It seems like just yesterday I was white belt sweating it out in Kagami Baraki--the traditional new year workout with Kaicho where at least 200-250 students and instructors of all ranks were on the dojo floor training together 8 am on the first Sunday in January. This year it's on the second Sunday in January 2009--the 11th. I am now an advanced yellow belt, still training, still learning new things and trying to improve past material. This year, Kagami Baraki means that there is evidence of the principle of everything coming full circle. A great 2008 has come to a close. We have all worked hard and now we greet a new year where we are beginning fresh. A new year and the journey continues. Hope to see everyone at Kagami Baraki!
Osu!
Showing posts with label Honbu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Honbu. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
November Madness--Jun Shihan Walter: International Man of Mystery's Surprise 60th Birthday Party and other happenings at Honbu
Osu guys, as many of you know, things have been quite hectic for the last month so I haven't been available to share as many posts as I had planned in the month of November. However, I have plenty of great post for December :)
So, let's start December off with a long over due recap of last month!
Jun Shihan Walter, a much respected veteran instructor at Honbu, was given a surprise 60th birthday party on Thursday, November 13th. There had been much of a buzz around the dojo all week prior with instructors--including Kaicho himself--telling their students and students each other that there would be a surprise celebration for Jun Shihan Walter. Considering just how many people study at Honbu, I was a bit skeptical that this news would travel from person to person without reaching Jun Shihan Walter himself but surprisingly it didn't and those of us who attended were part of a pretty awesome surprise.
After I got out of blue and yellow belt class at 7:30, I changed and headed upstairs. Despite the fact that a senior belt class was going on as normal, anyone could see that a party was in the makings with small clumps of people working on decorations and coat racks quickly being filled. Kaicho cut the class 15 minutes short and jokingly encouraged everybody to hurry up, get changed and "put on their make-up" for the party. At 8 pm on the second floor of the dojo (Kaicho's meditation class is usually held up here on Thursdays at 8 pm)at least 100 people wrapped themselves in a blanket of hush and waited for Jun Shihan Walter, who thought he was expected at 8 pm to attend dinner with Kaicho and his wife. After a few minutes--and a couple of stragglers and false alarms--Jun Shihan Walter arrived to a chorus of "SURPRISE" and a non stop round of cheering and applause.
I must say that it was much bigger than I expected it to be and a lot of planning went into it so congrats to those who put it together. Everything from the glossy pictures--posted on the columns and mirrors of the dojo--of Jun Shihan Walter with the hilarious speech bubbles inserted and the two cakes with trick candles, all the way to the great assortment of snacks and drinks and birthday card that showcased the "many personalities" of the Jun Shihan.
Also, in the month of November, I began my training as an advanced yellow belt. I was presented with my stripe on election day (a day that felt like a million bucks already) and participated in my first step by step kumite class, taught by Senpai Luke. Though there is no contact for advanced yellow belts, I must say that I was nervous but after a couple of these classes (I've done 3 so far), I am more comfortable with the techniques such as back fists to the head area and reverse punches. I do need to work on my kicks as I'm starting to see just how difficult it is to move around and kick. I think that's something that I can develop over time so I will try to make this class--which meets Tuesday, once a week--as much as possible as it is the only kumite class I can take until I reach green belt. I have decided to make YAI classes at least twice a month so I'll probably alternate each week.
Overall, I've been training steady about 3-5 classes a week and my focus is improving my kicks (technique, balance, strength of kicks, etc.) because as Kyoshi Billy says, technique can get worse over time instead of better--a surprise to many who may believe that by merely coming to class they will get better. That's a reality check that merely going to class and learning the techniques without really aiming to do them accurately obviously isn't a good habit. In my opinion, it is a waste of time and I have been guilty of going through a class, so exhausted from earlier in the day, that I tend to drag my techniques without the best effort. In fact, while there are many classes running back to back available to color belts, I typically take one because I'd rather pool my energy and focus into one hour long session as opposed to two or even three classes where I know I may be too tired to really apply myself fully in those classes. I congratulate all of those warriors who take 2-3 classes in one night--it takes a great deal of energy and focus. Maybe one day I'll be there too, but for now, with the exception of Saturday back to back kata and endurance (too good a workout to miss), I'm going to do a class at a time.
