Tuesday's Class

Fun martial arts class last night. We started with advanced ukemi incorporating a heavy bag and using the bag as an obstacle. We moved into doing the San Shin with a knife (tanto). This was our warm up for the evening.

Then we moved into working on kyu level requirements for 7th Kyu and 4th Kyu. Primarily we worked on the techniques of Omote Gyaku Kensabaki, incorporating some free forms using other objects such as a simple dry erase marker; Takeori, both against grabs and punches, really focusing on how to perform the technique correctly; and Ogyaku and the proper footwork and arm placements to make this technique work correctly.

We ended with training Taisabaki. The MMA gloves came out and by the end the uke was encouraged to attack at pretty much full force and speed and the Tori used Taisabaki to avoid the attacks and maneuver into a place of strength related to the Uke. This was lots of fun and a great training aid.

Tuesday's Class 6/4

For Tuesday's martial arts class we covered more advanced Ukemi and did the San Shin very deeply. Then the primary focus was on punching with both the Tsuki and using Bujinkan principles to do a type of cross punch. This lead into training to deal with others' punches, both straight and curved punches, with the Jodan Uke, Daken Uke, and Uke Nagashi. Tai Sabaki was emphasized at each type of technique used. We used gloves a bit to try and punch with real force and speed, giving the Tori a chance to see the techniques used in a real form, and we also looked at dealing with common attacks that come from other martial arts and "street fighters." Then we looked at two techniques from the Ura Wazas of the Takagi Yoshin Ryu. We started with the Waza as written in the Densho, then looked at the principles of each Waza and how they relate to usability in modern times. As always, we're having fun with our martial arts training here in Meridian, Idaho, near Boise!