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darren_strangerBarry took us for this class, starting with basic back stance work - changing feet on the spot with various blocks (kihap each time), then same for front stance. Then we went through Basic Pattern with a kihap every step, to concentrate on good technique and finishing every one. After that, the whole class went over Pyongwon and Sipjin, mainly for those that are still learning these, then we broke into age groups for our specific patterns. Mr Rozinszky took our group and ran us through Jitae, Chonkwon and then Taegeuk 8. He pointed out that we are better on higher patterns like Sipjin than we are on Taegeuk 8, and that unless our lower patterns are spot on, we won't get through the first elimination to even get to do the others. Points to come out of these parts were:
Pyongwon: Watch where foot steps down from front stance - is it landing with heel turned toward where the side kick is going?
Sipjin: On bull block, push hands upward like a punch, so they can twist out and up at the end.
Chonkwon: Elbows stay bent on mountain push, don't straighten.
Taegeuk 8: Finish every technique strongly - like we did in basic pattern.
Then we made pairs to watch each others' patterns, paying particular attention to footwork. Liz watched my Taegeuk 8 and Taebaek (two i'm likely to have trouble on) and spotted the following:
Taegeuk 8: First move - not turning back foot to 90 degrees (still a bit forward)*. More finish needed in first kick of climbing double. Need to put hammer fist to shoulder on pulling chin punch (currently resting it flat). Need to turn support foot into tiger stance (should be 22 degrees, leaving it at 90ish).
Taebaek: Rushing too much (still), especially in the last half. Hammer fist needs to be higher to be in line with side kick (i also don't think i'm turning my support foot enough). On the return line, i'm drifting off to the right. This seems to be from pivoting on my heel for the spinning backfist, instead of the ball of the foot. I also need to sit down more into the back stance, so as to arrest the forward momentum. Pause after centre punch before turning into the gawi makki line.
We finished up with some more core stability exercises fro Mel. First, on hands and knees, pull in the belly button to activate the TA muscle, then in a controlled way lift one arm, without shifting weight or wobbling. Repeat for both arms, then the same for legs, lifting straight back. Next level is to lift the opposite arm and leg in the same way. Net level is to life arm and leg on the same side - weight has to shift for this one but try to control wobbles (i did notice i could do this a little better when concentrating on my tummy muscles).
Another core exercise is to make a shallow V shape, resting on the bottom with feet and back slightly raised. Hold the position still to work core muscles. Next level is to move arma around in a circular fashion without losing balance or wobbling. Next level is to move both arms and legs (kind of like a breaststroke motion) while maintianing balance (very hard). Core work needs to be done every day to build strength.
* Edit - going over these patterns again tonight, i realised the best way to make the first back stance work in Taegeuk 8 is just to consciously think of sitting down into it (yes, that old thing). The basics strike yet again. Also, i noticed that i was taking an extra step when turning on the middle rung (from tiger stance with palm block "west" to tiger stance with knife hand block "east). This seemed to be remedied by paying attention to pivoting on the ball of the foot. Turning to face the front more with the spinning backfist in Taebaek seemed to remedy that off-centre finish just as Liz suggested.
Oh, i learned one other thing with this session. When i got to Glen Waverley, i was wondering whether to get a coffee somewhere, as i'd only had one in the morning and was feeling a little tired. I decided to not get one and see whether it made a difference, but i didn't need it at all. The physical exercise probably did more to get my brain firing than any imbibed stimulants. That's worth remembering for those times i'm tired and think i need a coffee to be on the ball for training.
Pyongwon: Watch where foot steps down from front stance - is it landing with heel turned toward where the side kick is going?
Sipjin: On bull block, push hands upward like a punch, so they can twist out and up at the end.
Chonkwon: Elbows stay bent on mountain push, don't straighten.
Taegeuk 8: Finish every technique strongly - like we did in basic pattern.
Then we made pairs to watch each others' patterns, paying particular attention to footwork. Liz watched my Taegeuk 8 and Taebaek (two i'm likely to have trouble on) and spotted the following:
Taegeuk 8: First move - not turning back foot to 90 degrees (still a bit forward)*. More finish needed in first kick of climbing double. Need to put hammer fist to shoulder on pulling chin punch (currently resting it flat). Need to turn support foot into tiger stance (should be 22 degrees, leaving it at 90ish).
Taebaek: Rushing too much (still), especially in the last half. Hammer fist needs to be higher to be in line with side kick (i also don't think i'm turning my support foot enough). On the return line, i'm drifting off to the right. This seems to be from pivoting on my heel for the spinning backfist, instead of the ball of the foot. I also need to sit down more into the back stance, so as to arrest the forward momentum. Pause after centre punch before turning into the gawi makki line.
We finished up with some more core stability exercises fro Mel. First, on hands and knees, pull in the belly button to activate the TA muscle, then in a controlled way lift one arm, without shifting weight or wobbling. Repeat for both arms, then the same for legs, lifting straight back. Next level is to lift the opposite arm and leg in the same way. Net level is to life arm and leg on the same side - weight has to shift for this one but try to control wobbles (i did notice i could do this a little better when concentrating on my tummy muscles).
Another core exercise is to make a shallow V shape, resting on the bottom with feet and back slightly raised. Hold the position still to work core muscles. Next level is to move arma around in a circular fashion without losing balance or wobbling. Next level is to move both arms and legs (kind of like a breaststroke motion) while maintianing balance (very hard). Core work needs to be done every day to build strength.
* Edit - going over these patterns again tonight, i realised the best way to make the first back stance work in Taegeuk 8 is just to consciously think of sitting down into it (yes, that old thing). The basics strike yet again. Also, i noticed that i was taking an extra step when turning on the middle rung (from tiger stance with palm block "west" to tiger stance with knife hand block "east). This seemed to be remedied by paying attention to pivoting on the ball of the foot. Turning to face the front more with the spinning backfist in Taebaek seemed to remedy that off-centre finish just as Liz suggested.
Oh, i learned one other thing with this session. When i got to Glen Waverley, i was wondering whether to get a coffee somewhere, as i'd only had one in the morning and was feeling a little tired. I decided to not get one and see whether it made a difference, but i didn't need it at all. The physical exercise probably did more to get my brain firing than any imbibed stimulants. That's worth remembering for those times i'm tired and think i need a coffee to be on the ball for training.
