Sword Thursday

I got to the Dojo with a few minutes to spare. Everyone was inside already and the kids were doing dive rolls on the mats. I slipped in and did a couple of stretches while chatting to my friend. We lined up as I spoke a bit more about my Monday adventure. Everyone seemed upbeat, but the class was small as some were definitely feeling the pain from Tuesday night. The Sensei were stressing the fact that if we don’t have the hours, we won’t grade.

We warmed-up and did combination work on the bags. The Sensei’s came up with some interesting strikes, but I struggled to find my rhythm while the other students showed clear signs of fatigue. We broke for water and I did push-ups with my feet on a chair. I am getting quite strong in my shoulders now and normal push-ups are just not good enough anymore. I did as much as I could and felt a bit light headed when I got up, but it soon passed.

Every one gathered round and we started with Syllabus work. I saw our Sempai swinging his bokken around. I offered to show him the Katas and seeing that I didn’t have my bokken I had to use the Bo. It was a little difficult with the extra length on the Bo and in the beginning I had to use the bokken a couple of times to remember the moves, It was strange how imbedded the weapon was in my muscle memory, when I had the bokken in my hands I got shivers down my spine…

The Sensei suggested that I asked the Sempai to work through my Syllabus as well. The Sempai was more than happy to talk me though a few. I am totally comfortable with the Bo now and enjoyed the Sempai’s suggestions and tips, I can’t wait to train this weekend and go through the whole syllabus to measure what I have learned.

Embrace the Shadows