Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 26, 2008 22:31:30 GMT
Greetings all, I would like to pass on a event that happened to me over the weekend. I usually like to practice in the mornings or evenings, it's summer time now, and I find it cooler earlier and later in the day. First I warm up with a wooden replica of my Shura, then proceed with the live blade. My last workout over the weekend however was later Sunday nite, still daylight though ,while warming up I was practicing a few thrusts with the wooden sword and as I was advancing my foot slipped on the grass which was now damp with dew,I don't know if anyone else has had this happen to them or not, maybe a thread could be started to list some safety concerns , a check list maybe ,before we practice safely. A lesson learned. Domo arigato
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 0:45:38 GMT
Koji: If you are going to practice early morning or later at night in summer it is essential that you do it on a mat or something, grass stores the moisture and it is very easy to slip and fall and possibly hurt yourself on your sword. Were you practicing in bare feet or shoes?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 9:33:07 GMT
Greetings all, I would like to pass on a event that happened to me over the weekend. I usually like to practice in the mornings or evenings, it's summer time now, and I find it cooler earlier and later in the day. First I warm up with a wooden replica of my Shura, then proceed with the live blade. My last workout over the weekend however was later Sunday nite, still daylight though ,while warming up I was practicing a few thrusts with the wooden sword and as I was advancing my foot slipped on the grass which was now damp with dew,I don't know if anyone else has had this happen to them or not, maybe a thread could be started to list some safety concerns , a check list maybe ,before we practice safely. A lesson learned. Domo arigato Hello kojiro, may I suggest before you begin training to kneel down for a few minutes and reflect on your terrain/environment, and the training for which you are about to undertake. Training is about being where you are, this is why it is important to reflect before you begin. One must constantly assess where one is at .
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 14:03:02 GMT
All great suggestions. I could see it being very difficult when engaging a target on wet grass to achieve "yin yang foot"...
I prefer to practice while the sun is high, as to use it to my advantage... Its like second nature now, i always find myself drawing down on the target which if it were a live opponent would be nearly blind.
I don't have to worry about morning dew either at this point in the day, but everyones schedules are different.
Practicing kata in the moonlight is also quite advantageous. Make sure the moon is at your back,... you'd be amazed at what your shadow can teach you in regards to form. Its like having live video of yourself! And as long as its not a high moon, you won't have to adjust your eyes to see it. October is ideal for this where i'm from, though the evening dew is a factor in this...
SAFETY NOTE: Never cut targets at night, never use a "live blade", and make sure there is some ambient light to your left or right sides.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 15:43:34 GMT
I would suggest practicing in bare feet, I always train with bare feet because I have more contact with the ground I can feel the shifts of whatever is underfoot and compensate accordingly. There is also something very "zen" about being barefooted in the dawn at one with your sword and your surroundings.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 17:19:44 GMT
My sensei recommends pretending that the ground is moving under you. I think in terms of riding a subway without holding onto anything with your hands. It's important to keep your feet under you at all times. Think: if you are in combat in a strange place, the ground may be uneven. You would have other things to think about than whether the ground is level. It's not whether you lose your footing or not, it's how quick you recover.
|
|
|
Post by Brendan Olszowy on May 27, 2008 18:25:07 GMT
I guess if I had a safety tip it's to look out for kitty cats and pups, those suckers get around in all wierd places, as well as under one's feet.
|
|
|
Post by swordboy bringer of chaos on May 27, 2008 19:41:06 GMT
best trainig method I've come across is to balance on a plank of wood on a big medicine ball and try to go through fixed stance forms and katas .... I think it's loads of fun
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 19:47:00 GMT
best trainig method I've come across is to balance on a plank of wood on a big medicine ball and try to go through fixed stance forms and katas .... I think it's loads of fun Man if i tried that i'd end up on my head! I doubt i'd even be able to get up there initially,... let alone make any maneuvers...
|
|
|
Post by swordboy bringer of chaos on May 27, 2008 19:58:33 GMT
if it was easy than every one would do it and it wouldn't be cool any more ....... the trick is to get you balance by steping on one side at a time
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 21:08:22 GMT
It would want to be a big medicine ball, the kata I know all rely on footwork and timing. Learn balance by balancing on a fence post. I used to do this and go through my kung fu forms, hard but rewarding.
|
|
|
Post by salvatore on May 28, 2008 0:37:52 GMT
I was cutting while performing Niten-ichi ryu with 2 full length steel swords. I slipped flat on my ass on a thrust...ugh, I need a drink.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 28, 2008 1:33:35 GMT
Kojiro, great idea.
I like chopchop's suggestion a lot. +1
DJMahoney
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 28, 2008 2:20:57 GMT
best trainig method I've come across is to balance on a plank of wood on a big medicine ball and try to go through fixed stance forms and katas .... I think it's loads of fun Swordboy video of this would be verrrrry cool!
|
|
|
Post by Brendan Olszowy on May 29, 2008 11:49:01 GMT
I have a point on safety. Listen to your inner voice. I was cutting some wood awkwardly today on a circular saw, and I heard my inner voice say, "if you do that you'll cut the end off your finger". It said it like twice.
I'm like "It's alright...Ill be right, if i can just,..... nearly,.... I almost.... " Then as i decided It wasn't happening I lapsed my grip to move out and the wood caught and flicked my finger into the blade somehow?? Anyway I chopped off half of my fingernail. UGLY - But It could have been WAY worse!
Listen to your guidance. Trust it, it's wiser than you are.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 29, 2008 15:45:00 GMT
While that may work for most people,... i dunno about myself? I think if i followed my "inner voice" i'd end up in prison! Stop Telling me to do things! <--[while banging head into wall] ^joke of course^ - i'm not crazy,... at least thats what my other personality told me anyway...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 29, 2008 21:50:19 GMT
Sorry jim, seems my telepathy was aimed at you not at the person I was aiming for
switches aim
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2008 1:01:59 GMT
Do some footwork drills to get a feel for the terrain and warm-up. If you feel that the grass is getting slippery or you are otherwise off balance move to a safer location (obviously in a battle you would not have this luxury and would have to make do) before progressing to your bokuto (o.k.-bokken!!!) It might be wise to invest in an iaido if not already using one (an unsharpened version of the sword) so in case the unthinkable happens a serious injury or fatality might be avoided-however iaido are still sharp enough to cause injury if mis-handled. If not already, training at a dojo under a good sensei is highly recommended-books and videos are not sufficient to get proper form-ALTHOUGH this I realize is not always convenient nor in-expensive.The footwork drills however are paramount in developing good stance and balance and natural movement with the sword.
Hope this is helpful...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2008 12:30:36 GMT
Hello all, this is what I hoped would happen, we are all not perfect but unfortunately, when others make mistakes if we are smart and are paying close attention , possibly it could save us the same fate. My training mishap was very fortunate I was only using a wooden sword , and if I would have fallen only my pride would have been hurt. I was very calm and centered during my training and was barefoot as well, we all have to realize when we take a live blade in hand , that we are accepting responsibility for our actions, unless you are mentally and physically unstable to do so. We can meditate , get angry, really get the adrenalin flowing but we still must be responsible. Another note of mention ,sometimes friends and others like to watch us when we cut, this is a good idea to have someone present in case an accident occurs , if you are alone and severely damage you hands it could be hard to call for help. Those people who are watching you should be well away from any line of fire. I am by no means a sword master and probably never will , I am calmed by the way of the sword. Thanks for all the input. Kojiro
|
|