training journal

I am thinking about starting to keep a log of my training. a friend suggested that i write in it something specific that i would like to work on before each class, breathing, posture, or whatever, and then after class write down what techniques we worked on, how i felt before and after class, etc. does anyone else do this, or have done this? any advice?

I just started a log. In the past, I made notes when I went to seminars... about 10% of the time. Doing it daily helped quite a bit when I went to make notes from the seminar this weekend. I note the techniques we worked on, variations and new twists if any, and sometimes what I'm trying to work on, or thought about most in that class. I don't like the idea of writing down what you want to work on before class, it's forcing things too much, and some techniques lend themselves better to working on certain issues/goals. I prefer to keep the notes short and to the point, and not spin off too much. I think that if you're only spending 5-10 minutes after class writing things down, it's easier to keep up the habit than if you're writing 500-word journal entries.

I agree with Amelia. I keep my book with me when I go to work as well because a lot of the time things come to me when I'm doing other things and I write them down straight away. This my be an idea for you as well.

Cheers
Ben

It's a good idea Clint. I used to make rough notes of my trainings in all my m.arts as well as gym training, but never a properly organised journal. I find it particularly useful when im get stuck inbetween kata moves at home, u shld really start one

I contributed a thread called "aikido notebook" you can find info there also.

Clint Cain wrote: I am thinking about starting to keep a log of my training. a friend suggested that i write in it something specific that i would like to work on before each class, breathing, posture, or whatever, and then after class write down what techniques we worked on, how i felt before and after class, etc. does anyone else do this, or have done this? any advice?

I keep 1 page in a journal per 1 class. I started two months into my aikido training and have been training now for 1.5 years, around 4-5 days a week. So it fills up. But it is useful and yes I absolutely recommend it. I particularly have found it helpful in releasing any tension I felt over the course of training, and also in remembering the names and general mechanics of techniques.

Best!