Full House

The dojo was packed tonight. We have a new bunch of students which is always great. We did a lot of stretching and warming up which I really need since I missed last Thursday's class. We worked on ryotetori attacks starting off with a tenchinage response and then henkawaza - changing - into kaitenage. Fun stuff (as usual).

Basic Blending

Tonight, after warming up, we worked on some basic blending skills. We started with a katatetori tenkan turn then used that as the opening for kokyunage. The we went to katateryotetori sokokmen iriminage and then to katateryotetori kokyunage.

Quick Munetsuki Variations

I arrived late so I missed out on the warm-ups. We worked on techniques straight from the munetsuki taisabaki: kotegaeshi, one that was kinda between kotegaeshi (with one hand) and kokyunage, kaitenage, and a couple weight-underside kokyunage throws from the forearm and one from the shoulder, and sokomen iriminage.

Gym 4/15

20 minutes on the Elliptical, level 5, heart rate: 145, pace 58 rpm

Food Free Day

I ate nothing all day. I only drank water and tea (no additives).

Gym 4/12

A.C. and I went to the gym for cardio.

20 minutes on the Elliptical, level 5, heart rate: 160, pace 60 rpm

More Kihon Waza

More of the basics, tonight. We worked on katatori taisabaki to begin with and then moved on to katatori nikkyo and ikkyo (with some variations), and iriminage.

Kihon Waza - The Basic Techniques

This was the first night of the new session. We had a large class and half a dozen were new people. Sensei took us through the less strenuous - but still necessary - warm-ups and emphasized being relaxed and breathing. He was also teaching, by example, the more advanced students how to teach. There are now three parent/child pairs in our class including T. and me. S'all good.

Aikido - Sensei's Back!

Sensei was sick on Tuesday, not counter-fooling us! I thought that A.O. sensei, being a young energetic guy, really lead us in a high-energy, exhausting, exhilarating class on Tuesday. This evening, Sensei led us in a moderate-energy class that was even more exhausting and exhilarating! We started with yokoukemi - side fall - practice and then moved to katatecosadori and munetsuki attacks doing short and quick as well as traditional responses - largely iriminage.

Tiring class - lots of hard side-falls but I like those, even if they are a bit hard on my shins and knees (because I'm still working out the kinks).

April Fools - All of Us!

Sensei got us all, today, for April Fools day. We were going to trick him by all showing up early and paying on time. He fooled us by not showing up! A.O. sensei led the class in his usual, high-energy style. We worked on lots of basics but with variations for some who are testing for higher kyu ranks - lots of variations - on katatetori, munetsuki, shomenuchi, and yokomenuchi. We ended with a quick round of randori for everyone. Tiring but good. I think I only sat out one technique.