Good end to the week

After a disappointing Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday proved much more productive.

Something seemed to click on Thursday and my concentration was bang on, I'd love to know why this happens because I didn't consciously change anything compared to previous weeks. I felt like I was aware of my distance much more which produced more pressure to my opponent, I even managed a couple of suriage men cuts on high grades.

I visited Wakaba on Saturday which turned into one of the most enjoyable days of kendo for a while. There was only a few of us there for the initial kihon lesson which slowly grew in numbers, by then end we had a good 20 or so. For the last 90 minutes of motodachi keiko and jigeiko the numbers had swelled to 50-60 kenshi as late comers and people from the neighbouring shinpan seminar joined. I even met a few guys from my club. It seemed that most people there were nidan or above.

All I can say is the atmosphere was electric and one of the best ive experienced (could it be due to the nice weather?). Jigeiko was very cramped but the sound was amazing, everyone seemed to be giving 100%. I was happy with most of my fights, my seme seemed to be working to a degree with similar grade opponents... i still have a way to go with higher grades!

I received advice from a few people:

• Rukas: Good basics but I need to stop waggling my kensen (agghh!). It shows that I look nervous.
• Pramalts (I think): Need to keep my centre more to threaten.
• Hiro: Good basics but I need to aim for the back of the men when I cut because I have a tendency to hit the mengane. Need to stretch my arms out more on the run though and pivot on the right foot when I turn after Zanshin.
• Mani: Said I produced much more pressure compared to the last time I fought him a few months back. Said I used my height and distance advantage more.

After this I got battered in the pub with Harris sensei. A good end to the day.

Kiai from the Tanden

Friday practice was taken by Tony, one of the seniors at the club. He demonstrated the benefits of dropping our kiai down to the tanden instead of shouting from the throat/upper chest. We had to push our stomachs out so it touched the tare as we breathed in, clench our abs then kiai from deep down. We had to maintain the kiai until after the cut to display proper zanshin.

As an exercise with a partner we were told to wedge a shinai horizontally between us at lower abdomen level. One of us then had to move the other using a combination of kiai, stomach tension and push from the hips. This helped us understand that all cuts and movement originates from the tanden.

After 25 minutes of kihon we went to jigeko. We had visitors from two other clubs (Shinichido & Kenseikai), this swelled numbers to about 40 kendoka. This resulted is a brilliant night and was a shame we didnt have longer. So many people, so little time!

I tried to put what I learned about seme on Thursday into practice, with mixed results. I had a good practice with Manny (a visiting 5th dan high grade). I scored a few men cuts but had trouble dealing with his debana kote, I cut fresh air on many occasions as he nipped in, cut then moved away before I could react. My biggest revelation was that recognised a few of his seme as I kind of know what to look for now, I just need learn how to deal with it. Manny told me to be more observant with my kote men cuts, if the first cut is successful then don't go for the second as it can spoil the point.