Peg Kerr's Journal

Tonight we worked on bo, or stick fighting. Mr. Sidner was teaching.

I have my form memorized, er, mostly. I sometimes hesitate with some of the transitions. But we were just working on basics tonight. We used the bo in karate marching basics, doing the following combination:

strike 45 (front stance)
front kick, thrust (front stance)
up-down-cross-cross-thrust (front stance)
hook (back stance)
(turn).

This was one of the lessons when I really didn't get very many comments. That generally means that I'm doing pretty well. I have mastered turning my palm in the direction of the strike, and I lock my arm out on each strike. I'm managing to keep the swirl of my helicopter parallel to the ground--most of the time. My stances must have been okay--sensei was very busy keeping after another student who couldn't seem to get them right to save his life. His foot was continually turned in the wrong position, or his knee wasn't bent enough or he was in the back stance instead of the front.

What I need to work on the most, I suppose, is speed. Just getting the bo moving, holding the stick loosely enough yet still maintaining control. The flashiest move, of course, is the up-down-cross-cross-thrust, and it's a lot of fun. It just takes practice.

We ended with some stamina drills, trying to build up arm strength. I haven't been doing enough push ups. My recovery from surgery is pretty much complete, so I don't have that excuse anymore. I've been holding the plank position (I'm up to two minutes on the feet and elbows) but I've been avoiding the pushups, I'll admit, because I hate 'em. Time to add them back into the rotation, Peg. No more excuses.

I was pretty sweaty when I left. It felt good.