I worked on trying to improve my stability during this session. As I expected he said for me to do Shohatto, the best and most appropriate kata for a Shinden iaidoka doing an Iaido embu. My first question to my sensei, Chris Mansfield, last night was to ask what was the first kata he recommended for my first koryu form. I don't think I will have as much free time to do that now so I must ensure that every moment of training time is used properly. Thinking back to my 5th dan Iaido grading preparation I had the luxury of being able to be left alone and asking Tony Brocklebank, one of the dojo seniors, to video my embu nearly on a weekly basis for me to take home and study in huge amounts of detail even to the extent of plotting my perceived progress in the various elements of the kata on a spreadsheet. I think up to now my home training has focussed on embedding the Jodo koryu curriculum in my mind but I think I now have to pay more that the slightly casual level of attention to Iaido. Now the weather is a little bit better I am trying to strengthen up my arms as well as improve my fitness by going out in the garden and doing 75 cuts left and right with a suburito. I set in my own mind to actively start my 6th dan iaido training last night at our regular Wednesday practice. For it to be readable for any geeks who happen to come across this blog.

To not write disrectful things about other people.unless they really deserve it and I would say it to their face.To be honest to avoid arrogant stances as well as insincere humility.It's still a year and a half away but I really want to make sure that my 'transition' to 6th dan has a meaning and a tangible change (hopefully for the better). At the moment it is to be something of a training diary for my 6th dan Iaido grading which I am due to take in the UK in summer 2011. I should add here the purpose of this blog.

Iaido stances