7.13.09 Bunkai~!!!!
I got my new uniform today. It's embroidered with gold lettering. It just says Toyama Ryu Iaido and Byakkokan on it, but it feels heavy to wear. I notice I keep fixing my uniform now, because since it has our style and our dojo name on it, I have to really "represent" our group. If you have a black uniform or planning to get one, I recommend you do the same and embroider it with the characters.
Today's main focus was bunkai of Toyama Kata 1-4. Why do we do the movements that we do? Each specific movement has a purpose. Sometimes it's easy for it to get lost in the middle of learning kata, however the goal with kata is that if someone is watching your kata, they should be able to "see" what is going on. It's easy to forget distancing and timing as well so having a person to "receive" your kata is a good way of practicing this. After you get a feel for that, try doing that kata with that same intent w/o a person in front of you.
Also, just because a kata is a certain way, that doesn't mean there is no space for variation however that is learned through experience and practicing enough to feel comfortable with the movements first.
Bunkai practice -
a) Don't just go through the motions. WITH INTENT and purpose. Think of why you're doing what you're doing.
b) Balance is key, if you miss you can recover.
c) Reach!
d) don't assume an enemy is always going to attack when you want him to. Learn to read and react which is difficult because you're used to doing kata a certain way however learn how to do it within that frame.
e) Seigan is not fast or rushed. It's slow and menacing.
f) no breakaway saya's please
g) learn to read the distancing and timing. If you mess up in practice, that's fine, but learn to adjust as well.
Today's main focus was bunkai of Toyama Kata 1-4. Why do we do the movements that we do? Each specific movement has a purpose. Sometimes it's easy for it to get lost in the middle of learning kata, however the goal with kata is that if someone is watching your kata, they should be able to "see" what is going on. It's easy to forget distancing and timing as well so having a person to "receive" your kata is a good way of practicing this. After you get a feel for that, try doing that kata with that same intent w/o a person in front of you.
Also, just because a kata is a certain way, that doesn't mean there is no space for variation however that is learned through experience and practicing enough to feel comfortable with the movements first.
Bunkai practice -
a) Don't just go through the motions. WITH INTENT and purpose. Think of why you're doing what you're doing.
b) Balance is key, if you miss you can recover.
c) Reach!
d) don't assume an enemy is always going to attack when you want him to. Learn to read and react which is difficult because you're used to doing kata a certain way however learn how to do it within that frame.
e) Seigan is not fast or rushed. It's slow and menacing.
f) no breakaway saya's please
g) learn to read the distancing and timing. If you mess up in practice, that's fine, but learn to adjust as well.
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