the HIP.. the HIP! Get that hip going!

I awakened to a further realization on the hip's movement and rotation. Gee.. I thought that I was moving that hip until now. I've been working on hip rotation since I was a yellow belt.. but it's more than what I thought.. There is lots of ways of moving that hip during a strike. I need to be able to understand WHAT it is that I'm doing, and what results that I want from the movement. I'm got a lifetime of study ahead of me!

As to looking for seminars/and other events that I can train with other people who love kata.. I financially have to make myself more secure for the next couple of years. We just needed to do a big purchase to keep the house warm. There goes hopes of travel for me... Just for awhile.

Sunday, Feb 10th

I need to check the count of the Tsuki no Kata after the first turn. I think that I'm getting it a little mixed up as to what makes up one count, and what makes up the next count.

I need to look at Pinan sono Yon, and the placement of my hands in the first movements, something Shotokan is happening, and I'm overcompensating by dipping my lead shoulder to try to force the arm into the right position.

My backstance has gone from being too narrow to becoming too wide. Time to focus on the feeling of my backstance and bring it under control.

Also, I need to practice the more advanced renraku that involves more stance switching in mid movement. These will have to be done on my own time at home, or on breaks at work.

Both of my Bo staffs are misplaced.. yeesh. My Water Bo is totally gone. I believe that it was taken by a elementary school child as "look at this cool stick I found, Mom". My Maple staff was left at my dojo, and probably placed in a safe location for later. Therefore, yesterday, my husband and I went to the local lumber store, and bought me a wooden 6 foot stick. I have to say that I'm not impressed with this one. It is made of Hemlock. Wide.. wide spaces between the rings. Not a good color or sound to it. It's not very straight either, with a slight warp. BUT it's a 6 foot staff that I can use to practice with until I can buy myself something better, and if I lose this one, I won't mind a bit.

I was thinking....

Hmmmm... o.k... Why was I hoping to go to a competition in Kata at a tournament?

It was to meet some like minded karate ka in Kyokushin who love kata as much as I do.. Tournaments aren't the greatest setting for such an undertaking. Not always do kata lovers become willing to perform for medals, in fact, kata lovers tend to be the "stay at the dojo, and focus on their kata" kind of people. ( or am I being too general here?)

If I wish to meet other kata lovers to spend time with, I need to go where I can find them. They'd be at seminars, not tournaments. AHA! I will look for Kyokushin seminars that I might be able to attend in the near future that are near me to see what I can find.