New Black Belts

This saturday is Black Belt Spectacular-(graduation to BB). It was a pretty large group this time going up in rank and most of them are going to 2nd, 3rd and 4th degree. I heard the practical exam was challanging. After their 3 mile run, they came back to the dojo, got in their gi's and began to spar. Not challenging enough for Kyoshi just "as is" though, and he turned off all the lights. And thats how they sparred for 2 hours. In the dark. No one broke anything, there were no injuries. Big congratulations to G. She's the only adult going for Shodan and she deserves it. She's an awesome student. Always a good attitude, never whiney, always tries her best. And-she's excellent at sparring. I'm so proud of her.

new testing cycle

Last night was the black belt pretest. 35 people took the test. 35!!! and most of them were going to nidan or higher. One of the adult students is going for 4th degree. There are at least 6 or 7 adults testing for 3rd degree, a bunch of teens and a couple of adults going to 2nd degree, 4 youths going to 1st and only 1 adult going for 1st (G). I'm totally routing for G. she has an awesome attitude, (her daughter was also testing, but for teen Nidan). She was very nervous which is understandable. the pretest is a very nerve wracking experience. first of all, they make you line up facing a totally different direction than you usually face in class. That alone can throw a person off. Secondly, Kyoshi has 3 tables of judges watching from 3 different angles. He also has everyone line up and stand in ready stance in complete silence for about 10-15 minutes while he meets with all the judges in the office. Just to add to the tension. My theory is that they're all playing rock/paper/scissors and eating nachos back there and laughing. I stayed for some of the pretest. So glad it wasn't me out there.

Yay! new blackbelts!

So last week, we got a new bunch of blackbelts. The ceremony and show went well considering we only had half a gym. Apparently, the huge door that divides the gym was broken so they had to perform in one half. This caused a HUGE vein to bulge on Kyoshi's head for most of the day while setting up. But everything went well, M kicked ass on her demo! Congrats to all of them. AND all the black belts who graduated last time (me) got their Shodan certificates. There is a 6month probation period from when you actually get your black belt to when you become "official". Just to ensure that only the dedicated students get their certificates. We have had people get their black belts and then never show up again. Those people kind of get crossed off the list.
I went to a couple classes yesterday, lots of kata and bunkai and power kicks. Kyoshi taught. After that weapons. We reviewed and practiced some basics with the bo, "working the bo" etc. Its always helpful to work on those little things that make it look better and help it to make more sense. I hate it when I KNOW that I don't really know what I'm doing but I'm going thru the motions anyway. For me, its almost impossible to remember any kata unless I know what I'm doing and why. Some people seem to have no problem just going with the flow and looking ok. I feel like I look like I'm faking it and everyone knows it. Just one more bo kata and I can move on to nunchucks. YAY

Self Defense or something

I love the fact that we're in the self defense portion of our curriculum. Last night, my son and I went to class together-it is a teen/adult class. They used to separate the classes, but theres a new bag class with Kyoshi at the same time so the classes are now combined. M is assistant teaching this class. I don't know how she does it. Some of those kids are royal pains in the arse and they won't stop talking! I told 3 of them to zip it last night (one being my son) during warm ups. Non stop boy talk. This one kid-T-I would like to strangle. He's probably 16, took karate when he was little, got up to 2nd degree then quit for a while. Now he's back and he has the biggest ego ever. Thinks he's all that but the truth is, he's LAZY and cocky. I can't even get into it because just thinking about him is pissing me off. It was nice when Sensei T sidekicked him in the stomach and told him to pay attention. that made me smile.
So I guess Sensei T is being teased by all sorts of people because of what M did to him at the practical. (more details- after she knee striked him, he yelped, turned around, grabbed himself, and fell over) he's a good sport, though. I guess the most embarrasing thing was that he actually let her grab his shoulders during the sparring match to bring him into the knee strike. He must have been in disbelief or something. I'm sure that will never happen again heh heh heh.

Friday night's Practical exam

So the black belt practical test was last Friday night. It was not a good night. Although no one broke any bones, and there was no blood, it was ugly. And why did it get ugly? Because people were WHINING! Not my friend M, she’s not a whiner. Big rule regarding the practical test. DON’T WHINE! Renshi-(or Kyoshi now) HATES it. It makes him very angry. These kids and CB were complaining even before they had anything to complain about! So they all got to see his “bad” side. Almost everyone ended up in tears at some point (except M. she’s bad-ass) Now, I’ve told you about CB (crybaby) and her 2 daughters. Well, the youngest failed the physical test so she is out until the next testing cycle. She had been sick way too much and had to take a make-up physical test. She ran her 3 miles in 36 minutes. Not too good. So now its down to the mom and oldest daughter. Both of them complain ALL.THE.TIME. Actually, I’ve heard that the oldest one actually howls sometimes when she’s running. HOWLS like a dog at the moon. Must be comical to say the least. So some other incidences were; one kid (going to 2nd degree) wore the wrong gi top. He wore his blue top-everyone is supposed to wear white. (not his first practical so he should have known this) Punishment? 1000 pushups. That’s right. 1000. Also, M was sparring Sensei T (who is also an accomplished muay thai fighter)..he told her that he was gonna start hitting her and it was going to hurt. So he did, harder and harder each time, and finally he threw this kick to the ribs that really hurt – what did she do? She executed a perfect knee strike to the groin. Even grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into it. Legal? No. Effective? Yes. Kyoshi reprimanded her later in front of everyone for that…he called it “completely unacceptable behavior” And she knows this…but at the time, that’s how she reacted. (knee-jerk reaction heh heh).
Then after sparring they did breakfalls-over and over, and they couldn’t use they’re hands or arms to get up afterwards, legs only. Then they did bunkai (kata application) and kumite (pre arranged short sparring drills) for the rest of the night. No kata at all. And apparently, CB was talking constantly to M throughout the whole thing. M’s just trying to do what she’s supposed to be doing and CB keeps stopping and talking to her. And not even just talking while doing kumite-she would actually stop and try and have conversation (mostly complaining about the unfairness of the whole practical) finally M said “can you just SHUT UP and do the Kumites!!” I don’t think that really worked though. In the end, they were told they all had to come back the next morning and work more on bunkai and show their musical demos. All this after they had to run at the track at 8am. And they had to run 5 miles. Ouch.

