Practice Today

My youngest son has just started karate along with my older son and me. Today he learned to block a mawashi geri by hooking the leg. When I studied Goju Ryu we would practice mawashi geri by leaning into the kick, and taking it on the back shoulder blade. It seemed to me at the time the best counter was not to back away, but to move in. Today when we were working on it we would hook the leg with one hand. Another option is to block with the forearm, and step in with the opposite foot with a lunge punch.

I really question the value of blocking with the forearm. I think you are more likely to break your forearm than your shinbone.

In class we also talked about getting your leg back on the side kick. Our sensei held out his leg and said "what is this good for?" My older son came up with the line of the night when he said "doing the Hoki Poki." Another time sensei asked "what can your opponent do if they can't feel their legs?" Not being as quick as my son, it occurred to me later that they would try to bite your legs off.

Bunkai for seiunchin

On the slow, two handed blocks one interpretation is that you are blocking a powerful punch. However, it can also be a defense of a double-handed lapel grab, with the fist hand grabbing the opponents wrist. The two downward blocks then become elbow breaks.

Wrestling results

On Saturday, Chris had a wrestling meet in which he pinned both of his last two opponents in the first round. The first was his first opponent this year, and the last match was a rather close 6-5 affair. It was nice to see his hard work result in him persevering with his move, putting on a cradle, and getting the win. The second pin was over an opponent he had pinned a few weeks ago, but the wrestler had learned, and become much better on defense. Chris used a jab the way sensei taught - quick from the shoulder, straight forward, and distracting the eyes, then shooting in on the double leg when the opponent was distracted. He tried for another cradle, a rather rare move at this level, then slipped in a half neilson when the opponent defended against the cradle. When his opponent fought off the half neilson on the left side, Chris quickly put a half neilson on the right hand side, rolled him over, and got the pin.

After his matches were finished, Chris maintained proper discipline by doing push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups to get in some extra conditioning. He has also been working out on his own at home - something his sensei always tried to get him to do for karate.

Wrestling season ends in a month, and we will start karate back up after that. While Chris is in good shape, I am in need of a makeover.

Wrestling versus Karate

Both karate and wrestling can be used for self-defense. Both karate and wrestling can be disciplined. With my boys now in wrestling instead of karate, it has me wondering which is best. They both have their advantages.

Wrestling is a more intense workout. Karate has a much greater spiritual and intellectual side. Wrestling is a sport. Karate is the do. With wrestling a lot of it really comes down to strength and endurance as moves become quite sloppy in the junior level as the match advances. Karate is about perfection.

I feel fortunate that my boys have been able to participate in quality programs in both disciplines. It is something I will think more about as I move forward.

Merry Christmas

If an old guy like Santa can do shiko dachi, so can you. ;)

Karate to Wrestling

We have moved, and alas are no longer training under Sensei Lichtenheld. There is a nearby karate "school" called "PowerKix."' Something in the name tells me it is likely not traditional, probably not karate, and something more akin to babysitting.

While I am currently only walking the path of employment, my two sons are now in a wrestling program. It has good discipline, good physical excercise, and good fighting skills for real-world fights. However, it lacks the spiritual path, the place of the path, and a true sensei. Alas, they are few and far between in this world. I hope everyone interested in true karate in the Tucson or Guadalajara areas will check out the local Rissiyokai school, and stick with it for at least 2 months.

Excerpts from my written journal

We will soon be moving away from Tucson, and thus from the most excellent training of Sensei Lichtenheld. As we have been packing things up, I came across my Journal from the time when Chris and I first went to Goju Ryu at the Lighthouse YMCA. Here are excerpts from a few entries when we started that may be interesting.

March 19, 2005, Saturday:

I woke up with a sore throat, and it was raining. We went to the YMCA where Chris and I did the Karate class. It was pretty rigorous and pretty intense. ...

March 26, 2005, Saturday:

Chris and I did Karate. It was a little easier than the first time. It seems to be a very exact style. ...

April 9, 2005, Saturday:

We went to Karate in the morning. The Sensei wants us to test for white belts in May. .... (While I wrote white, that just shows what a newbie I was.)

April 16, 2005, Saturday:

Went to Karate in the morning. Stayed after to work on skills and learn a kata. ...

June 4, 2005, Saturday:

It was the morning of the yellow-belt test. We purchased uniforms, but it was deemed better to wait until later so we would not trip on our uniforms. The test went well for pretty much everyone. Even the kid who couldn't tell directions did OK. Everyone was really happy afterward. ...

It was really fun to look back and read some of those entries. I've learned so much by studying karate for the past ~3.5 years. I am very fortunate.

My sensei has suggested we write down notes after class. I started this blog in part because of that. However, I think it is important to document our own personal journey on the Do. It is something that applies both to karate and to our life.

P. S. Another paper I found was a list of "Lifetime Goals." One of those was to earn a black belt. ;)