Ashihara
Warmup about 35 minutes of hard basics and combinations mixed with pushups, situps, leg raises, squats, wheelbarrow partner up and down the stairs, round the dojo. Then stretches.
Then a three-person stamina/strength drill – one person takes off their belt and uses it to drag a second person hanging on behind while punching forward into a striking pad held by the third. Have to simultaneously pull against the resistance and thrust forward with the strikes. Two rounds of three and five minutes per person then repeat with front kicks. This was physically one of the most intense things I’ve done - strength totally sapped after each round.
Then sparring. I haven’t done a lot of sparring at Ashihara and I struggle with the dynamics, the constant shin and thigh kicks, the spinning sabaki takedowns, the inability to use my normal weapons and tactics. Learning to shin-block but my legs are still very sore. The women weren’t a problem but the last round guy in particular seriously stressed me.
Which was interesting in itself. Exhausted, feeling threatened, repeatedly hurt by the kicks, had to keep going. I found that I couldn’t breathe and I had to consciously control the shock/panic.
Educational, important. Does it feel nice – no. Do I need to know how that feels – yes. Do I need to do it again and again. Yes.
Yes.
I will.