I haven't been training for a while, missing last weeks training due to sickness, going to Blue Leaf Dojo a fortnight ago, and not training 3 weeks before that.
Needless to say, I was quite anxious to go training tonight - despite the cold weather. There wasn't much of a big turn out. There were 4 of us including the instructor as he likes us to refer to him. (Whom I must congratulate for obtaining Shodan in Iaido).
Anyway, due to the cold weather, (and to my disappointment being psyched up for training) we did Kata. I wasn't unhappy with doing kata, but I would've preferred Jigeiko/waza training. But all is well, as training is training.
There are several points that Kata and reinforced during tonight. Mainly:
- Control [relating to me mostly, as for some reason I bursted into fits of laughter]
- Zanshin
- "Presence" - This related to projecting one's ki onto the other person. Due to the the lack of physical contact in kata, this would (I Believe) improve one's ability to seme in kendo.
- Distance
- Footwork
I have no idea why I bursted into fits of laughter, but it is something that I will have to correct. I don't believe that the judges, when i'm grading for Ikkyu [as corrected by Don], would appreciate my laughing during Kata.
Zanshin - speaks for itself. Was illustrated several times during the night when one of us did something wrong, we sometimes stopped, instead of going on. Is related straight into kendo. You go for kote but miss. You would attempt another cut (ie, Nidan waza) such as men or any other opening. Why? Because if you have awareness that you didn't make the cut, the aite would also know. However, his guard may let down for a split second and in that split second, you may be able to take that point if you were on guard all the time.
Presence - kinda relating to seme & intention to cut.
Distance - a prevailing problem getting all of us. The differences in height between people during rotation is noticeable. Ie; if they take too much of a big/not big enough step. As has been reiterated many times, Kata is a 'partnership' of trust. There needs to be compensation between the Uchidachi & Shidachi - they need to work together.
Footwork - must I say? haha. Footwork is the fundamentals of kendo and any martial art. Relates to distance as well as presence - depending on how you move (ie; with the shoulders or hara) effects your presence and ultimately, Seme.
These are some of the things that was picked up on tonight. There are more, but I don't have the time to write about all of them.
Anyway, until next time, Happy Kendo-ing!
