I went to the Hombu for Hanshi’s classes tonight. I’m happy to report my bad attitude did not attend with me. š
I led warm-ups for the Family Open class and, oh gee – I must have forgotten to have everyone do push-ups!Ā <wink! wink!>
I learned a new kata in Brown & Black Belt class, which was encouraging, then got some focused attention from Hanshi on my newest bo kata in Weapons class.
Overall, it was a great night of classes and I’m feeling pretty good.
What a difference a day makes!
Sets with Sensei Dave, my fantastic uke for my black belt test.
One year ago I tested for my Shodan rank. If all goes well, I will test for Nidan in another year.
Through kyu ranks to Shodan, there is a lot of material to learn and memorize: basics, drills, self-defense sets and kata. With so much to learn in four short years, I couldnāt say I was a master of any of it. I was just putting the building blocks in place. With my Shodan rank earned, I am still not a master of anything ā except putting my gi on correctly, and there are days Iām not so sure Iāve mastered that!
The path from Shodan to Nidan is different from the path to Shodan.
The requirements to Shodan are laid out very clearly. The path to Nidan? Not so much, as far as I was concerned. I wasnāt really sure what Nidan looked like, and that made me a bit uncomfortable. When Iām uncomfortable, frustration isnāt too far behind ā and thatās never pretty. I canāt hit a target I canāt see, and canāt chase a goal when I donāt know what it is.
I spent my first four years learning 10+ kata and eight sets, one after another. To advance to Nidan, I have to demonstrate two additional kata and one more self-defense set. Thatās not a lot of material to learn in two years, so obviously memorizing kata and adding to my repertoire is not the point. So what is it?
It took me a while (longer than it should have, Iām sure!) but Iāve come to realize the time between Shodan and Nidan requires a shift in thinking. Ā My path is no longer about memorizing material. Itās about what I can do with the material Iāve already learned.
With relatively little new material to pick-up, I have time to really focus on my basics. To make them crisper, faster, and smoother. To work towards mastering them.
I can explore what Iāve learned so far, looking at things with a more experienced eye.
Iām learning what my go-to moves are and what works ā or doesnāt work ā for me.
Iām learning what I would really do at the end of a self-defense move, as opposed to what has been scripted for me.
So what does Nidan look like? It looks like a better Shodan.
How different will I look as a Nidan? I really donāt know. I’m sure I will not have mastered all my material. Thatās a longer journey than this short two years. But I will be on my way, now that I have a better understanding of my goal and what to focus on to get there.
I have aĀ LOVE / Hate relationship with 8 am Black Belt Class.
LOVE: Black Belt Class
Hate: Getting up at 6 am to be there by 8. Ugh.
LOVE:Ā Being the dumbest (aka lowest rank) in class.
Hate: Being the dumbest in class.
LOVE: Learning new and different concepts.
Hate: Being so slow to pick up on new things because Iām not awake yet.
LOVE: Getting my workout done before noon.
Hate: Trying to get my protesting, crunchy body to move before itās ready.
LOVE: Having Hanshi tweak my techniques.
LOVE: Working out with the advanced belts.
LOVE: Seeing friends at the hombu.
The LOVE far outweighs the Hate. Guess Iāll set my alarm and go back once in awhile. Ā ;-D
Iām learning a new bo kata and itās not coming easily. For whatever reason, I had to have Renshi slow down and show me small chunks of the moves ā and heās had to show me several times. At one point I was so frustrated with myself that I stomped my feet like a child.
But after I rolled my eyes, threw my head back, and stomped my feet, I got back to work. With some focused instruction from Renshi and some additional coaching from another student (thanks, Alex!), I finally have a portion of the kata down. But just a portion.
As I was reminded, not everything is going to be easy. I know that and Iām OK with that. Part of the fun of learning is tackling challenges; in fact, if everything was easy, I’m sure Iād get bored quickly!
Over time Iāve learned those things which present the biggest challenges also have the potential for the biggest rewards. This is one of those things. So Iām working on my kata in class. Iām doing an extra run-through or two after class. And Iām mentally doing the kata while Iām walking the dog or holding myself in a plank position.
Iām looking forward to getting this kata down. To having all the pieces in place and being able to run through the whole thing without prompting. At that point, my reward will be the satisfaction of accomplishing something that didnāt come easy. Of knowing I worked hard, put in the extra time and effort, and worked through my frustration.
Nowā¦back to work. Iāve got a kata to learn!