QQS

So I've only had this black belt for 3 weeks and I have to go thru a new test. I haven't even been to class because of the arm. But today, is QQS-which is black belt testing. Since the black belts don't go thru regular belt promotions like the underbelts they have this event which takes place a few times /year. It is a 3-4 hour test, very similar to my black belt practical test (except I won't be breaking anything today because I still cannot do any contact karate) It will start out with the old 3 mile run, then sparring, kata, weapons etc. My son has been to this many times. I am kind of looking forward to it. (he is not) I haven't been to class in 2 weeks which seems like forever and I'm going thru withdrawal. Today's QQS is going to be outside. It is usually at either the dojo or at the HS gym. But today, we couldn't get the gym. So we are doing it all outside at the HS track (where I ran weekly not too long ago). I haven't run in a couple months. I'm going to hurt tomorrow. I am hoping, though, that I will get to start learning my next kata. I think it is either Kusanku Dai or Goju Shiho (sp?). YAY- i love kata.
Its going to be sunny and in the 60's this afternoon-perfect for outdoor karate. My arm is still pretty weak, but its been getting stronger daily-it hurts like hell in the process, though. It seems like every muscle in my arm atrophied during the 3 weeks in a cast. I have to train them all over again-very weird and very painful. A couple weeks ago I couldn't even hold my arm out in a punching position. I couldn't even lift my arm off my desk to move it from the mouse to the keyboard. Really freaky and scary. My doctor said not to worry, and that in a couple weeks I would not have these problems. He was right- go figure... He also said that i probably won't need PT because the karate is therapy enough. COOL. Now, I have a lot of mobility back in that arm, except I still can't do a high block. I can do inside block, outside block, punch, low block, kagite, shuto but no high block. Can't get my arm up and over my head without excruciating pain. I guess i need to be patient and keep working at it. And also- my wrist and my elbow are so stiff and painful its pissing me off. I didn't break those-why do they hurt??
oh- and what does QQS stand for? I keep forgetting, but I think it is Quality, Quantity(or Quarterly) , and Spirit testing. I think. I'll ask again.

a flower and a hug from Sensei A

a bow and a hug from Renshi

me getting my belt

me getting my gi top

the finale (a move from matsumura passai/passai dai)

kusanku sho with a cast

me looking at B wipe out

1st exam

My written test went well. I think. We were given a packet of information, lineage, names, definitions etc to study from last month when we took our pretest and were told to know everything in that packet because it would all be on the test. They were not lying. I'm glad I had been studying since the winter when my son was testing for Nidan. The worst part of this test for me was the essay. I really am NOT a writer. I actually hate writing papers, so handing that in at the beginning of the test felt quite nice. (it was on Itosu) So now I need to focus on my running time, my pushups and crunches. Last saturday at the track I was again at 11 minute miles. How do I speed this running thing up? Maybe they could rig up something like they have at the dog tracks -like the bunny on a stick- for me to chase... like... maybe....a donut? A chocolate croissant?

4 miles

We had our 2nd group run yesterday. thankfully, it was after the freakin monsoon passed. This time we did 4 miles on the bike path. We have a section right across from the dojo that has been measured at 1/2 mile, so up and back is 1 mile and we do that 4 times. I don't know how, but i did it without any walking. Actually, i do know how- i set short term goals and it really works. That and good music on the mp3 player. Next week during Fun week i'm hoping to go to a ninjutsu seminar on thursday night. There will be star throwing and blow darts. COOL!

I'm surprised at myself. I ran for 3 miles yesterday at the track. We did a pre-physical test to see where we all were as far as the run, the pushups and crunches. Renshi gave me permission to stop/slow down during the run because of the foot and I was grateful, but i didn't take advantage of it. I didn't slow down or stop. I ran the whole 3 miles, everytime i felt like walking i would tell myself "after this lap". (I even passed some kids who had started walking... KIDS!) so my time was 3 miles in 31 minutes. The test requirement is 24 minutes. The test is in august. I think i can do that. We also had to do pushups. I did 33. (in august i'll have to do 50) When I started taking karate, I couldn't do 1 pushup! Then we all did crunches as a group- about 100. Then after the track, we went back to the dojo for candidate class-which is mostly all focus mitt kicking drills. After that, I went home and showered and ate and got ready for the noon class and weapons. By the time noon came around I was developing a nasty headache and my body was pleading with me to take a nap instead. So I took some advil and went anyway. It was a very aerobic class-more pushups, power kicks, punching drills, more focus kicks, then kata and bunkai. Weapons was good too, but by the end I was really worn out.
Today I hurt. my whole body is screaming at me. Its ok , its a good hurt. Stairs are a killer, though. and sitting down. and standing up. Tomorrow I get to start assistant teaching. I got the class I was hoping for, the adult beginner class. I love the sensei's who teach that class. They are so good at driving home the importance of good basics. and also making awkward adults (like me) feel more comfortable (and not embarrassed) trying to make their bodies do what feels completely unnatural.

This morning it is 8:00am- at the track for group run/pushups/crunches/torture, then 9:00am at the dojo for candidate class, mostly focus kicks i think, then home from 10-12 to shower and whatever else i can cram in, then noon class at the dojo, then 12:45 weapons.