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...lead the 8 directional kata with the bokkens! (Tuesday's class--8-25-04)
(I didn't add anything to my journal last week even though I went to class and I started college for the first time on Monday (!!!!!) so I better add this in now before I forget. Oh yeah, we cut down and sanded and waxed our new jo's last week! They're perfect now!)
Last week, before class, Amy (she got her gi last week!) wanted me to help her with the 8 directional bokken cut. I did and even though I've known how to do it for a long time, I've never shown anyone how to do it before. But because I did that with Amy last week, when Mark asked me to please lead bokkens (so he could walk around and correct people), I actually felt confident enough to try the 8 d. cut up there! When I lead the bokkens, it's few and far between so I'm often nervous and every time I consider attempting the 8 directional, I just know that my mind might go blank so I never tried. I led everyone with shomenuchi stationary strike first, then all the turns, then with a tenkan, and the 8 d. cut (left foot forward) we went through twice. I considered trying the other side where it would be totally opposite but I figured I better not push my luck. Everyone said I did a really good job up there! Mark caught my eye and smiled and bowed---I think he was pleased and proud of me for being more comfortable up there and finally trying the 8 d. cut. Hurray!
I think another reason why I felt comfortable up there leading (for the first time EVER) was because Peter and the higher up guys weren't there. Usually, as soon as I call the numbers, the higher up guys are already finished the turns before I'm half way around even though they are supposed to be following me since I was asked to go up and lead. That's okay, I suppose, but a bit nerve-racking as they're setting the pace faster than I wanted to go. But I didn't feel at all intimidated by my mom, Amy, Larry, or Sensei Mark, last night.
A new guy (older gentleman), who has only done some Tai Chi came to watch our class. We doubt he'd be interested in joining as he's older and probably doesn't know how to roll and it would be difficult.
Technique-wise---Kosidori (sp?) Kokkyu, Kosidori Irimi Nage & Koteigieshi (sp?), and a weird pin/move/thing that I've seen Mark do before but we've only been shown maybe once how to do it. I couldn't get it quite right and the overall feeling of the class was "I don't know ANYTHING!" I wasn't discouraged though because I felt so good about the bokkens and I know I can't get everything right.
Robyn (Ack! for some reason my smilies won't work correctly!)
(Hurray for the Olympics!)
08-25-2004 08:02 PM 
Everyone said I did a really good job up there! 
Mark caught my eye and smiled and bowed---I think he was pleased and proud of me for being more comfortable up there and finally trying the 8 d. cut. Hurray! 
