Kendo Notes To Self #2

Thursday, July 05, 2007

For today's practice I was given the opportunity to lead the class with the stretching excercises as well as the "seizas" at the beginning and end of class. Haha...needless to say it wasn't as smooth as when the sempai's conduct it. But to overcome in taking these instructions for granted, I tried anyway!

•  First thing to do is gather all kendoka in a circle. Then everyone takes in one step and "sonkyo."
  • Then we begin to stretch. Joanne recommended that its a good idea to start from head to toe, it makes it more easier to remember the parts to stretch.
    • Must stretch head (left to right, and then rotate)
    • Then do the arms (triceps, biceps, and do big circle things)
    • Then do back (left to right and up and down)
    • Then do knees (in rotation and up and down)
    • Then put down shinai and do leg stretches (hamstrings, achilles, groin, and ankles)

• After pick up shinai and do "suburi"
  • 30 times for big swings
  • 30 times for "men" height"
  • 50 times for "high suburi"
  • Then I believe 3 times for the big swings plus big breathes to warm down.

• After the "suburi" yell "SEIRETSU" and wait for all kendoka to line up.
  • Once everyone is in position, yell "SEIZA" and wait until everyone is seated.
  • When everyone is sitting, yell "MOKUSO" and take two deep breathes.
  • After, yell "REI" and bow.

• After practice, yell "SEIRETSU" again, and wait for everyone to line up.
  • Then yell "SEIZA"
  • Then wait for Sensei's to take off their "men" and "kote."
  • Then yell "MEN O TARE" ...wait for everyone to take off their stuff.
  • Then wait for Sensei if he is speaking to the class.
  • Then yell "MOKUSO", and again take two deep breathes.
  • Then yell:
    • "Joseki ni rei"
    • "Sensei ni rei"
    • "Otagai ni rei"
  • Then go to Sensei and bow directly.

• And FINISH!

As for the actual practice itself, we worked on various big men's, kote's, do's, or a combination of them.

• After a hit and pushing through with "zanshin", be sure to turn around quickly to defend yourself, for tricky kendoka will continue to pursue you!

• When doing "debana kote" don't hold your arms and shinai near your chest after the hit. It appears to be a very delicate strike, slightly up and over the opponent's shinai.
  • Be aware of the distance dont' be too close.
  • Let your wrists snap right before impact.
  • Keep arms forward after the strike.

• When hitting "do", don't let shinai drag along. Make sure you pull it back infront of you while continuing "zanshin"  
  • Be conscious about the distance as well.

• For this practice, I tried to implement blocks which weren't overtly high. I tried to keep my arms lower. This helps, but against sempai's they still know how to hit your "do". What actually is a lot better is to go quickly into "kamae" to cover up the targets.

• Raymond Sensei's advice to class: When practicing, keep pushing for the point. Consider to instill a "no-giving-up" mentality and make it an instinctive habit.  

- TL