Last night there was a relatively good turnout in Mapleton. We had a few new people (including
Kathy-san is so timid and nice that she won’t hit people, so I started to help her change that a little. I refused to move back unless she socked me one in the gut at least once in 3-5 time attack. By the end, she was doing very well but it was causing her visible stress and exertion. Hopefully we can continue to break down those mental walls.
Aside from that, Operation Mobility continued on. I’m learning that a great deal of doing this speed thing right is keeping distance from your partner and then moving toward the end of their technique quickly in to attack. This is easier said than done, especially considering that I was trying this for the first time with Erbe-san. I still have a problem with not getting back fast enough, and I also have trouble with getting caught flat-footed. I’m able to see where I’m making mistakes, though, and that means it’s just a matter of time before things start working.
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on the distance thingy… In aikido we try to anticipate the move and reshape the attack by changing the relationship of our centers and the center line.
[big disclaimer: I'm not good at this]
but I’ve found that staying out leads to big problems, and that ideally one would prefer to be behind or back sides… and establish a new center line of your own where they can’t do a durn thing about it
On how to get there, we practice two different ways
(irimi practice)
1) partner practice from kata-te (same side wrist grab), turn your partner slightly and slide past them while freeing your arm.
These are more interesting and relevent to your practice:
2) line drills where one person stand facing a line of attackers who attack serially and the goal is to slip behind them without getting clobbered
3) this one makes #2 more fun
repeat only with shinai, trying to enter deep enough that a sudden reverse cut won’t slice you in half 
I need to do more of these but they do help entering deep while still being relaxed.
just a few thoughts
Good thoughts, I think. I’ve gotten into the habit of trying to body shift into attacks so that I pass my opponent and end up with their back as my buffet, but that only really works if I can anticipate a slower moving technique and take advantage of it.
This usually ends up with me getting lambasted more often than I like, so I’m going to try to take the initiative to keep my distance from techniques and then blast the ever loving crap out of them as they’re settling.
Interesting drills, though… I might have to trick into trying a few of them with me.
I cant wait until I get back. I miss sparring with you guys. I probably wont get alot of oppritunity over christmas because the y is always closed, but I will also be back in March for 24 days. And I plan on working out at least 22 times during that period. Hope you will be there for a few of them.
I hope I am there for more than just a few of them. Bashing you makes my life a little brighter.
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