July has arrived, and that means no more indoor training in Genbukan. July is the time for outside training. Luckily we have forrests nearby, with nice locations for training outside of public view. We still get watchers (which are welcome to stay and watch) but at least we don't draw an audience.
July is also the time when the Genbukan dress code takes its toll. According to the rules, training is done in tabi (indoor or outdoor), black keikogi and black t-shirt. Optionally you can wear a hachimaki.
If you read that last sentence carefully, you'll notice that nowhere, the training circumstances are mentioned
Meaning neither temperature, humidity nor rain influence the dress code. The above is what we wear. You might perhaps think that 'it goes without saying' that during a heatwave, we train in just gi pants and a t-shirt. Not so, I'm afraid. We're allowed to drink though.
Training itself is much more basic. Lots of time is spent on kihon. Currently we are practicing both ninpo and jujutsu kihon. After almost 2 years of ninpo kihon, the jujutsu kihon is sufficiently different that it requires thinking and getting used to. I love it!.
We also spent some time practicing shuto against trees. This has 2 benefits: first of all it gives you good feedback about your technique. If you don't hit right, then you'll hit the tree with your wrist or your fingers, which is something that you'll notice. The other benefit is that it toughens the side of the hand so that you feel less pain, and also make a harder impact.
The days when the heat is on (literally) or when it rains, it kinda sucks to train outdoors, but there are also days which are just perfect: warm enough to be pleasant and brisk enough to cool off during practice, with enough shadow to prevent too much exposure to the sun.
July is also the time when the Genbukan dress code takes its toll. According to the rules, training is done in tabi (indoor or outdoor), black keikogi and black t-shirt. Optionally you can wear a hachimaki.
If you read that last sentence carefully, you'll notice that nowhere, the training circumstances are mentioned
Meaning neither temperature, humidity nor rain influence the dress code. The above is what we wear. You might perhaps think that 'it goes without saying' that during a heatwave, we train in just gi pants and a t-shirt. Not so, I'm afraid. We're allowed to drink though.Training itself is much more basic. Lots of time is spent on kihon. Currently we are practicing both ninpo and jujutsu kihon. After almost 2 years of ninpo kihon, the jujutsu kihon is sufficiently different that it requires thinking and getting used to. I love it!.
We also spent some time practicing shuto against trees. This has 2 benefits: first of all it gives you good feedback about your technique. If you don't hit right, then you'll hit the tree with your wrist or your fingers, which is something that you'll notice. The other benefit is that it toughens the side of the hand so that you feel less pain, and also make a harder impact.
The days when the heat is on (literally) or when it rains, it kinda sucks to train outdoors, but there are also days which are just perfect: warm enough to be pleasant and brisk enough to cool off during practice, with enough shadow to prevent too much exposure to the sun.
