Yokonagare
It seems only if one is cutting down at me will I do the yokonagare (sideways flowing roll)! Even then, Tebo has to nod her head to tell me to get on with it, because I wait for the cut!
I practice again tonight on my rug. Some kind of it I can do moving right, but it falls apart moving left. That is why I need an immanent danger, to roll to the left… 
Informal training today
I would like to spend a bit thinking out loud on my progress in Bujinkan Taijutsu. I will take the Shoshinsha 10th Kyû test on February 10th, Goddess willing! The test is basically comprised of breakfalls, rolls, and stances:
Zenpô Ukemi: Ryote, Katate, Keri
Ushirô Ukemi: Ryote, Katate, Mute
Zenpô, Kôhô Kaiten
Kamae: Fudôza, Shizen, Ichimonji, Jûmonji, Hichô, Hira, Kôsei, Hôi, Doko.
I find that I need to remember to keep eyes focused on the opponent during rolls. Today we practiced by facing each other, rolling at the same time. I also must push off if I’m to get any momentum. Tuck the leg in quickly and land still looking at the opponent.
I also am confused which zenpô kaiten is which- there are multiple that depend on the shoulder you roll onto. I am pretty sure the forward leg follows the same side arm that is tucked/shoulder to roll on. And the variant is to roll at an angle by using the other side shoulder. Also I can’t stop midway and then roll; it needs to be fluid from ichimonji, to the ground, to tucking, to rolling, and back up.
The kick is hard because I need to put force into it, let my leg swing back down rather than pausing.
I have to sink pretty low in the kamae. Lean on the back leg.
In Hôi no kamae, bring my arms forward more.
Punching is it’s own separate problem. I can only remember that twisting the hips moves with the arm simultaneously. Front foot and knee forward.
For some reason my balance is bad on Hichô. I will use yoga experience to focus on a point. Keep the bent leg straight forward!
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I guess for the test, I need to get confidant on the rolls, specifically which shoulder to roll onto. I’m so flexible it’s easy to roll in ways other than the kata states, so….sigh.
Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo. -bow-
currently listening to:
In training today
I embarrassed myself quite thoroughly and effectively. For the second time, during warmup, I hold up the entire line of students by failing to move forward on the rolls and steps. When I don’t know what to do, don’t even have an understanding of how to move my body, I will just stand there. I may tell the nearest student I don’t know what to do, and they obligingly show me once–this is meanwhile the rest of the class is already waiting–but I can’t follow through. It is a nightmare! It is not about losing face or about my ego! I am SO ANGRY at MYSELF for not KNOWING WHAT TO DO. I need to be told, one on one, step by frickin step. I cannot *jump* into the state of knowing. Sensei, please slap me across the face, kick me out of the dojo, I’d understand, because I’m no good. I’m no good.
life, taijutsu | Comments (1)
