Orange Belt Test Review

Reviewed the Happo No Undo (8-directions), ukemi kata through the entire exercise, the Tenkan and Irimi forms, and the wrist stretches.

For the yellow belt test for one student Sensei Josh went over the three techniques: Shomenuchi Shomanate, Shomenuchi Sankyo and Menutsuki Kotagaeshi.

Went over Katatadori Tenchinage (Heaven and Earth) from a static and dynamic attack.  From static you rotate your arms that Uke has grabbed at the wrists in a circle like pedaling a bike to create movement.  Then one hand goes up and around the back of Uke's head whilst the other draws the down and your upper hand goes around them and you Irimi through them to bring them down.  This is a great fast counter to direct Uke's energy down and into the ground.

Went over Shomenuchi Kaitenage.  This one gave me a bit of trouble tonight.  Have to remember the arm that makes initial contact with the Shomenuchi strike is merely there to make contact whilst the outer arm hooks over the top of their arm at the elbow and draws them down pushing a bit in towards their center and drawing their arm around and up whilst the closer arm presses down on their neck allowing you to then project them by rotating their arm across their back and spine.  It's important to keep their captured arm low and near their waist. If you bring their arm too high they will regain control.  You can then step around them with a Tenkan for the Ura(to the back side or around) version or step straight across them to project for the Omote (to the front side) version.

Overall, was a great class and Josh Sensei really helped us to review for the belt exam, as well as Shihan at the end of class too.