of class Anthony spoke about showing commitment to the art by being present at every class. Incoporating Sainou (ability), Kokoro (heart) and Utsuwa (capacity) not just to our training but to our daily lifes and many other things. To Anthony and the other black belts in the dojo. I am honored to be training with you.

 

Friday’s class was a small one but an interesting one. We all in the dojo forgot about the clock (time) and the outside world, we were “FOCUSED”.

 

This week we were focusing on (DAT) which stands for Distance, Angle and Timing. Anthony transmitted to us the feeling of not being stuck in the past or future in our technique but rather being in the moment. We started with Jumonji No Kamae and shifted into Kosei no Kamae. The reason why we shifted into Kosei no kamae was to give the attacker a target. Once uke attacks, Tori waits for the right moment to enter (ukes ungaurded area), again “being in the moment”. The entry is an attack to the ribs a 3 in 1 fist. Shuto to the ribs, Koppo Ken to the back of the head (for smaller tori working with the taller attackers Koppo Ken to the back) and the third fist Shikan Ken to the ribs. During this technique i was able to look at my (DAT) and fix it.

 

We later worked on Hira Ichimonji from Jumonji moving away from the punch at an angle as the second punch came block with the butt of the sword and trap the attacker on his neck with the blade. Once the attacker was trapped we used our Taijutsu, moving freely and seeing where we could take the attacker.

 

Finally we explored a concept of fooling  our opponent (this was fun) by pointing up, down or to the side and fake a gesture to disrupt their attack for an easy entry. No Rules no limits. Just expressing the feeling and disrupting their mind, very very fun. J

Lately there has been many quotes on the blog here is one I like.

 

 

“All men are brothers, like the seas throughout the world; So why do winds and waves clash so fiercely everywhere?” – Emperor Hirohito

 

 

Luis Guadalupe – 8^th Kyu

 

Class Log: “Noh & Budo”

 

 Indeed, the word yugen, meaning that which lies below the surface, with connotations of nobility, reserved elegance and classical refinement is often used about Noh  -  Anthony Lucas

 

One should always be ready for the unexpected and this class was no exception. As Anthony demonstrates new and exciting techniques building on the basics, we sometimes struggle to grasp the concepts and capture the feeling he is sharing with us. At the end of the class, we were told that for now, the students will be writing this blog so here is my version of the Friday night class.

 

Since the start of the year, the theme has been ‘no theme’ as we explore freedom in movement and applying it to the basics. In this class we examined the idea of ‘Noh’ theme, hinting at the concept of masks (from the Japanese theatre) and concealing the true nature of the technique.

 

We practised striking nerve points in the neck, back of the leg above the knee, strangling or choking muscles in the arms with rope, all while the weight or stress of the opponent resides in these points – very very painful indeed.

 

From basic sword cuts, we enter the space to take control of the attacker, his weapon and his space. Also from these sword cuts or a punch, we enter with a concealed rope and secure the opponent while avoiding moving in front or getting too close to allow for an unexpected head butt or fist strike.

 

Practise makes perfect and as the saying goes, fear not 10,000 moves practised once, rather fear one move practised 10,000 times.  – Blaise Barron, Yondan.

 

 

 

 Charlie Parker Quote – “Learn the changes and then forget them”.

 

 

Happy New Years 2009

Welcome 2009 – the year of the ox. Supposely this symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Does this has any relation or connotation to “sainou kokoro utsuwa”?  You figure it out!

Coming from a 2 week hiatus everyone seemed ready and open to explore some NEW concepts. In the air last night was determination and effort, thus reward was found in the wake of class.

We mainly worked on distance, angling and timing – with the capacity to move freely in space. The idea was like “the space is not big enough for two of us “with this awarenes”, the meaning of how significant the space can become was the advantage.

Ichimonji no kamae and it’s elements we visit -  basic blocking and striking. (uke) jodan tsuki, (tori) uke nagashi with a nasty shuto to the temple was done from both sides (sayu).  The integral aspect from this method is the ability to recognize distance and the necessary angle to hit with good timing will give off a glimpse of ”not losing”.  It’s like a blink of an eye which is  all you get while moving through dimensions. There is nothing to see, nothing to grasp. If you seek it, you will not find it. I demostrated a technique, from the last one of three (which none seems the same) the speed of the attack changed and as I enterd (guarded) from the kukan appeared an opening, I took it, thus the techniqued was not the same as the previous one demostrated.  You have to develop this from practicing and training to be able and ready to change at such an interval. It is within the interval that change for me as I understand is born.

        

Quote of the day = ” All a budoka can do is get closer to the source of nature, and feel that he is in communion with the natural laws of nature”.