6.29.09 The challenge!
Although I enjoy teaching class of course, there are times where I can be apathetic about class as well. These are usually after a weekend of training or teaching seminars, Tai kai etc. However about 30 minutes before class I got a call from a number and asked if we accept dojo challenges. This was very interesting because we've had challenges but they were usually asked as lessons, not so much an outright challenge. Turns how he has no real dojo experience so he doesn't know better. I just told him we do if you sign the waiver. I waited and alas he never came..... ; (
Instead of talking about specific corrections since it's Henry and Ron (they know what I'm going to say or should by now hahaha)
Let's talk about a specific thing.
Kamae. More specifically, chudan kamae and seigan kamae.
Alot of times we only work on the motion of cuts in kata. From nukitsuke to the finishing cut, what we tend to forget to work on is the seigan chiburi noto. Mainly seigan.
Kamae is ideal because there is a philosophy that is shared in many koryu and even kendo. You win first, then you cut. Not the other way around. Kamae helps you pressure and keep your center. Having a strong kamae can make your opponent feel nervous. A strong kamae makes your opponent doubt themselves. Once that doubt is in their heads, then all you have to do is cut that doubt and you win. Every kamae starts with feet.
a) Make sure your feet are planted and grounded.
b) Your back is straight, and your head is back with your chin up
c) shoulders back and arms relaxed.
d) this is probably the most important. When holding the sword, you don't hold your kamae with your right hand. You hold your kamae with your left. This is because that is where the sword is connected to your body not your right hand.
If you can do this, your kamae will seems strong. Impenetrable. In kata, our seigan is to scare or make the opponent doubt himself, if not him, his buddies. This is the true idea of the sword. To win and then cut, because if you already won, you won't even need to cut.
Instead of talking about specific corrections since it's Henry and Ron (they know what I'm going to say or should by now hahaha)
Let's talk about a specific thing.
Kamae. More specifically, chudan kamae and seigan kamae.
Alot of times we only work on the motion of cuts in kata. From nukitsuke to the finishing cut, what we tend to forget to work on is the seigan chiburi noto. Mainly seigan.
Kamae is ideal because there is a philosophy that is shared in many koryu and even kendo. You win first, then you cut. Not the other way around. Kamae helps you pressure and keep your center. Having a strong kamae can make your opponent feel nervous. A strong kamae makes your opponent doubt themselves. Once that doubt is in their heads, then all you have to do is cut that doubt and you win. Every kamae starts with feet.
a) Make sure your feet are planted and grounded.
b) Your back is straight, and your head is back with your chin up
c) shoulders back and arms relaxed.
d) this is probably the most important. When holding the sword, you don't hold your kamae with your right hand. You hold your kamae with your left. This is because that is where the sword is connected to your body not your right hand.
If you can do this, your kamae will seems strong. Impenetrable. In kata, our seigan is to scare or make the opponent doubt himself, if not him, his buddies. This is the true idea of the sword. To win and then cut, because if you already won, you won't even need to cut.
Comments
You mentioned using your ki in kamae as well. How does extending your ki into the kissaki relate to this?