The servers at work blew up after I got back from my run today, so I didn’t have a chance to write something up earlier. It worked out, however, because after getting home and then going out to sparring class, I had the topic for today’s post hit me (only semi-literally).
It’s been a while since I’ve written a karate update, and that was mostly a product of my feelings about myself, rather than karate itself. My lack of flexibility was seriously hampering my karate ability and I was starting to get down on myself after classes. With my recent uptick in running and sports, as well as continued training, I’m feeling better and slowly (VERY slowly) becoming more flexible and better able to perform the maneuvers. This is good, because the maneuvers are getting more complex (have me show you the ground circular combination some time if you see me in real life) and requiring more and more flexibility.
I also made an important realization in sparring class today, just because it feels unfair for me to be aggressive when sparring doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to actually do it. Usually I just play defense, which generally results in me deflecting some punches (or taking them against the Black Belts), getting some counters in, and then absorbing a charge attack and bouncing off to do it all over again. Since the majority of people I’m fighting are smaller than me (although better trained), it feels unfair to take the attack to them. I don’t know why it took me this long to realize that’s the whole point. Yes, I’m slow sometimes.
I’m still learning other basic things too, like kicks can change directions, so don’t expect it to stay low when it may suddenly come up to your face, especially if you lean over for some dumb reason. Also, keep your hands guarding your head and your legs to guard your torso, I keep wanting to block everything with my hands and leaving myself open. I’m looking forward to learning more, I feel that it’s starting to come together.
Already less than a month to the next test, and I’m looking forward to moving up to the Green belts. I definitely would recommend Cutting Edge Karate to anyone out there who wants to start training in Tang Soo Do, and you’ll have the extra joy of seeing me there, as well as a great and supportive group of Black/Upper Belts and a great leader in Master Kemmer (no, I’m not getting paid for this, it’s all true :).
Weight: 229 Loss: 11 lbs – Running Yearly Mileage: 251.1 miles (+4 miles)
Volleyball Match Record: 5-4 (13-14 Game Record, 6th place regular season)
Fitocracy Level: 23 ID: disciplev1
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Great post Matt. I was wondering why it took so long to post another karate article.