2024-12-09

Teaching my regular classes at the Ross Farnsworth - East Valley YMCA.

It was so good to be back on the floor training and teaching after an unexpected three-week hiatus to deal with a family emergency back in Illinois. Thanks to my students for their understanding, and special thanks to Sensei Dave Bracklow of ISKF Tempe and Sensei Barry O’Brien for stepping in to teach my classes and minimize disruption for my students while I was away. All of my students say they’re looking forward to more horse stance next time Sensei O’Brien teaches. 🤣

I spent most of this evening making sure those who are eligible are ready to take a small kyu grading we have scheduled for Wednesday, and I think most students are in a good position for success. After that, the adult class spent some extra time working through Heian Yondan, particularly the part leading into the first kiai. That sequence is very “rub-your-tummy-and-pat-your-head”-like, so we went through it in super slow motion, just to make sure everyone understand what it’s supposed to look like, whether they can perform it yet or not.