An encore post from Colahan’s Martial Arts. I’m happy to say I did survive my gauntlet, despite myself. I have not sparred much since my gauntlet due to schedule changes and a broken toe. And because I still don’t like it much. I admit I’m not heartbroken. Ā š
“There’s a popular saying among trainers: If you hate an exercise, you should probably be doing it. The reason: People tend to avoid doing movements in which they’re weak…But the truth is, strengthening your weak spots is the fastest way to build more muscle. Just think of it as the low-hanging fruit of your workout: The weaker an area is, the greater its potential for growth.”Ā (http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/side-lunge-and-touch)
I’ve seen this theory a couple of times, and it’s hit home. While I can relate it to several areas in my life, my low-hanging fruit in martial arts is sparring.
In our system, black belt candidates go through a sparring gauntlet. I’m not looking forward to it. Sparring is the weakest area of my martial arts skills, the part of my training that intimidates me.
Recently I told Sensei that I’d probably be one of those people who go through their gauntlet and then never spar again. Well, I’ve changed my mind. I’m female, and I can do that.
I used to avoid sparring because I wasn’t comfortable doing it — partly because fighting wasn’t allowed growing up, and partly because I didn’t know how to spar. But at one point, I just had to make up my mind to do it. To force myself to go to sparring class and to learn to do what freaks me out the most. Fortunately for me, Sensei encouraged me to go to sparring class. Unfortunately for him, I showed up.Ā š
I’m a very high maintenance sparring student! I require a lot of coaching and encouragement, but the Senseis areĀ working with me and I’ve become more comfortable. Little by little I’m strengthening my weakest area and as a result, I’m not hating it anymore. I’m still not anyĀ good, but I’m making progress.
Part of my growth as a martial artist is to train in all aspects of the art — not just those I enjoy. I have a lot to learn in karate, and a LOT to learn in sparring. I am fortunate to have instructors who are willing to teach me, to share their knowledge with me, to take the time to work with me. So even though I may never love it, I will continue to spar after my gauntlet. Assuming I survive my gauntlet.Ā š
I have new walking buddies ā my tonfa! I like to walk after dark, and even though Iām in a safe neighborhood, Iām still just a delicate flower who appreciates a little extra protection.
So far Iāve had about 20 minutes ofĀ instruction and have been shown a couple of patterns. Renshi said heāll teach us more when we get the patterns down, but until then we just need to keep practicing those over and over.
I was going to work on the patterns in the living room but it was so nice out I wanted to go for a walk. I figured I could get the feel of the tonfa while I walked and if I was coordinated enough, I might even be able to work the patterns.
I started out slowly, just trying to getĀ used toĀ the weapons, then started working the patterns. I was worried I might hit my knee, but surprisingly I didnāt! I did, however, hit my elbow. Once. Which was enough, because when Wooden TonfaĀ meets Elbow, Elbow loses.
BecauseĀ I live in Podunk, I kept waiting for Deputy Barney to pull up and ask what I was doing. I tried my best to look ānormalā by swinging my tonfa when I was inĀ less-lighted spots, and just carrying them when I walked under streetlights. My buddies and I made some pretty funny shadows ā I was a 15-foot giant with really long arms!
Itās not the first time Iāve practiced my karate while I walk, since I’m usually working through combinations or blocks, but itās the first time I carried weapons. So either the neighbors are used to the “crazy karate lady” wandering the streetsĀ or they were so busy wondering who in their right mind would go out in public dressed in a red hoodie, brown t-shirt, fuschia shorts and bright pink shoes that they failed to notice my walking buddies.
Now that I know I can walk and swing a weapon at the same time without breaking a knee or falling on my face, Iām sure Iāll do it again. I’d like toĀ walk with my sai but I probably shouldn’t; I have a feelingĀ those might attract a bit too much attention. But do you suppose anyone would notice if I walked with my bo?
Sometimes itās a good thing I have a long drive home after class. Especially on nights like tonight, when Renshi was teaching me a new kata. Goju Shiho Ich is a long one (I probably didn’t spell it correctly!), and so far Iām only about halfway into it. I’m OK with waiting to learn the second half, though,Ā because Iām still trying to get the first half down!
Over the years, Iāve found that if I learn something in class and donāt run through it in my mind until much later, Iāll probably forget quite a bit of it.Ā The hour drive home after class gives me plenty of time to go through the movements in my head. It helps me work things out and get the pieces in place. Sometimes it helps me remember nuances or tweaks that were made during class. AndĀ it always solidifies the new movements in my head.
Tonight I practiced the new kata all the way home,Ā going over it again and again and again in my mind. I havenāt physically done it too many times, so I may have mixed some things up, and I could only get so far because I need some more prompting. But with that extra āpracticeā Iām farther along than I would be if I had left class and driven home thinking about something else!
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