Friday 25th January - Kangeiko Day 5

On way to the dojo at 6.40am I met Yamaguchi Sensei at the train station so we walked together to the dojo chatting and yet again another mention of my weight loss - surely they have been discussing this in the office. I think Japan is awesome as the men back in Scotland would only ever comment on weight gain ha ha.

Another 7am morning run followed by a class taught by Kai Sensei we started with gyakizuki to the count of 40 each side then kizamizuki gyakizuki to the count of 40 each side. Next we did maigeri, kekomegeri and mawashegri to the count of 30 one count per kick then 10 sets of 3 kicks before switching to other leg and repeating. Next partner work first we done oizuki jodan blocking age uke forward and back with our partner to the count of 20 and then 10 full speed no count (tough with Yamaguchi Sensei as my partner) next we did oizuki chudan blocking soto uke forward and back again for the count of 20 then full speed 10 no count (this time with Matsue Sensei so I am really getting challanged) next was maigeri with gedanbari same format first with Kai Sensei then Yamaguchi Sensei (they aint making this easy for sure). We finished the class with 50 sit ups, 50 back extensions, 50 back extensions side to side, 50 leg lifts and 100 push ups (although I must confess I only managed 80 push ups but this is progress for me).

A quick snack then back to the dojo for the 10.30am session. As I walked to the dojo Kagawa Sensei drove past smiling and waving at me - its a nice friendly feeling here in Tokyo at the dojo for sure. Hideyoshi Kagawa Sensei started the class with tube training first we done gyakizuki for the count of 20 then double gyakizuki for the count of 10 then triple gyakizuki for the count of 10 switching to the other side and repeating. Next we turned to face the other direction with the tube in the pull back hand and we repeated the same format both sides. Next with the tube attached to the right foot we done leg swing front for 10, side for 10, outside to inside for 10 and inside to outside for 10 and again repeated on the other leg. Next maigeri for the count of 10 followed by double maigeri for the count of 10 and then triple maigeri for the count of 10 again repeated on the other side and then turn to face other direction with tube on back leg and repeat exercise for both legs again. Next we lay on our back with the tube attached to our feet and done knee pulling to the chest for the count of 50 then on our stomach pulling feet to bum for the count of 50 we done two sets of each of these exercises. Exactly the class I was hoping for today (thats not a joke). Kanayama Sensei finished the class off with Meikyo to the count twice slow and once full speed and then Meikyo Neidan to the count slow 4 times and once to the count full speed.

Headed off for some lunch and ice cream as I thought I deserved it before resting in preparation for a tough night at the dojo as is every Friday night.


Seafood Gratin

Friday night is always a tough session as its the last session of a hard weeks training, but this week I was going to challange myself to both classes (sessions 16 and 17 of the week). Kanayama Sensei taught the 6pm class we started the class off working on front stance to the count of two forwards for the count of 10 then back for the count of 10 we repeated this exercise twice then one count one stance we done forward for the count of 6 and back for the count of 6 for three sets. Next we done gyakizuki step forward oizuki each punch one count forwards and backwards for the count of 10 then two punches one count forward for the count of 6 then back for the count of six for three sets. We repeated the same format for gyakizuki age uke, gyakizuki soto uke, gyakizuki uchi uke. Next we practiced maigeri forward maigeri back each kick one count for the count of 10 forwards and back then both kicks one count for the count of 5 forward and turn back five times for three sets then again the same format we done snap kick back then thrust kick forward and mawashgeri back ushiro mawashegeri forward. We finished the class with Ju No Kata full speed to the count three times and then kata of your own choice once slow and once full speed. (I choose kata Sochin)

Makita Sensei was teaching the final session of the week we started with 160 squats. Next we done squat step forward oizuki to the count of 10 slow then count of 30 full speed, next squat then forward maigeri for the count of 10 slow then 30 full speed and then squat maigeri oizuki for the count of 10 slow then 30 full speed. Next moving up and down the dojo we done squat position step forward oizuki for the count of 7 and the same going backwards for the count of 7 one time slow and then two sets full speed. Next the same format for maigeri and then maigeri oizuki. Ouch Ouch Ouch!!!!!!!!
Next we done Junro Shodan to the count three times and then one time on our own full speed. Then next Junro Sandan full speed on our own one time only. One student was to do Junro Shodan every time thereafter and the other student Junro Sandan. I was to do whichever Junro Kata Makita Sensei choose one time full speed so next it was Junro Neidan then Junro Godan - Class Finished I made it and can still walk. 17 Sessions done in 5 days so pretty sore but pleased with myself. But no rest this weekend as still got day 6 and 7 Kangekio to complete!