It felt generally like a Thursday, and turnout was like a Saturday. Sensei took over after a while, and we focused on kihon-uchi, in particular tame--the accumulation of ki which should take place after every strike, even in nidanwaza such as kote-men. With uchikomi practice (men, kote, do, kote-men, kote-do) the ki should build, pushing down into the tanden (which, as Sensei points out, is something Westerners can't do--their power is too high, but every Oriental does know), growing and not breaking, but also not rushing but coming to kamae each time. Meanwhile, I was at least complimented for remaining erect during the dreaded SAR ashi-sabaki drill.

In keiko, I am still too tense, especially after the strike. Soft Sensei says I should really attack more, what with being kohai and more. Equipment-sempai says I ought to keep up the enthusiasm, but relax. Focus on the positives rather than getting frustrated when an attack does not work out. Straight up the center!!