Five students with Lily assisting. We went through the 10 (the two white belts present knew almost all of them) then partnered up for the side kick memory drill. After that we did a quick stretch - especially the lotus, which the kids love, and was important for the outside hip for side kicks.
We then got out body shields to actually practice the side kicks. The white belts focused on form, while the upper ranks either practiced the distancing drill or jumping the rear foot in. The kids were a little unfocused during that, so Lily suggested we try the bobbing and weaving drill.
She led them through Nihanchi kata while I got out a rope. The focus was greatly improved during the drill - we even added in punches in the last round. We also practiced the bobbing and punching with pads, having the padholder swipe at the puncher. There was also a little silliness with this drill, but no one got hurt.
Ended class with a quick run-around, and some meditation.
This blog is no longer in service and is not being updated. The J. R. Roy Martial Arts Studio is closed and not accepting new students. Master Roy is accepting applications for Private or Semi-Private Lessons. Email Master Roy for more information. Link @ jrroy.com
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Adult Karate - Monday, July 30, 2012
After warmups we went through the katas - twice each - once for form, and once for speed and power. The upper ranks continued through the rest while I worked on basic blocks and the locking series with the other students.
The upper ranks then continued on with weapons forms while we worked on rear leg roundhouse and back kick.
When we regrouped, we partnered up to practice explosive power into random techniques. I would call out a technique or combination, and each person would try to complete it with as much speed and power as they could.
We ended with some circle self-defense, with Mr. Reid practicing the locking series with anyone who wanted to.
The upper ranks then continued on with weapons forms while we worked on rear leg roundhouse and back kick.
When we regrouped, we partnered up to practice explosive power into random techniques. I would call out a technique or combination, and each person would try to complete it with as much speed and power as they could.
We ended with some circle self-defense, with Mr. Reid practicing the locking series with anyone who wanted to.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Youth Karate - Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Four students today with Jack assisting. We had a sparring focused class today. During warmups, we practiced our spider walking, then went into a couple of focus pad drills.
First, forward leg roundhouse. The white belts had a little trouble remembering to get back into stance after the kick, but the retraction looked pretty good.
Then we did a drill to speed up the backfist. Instead of the usual "dropping the pad" exercise, we had the padholder try to catch the punchers' hand if they didn't retract fast enough. I think the students really enjoyed that drill.
We had time for a couple rounds of sparring before the end of class. I started out coaching the white belts about the basics of targeting and stancework while Jack gave pointers to the more advanced students. We then switched it up a couple times with one person attacking and one person defending.
A little stretching to cool down.
First, forward leg roundhouse. The white belts had a little trouble remembering to get back into stance after the kick, but the retraction looked pretty good.
Then we did a drill to speed up the backfist. Instead of the usual "dropping the pad" exercise, we had the padholder try to catch the punchers' hand if they didn't retract fast enough. I think the students really enjoyed that drill.
We had time for a couple rounds of sparring before the end of class. I started out coaching the white belts about the basics of targeting and stancework while Jack gave pointers to the more advanced students. We then switched it up a couple times with one person attacking and one person defending.
A little stretching to cool down.
Adult Karate - Monday, July 23, 2012
Great group this Monday. There were requests for rolls and self defense, so I worked that into the plan. After warmups, we went into rolls. Everyone was able to work at their level - some on form, some with kicks at the end, and one group diving over pads into the roll.
After that, we worked on the locking series, and moved that into takedowns. There were 5 "stations" for different takedowns: mobility throw, backwards throw, armbar, overhead club, and the bridge. Mr. Chaisson did an excellent explanation of the overhead club for us. The variations on the takedowns were left up to each group.
I think all the groups worked well together - great instruction from all the brown and black belts. I stayed after class to work on forms with anyone who wanted to - we didn't have enough time during class!
After that, we worked on the locking series, and moved that into takedowns. There were 5 "stations" for different takedowns: mobility throw, backwards throw, armbar, overhead club, and the bridge. Mr. Chaisson did an excellent explanation of the overhead club for us. The variations on the takedowns were left up to each group.
I think all the groups worked well together - great instruction from all the brown and black belts. I stayed after class to work on forms with anyone who wanted to - we didn't have enough time during class!
Modern Arnis Class Notes 07.23.2012
Jeff, Colleen, Scott, Thomas
After a quick warm-up I had the group split into pairs. Worked the disarms, but had the feed be the ballente striking pattern. It was awkward at first for the strikers and the disarmers, but after 15-20 minutes it seemed to be going much smoother. We moved on to working the flow drill. starting with low strikes, then moving to high strikes and then blending the high and low. (all with single stick first) then moved on to the same drill with stick and knife vs single stick. Ended with the person doing the flow drill finding disarms, locks, and take downs from within the flow of the drill.
