Strong Body, Strong Mind & Strong Spirit

So proud of you for the milestones:

Milestone 1: whole dojo kirikaeshi 👍

Milestone 2: full Go-hon waza 💪

Saturday 14th January 2023 Keiko reflection - Janet

Todays Keiko emphasis was on developing a strong body, mind & spirit. Learning to feel every inch of our bodies to better perform the correct movements through repeated Kihon & Kata training to enable us to perform minimalistic & elegant movements by engaging our core, straighten body posture with stable smooth footwork, full rotation of our shoulders to generate power & produce good Kiai & strikes.

Todays Kata training, we went through Bokuto ni yoru Kendo Kihon Waza Keikohou:

1. Kihon Ichi: Ippon uchi/ Single cuts (Men, Kote, Dō, Tsuki)

2. Kihon Ni: Nidan Waza/ Two continuous cuts (Kote-Men)

3. Kihon San: Harai Waza/ Using Omote or left side of Shinai to sweep opponents Shinai away from centre (Harai-Men)

4. Kihon Yon: Hiki Waza/ Techniques performed going backwards usually from Tsuba-Zeriai position (Men-Hiki-Dō)

There are still 5 more Kihon wazas to learn so make sure we try to attend each Keiko as sensei is planning to dedicate the last 30 mins of Keiko for further Kata training from now on.

A Job well done to all young Kendokas who put on Bogu today to join the seniors in Uchikomi Geiko, Kihon Gohon waza (continuous 5 cuts: Men, Kote, Dō, Kote-Men, Kote-Dō with continuous Kiai & Zanshin run through) & Kirikaeshi.

Like sensei said it was a real milestone reached for our Dojō to have everyone now able to join the full Keiko & take turns being each others Motodachi & Kakarite.

Being a good Kakarite means to give your best strike every time to show your respect to the opponent by properly prepare our body, mind & spirit, check if we had good posture before proceeding with strong Kiai then strike with precision & Tenouchi to aim for Ippon for every strike.

Learning to become a good Motodachi is another challenge in itself & may seem a bit overwhelming at first but don’t panic! With time & heaps of practice it’ll eventually become second nature or reflex. We need to learn to observe the Kakarite, only provide the opening when they are ready to attack following good Kiai & to maintain proper distance to allow for the strikes to land on targets properly as well as step out of the way for Zanshin run through.

Kihon training is of the utmost importance & the basis of Kendo. Repeated revision of the fundamental skills & techniques will help Kendokas to develop new & better understanding of our body & the sword, & will help us to continue improve & polish our kendo.

Thank you everyone, including sensei & senpais for taking turns to be good Motodachi & Kakarite for each other to train in this hot summer afternoon🙏🙏🙏

Presenting the NZKF Certificates

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