Uraken, the backfist

Uraken is the name of the backfist strike. The illustration shows the impact area of the fist when Uraken is delivered, the proximal side of the first knuckles of the index and middle fingers.

Seiuchin Kata and Naihanchi Kata both include this strike. Here the fist is chambered at the side of tori's head with the elbow pointing toward the target/uki. The wrist is cocked and firm, ready for impact (uki may be moving so you want the weapon to be prepared at all point along its trajectory). The trajectory is straight forward toward the bridge of uki's nose. The return is scraping downward and back to tori, palm remains horizontal throughout.

Memory Tool?

Now that it is time to continue my training (physical body has recovered 80%) I am going to focus Qigong/Yiquan and the study of history next. To that end, I will study after lunch and then take a nap. Scientific evidence follows, experience will tell. :)

To Learn Better, Sleep On It, a Scientific American podcast, notes follow.

Naps help move new info from short-term memory storage in the hippocampus to long-term storage in the cortex.

...two groups of adults who went through rigorous memory exercises. Then one group took a 90-minute snooze. In follow up tests, the nappers performed even better than their first tries. The nonnappers got worse.

Fighting Tips

The best fighters give a little more then they receive.

• Surprise is speed
• Speed is power
• Thinking is slow
• Slow is weak

Serpent strike is done as an escape from a bear hug, forearm trapped against the attackers chest palm under their chin. Snap the wrist after the strike.

From Mask Market, chapter 15, by Andrew Vachss.

Ikkyu Promotion

I demonstrated Kusanku Kata for Kioshi Dave Joslin tonight. I believe this is the primary requirement for Ikkyu (3 red stripes on the brown belt).

I need to be mindful of the rear foot position after any spinning moves. Kusanku has fast and slow sections; the fast parts need to be faster.

Sharon video taped me doing the six Isshinryu kata. It went well so these will show me at my best to date. Next week is the hip surgery so I get to begin again.

Sensei Shawl reminded me that one should focus on the attackers with intent. Practice this during your kata training.

Mahalo Tom Anderson

One more Karate class to go, testing for Ikkyu. After that I will be off the mat for six months.

I plan to train as Mr. Anderson did when he was off the mat. For about a year he was unable to make Vern's classes at Ternion Academy, Santa Clara.

Every day driving to and from work he ran the kata in his head.

I saw a marked improvement in his technique when he returned a year later.

Mr. Anderson went on to become Sensei of Santa Cruz Jujitsu Academy.

Joslin Dojos

Thirty two years ago Dave and Ron Joslin opened their first Karate Dojo.

The date was Saturday, November 5th, 1977.

They have created a great tradition that continues to thrive.

I am proud to consider myself one of their students.

Seisan Stance Power

The power of Seisan Stance requires that the toes are pointing straight ahead.

I noticed that a slight lateral rotation of the lead foot gives you the ability to flow/pivot to the side when resistance is applied; trading strength and power for mobility.

Note: Sensei Bennati says he uses a slight pigeon toe.