All in all, December will a busy month at Honbu, especially Saturday, December 13th where promotion and the Honbu Holiday party will take place all in one day (as well as Kyoshi Billy's Xmas party happening at Body Evolutions that same evening. There will be a modified schedule to get used to after Christmas. Don't ask me to recall it all! I'm just glad to be able to stay in shape and train with all of the holiday dinners, drinking and parties!
Finally, congrats to Max who received his brown belt on Monday after working hard to complete several weeks of make-ups :)
So, let's start December off with a long over due recap of last month!
Jun Shihan Walter, a much respected veteran instructor at Honbu, was given a surprise 60th birthday party on Thursday, November 13th. There had been much of a buzz around the dojo all week prior with instructors--including Kaicho himself--telling their students and students each other that there would be a surprise celebration for Jun Shihan Walter. Considering just how many people study at Honbu, I was a bit skeptical that this news would travel from person to person without reaching Jun Shihan Walter himself but surprisingly it didn't and those of us who attended were part of a pretty awesome surprise.
After I got out of blue and yellow belt class at 7:30, I changed and headed upstairs. Despite the fact that a senior belt class was going on as normal, anyone could see that a party was in the makings with small clumps of people working on decorations and coat racks quickly being filled. Kaicho cut the class 15 minutes short and jokingly encouraged everybody to hurry up, get changed and "put on their make-up" for the party. At 8 pm on the second floor of the dojo (Kaicho's meditation class is usually held up here on Thursdays at 8 pm)at least 100 people wrapped themselves in a blanket of hush and waited for Jun Shihan Walter, who thought he was expected at 8 pm to attend dinner with Kaicho and his wife. After a few minutes--and a couple of stragglers and false alarms--Jun Shihan Walter arrived to a chorus of "SURPRISE" and a non stop round of cheering and applause.
I must say that it was much bigger than I expected it to be and a lot of planning went into it so congrats to those who put it together. Everything from the glossy pictures--posted on the columns and mirrors of the dojo--of Jun Shihan Walter with the hilarious speech bubbles inserted and the two cakes with trick candles, all the way to the great assortment of snacks and drinks and birthday card that showcased the "many personalities" of the Jun Shihan.
Also, in the month of November, I began my training as an advanced yellow belt. I was presented with my stripe on election day (a day that felt like a million bucks already) and participated in my first step by step kumite class, taught by Senpai Luke. Though there is no contact for advanced yellow belts, I must say that I was nervous but after a couple of these classes (I've done 3 so far), I am more comfortable with the techniques such as back fists to the head area and reverse punches. I do need to work on my kicks as I'm starting to see just how difficult it is to move around and kick. I think that's something that I can develop over time so I will try to make this class--which meets Tuesday, once a week--as much as possible as it is the only kumite class I can take until I reach green belt. I have decided to make YAI classes at least twice a month so I'll probably alternate each week.
Overall, I've been training steady about 3-5 classes a week and my focus is improving my kicks (technique, balance, strength of kicks, etc.) because as Kyoshi Billy says, technique can get worse over time instead of better--a surprise to many who may believe that by merely coming to class they will get better. That's a reality check that merely going to class and learning the techniques without really aiming to do them accurately obviously isn't a good habit. In my opinion, it is a waste of time and I have been guilty of going through a class, so exhausted from earlier in the day, that I tend to drag my techniques without the best effort. In fact, while there are many classes running back to back available to color belts, I typically take one because I'd rather pool my energy and focus into one hour long session as opposed to two or even three classes where I know I may be too tired to really apply myself fully in those classes. I congratulate all of those warriors who take 2-3 classes in one night--it takes a great deal of energy and focus. Maybe one day I'll be there too, but for now, with the exception of Saturday back to back kata and endurance (too good a workout to miss), I'm going to do a class at a time.
All in all, December will a busy month at Honbu, especially Saturday, December 13th where promotion and the Honbu Holiday party will take place all in one day (as well as Kyoshi Billy's Xmas party happening at Body Evolutions that same evening. There will be a modified schedule to get used to after Christmas. Don't ask me to recall it all! I'm just glad to be able to stay in shape and train with all of the holiday dinners, drinking and parties!
Finally, congrats to Max who received his brown belt on Monday after working hard to complete several weeks of make-ups :)
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