It's been a super busy and amazing summer, and I'm finally going to complete this blog! With her consent, here are the excerpts (preview) from the article about the practice written by Rue Avant (SKA brown belt, Berkeley, California). A full story is coming up soon in the Shotokan Newsletter fall issue. Thank you, Rue.
A photo at http://www.reddingshotokan.org/node/178
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[Northern California Women's Practice 2008]
On Saturday, May 10th at 4 pm, a group of dedicated SKA women had the special privilege of attending the 7th Annual Northern California Women's Practice at Stanford University.
This year's practice consisted of two parts led by Yodan Hiroko Mori from the Redding Dojo and Nidan Brigette Callahan from the Garden Grove Dojo. ---- We were few in attendance, but big in spirit!
Hiroko led us in many knuckle push-ups in "Marine Corps style", dedicated to the memory of Daniel Chemla.
The woman's perspective in practicing karate:
Hiroko emphasized what she has been taught by Ohshima Sensei -- a woman's strength is in her femininity and she has the ability to use her strength.
Be more feminine:
Nidan Su-Lin Wu remembered that Daniel Chemla used to say, "Be more feminine (sensitive and intuitive). I am more feminine than all of you here, including the ladies."
Kumite:
Hiroko introduced Brigette as being one of the best SKA women in kumite. ---- Brigette said it is a matter of conditioning and practice.
She had us warm up by running backwards the length of the gymnasium. She conditions herself by practicing running backwards several times on a football field. Next, Brigette had us try some combinations.
Then, Brigette had us put together all that we had practiced, the footwork drills, the close up blocking using one hand, and did some short engagements. ---- In culmination, we completed our session by facing each other in multiple kumite matches.
Staying calm and relaxed:
We formed two lines facing each other. ---- It was not very easy for the defender to not get stiff, blink or hold the breath. We learned that we need a strong mind (and confidence) to stay calm and relaxed under any situation.
Kata:
We each performed our favorite kata in front of the group. Hiroko gave us useful pointers to take back to practice. After we all had performed our favorite kata, it was Hiroko's turn.
Hiroko told us that over twenty years ago, when she was still unranked, her teacher Godan Ken Osborne had told the class to begin counting off and practicing 10 kata daily.---- She encouraged us to start practicing kata (or anything else) everyday.
The practice ended at 8:30 pm. We had a 4.5 hour practice! Afterwards, we went out for pizza and talked about karate. It was an amazing time. ---- We look forward to practicing together again.
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Brigette, Su-Lin and I came back to Su-Lin's at 11pm. I was happy and content, but very tired. It had been a long day. I was looking forward to going home early next day. It was Mother's Day! There was one thing, however, I was debating on in my mind. I had heard some guys saying at Daniel's memorial reception, "Tomorrow's Sunday Practice at Stanford University is going to be special. We'll have four godans - Jim Sagawa, John Teramoto, Manfred Chiu and Randy McClure! It's going to be an awesome practice." I was debating on my bed, "I want to go, but I'm exhausted.... but I don't want to miss it... but it's Mother's Day tomorrow.... To go or not to go...." Then I fell fast asleep.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
When I woke up the next morning, I knew what I was going to do. Just do it! It was like a special training. As my direct teacher Godan Ken Osborne used to say, "Don't think. Jump into the black hole." I just couldn't miss the practice. Well, it ends up like this almost all the time, I knew it, and it was a right decision. Brigette had to head back for LA. Su-Lin and I thanked her and said good-bye to her. We headed for the Sunday Practice (10am - Noon). I learned a lot of new things. I was awed and inspired by all godans there! After the practice, I got a rare chance to ask Godan John Teramoto to see my favorite kata Gankaku (岩鶴） and help me with it. He corrected almost every movement of my kata. I was amazed and appreciated his help. What an honor!
The two-hour practice was like a 90 minutes kibadachi to me. Push yourself hard and feel terrific afterwards. I thanked Su-Lin for taking care of me (and Brigette) so well over the weekend. It was a very long and tiring drive home to Redding. Physically exhausted but spiritually uplifted. It was my Mother's Day Weekend Special Training.
