Baby Steps and the Unwavering Patience of Sensei.

Well I'm no Bruce Lee and I don't ever intend to be. I must say I have found a new found appreciation for all the skills that man possessed though. The many years of practice, mistakes, the obstacles and dedication made him into a master of the Nunchaku.

Today I was introduced to a new weapon, the Nunchaku. In Canada we never practiced or trained with this weapon because it is illegal. In the US, they are more lenient with the use of this weapon. Any boy who has seen a Bruce Lee movie or watched Ninja turtles knows what this weapon does, I, on the other hand, have very limited exposure to it. Sensei handed me this weapon, I examined it like it was some alien. Not even sure how to hold it properly. He began doing a training drill with all of us. I must say I was humbled by my clumsiness with it, and laughed at my uncoordination with this foreign object in my hand. Sensei saw me struggling so halted the class to show demonstrate how to manoevur it to my side... I couldn't grasp it and fumbled with this weapon trying to get it to my shoulder. When I get nervous or I'm put on the spot I laugh, I must say I felt much laughter brewing today.

Sensei knew I needed some one on one time, he instructed the other students to go through the drill and came over to me to help me. First thing was to get the basic over the shoulder set and to switch from side to side so it becomes a fluid motion... grasping the nunchaku in both hands, hand being one inch from the bottom, bringing your right hand and moving the left hand at the same time to have the right hand over your shoulder and the bottom left hand in a ready stance... all to come together in a fluid motion was a MAJOR challenge for me... switching it to the other side was even a bigger one.

Once I got the flow I continued to do it, back and forth, back and forth, training my muscles to feel and learn that motion... over and over, repetition is key when learning something new... then Sensei wanted me to learn the low block with the Nunchaku... getting into the set position, right hand in the upper position, then turning that hand, to make the nunchaku into a straight line... kinda like a bo, then striking down with the lower half which is in your left hand... all in one fluid motion... sounds easy... NOPE... nothing's easy when you're just starting out... over and over and over, I repeated this... after getting it as good as it was going to get for a first timer, Sensei wanted to teach me how to do a punch with the Nunchaku.

This is the swinging motion you see the masters of this weapon practice with ease... letting it swing forward and then bringing it back into ready stance... over your shoulder... UH HUH... this didn't go well... first attempt... swinging forward, out SLOWLY... because I'm unsure... it flutters, and wobbles clumsily in the air... doesn't go where it should go... bringing it back, it flies over my shoulder and hits me not so softly on my buttocks... I let out a loud yip... the class starts to laugh... yes, at this point, I'm feeling very humble and a tad bit embarassed, I start to laugh. Sensei tells me to take it slowly again, teaching me proper form on how to throw/swing the nunchaku... it goes where I want it this time, but over the shoulder set doesn't exactly go where I want it, and once again, I feel the portion of the stick hitting me in my buttocks again... I know I will have a bruise there. Then I switch to the other side, my bad side, the left side... oh god, I'm sure I will do some damage this time... I throw the nunchaku out, I bring it back in a slow arc, I see it coming towards my head, I duck, and start to laugh uncontrollably... at this point, I'm thinking out loud and say, "I"m definitely not a Bruce Lee" which causes some chuckles from the other students... over and over I practice, not even catching the nunchaku as it swings over my shoulder, my hand either makes it bounce out, and then my grab isn't timed... I'm not giving up, I'm getting annoyed with myself, over and over I practice with this blasted thing in my hands... over and over, it bounces across my buttocks or almost hits me in the head... over and over, until I feel it going over my shoulder at just the right angle and I finally grab the end that went over... YES! I did it. I finally executed a proper left punch/swing with the Nunchaku. That was my first obstacle with this weapon, I'm certain there is going to be much more obstacles to overcome, but that little ordeal left me with hope.

I will not be as skilled as the Master, Bruce Lee, who I applaud for his years and years of practice of this weapon, but I will be skilled enough by my own standards and limitations. I also applaud Sensei for his unwavering patience and understanding. There were times I wanted to give up on doing the technique, but he just watched and twecked my technique as I did it, pointing out my mistakes and correcting them before they became habits... Hai Sensei, and Domo Aregato!!!

Never say you can't...

If someone were to tell me a few months ago that I would be in the martial arts and preparing for my yellow belt with only less than a month of being back in it, I would have said you're nuts or the school was one that just pushed the students through to get students in their classes. But you are not either one of these. If it werent' for my trip up to Canada I would be still training and probably be starting Wansu kata next week.

