Saturday Morning

Yesterday morning my grandson and I spent two and a half hours training at the karate school. We were in separate dojangs, so I didn't see any of his class, but he told me he spent the first period doing "kicknastics," which is basically gymnastics. I'm not sure quite how this relates to karate except that it helps prepare them for flying kicks, which are good for exhibitions. Besides, the kids love it.

While he was doing handstands and starting to learn handsprings, I was training with the bong (staff). Mr. Decker started us out with weighted bars instead of bong; mine only weighed nine pounds, but even that was no joke to handle. Afterward, the bong felt like a toothpick in comparison.

Instead of doing the first bong form which I had learned previously, Mr. Decker had us do Ki Cho Hyung Il Bu and Ee Bu (Basic Forms Number One and Two) with the staff. It was a good way to think differently about the form and the way to transition from one movement to the next. I must say, though, that my shoulders are really feeling the exercise today.

The next period was devoted to sparring. First we practiced some punching combinations and then some footwork before getting into actual two-minute matches. My matches were all against Mr. Decker, who was presenting me with openings to see what I would do with them. I managed to get in a few good shots to the body and some to the head. Next time I hope I can work on my defense too.

One of my goals for this year is to win at least one sparring match at a tournament; there's only one more chance to do it in 2007, and I don't know if I'll make it, but I'll keep trying.

Meanwhile my grandson's class was also sparring. He told me afterward that he was paired with a tall white belt who apparently didn't know about the "light contact only" rule. Buddy didn't get hurt, but he he certainly took notice. I said I thought maybe the other kid had transferred from another karate school where the rules are different.

After putting away my sparring gear I joined the regular adult class, which was just finishing up their warm-up. (Believe me, after sparring I didn't need any more warm-up!) The first half of the class was kicking drills and the last half was Ho Sin Sul (Self-Defense). I saw some improvement in my spinning inside-outside kick, although my jump back kick still barely gets off the ground. I was pleased to find that I remembered most of the sequences for the Ho Sin Sul - except for the two-on-two, which Mr. Decker reviewed for me. All in all, a good class.

The great thing is that today, almost forty-eight hours later, I don't have any twinges or aches in spite of the heavy exercise. (Well, except for some tenderness in my shoulders from swinging the weighted bar.) This proves to me that I am getting stronger and tougher. And, as they say, there ain't nothin' wrong with that.