Moving from My Center

I'm moving very slowly this morning. Last night's class was very long and very intense. Is it because it's summer and sensei wants to take more time? Is this the way it's going to be from now on? I wish I could answer those questions. We had close to a 90 minute class last night, which, during the summer is not a problem, but will be once school is in session again. The time that class normally ends came and went, and we were still working out.

There were seven or eight students last night, and I worked with each of them at least once. One sempai commented that I was really moving from my center, so my techniques were more effective. I was working with this same second kyu on one technique where we were breaking a katate tori (wrist hold) three different ways, then quickly stepping into an irimi nage position. We did not do the irimi nage, but simply moved into position where we would begin the technique. This is when he said what he did.

In our next technique, we took one of the katate tori breaks, and used it to follow through with the entire irimi nage. I worked with a shodan who comes to us from another style. He is very centered, and despite his demeanor, can really "put the hurt on." Every time he threw me he just about twisted my head right off. I tried to turn my head the way I've been taught, but his technique forces my head the opposite way, so I'm looking in the absolute wrong way. When he throws someone, it really hurts. I'm getting used to it, but I am not a fan of being his uke.

At the end of class, we - and I can't remember the Japanese/Aikido term, as my brain is still pretty empty from last night - broke into partners and uke did shomen uchi five times and nage would go through five different techniques. It's only now that I remembered that I could have done kaiten nage. It was on my test - eight different ways, no less - but I completely forgot about it last night. We haven't worked on that technique in months, but I have to keep all the techniques I know top of mind, so I can use them all in class.

My MIL would like to come to class one day to see what I do. I think a Saturday class would be best. I'm not getting home until 9:30 at night on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I think that's a bit late for her. On the other hand, Saturday classes are even longer than the weekday classes. Still, what's one Saturday out of one person's life? I think it will be fun.