Taekwondo Training

5/15/10

Today we worked on our footwork and forms. We are practicing all of the turns in the three forms that we need to know. I am mixing up my high blocks with my low blocks. I am going to have to work on the blocks and integrating them into the forms.

Aikido Training

5/15/10

We worked on our rolling today. We rolled forward, backward, from a sitting position and from a standing position. Most of the rolls are not so difficult to do, and I am definitely catching on.

Aikido Training

5/1/10

We got to train with the bokken today. The bokken is a wooden sword that is used in training. Sensei Mindy informed us that weapons training is a part of Aikido. The moves that we learn to perform open-handed or empty handed are the same moves that are performed with a sword. It is very interesting. There was a lot to remember, but it was great. I am so glad that I didn't hit myself in the head or trip on the bokken.

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.