With the trip to Canada, Sensei has left me to my own practice schedules but he wants all the techniques as solid as possible when I get back... I have all 5 Kihon, all 5 Ippon, Tae Kyo Ku 1, 2 and 3 plus 5 of my many self defense moves (5 are only needed for yellow belt). When I get back he will start me on Wansu, then the Bunkai for each.

Looking back to before I walked through the dojo doors... I was very unsure of myself physically, not very confident about things, very unhappy with myself and didn't have any energy to do much other than look after my girls. Since I stepped out onto that mat, I'm still unsure of myself physically but I see hope... I can see my arms and legs beginning to tone up, and sadly some of my skin starting to sag because my fat is turning into muscle and the skin doesn't know what to do with itself yet, but in time, my body will take care of that too; I am more happier with myself than I have been in years, and the energy, its getting there, but being a stay at home mom with two little toddlers, energy is sapped from you regardless of what shape you're in.

For those people who were like myself prior to giving it an honest try, don't give up before you even start because you think you can't do it, just do it the best you can,. You'll get better the longer you're in it whether its karate, baseball, zumba, or whatever you fancy doing. If you love something enough to swallow your pride and look silly for a short while, its a small price to pay for all the benefits you reap from doing something you love.

Progress is slow and frustrating, but there is a light in the distance...

Well today's class came and went... I was completely exhausted, actually left a bit early from my karate class by 15 mins... 2 hours and 15 minutes was enough of a workout, considering I was dripping in sweat. The weapons (Kobudo) class was first, starts at 8:00 on Saturday morning, runs until 9:30, then my karate class is for an hour until 10:30.

We started the weapons class with stretches with the bo. We basically place the bo over your head, rest them on the back of the shoulders and hook your arms over. Swinging back and forth to loosen up the body, then twisting the body just to loosen up... then some forward bends with the bo still behind your head... I must say, this feels soooooooooooo very good... I know it may sound nuts, but you can feel your muscle and the membrane stretching ever so slightly making you feel a bit of a stretch but not painful enough to be ... hmmm... whats the word... sadomastic. It just makes you feel alive!! After that we move into our blocking drills, just practicing proper technique, then our punch drill.. refer to last week's weapons blog for more detail. After this was all done, Sensei decided to get me doing tichicho (practice kata and not certain of the spelling on that yet), doing down block kata first, then mid block, then last but not least, the high block version of this kata... this pretty much took all an hour to work and practice it for proper technique... at this point I was pretty much drenched!!! Then we moved to the sai for the rest of the class... we did a short blocking drill, then punch drill... then moved right away into the tichicho practice kata... we did low block kata (which I can honestly say, is not my strong suit... needs much practice and refining on the down block, pull leg back and into crane stance, slice of the sai in the downward arc, flip of the sai and down block... the leg part just screws me all up... anyway... after that, we did mid block version and then high block version... the latter two being very easy to maneuvor because of no crane stance nor downward arc of the sai and set into block.. That was the weapons class... easy enough... nuh uh... that was an hour and a half of grueling mind and body working togetherness... for the new student it was pure confusion. But I take it with a grain of salt and not dwell on it, just learn from it. Repetition is what makes techniques perfect.

Now for the karate class. I told Sensei I wanted to work on timing of techniques, Isshinryu and Shuri Te are much alike but oh so different in timing, maybe because of it being more of a style that has wrist twists after techniques and possibly because of the guard hand being close to your heart (isshinryu techniques always start from the waist - oppposed to the technique starting close to your heart). I practiced the stuff Sensei had already gave me to practice on the previous week's class, I basically practiced the footwork in kihon 1 and kihon 5, then I worried about the technique after... after that I was given kihon 2 (which is a step out into a forty five degree angle away from front stance, at the same time, guard hand comes up, striking hand comes up to cross your body, pelvic turn, execute the spear hand block, opposite punch, bring legs together, round house kick, and finishing the technique with a low block. All of this has timing, technique and proper placement of hands and feet all working together to make it come together into a beautiful sequence of movements. I have yet to get there... grin.. but I can see it coming... and that makes me happy.

After practicing this for a few minutes I was starting to get a really weird lightheadedness feeling throughout my whole body.... lactic acid was telling me to rest... so i went to get something to drink... moving across the dojo floor, I was feeling like I was rubber legged, just wanting to drop but my pride was too great to embarass myself, so I kept walking, sat down, and rested... I knew I had enough for today... I grabbed a quick drink... walked back onto the mat, and approached Sensei. Sensei took one look at me, said I looked like hell and told me to call it a day... I worked hard enough... good job... we bowed to each other and since leaving my old dojo up in Canada, said, "Domo Aregato Sensei!"

