Repetition, Repetition, Repetition

During the last few classes, Sa Bom Nim has given us lots of time to practice our forms. I think I did Jinto about fifteen times this morning.

Sometimes I get impatient with the repetition, because I want to move on to another form - like the one I haven't worked on at all in almost a month. But right now I am able to embrace the repetition, and I can see definite improvement as a result.

Jinto presents several problem areas for me: First is the outside-inside kick right at the beginning of the form. I can't pivot very effectively, so I have to plant my right foot as I quarter-turn to the left, and then execute the kick from there. I spent some time today trying to refine that kick and make the whole thing a little smoother.

The next move is the double front kick. I've really improved this since I first learned the form. I still can't compare to the kids who effortlessly kick above their heads, but at least I can get close to waist height now.

After that I'm okay until I get to the low X-block with the right knee touching down. I've learned my lesson on this one after my knee gave out one day, so I don't really attempt to go all the way down any more. But I go down as far as I feel I can go safely, and it seems like I'm able to get a little lower each time. Maybe eventually it will happen.

The biggest problem in Jinto is all the crane stances at the end. Once I can find my balance, which sometimes takes a while, I have to maintain it while changing my arm position. (There is supposed to be a slight pivot at this point too, but I'm not able to execute that yet.) The next move is a back-fist front-kick combination, and I have to maintain control so that I don't just fall forward into the kick. Today I was managing pretty well, to the point where I had the luxury of trying to get my kicks a little higher.

Now that I've had lots of solo practice, I need some opportunities for repetition in a group. It will be interesting to see whether some of my coping mechanisms have adversely affected my timing, and vice versa; will I still be able to keep my balance if I'm rushing to keep up with a group? I guess I'll find out tomorrow night, at monthly testing.