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Last week my teacher told me that the biggest problem in my training at this point is my rolls.

Today, when I came to class I found out that there were no other students besides myself. My teacher, Tom Hilliard, told me that today we were going to do nothing else but work on my rolls. I was thrilled! Wow! What a gift! Full attention and focus on my weakness for a full class! What a fantastic gift!

We started out by doing forward rolls slowly as he critiqued and instructed me on how to improve and change what was wrong. We did these for quite a while. Next, I did backward rolls and after he watched me carefully he found where I was making my biggest mistake and easily corrected me. It was as simple as starting my rolls in a wider kamae. AWESOME!

Next, he told me that in order to learn to roll I need to learn when to roll. He told me that I was going to be Uke for the day.

He threw me using Ura and I did pretty well. When he threw me using Omote, I kind of freaked out. I have some sort of fear of ukemi with Omote. We worked on this for a couple of hours.

I am very grateful for this class. I have a good teacher.

This weekend we worked on sword techniques. Saturday we met at the Northeast Ohio Kempo Dojo where we are holding our Budo Taijutsu class weekly from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. There were a total of 5 students and our shidoshi, Tom Hilliard.

We practiced basic movement, as well as a little kyojitsu to entice our opponent to attack. We saw the importance of having proper distance and angles.

Sunday we met at Squires Castle where we train outdoors, year round, no matter what kind of weather from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Again we worked on sword technique using the shinai.

Since we are all at the beginning level we are still moving slow. We are learning how to cut properly, and how to move in at the proper angle at the right time and how to take advantage of the ‘gift’ our opponent offers. (an opening or opportunity to take control)

Time flew by so fast. Our two hours seemed like a few minutes. I can hardly wait for next weekend.

I got a little “lucky bamboo” plant for my birthday in June. I water it daily and set it in my bedroom window. It means a lot to me because my son got it for me. I don’t notice the slow steady growth daily, but in three months I suddenly realized that it has really shot up and added many new leaves since I got it!

My taijutsu is much this way. I can’t see the progress from week to week, but my teacher assures me that he does. I grow impatient with myself, desiring to jump ahead, but in growth there are no shortcuts.

Tom Hilliard shidoshi taught us some very cool techniques with ropes and chains. He showed us how to capture the arm of someone holding the end of a rope. I have enjoyed practicing this, even though when I showed it to one of my sons, I took a direct hit in the eye with the rope scratching my cornea. I assured my son that I would be fine and we will try again in a few days when my eye heals. Injuries will happen in learning this art, no doubt!

I found a treasure that I would like to share. The blog of Paul Masse, Shihan There is much wisdom and depth here! He paints beautiful vivid images with his artistically chosen words and pairs them with his magnificent photography. I read someplace that true art invokes strong emotion in the heart of the audience. Paul’s blog brings to me feelings of wonderment and inspiration as I read. He has immersed himself in the culture of Japan, and completely embraced the wonderful art of Soke Masaaki Hatsumi’s Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. Enjoy! I sure do!

Today we worked Jumonji no kamae and hicho no kamae no gata. Tom showed us that hicho is the act of raising the foot, whether it is to kick, or to step. He showed how we move into Kamae naturally when proper Taijutsu body movement becomes natural to us. Practice, practice, practice the basics.

My teacher, Tom Hilliard Shidoshi surprised me at the end of the session by announcing to everyone in attendance that I was now promoted to green belt, 9th Kyu. My first promotion in the Bujinkan.

Last weekend I attended a seminar with Shidoshi Tom Hilliard of the Cleveland Bujinkan dojo (where I train). The seminar was in Strongsville, Ohio at the The Ichinen dojo. Ichinen dojo hosted Shihan Jeff Ochester of the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo, Dayton, Ohio.
Though this seminar was geard to advanced ranks, I was able to work with some green belts and pick up some very helpful training. I have learned that although many of the special seminars are set primarily for advanced training, I am still able to glean experience and pick up something relevant to my beginning level at every event. I so much appreciate the advanced students and teachers who are willing to take the time to work with me. I know it takes patience to work with new inexperienced students.

Today I trained outdoors with Tom Hilliard. It was very cold (30 degrees) and I about froze my toes. I learned and practiced a lot of basic techniques and body movement. The ice was hard to land on, even though it was mostly just frozen grass. It was a good two hour training session. I am looking forward to weapons tomorrow evening.