nanba-aruki

Niina-gosoke is still sick and recovering from stressing out over the Honbu Dojo Opening, so Kiyokawa and I went to Honbu Dojo and worked out by ourselves. Ando-sensei came by after work and ended up hanging out giving me help on walking. Yup, I cannot walk. Specifically, I'm trying to use nanba-aruki, where the left and right sides of the body move together, with the left and right hips acting as two separate but joined pivot points. Ando-sensei always says "split your butt." To practice the motion, sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front on you. Put you hands on your thighs, and using only your left and right butt alternatively, move yourself forward.
Now do that standing up, while drawing and cutting with a sword. Seems kind of unnatural, but when it's mastered it's incredibly natural, smooth, and effortless. Needless to say I have much work to do!

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