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Aiki-Log -- Class #5
Wednesday, August 18, 2004 -- 7:30pm
Rick Brady sensei was our guest instructor on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. He studies Toyama Ryu Iaido and our classes were focused on basic Samurai sword technique. More info can be found at http://www.seishinkan.com/seishin/sskprogs/iaido.htm
WINDOW-WAZA
I wasn't sure what to expect for class, but when I asked if we were going to use the mats, Rick Sensei said "Only if we put them in the parking lot." I wasn't sure what he meant until noticed something wrong on the window wall that overlooks the parking lot. One of the windows (10 feet tall by 4 feet wide) was completely covered in a spider web crack. Evidently, one of Monday's students helped sensei demonstrate a technique. Said student was put severely off balance and didn't regain it again until after he had traversed the dojo and come abruptly to rest against the window. Did I mention our dojo is on the 2nd floor?
Rick Sensei was kind enough before class to bring me and a few other first-timers up to speed with what we missed on Monday. During our orientation, it became obvious that I was going to wish I had a tsuba (hand guard) on my bokken.
Class started rather informally, since the orientation sort of started to become the class. My regular Sensei (John Parks) decided to make it official and we all lined up. I decided right away that I like moving around on a smooth wooden floor much better than on a mat. I was bummed that we weren't going to do pukemi (I had taken Dramamine, again) but was somewhat relieved that my knee would have a little more time to recover before things got hot and heavy again.
We did "sword warm-ups" and began with drawing the sheathing the sword. The sword cleaning flick that I mistakenly called "chibuti" is actually called "chiburi". I was close.
We covered quite a few basics, but nothing too complicated. I won't go into the details (there are eight parts to the technique just for getting to chudan). Class was not very aerobic, but I enjoyed working on my form.
I couldn't stay late after class, but I wanted to. Evidently, Rick Sensei stayed late on Monday with a handful of students and continued informal instruction and experimentation until 11:30pm. He said he doesn't like to leave until he's answered everyone's questions.
I'm looking forward to getting back to Aikido, though.
08-23-2004 12:03 PM 