bushido_man96

7/15/2025 TKD: 5:45 - 6:30 pm. Rank class. I taught this one. Added in a few different basics. Some of the low ranks really need to work on their side kick technique. The next time I teach this class, I'm going to change basics up and really hammer side kick technique. 6:30 - 7:00 pm. Sparring class. I taught this section as well, but also padded up and joined in with the class. We did footwork floor drills to warm up, then did restricted live sparring. The first round was FL round kicks only. Second round was BL front kicks and FL round kicks only. For the third round, anything went, but the only technique that counted as a score was a reverse punch. For the last round, I allowed everyone to find a partner that they hadn't sparred with yet, and I made the taller person spar from their knees (had to be on at least one knee at all times). I got some comments later in the week from some of the students saying they really enjoyed the class.

7/8/2025 Aikido: 6:15 - 8:00 pm. The summer camp was in full swing, so this class fed off the sensei's progression in the previous camp sessions. We did a lot of iriminage variations. Towards the end, when we were doing just random technique work, he threw me in with the black belts. I thought that was pretty cool. After I got my head cleared, I was able to flow into some techniques.

7/1/2025 Simunitions Training: 3:00 - 4:00 pm. Ran six scenarios, and it went pretty well. 7/2/2025 TKD: 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Do-Gan 2, taught Chon Ji and one-steps to white belts. These students are new ones since I've been back, and the CI wanted them to have someone else's perspective. Choong Jang, Se Jong, and then Choi Yong several times.

As @sensei8 mentioned, we got together quite a few years ago now and trained together for a weekend. I got to meet @Patrick at a conference in Kansas City. Both were great experiences.

I would look for something new I can learn from a trusted Martial Artist, or a trusted Martial Artist from within my style that might have a different skill set than I do and could open those doors to my students.

I think bunkai came to used as a retention tool to keep students interested in what lay beyond the black belt level. I agree with you, it's a terrible idea, and a disservice to students that are wanting to learn self-defense sooner rather than later.

Awesome experience! Awesome work!

19 this May. 6/30/2025 Aikido: 8:45 - 9:45 am. Family morning class. We did aikitaisos on our own, then got right into technique work. Katatori ikkyo ura: Did this to stretch instead of takedown. I need to turn my hips with the wrist, then step deep behind for the ura spin, and while doing the C-step, don't cut back into them, but more away while staying connected to the hips with the belt knot circling away from them. This is a 7th kyu technique. Katatori sankyo (variation on 5th kyu technique): done from ikkyo omote (entry from above technique). After the cut, the foot that stepped front stance draws back in line like a back stance, then the remaining foot draws back, transition to sankyo. Then we added the cut down which leads to the finish. Katatori gokyo from ikkyo omote: Same entry again, front stance foot adjusts closer to uke to apply arm bar, keeping wrist pressure. Other foot adjusts like a back stance, then rear foot angle steps forward and toward uke a bit, turn belt knot toward uke slightly for lock. These all worked together well as a series, each feeding of the same entry. It was fun seeing the applications of various finishes based on the stepping and spacing after the initial entry. It's cool to see all the options.

6/26/2025 Aikido: 8:45 - 9:45 am. Morning family class. Shomenuchi ikkyo omote (5th kyu technique): We worked the defensive motion first, stopping and offsetting the strike, then cutting to ikkyo. Then I did a quick review aside from the rest of the class with one of the shodans. After the technique review, I tested. Sensei said it was a clean test and I passed. On my first kokyunage I still did an iriminage. I kind of chuckled about it and later on Sensei told me he thought it was good that I could laugh at myself and remain relaxed in the moment. I told him I thought it maybe looked like I lost my composure, but he stated he did not think that was the case. Some of uke's attacks came in differently than what was prescribed for the techniques, but I was able to adjust and get to the technique. Ki tests for structure at the start of testing went well. It felt good to finally get this testing done. Range Training: 1:00 - 3:00 pm. We spent this session shooting at moving targets with pistol, rifle, and doing some transitions as well. We did the drills on the line and using cover.

Hope everyone had a happy 4th! You are right, @KarateKen, fireworks are danged expensive. Thankfully, my boys' grandpa likes to spend money on them!

6/23/2025 Aikido: 8:45 - 9:45 am. Morning family class. Katate kosatori kokyunage ura (dynamic): (6th kyu technique) Nice review on this. I need to remember to point my elbow down for kazushi. Katatori nikkyo, static and dynamic, omote: I felt like I wasn't doing something right, but can't put my finger on what exactly. Just felt off. We did a different version of shionage, with a different grab and entry. I still need to clean this technique up. I did kata work on this technique after class, and the problem is likely my footwork. Demo: Another demo in preparation for testing. Sensei called out the technique to be performed, and then uke would attack. I kept mixing up iriminage and kokyunage again. Yokomenuchi shionage: still working on the footwork. Stretch.

I have never really given any consideration to donating any body parts post-mortem for research purposes. I'd be interested to know what current studies of such donations have gleaned thus far. My mother had dementia, and my father is currently battling a form of it as well. I'm not super excited about my chances later in life. Before my parents, though, it didn't seem to be something that ran in the family.

I think they typically only test twice a year.

Getting cut won't happen this soon. They will see what they have in him first, and before cutting see if there is any value out there for him. Even if they get a late round draft pick back for him, they'd be breaking even. It still remains to be seen what he will be able to do. I don't have high expectations at this point, but Brady was drafted late and turned out pretty good. So has Brock Purdy. So, I guess we'll wait and see.

On 6/26/2025, I was finally able to test for the second time in my Aikido career. After all was said and done, Sensei congratulated me on a "clean pass." I was pretty stoked. There were two other students I had been working with before my surgery and recovery, and I was really hoping to get my testing in with them at the same time, but better late than never. The dojo is having a camp this week and some of next week, but then it closes for summer break, which stinks, but it will start back up in August. I'll be ready to hit the mats then.