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Classes tend to be slower when we have new students. Last night, we worked on only two techniques, ikkyo and sankyo, but the practice was excellent, nonetheless. I'm not taking ukemi right now because I'm supposed to avoid aggravating my injured shoulder.
These are primary techniques, and I do them pretty well, but -- and this is a good thing -- my sensei still finds several aspects of my technique to correct. These corrections were refinements, but they were very helpful. I try to leave my ego behind and be grateful when I'm not doing something perfectly, and I definitely appreciated the pointers last night. They may have been primary techniques, but they're not simple.
I was working with two other partners so I wouldn't have to take ukemi. For the ikkyo, I was working with the other fellow at my rank and a new guy. For one iteration of the technique, the new guy was my uke, and his ukemi felt a bit stiff (as is natural). I finished the technique, and the other guy pointed out that I finished the technique going off at an odd direction. I pointed out that that seemed to be where the new guy wanted to go and I didn't want to force the technique. This statement was met with much skepticism, and I was a bit insulted that. The new guy was uke for my other partner next, and sure enough, he too noticed the stiffness right away. I was vindicated, but did not mention anything. My other partner decided to stop the technique and help the new guy with his ukemi, instead of working with what he was given.
I won't say that's the wrong approach, but I'm beginning to feel that we're doing too much talking and "peer instructing" in class. I may say something to our instructor in private and see what he thinks. For myself, I think it's getting annoying. I know I do it too, so I've been making more of an effort to be quiet and not correct/instruct too much when I'm working with somebody. I think there's a balance that needs to be found. It works best with experienced students where our ukemi points out flaws and nage gets a chance to correct it on his own before being bombarded with a lot of helpful advice.
Overall, though, it was a good class. There wasn't any acrimony between my partner and me, and my reaction to all the talking has more to do with the fact that several times I looked around last night and everyone was either talking or listening and nobody was training. [:--(] Additionally, it was frustrating not being able to take ukemi, so I may have been a bit grumpy.
01-14-2004 11:49 AM 