Sophia's Personal Progress Page

Brief introductory remarks about yourself, your goals in the class, your persona, etc...

Novicius Concepts: The Seven Deadly Virtues, Integrated Fighting Framework

Personal notes about Novicius Concepts progress

Class One: Breathing, Stance, Movement

Personal notes about class one....

Class Two: Zero Stem, Rotation Blocks

Personal notes about class two....

Class Three: Short-Stem

Personal notes about class three...

Class Four: Long-Stem

Personal notes about class four...

Class Five: Striking Blows

Personal notes about class five...

Class Six: Baselines, Evade, Legs

Personal notes about class six...

Class Seven: Leg Combo, Inside Angle Change, Unit Maneuvers

Personal notes about class seven...

Class Eight: Onside Wraparound, Offside Jam, Uppercut Thrust

Personal notes about class eight...

Class Nine: Offside Jam, Zero-Stem Swordblock, Thumb-Turn Wraparound

Personal notes about class nine...I just can't get that "wrist to snap" on the wraparound. I have weak wrist. Would like to go over the drills. I feel that if I get more comprhension of the 7 virtues when I am doing those drills. Praticing with a pell is fine but would like to use that buddy system.

You do not have a weak wrist... I know, because I've seen you use it in strong ways. (with a sword in it) -Jurgen

0802 1101  Yes, pells work would help, its likely to be more of a timing issue than actually a strength issue.  To develop wrist strength you can simply use your sword as a weight. Hold it in the center of balance with one side out of each side of your hand, and do wrist curls (palm towards you) or extensions (back of hand towards you). Hold the forearm against your upper leg, with the weight and hand over the front of your knee, and raise the hand from the wrist, rotating on the wrist. three sets of ten.  If your sword is too heavy, use a can of food -15 0z can weighs about a pound, your sword, likely 2.5 pounds. Then find a comfortable place to grasp your sword (near one end, but not all the way) with the majority out either the front or the back.  Then hold your arm down against your side and your hip, and lift the heavier end. Three sets of ten.  Lastly, take the first position (forearm on knee) but hold the sword in the same place as you did for the second set of exercises, heavier end up. Rotate to make circles with that end, but not so large as to lose control. Again 3x10.  Do these alternative days.  This is for strength. For technical blow development, half speed, half power pells work for the blow of concern. -- Steve

090208  Sophia -- besides the sword-based exercises that Strykar is describing, and that we learned and drilled last Thursday, you can also try getting some dedicated equipment if you think having "tools" will help make you more disciplined (there is a psychology at work that helps some people).  As noted on the Stretching & Exercise wiki page, you can try the Gripmaster  Extra Light 3-Pound and Dyna-Flex offers their Powerball gyro exercisers that are offered in 25lb, 30lb, 35lb, and 40lb versions and for which you can buy a Docking Station to get the balls started.  Try thinking it less as a separate and discrete wrist "snap" than as a holistic and smoothe arm flow, with your arcing out, around, and then your wrist taking the momentum inward in a smooth, flowing, arcing motion as it rolls-over in the half wrist rotation.  Less of a "snap" than a continuous flow of the inertia throughout the arc of the shot.

Class Ten: Melee Concepts, Melee Drills, and Unit Scenarios

Personal notes about class ten...

Class Eleven: Shield Blocks -- Flat Blocks and Corner Blocks

Personal notes about class eleven...

Class Twelve: Hanging-Guard Drop-Shot, Hanging-Guard Moulinet

Personal notes about class twelve...

Novicius 101,102,103: Beginner Basics (101), Continuing Refresh (102), Advanced Practicum (103)

Personal notes about continuing progress in class thirteen+...