Aikido Training

4/29/10

To start this class we did a lot of rolling on the mat. We then worked on a move that had the risk of “clothes-lining” your partner. And you guessed it, I got clothes-lined. I think the problem was that I wasn’t sure what to do or how to fall or how to move with the whole process. This frustrated me immensely. So, I am confused about the “attacker” role most of the time.

We also worked on a defense for being choked from behind. I didn’t get it at all! I couldn’t get the desired result and I continued being choked. The funny thing is that I was too confused to be frustrated. Okay, being choked was really irritating.

I am not really retaining a lot of what we learn. The procedures are very complicated, and I know that I keep mentioning this. The problem for me is this; it is already difficult for me to learn anything physical and adding complicated moves on top of that makes it seem impossible. Generally, I take what I learn and try to create muscle memory by practicing the move or procedure over and over. But, I can’t remember most of what we do, so I can’t really practice it at home.

So, here comes some advice for anyone interested in Aikido. If I decided to continue on with this martial art, I would want to be able to attend classes more than once or twice a week. This would help me to practice the moves more and develop muscle memory.

Taekwondo Training

4/24/10

Today we worked on the “Heaven the Earth” form. I should say that we worked on high blocks and side kicks. At the end of the class we sparred a bit. I must say that I was not really in the mood to spar for so many reasons; my finger was still jammed from last week, we didn’t have all the gear, I was sore from working out at the gym and I really wanted to work on my form more.

So, when we started, I executed a round kick, which was blocked by Master Sue. Well, it was blocked by her elbow to my shin. The pain promptly reminded me that I wasn’t wearing the same gear as last week. Last week I sustained very minor injuries; jammed finger and pretty good bruise on my thigh. Unfortunately, my day job is pretty physical and can be violent. Any injuries can be a safety risk, depending on the clients. I told her about my concerns and she just told me that I needed to have the safety gear. So, I am going to look into what gear exists and if I can get some that I can use for multiple martial arts.

Here is the lesson for Taekwondo: you need safety gear to spar. This martial art is also a sport. There are many competitions available to go and “play” with others. The good thing about this is that you get to use what you learned against another person and with another person. The competitions are a good place to really develop your fighting abilities. Sparring is the practice for this. You will learn how to read your opponent, how to react, how to plan your attacks and defenses. The bad thing about this is that there is always the risk of injuries. Of course, if you don’t learn how to defend yourself at all, you will have worse problems.

Aikido Training

4/21/10

Ugh! What a horrible day. Severe menstrual cramps and a migraine worked together to create a totally useless and crappy day. So, I missed Aikido. No practice, no writing, nothing but waiting for the pain to go away.

Training

For the Aikido portion of the day we worked on the same move we worked on in Wednesday’s class (4/14). We also did up and down exercises (getting up and down on the mat), rolling from a standing position and did wrist-stretching exercises. It sounds a bit strange to focus on stretching wrists, I know. At this point, much of what we do has a great deal to do with twisting the wrists, elbows and shoulders in a manner that forces some sort of submission. Making sure that these joints are properly stretched and limber is very, very important for safety. We want to practice the techniques, not injure each other.

The Taekwondo portion of the day was an introduction to sparring. Sparring is an endurance exercise. Not only are you using what you are learning in the class, you have to last the round. It is a lot of work to spar. When I was finished with my rounds, I was breathing heavy and sweaty. It was fun.

Aikido Training

4/14/10

We worked on rolling down the mat, stretching our wrists and a new move. It’s difficult describing the moves. I think that calling the elaborate techniques that we are learning, “moves” is an oversimplification. It begins with someone grabbing or punching the other person. The person receiving the attack then performs a couple of simple motions and footwork, which puts the attacker in a very bad position. All of the procedures that we learn in the class are complicated.

So, moves (there goes that oversimplification again) that are hard to learn, but the payoff is good defense. I wonder how much of this I am going to be able to retain?

Training

4/10/10

Today was a bit unusual. The Aikido Sensei agreed to meet me on Saturdays to catch up my training for missing the Monday classes. I am at work during those classes, so it is impossible for me to attend. Luckily, Master Sue, my Taekwondo instructor, agreed to allow me to train on Saturdays at her dojang.

Now, that everyone is caught up, we can see where this is going… that’s right! Two and a half hours of martial arts on Saturdays. It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it was going to be. Both classes were great. The interesting thing about training in both back to back was that I could really see some of the similarities in the footwork. I could also see the differences between the circularity of Aikido and the linear nature of Taekwondo. I can see where knowing both would be advantageous in a self-defense situation.

On a selfish note, the class consisted of me, Jade and three martial arts masters. This project is just awesome!

So, this puts my Taekwondo at 7 classes. The moves are starting to feel more natural, my balance is improving so, I am not stumbling as much when I perform kicks. The stance is still a bit strange and I constantly have to correct myself. I am starting to enjoy the forms. They really are a moving meditation.

Aikido Training

3/31/10

It was really windy again for the last two days. My asthma is really acting up. I couldn’t make it to class today. It is really frustrating to miss class.

4/7/10

We worked on footwork, rolls and a hold. My footwork was a bit spastic, my rolls were fine and the hold was just plain old fun! Everyone in the class seems nice and eager to help us newbies.