A great uchi deshi, which always seems to go all too quickly. The theme for the week was timing and using the hips to generate power.
Tues 22nd June: 7pm – 8pm – Sargeant-sensei explained that the body and the Jo should be together when receiving and attacking – there should be no seperation. We did the 13 count kata smoothly ‘feeling’ from one movement into the next.
Wed 23rd 8:30am – 9:30am – We focused on the timing and connection with the centre in the forth and fifth Ken suburi, making sure to ‘punch’ the hips through. We also did some variations, making sure to stay online and take over the centre.
Wed 7pm – 8pm – Sensei taught techniques from the shomen strike (shihonage, iriminage, kote gaeshi). Using one hand first then two to receive the strike.
Thurs 24th 8:30am – 9:30am – We practiced the Jo Suburi 1 – 17 stopping on the hasso series and looking at the feet position. Sensei explained that the hasso movements are a defence from 360 degrees of attack. For Hasso Gaeshi Ushiro Tsuki one should be relaxed like sitting on a chair.
Thurs 7pm – 8pm – A lesson of Tai No Hanka and Iriminage: When performing tai no hanka the nage shouldn’t move in until they have started turning. All the movements should be together, ‘in time’.
Fri 25th 7:30am – 8:30am – We did the 4th, 5th and 7th Ken Suburi, there wasn’t much space so I did mine up and down the drive which was hard. Sensei said that my upper torso shouldn’t move so much when performing the cuts.
Fri 9:30am – 10:30am – Sensei taught kote-gaeshi from shomen and shihonage in four directions, I love the high fall from shihonage! 
Fri 11:15 – 12:15 – Tim-sensei taught low, medium and high iriminage.
Fri 5pm – 6pm – Sensei taught another class of receiving shoment – this time with some more detail and the body position and the control of the hand – explaining there is a slight difference between kihon and ki-no-nagare. We did shihonage, irminage, kote gaeshi and kaitenage techniques.
Fri 6:15pm – 7pm – Jenny-sensei spoke about the importance of the posture and taught Ikkyo techniques.
Sat 26th 7:30am – 8:30am – Tim-sensei taught the ken tai jo on the perfect beech front setting, we did 1 – 3 with additional exercises and henka’s. Followed by a dip in the atlantic, what a great way to start the day!
Sat 10:30am – 11:30am – Sensei taught a nikkyo class from kosa, katate and kata dori. Sensei said it is important not to fight the uke’s power but go over it.
Sat 5pm – 6pm – Sensei went over some principles taught previously on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd kumi tachi (with henka’s).
Sat 6:15pm – 7pm – A very hard session of koshinage from morote dori, kata dori and katate dori. Sensei emphasissed the importance of ‘aiming’ the hand behind the foot. I was very happy that I got awarded my 1st kyu at the end of the lesson.
Sun 27th 7:30am – 8:30am – We practiced the Jo suburi 1-20
Sun 9:30am – 10:30am – Sensei taught an ikkyo class, showing that the technique should be performed around the nage’s centre rather than the nage going around the uke. for ura, it is important to extend the ikkyo through the fingers before the tenkan movement.
Sun 6:30pm – 7:30pm – We started the class with Ki musubi no tachi and then went onto the 4th kumi tachi.
I forgot to take notes for Monday’s classes but I remember it was the hottest day and the sessions were quite dynamic – which is probably why I forgot to take notes.
.