New Terminology and what does it mean....

I have some time now to compose my thoughts on tonight's class. With anything new, there's going to be some difficulties in learning the new concepts, ideas and terms, tonight was no exception. First of all the positives; the drive to karate was relaxing, a bit stressful because of the commute during rush hour traffic but no biggy, just keep your eye on the road and watch out for careless drivers. I love feeling the freedom of having the windows open, the music blaring and just me and my car. I don't have to worry about anyone's thirst, or the DVD player coming unhinged from its resting spot, nor having to care that anyone is too cold or the wind is too much, nor the music too loud. Just me. I've missed that alone time. Hmmm... another positive; I would have to say doing something that I love and knowing that in the long run is going to make me into a better more well rounded person. Not only physically, but spiritually and mentally as well. Now for the downside.... the terminology.

In Isshinryu we had things less difficult. You do your basics, kicks and punches. Kicks being 8 different ones, and basics, blocks and punches... then as you advance, kata. Well in Shuri Ryu, you have Ippon, Kihon, and some other terms I don't know how to type because I don't know what they are... I know how to do them, but the terminology is so alien to me. Tonight Tom, a brown belt, was running the class, Sensei was away. So Tom asks me to go through Ippon with him. I looked at him like he just grew another head. I meekly answered, "What is Ippon?" In Isshinryu it would be a combination of basics and kicks... right foot back, upper block, front snap kick with either a knife strike, punch, punch, step back and down block. Sounds pretty easy huh? NOT!!!!! There's timing issues and technique issues and guard hand blocks also in this sequence. I know I can do it, but please tell me what I'm doing rather than saying, do Ippon. GRRRRRRRR. The terminology s all greek to me. I know how to do the stuff, its just the terms are so foreign to me. Kihon on the other hand, would be more of a shorter technical sequence. Only trouble is, some of it is soooooooooo similar to Isshinryu type katas. Kihon Number 1 for instance, is a step out into cat stance, a set with your hands at your opposite side, fist over fist, then step into front stance, and at the same time, executing a mid block (Shuri Te style - knuckles facing you) with a guard hand almost in a fighting stance, back fist gab with the blocking hand, cross punch, scissor guard hand and low block. I just can't get the damn flow!!! Its a simple enough technique, but for some reason, I want to break out into an isshinryu kata called Chinto. I know there's going to be days like this...but I felt like a bubbly idiot tonight.

We went through Ippon, Kihon, and the practice kata (the term I can't remember because I have too much info going through my head). Then I spent the remainder of the class, doing the guard hand technique and executing blocks... upper, mid and low, just to try to get the flow. Tom says not to worry about the flow yet. I know I shouldn't but it's my previous martial arts experience telling me to do it better, knowing I can do it better. I know I'm tearing myself another one, but I just can't help it. I suppose that's the perfectionist in me.

In some ways, I wish I didn't have the previous martial arts experience because its hindering my progress now. My muscle memories of previous techniques are interfering with my new simple ones. When a series of blocks and strikes are introduced to me Shuri Ryu style, it triggers something from Isshinryu katas. I anticipate the next moves but they are wrong because its not Isshinryu I'm studying, it's Shuri Te. I'm just frustrated.

I have decided that I'm going to purchase the reference book, I think that will help me with remembering the terms, and getting my head out of the Isshinryu mode and into the Shuri Te frame of mind. It is a bit pricey, but I think in the long run with my studies, it will aid me in remembering stuff. Rob had once told me when I was cramming information into my head for the telecommunications industry, "You can't remember everything, just remember where to find the answers". The book will help me find the answers and point me in the right direction should I stumble in my pursuit for perfection.

I hope that I can look back on this night's blog and shake my head and laugh. Rob said this would be a good tool for motivation. For the good nights and the bad nights.

Little Samurai In The Making...

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Like all martial arts there is a weapons piece, Sensei Joe teaches his a bit different than the standard martial arts class, there's a different class all together, strictly for weapons training. And like other styles of martial arts, normally you need to be a certain belt rank before you're even allowed to touch a weapon, in Shuri Te, he allows white belts to join, which is a bonus for me because it gives me more time to perfect things.

