Redding Shotokan Karate

Jeremy from the Shasta College class (thanks, Dallas!) was the only other karateka attending yesterday, so we just did mostly kata. Heian Shodan through Heian Godan...We merely went through the first two mostly as a warmup, then worked on some details on Heian Sandan, then Heian Yodan. Jeremy had only been briefly introduced to Heian Godan, so we mostly concentrated on that.

I was awarded the opportunity to see the kata (and, unfortunately, the teacher - me!) through a new student's eyes. One of Jeremy's comments, "This is a complicated kata!" resonated. Heian Godan indeed is complicated. The floorplan has more elements than the previous four kata; it has the jump; it has many shifts from front to back stance (and vice versa). It also has a more complicated and layered set of bunkai (applications).

Anyway, time flew, and I was once again reminded that I love kata. Teaching is especially fun, but learning new kata is always fun, and learning what I'm doing wrong in a kata is only slightly less fun (because my flaws are being pointed out, and - I hope I'm not the only one who thinks this - that's never really all that fun).

We finished up with some slow work on sanbon gumite, practicing without blocking, working on movement and strategy. As usual, I could have practiced for at least a couple more hours. I hope Jeremy would share the feeling...

He also asked about long practices and foot issues (blisters specifically). I started to answer, but we were interrupted by Linda dropping by - a joyful thing, since she scared us a few weeks ago with heart issues. Turned out to be other issues, not heart-related, which is a relief! So she'll be back with us in a few weeks, she says.

If anyone has advice or stories about dealing with blisters, please comment!