Seemed like there was a visible upgrade with the material for all involved.
-Phil
After a quick warm-up I had the group split into pairs. Worked the disarms, but had the feed be the ballente striking pattern. It was awkward at first for the strikers and the disarmers, but after 15-20 minutes it seemed to be going much smoother. We moved on to working the flow drill. starting with low strikes, then moving to high strikes and then blending the high and low. (all with single stick first) then moved on to the same drill with stick and knife vs single stick. Ended with the person doing the flow drill finding disarms, locks, and take downs from within the flow of the drill.
Seemed like there was a visible upgrade with the material for all involved.
-Phil
Monday, July 23, 2012
T'ai Chi Staff
Had a nice private with Sensei John Sullivan yesterday morning. We worked on Wansu Knife, Tai Chi Staff, Sunsu and a couple of knife 'skill drills'.....very nice to hang out with one of my oldest students
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Adult Karate class notes - Monday 7.16.12 - Sensei Milcarek
July 16. Evening Karate.
Collen and I worked with Scott and Lily on evaluation material. First, Lily led the ten exercises, then led light stretching. We spent time on the forms, detail questions and performance level repetition. We four spent time on the Single Broad Sword Form/Bagua Knife. Really great. Finally some time on the knife disarms and self defense. I personally, had a wonderful class. There two folks are a great combination of fun and serious. Both are tough and thoughtful, and also have humility about their skill. I told them that none of us can know everything "perfectly"...not really the point. However, it is true that I think the black belt test is a special focus for preparation, and of course has great tradition... a very significant mental test.
Collen and I worked with Scott and Lily on evaluation material. First, Lily led the ten exercises, then led light stretching. We spent time on the forms, detail questions and performance level repetition. We four spent time on the Single Broad Sword Form/Bagua Knife. Really great. Finally some time on the knife disarms and self defense. I personally, had a wonderful class. There two folks are a great combination of fun and serious. Both are tough and thoughtful, and also have humility about their skill. I told them that none of us can know everything "perfectly"...not really the point. However, it is true that I think the black belt test is a special focus for preparation, and of course has great tradition... a very significant mental test.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Tai Chi class notes - Saturday 7.14.12 - Marty
Had a good class this morning with 7presant Sandy,Pat,Mike Karen Peter,Jean,Colleen and myself.
I did the warm ups It was so hot and humid we did them slow for standing I did a round of the 21.
I tried to stay with theme of the month upper split,lower split,and the diagnial split.
Sandy worked with Karen on the dance,Mike worked with Jean on part 2,and Pat worked with Colleen on part 2 and I worked with Peter on part 1.
Ended Class with a round with you.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Andrew Weil MD - on T'ai-Chi for a better brain
Tai Chi for a Better Brain
This traditional Chinese martial art may do more than keep seniors strong, flexible and mobile. A new study from China found that practicing tai chi three times a week can increase brain volume and improve both memory and cognitive function. Researchers at Shanghai's Fudan University and a team from the University of South Florida conducted an eight-month trial comparing a group of Chinese seniors who regularly practiced tai chi with a control group that did not. The trial was the first to demonstrate that tai chi could result in improved memory and increased brain volume. Previous studies have shown that aerobic exercise can lead to an increase in brain volume, and some improvements in thinking were seen in seniors who participated in a discussion group that met three times a week. The researchers noted that gradual cognitive deterioration and dementia are associated with brain shrinkage. They said that the group that did not participate in tai chi or discussions showed a decrease in brain mass consistent with their age. The study was published June 19, 2012 in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
This traditional Chinese martial art may do more than keep seniors strong, flexible and mobile. A new study from China found that practicing tai chi three times a week can increase brain volume and improve both memory and cognitive function. Researchers at Shanghai's Fudan University and a team from the University of South Florida conducted an eight-month trial comparing a group of Chinese seniors who regularly practiced tai chi with a control group that did not. The trial was the first to demonstrate that tai chi could result in improved memory and increased brain volume. Previous studies have shown that aerobic exercise can lead to an increase in brain volume, and some improvements in thinking were seen in seniors who participated in a discussion group that met three times a week. The researchers noted that gradual cognitive deterioration and dementia are associated with brain shrinkage. They said that the group that did not participate in tai chi or discussions showed a decrease in brain mass consistent with their age. The study was published June 19, 2012 in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
My take? I've long viewed tai chi as an effective exercise for both mental and physical stimulation, and I often recommend it to promote flexibility, balance, stress reduction and relaxation. This study's findings suggest that practicing tai chi can do much more for seniors. If further study reveals that it consistently leads to increases in brain volume and improvements in memory and thinking skills, it may become a core therapy to help seniors maintain their intellectual as well as their physical health.
