How to Pick Up a Shinai on the Floor

Today, I had chance to pick up a shinai on the floor.
(Twice today)

I just picked it up while standing.

HSKW sensei corrected me, and told me that:

Pick up the shinai with your one knee down.

Next Step 2

After the practice, I expressed my frustration to Spammy that I cannot be natural in keiko because I constantly think about what I should do or what I should not do.

He said that my mind can do only one thing at a time.
So, if I start thinking different things at the same time, my mind becomes unnatural and does not flow smoothly.
(He compared it to a rock swinging around that is attached to a string. If it is constantly swinging, it's smooth and natural and has no openings and can attack any time. But, if it stops --thus falls---here and there, it constantly opens and cannot effectively attack anytime)

I must be constantly smooth, constantly see the openings and constantly be able to attack. But, if my mind if occupied with this and that (many things and concerns), it stops me.
For me to be natural in my techniques (thus my whole body and mind be free and natural), I must practice those techniques so make it to become my second nature, thus I should not think about it but be natural.

Many practices of basics and Yakusoku keiko is the key (Spammy said).

Next Step

I did keiko with Spammy.

Spammy said that I should see the opening or make the opening and create the opportunity to attack.

Until now, my attacks have been very simple.
Just Men, Kote, or Do.

Now, when the opponent pushes my shinai away, I should use that force to bring that shinai to attack.

I should study all these Waza and how to use Seme and create openings or see the openings and attack.

This is same as what UG told me as well.

This is the next step and I've reached a plateau of my kendo training right now.

Spammy said that Yakusoku keiko (promise sparring?) is the only to improve my techniques.

Special Session by YMGCH sensei

Today, we had YMGCH Sensei's special session for the basics.
His lecture touched on all the basics from how to wear and fold kendo uniforms, wear bogu, etc.
Then, all the basics of kamae, etc. Afterwards, some basic techniques. Lessons I learned:

1. Kendo
He said that kendo builds character through the training of the swordsmanship.

2. Basics
He said that as the rank and techniques rise, our basics tends to stay because we work on our basics less. But, we must also constantly work on basics to bring it up as same as other techniques. Kendo is not about getting points, but it's about building character and doing it right.

3. Moving to the side
I step toward the opponent, then when he comes for Men, I step side (while moving forward) -- thus moving diagnostically. I felt this while doing keiko with YMGCH sensei before. I went for his Men, but he came towards me then right passed me. He said that I need to get that timing. If I move too early, then the opponent can still get my Men (KN did it today). So, I have to move forward and see it coming then pass the opponent to the side.
YMGCH sensei said I'm still too late (meaning that I move to the side too early so the opponent can hit my Men).

4. Making the openings
I asked YMGCH sensei that when I'm faced with opponent, I don't know how to attack.
He said that I should step forward and move the opponent's shinai to the side (which makes opening) then go for Men. He probably meant that I should make opening, constantly see his opening...

There were alot more that I wished I could engrave all of them in my heart.

No Point But with Soul

I watched a video clip about Japan's 8th Dan test.

This person named Ishida said something that impacted me.

"My friends told me that I attack with soul even though I do not score the point."

WED - Feedback

1. HSKW sensei - "your feet are still too wide apart."

2. SHRKU sensei - "keep your kendo."

3. TKHSH sensei - "you still drag your back foot a little bit."

Big Motion in Further Distance

I did keiko with Mr. Y and he seemed to prevail when we both go for Men at the same time.

I asked this to UG after the practice, and he said that Mr. Y pushes his arms forward, while my Men is too small.

He said that we are too close and Mr. Y pushes his arms forward while my Men is too small, so his power prevails my small Men.

In my mind, if it's too far, I felt like I couldn't reach him AND the opponent can see me coming already. But, I guess that's not the way it really is.

UG said that I must be further apart, and make bigger motion when going in.

If I want to use Seme as I go in, then I must be even further to take that extra step forward as I go in for Seme (then Men).

My Bigger Motioned Men will prevail the opponent's men.

I said I wanted to be fast, that's why my Men was smaller but faster in going in (thus probably lack of strength).

UG said,
"Remember, Speed and Strength will only get you to certain point. But, Basics and Good Foundation will surpass those and prevail in the long run."

Well said.

Kote

SHRKU sensei told me today that when I go for Kote, my whole body (he called it "waist") must come forward as well.

He said that my Kote does not carry the whole body.

So, when I go for Kote, my whole body (waist) must go forward.

Active Learner

Spammy mentioned in his email that we should be active in learning kendo.

We should not wait for sensei to come and teach us, but we should seek the sensei's teachings actively.

Today after the practice, I asked SHRKU sensei how as my kendo, and he gave me some comments. I also asked UG, and he gave me some comments. I also asked Rich and he gave me some comments. Now, it makes sense.

UG said that senseis cannot come each individual to tell us because that'll take up everyone's time during the practice. And, during the practice, that's when we practice our skills. Afterwards, we should go to the sensei and learn. He said that many people just come, go through the motions and never really learn why and how.

Fortunately, as for my beginner stages, Spammy was always there for me to answer questions and tell me lessons.