07.22.06 - Saturday Practice

Reviewed Items:

1. Stretching & Warm-ups
2. Lunge Punches
3. Mat work
4. Purple Belt Techniques
5. Master Form

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Warm-Ups
After some warm ups, we started in with some basic Lunge Punches utilizing the focus mitts. I was feeling pretty good today and when it was my turn I just let ‘er rip, focusing on snap and power. I noticed a couple of times that my chin seemed to want to tuck on its own accord so I had to correct that. Otherwise, I was moving and feeling pretty good.

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Matt Work
We sort of cut short our normal routine on the mats but we did get some work in. First on the agenda was forward rolls coming up into a neutral bow facing the way we had just come from, alternating from side to side. Next up was some side falls, left and right. Finally we did some forward break-falls, staying down on the mat when finished. I am definitely stronger on one side than the other but I’m getting better on my weak side. Good stuff. I’m starting to get a little more comfortable on the mat but I’m not quite “at home” on them yet. .

Techniques
Marty and I worked on the Purple belt techniques again today. This time we started at the beginning and worked our way through to the end. I’m getting more comfortable in them. Raking Hammer is still bugging me but I can do the gross movements at this point. Marty sort of gave me some insight on refining my movements in all of the techniques. As Sifu has been telling me of late, I need to start focusing on flow. I also need to make sure I understand relative positioning at all times, including the end of the technique as I will soon be developing extensions. We finished the day with the Master Form, all of us going to the point at which we knew and then bowing out. A good workout today.