Youth Karate class notes - Saturday 7/7/12 - Sensei Kratz
Very warm and muggy day, about 85 up in the Dojo. Some of little ones were distracted by the heat. s First class we had nine young ones with me, Simon VB and Colleen assisting. Sifu ran the group through ten warmups, aerobic and coordination drills running around the outside of the room area. We then moved onto to the basic techniques in a circle working on awareness and proper left and right, front and back hands for the younger ones. Worked on Katas and ending with a few SD techniques. 2nd Class, total of ten including myself. Short ten exercises moving to focus pad work, jab-cross-front hand hook, to snap kicks, to assisted partner stretching. Ended with backwards throw and wrist lock, inside outside off of straight punch. We had some under 10 year olds in the group starting to get it. Please have students notify if and when they are away on vacation on not going to be in class. We have some dates this summer where we may be very light on staff assisted classes due to summer schedules. Sensei Kratz
Sunday, July 8, 2012
T'ai Chi class notes - Saturday 7.7.12 - Sandy
Saturday Tai Chi Class - We had a nice group of people, the studio was very hot so we did our warm ups slowly and concenstrated on each stretch. We had 7 people including myself, the energy was good despite the heat. After the warm ups we all sat down to cool down and we discussed this month's theme, split energy. We had a nice discussion and then proceeded to partner work. Marty worked with Peter on the beginning of part one solo form. Read worked with Karen on the dance and the beginning of part 7. I worked with Mike on the applications and parts of the solo form and with Jean (Jean worked independently on the solo form part two) when she got to a stopping point in part two. We ended with the solo form, I had Read/Marty lead the form and I worked with Peter to give Marty a chance to do the form with the group as she worked with Peter for a bit during class. I like to alternate people to give everyone a chance to get their form in. Thank you! Sandy
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
2 person Practice Notes 07.04.2012
Luke and I had a great practice this morning at the studio.
we started off with a review of the dance.
The we moved on to creating a new empty hand give and take drill inspired by the recent video post of Ernesto Presas Jr. and the work we have been doing with the 8 count drill.
The drill happens to incorporate some great split energy in it, which was a nice bonus given the theme of the month.
Luke and I plan on working the drill some more over the next couple of weeks before presenting it to others.
really great practice with several "Arnis looks" and contemplation.
Happy 4th,
Phil
we started off with a review of the dance.
The we moved on to creating a new empty hand give and take drill inspired by the recent video post of Ernesto Presas Jr. and the work we have been doing with the 8 count drill.
The drill happens to incorporate some great split energy in it, which was a nice bonus given the theme of the month.
Luke and I plan on working the drill some more over the next couple of weeks before presenting it to others.
really great practice with several "Arnis looks" and contemplation.
Happy 4th,
Phil
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Youth Karate - Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Two students today - Gianna and Jabriel. We started with the ten, some burpees, and then some triple kicks. Then immediately we went into self defense, to get a little practice with that when we are out of breath. We did a round robin for the first five, then Gianna and I worked on hers while Jabriel stretched.
Next we tried the circle wave drill with backfists and pads. It might work better in a larger circle, because our angles were off. Then the students took turns practicing the quickness of their backfists with the pad dropping drill.
The last couple minutes we did a review of Single Sinawalli - empty hand for Jabriel and with sticks for Gianna. It was a fun class - the students looked like they were having a good time.
Next we tried the circle wave drill with backfists and pads. It might work better in a larger circle, because our angles were off. Then the students took turns practicing the quickness of their backfists with the pad dropping drill.
The last couple minutes we did a review of Single Sinawalli - empty hand for Jabriel and with sticks for Gianna. It was a fun class - the students looked like they were having a good time.
Modern Arnis Class Notes 07.02.2012
Phil, Luke, Jeff, Colleen, Thomas
Very quick warm up.
Review of cane forms 1-4 and Tai Chi Cane Form line 1&2
Review empty hand forms 1-4 for Colleen and Thomas. 4-8 for the blackbelts.
Rest of class spent on 6-8-10-12 count drills
Worked up the drills with single stick, then worked up the drills with single knife and finished up with empty hand.
Good observation and adjustment made by all.
-Phil
Very quick warm up.
Review of cane forms 1-4 and Tai Chi Cane Form line 1&2
Review empty hand forms 1-4 for Colleen and Thomas. 4-8 for the blackbelts.
Rest of class spent on 6-8-10-12 count drills
Worked up the drills with single stick, then worked up the drills with single knife and finished up with empty hand.
Good observation and adjustment made by all.
-Phil
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)