Working on movement

I find it amazing how an artist always seems to go back to basics.

I've returned to looking at my movements in stance, and reassessing how well I use my muscles. I ask myself if I could move forwards in front stance with more speed, or if I could move backwards in the same stance with more fluidity. I've looked at my side stance, and worked on making that movement more "perfect".

Now that I have gained in leg strength through years of training, I think that I can finally start matching the desired movement.

Due to various home based demands I have had to lower the amount of personal training a little to take care of the house, kids, and myself. Balance.. life is about balance.

Progress is happening

Jumping kicks are not only improving, but are starting to feel less difficult.

I've managed to include the hip on my movements with more knowledge in the implementation.

I've managed to get my hands to stay up better, but I'm still looking for more height.

NOW.. to work on some minute details about moving in stance. My feet seem to have their own mind, and my timing needs a bit of adjustment.

Improving my flexibility

Jumping kicks do require some flexibility. So.. I need to work on stretching more.

Somewhere in my Martial arts files, and articles, I have acquired a great guide on how to stretch properly, and efficiently. I guess that it is now time for me to try to find it, and implement it. It's not like I haven't stretched until now, it's just that I haven't done it "religiously". I haven't set aside a certain portion of my training time to scientifically work on improving my range.

Sensei David Owen wrote an article on stretching available to read here:

http://www.jkavic.com.au/article_david_owen3.html

It is the second part of a discussion on the benefits of warm up, and stretching before, and after training. I think that it is important to be aware of the various concerns, and information that Sensei Owen mentions as I work towards incorporating more stretching into my personal training.

Jumping kicks..

AAAH... jumping kicks.. I've got to be able to do jumping kicks... AARGH!



Like that! Side kick, front kick, back kick.. AARGH!

Panic.. I'm in a panic.. AARGH!

I've got to find support on this.. I have to train at home on this.. I have to get a grip. AARGH!

My hips! Will they be able to take the pressure? They complain when I do kicks on the ground.. what are they going to do in the air? AARGH!

The hands.. the Hands! Get the hands up!

O.k... I've been working on the hip, and managed to improve that aspect a little. Now.. for my hands. They need to be higher up in guard position.



This is how my fighting stance has developed up until now. Sure.. it's a nice position, but for Kyokushin training, I need to get my hands up higher to guard my head more... similar to a boxer's stance. Sort of like this:



That's Muhammad-Ali in the picture. Wow.. I'm going to try to imitate Muhammed-Ali. Me? Oh well.. if that is what is necessary. I found that I can train my abdomen muscles to be stronger to take impact, but my head cannot be trained.

I learned recently that women are far more prone to concusion than men. It might have to do with the physical reality that women's skulls are thinner then mens, or that women's necks are not as built up to become the shock absorber of the strikes. "High School- And College-Age Girls Playing Soccer Sustain 64% More Concussions. In basketball girls were 300 percent more likely to get a concussion."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/02/eveningnews/main3321766.shtml

So therefore, I'm working on getting my hands up higher as I spar. Sure it seems like just a 4 inch difference, but oh man.. that difference is really difficult to hold up there. At least that is what I find. If I keep my hands at shoulder level, I do not feel tired, but lift them up to near chin level, and OUCHIES!

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.