Hi Sensei. I noticed with partner drills, particularly when trying to slowly displace someone with a cut they feel me lean. It is subtle and honestly I don't notice it doing solo work. Any suggestions on solo practice that will help me recognize that or is it strictly partner training to resolve. I am happy to hear from anyone who has same issue and found way to resolve it. Thanks.

"The hardest to learn was the least complicated " Just happen to think about this lyric and how it relates to our training. We tend to want to do more and complicate things when relaxing and doing less is what will allow the technique to work. I guess that isn't just a lesson for kenjutsu but also life.🙂

The meaning of self defense has certainly changed for me. I first started training in Taekwondo when I was 18. Newly graduated from high school and going to college my thinking on self defense was pretty basic. If a bad guy tries to mug me I am going to learn how to fight back hard so I can survive. A fellow student in my class was in the military and earned his black belt while serving in Korea. He told me mindset in a threatening situation is incredibly important. His mindset was saying to the attacker ""I may die, you will die" After training with him for years, i can assure you this did not come from ego but more of a quiet certainty. I think that mentality is the same as the samurai. A willingness to accept death as one outcome helps take away fear of that outcome and actually increases your odds of survival. Eventually I came to realize self defense is as much about prevention and awareness as it is about a physical confrontation. Trust your instincts, avoid situations that don't seem right. Have constant situational awareness without being paranoid. What are your thoughts on self defense? I would love your tips on every day safety.

In class we often talk about home practice or daily practices. Sure there is suburi and rokudangiri, and the kenjutsu and iai katas, but ultimately, it's the little things that do the most. One thing Angier Sensei would say is that every time you're at a red light, relax your shoulders. For me, when I have a second waiting for food to cook, I release my hips and open. Sometimes I'll do what we call "separating the body" and move into ichimongigoshi (I might have spelled that wrong, sorry Sensei). A big one for me was walking the dog. He'd stop to do his business, I'd fix my posture, and then start walking like we do on the mat. We also have cats. When I would scoop their litter, instead of just leaning over, I lower myself into seiza, scoop, then raise myself back to standing. This is also a part of making the art your own. *Everything* is kenjutsu. How do you incorporate your training into your every day life?