Email Martial Arts

It's been interesting this week, I have been talking via email to a martial artist in Sweden that is highly ranked in a number of traditional Japanese styles. It is always great to discuss the martial arts with people that are open minded and have dedicated years to the arts. Probably the most amusing thing is that I "met" him because he purchased an item from my wife through ebay. Yah ebay.

Jan 13 Iaido Grading

I passed my Shodan grading in Iaido at Iwakura yesterday.

The morning started with a 2 hour training session, followed by a 30 minute lunch break, with the gradings starting at 12.30. The gradings start with the waza performed in order of rank attempted, so first up are the ikkyu, then shodan, nidan etc.. Following the completion of the waza the written test is completed. Shodan is the first Iaido grading that has a written component. I found the test "interesting" because the material that was suggested for me to study was not in the test at all. Luckily I have been drilled well by my instructors on the technical elements that were covered in the test and passed.

One quick comment on the photo - out of the over 100 people attempting gradings yesterday, there were 3 foreigners, myself included. So it makes complete sense that 2 of us were in the same grading group.

Strength and Conditioning

A couple of days ago I posted a weight training tip for martial artists at The Fitness Journal. I intend to post more regularly about strength and conditioning for martial artists in the coming months.

Keep your eyes open.

Target Focus Training

If your interested in self defence training - you should really check out the Target Focus System designed by Tim Larkin. It's a no BS, non defensive training system that I think has a lot to teach many martial artists. Just keep an open mind and learn.

Quick Update

I can't believe that I have left it so long between posts. Holidays and life seem to have got in the way.

On to the martial arts front

A friend of mine received his 7th Dan in Kendo recently - Congratulations Hiroji.

As for me, I have been told I will be attempting my Iaido 1st Dan in January.

That's all for now.

Stretching Tip

Based on current research, it is recommended that you don't do slow static stretching at the beginning of your class or training session. Instead warm-up then do some light active stretching.

Leave the slow static stretching to the end of the session or do a separate stretching session at another time.

Improving your targeting

If you are training in one of the stick arts e.g. Kali and want to improve your targeting - try making this simple device.

Thread some light rope through an old tennis ball, tie it off and hang it from the ceiling at head height - its great way to sharpen your targeting skills especially for snap strikes (witiks etc.)