Yesterday was the first day of my weapons training class. I wasn't sure what to expect. Years ago I practiced a form with the sai (three pronged sword) and at that time I thought I was fairly good. Sensei Joe started this weapons class with some basic bo drills (a 5' long bamboo stick, which when you used properly is a very deadly weapon), we did the blocking drills, repeatedly... over and over, and then the punch drill. Sounds easy enough, right? WRONG!!!! For the most part, the blocking drill was simple. But to execute a one punch sequence with the bo, it's actually NINE different techniques. All flowing together to make a beautiful artful piece of flurry movements. I must say, I really enjoyed this. Not only did I feel my muscle memories getting use to the feel of the bo but I also had one helluva workout. We did the punch sequence over and over and over again to get the flow going. Then Sensei thought I was ready to incorporate all of it into the practice kata/form. Even though I was very, VERY rusty. I felt empowered.

After about an hour of constant whirling of the bo, Sensei knew I had enough of the bo, so he switched it up with the sai, my old friends. After !0 years of being away from them, I must say I was EXTREMELY rusty. Sensei had refreshed me in some easier techniques because he saw I was struggling with making the movements flow naturally. We did some basic handling of the sai, then he said, "These are just an extension of your body, don't fight them, let them continue your body's natural movement". He reminded me when you practice karate, you aren't stiff and tense, you have loose movements before you strike. "Take off your white knuckled grip and just let your body's momentum do what its going tto do with your weapon". After releasing some of the control of the sai, I found I was feeling the tension leave and my technique started to actually look artful.

Using the sai and bo isn't going to be easy. I have muscle memories of both of these weapons from 10 years ago, back when I had a completely different body than the one I have now. Sensei realized that we needed to do some "conditioning" exercises, just letting the weapon fall across your body, letting it hit with a bit of force, but teaching your body where things were, he told me to stand in front stance, and let the weapon fall slightly as I performed a technique and letting it fall where it fell. I got a few small bruises but not much. This teaches me where my body is while still concentrating on my technique.

Sensei Joe has immense patience. He said, not only do I have a new student, I have one that has previous experience in a similar art form, a student that soaks things up like a sponge. He's having a hard time distinguishing how far to take me in my lessons. Every student has a learning curve, as he says, but with me, it seems that learning curve isn't where it should be.

It's nice to have a Sensei who encourages you so much. I am so happy I found a place after 10 years of searching.

First Impressions and Future Memories

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Well today was the start of my new beginning. I'm ready to "take back my life". Since I left Canada, friends, family and a part of myself, I've become someone different. So along with the loving support of my husband, I'm going to re-do some things.

Prior to moving to the States, I was heavily into the martial arts and was very happy with everything in my life. People think of it as just a sport. I see it as a way of life. Not only is it physical, but it's mental and spiritual and I believe without these three aspects in your life, you are not a whole person living up to your true potential.

I went to Appleton today to check out Original Martial Systems, its a traditional dojo that teaches Shuri Te. One fo the older karate styles out there. Isshinryu is the common one in the Dryden area. Isshinryu was created in the mid 1900s, Shuri Te is one of the three styles that Isshinryu derived from.

Upon walking into the dojo, I was anxious, excited and a bit apprehensive because I've looked for something similar to the style I was accustomed to, and was met with much disappointment when checking out the clubs in the area. Don't laugh when I say this, but everything is sooooo Americanized. Remember the Karate Kid movie, and the bad, disrespectful kids and how their dojo was, well for the most part that's what I was finding. So I gave up the search to head off any future disappointments, until recently. Anyway, I digress. Having all these doubts and hopes in my heart and mind at the doors, I was relieved as I walked into the dojo. I felt a sense of calm and peace as I walked in. Sensei Joe looked up from his teaching, waved and smiled. He was working with the two little boys in the children's class. I watched and found it interesting how he was dealing with the boys. He then left the boys and walked over to me, and invited me into his office. We talked as he watched his students. Let me tell you, I haven't felt that comfortable with a complete stranger in a long time. As we talked about the style and training, I felt that this just might be the place for me, my new home, like the last 10 years of non training didn't exist anymore. He was telling me about the kata and forms they teach, and there were some I already knew. He then told me to stand up, so I did. He told me to start Wansu kata, a green belt kata in Isshinryu, and after 10 years I still remembered it. We talked some more as he learned more about who I was, he let me know that it was his gain and all the other dojos losses when i walked into his dojo. He accepted me as one of his students and on Saturday, I will be back into karate, not as a blue belt in Isshinryu but a white belt in Shuri Te.

Wish me luck, it's going to be a long road but he says with hard work and determination, he can see me as black belt in 4 years, about the time my little Kira will be one of my students....