1/15/10 f [2s, 18v]
A Excellent, excellent class. About half the vets were chair warriors. When I saw how many of them did what they could of the warm ups, and paid such close attention to the techniques I was teaching [several were going through the motions] that I finished every technique by having the standees partner with a Chair Warrior. It was excellent! Not only did the CWs do the techniques, several of the mobile vets sat down to try it from that position. It was clear that doing this helped everyone, mobile and chair bound, get a better grasp of the essential core of each technique. It is akin to doing technique from suwari waza [kneeling], it enables you to focus on moving from the center.
It was great, how enthusiastic people were today, making real effort to get the particulars of each technique, starting with that deep, centering breath, asking questions when they weren't sure of their technique, helping each other. A very good group. It helps me feel like what I'm trying to do is not only working, it has some value to these guys. The last week or so I haven't been too sure, what with small, constantly shifting groups and the confusion around scheduling. I guess one of my expectations better be that there will be ups and down to this. But why not? Everything worth doing has those downs, but if it is worth doing the ups will come, and they make it all worthwhile.
Damn! I suppose I should apologize for sounding so smug, but today was-----------excellent!
(Original blog post may be found
here.)