The Power of A Japanese Weapon Called the Bo

Well our weapons section of class last night was the very first time I ever picked up a Bo staff.

I used to swing a Jo which is much shorter and the one I have is a little heavier so I had no idea what to expect. Sensei had one person with the bo and one with the bokken and we faced each other and we held the bo at the end with one hand and about shoulder width away with the other and when you held it correctly, you were standing in a good Kamae'.

As we brought the bo staff around to meet the Uke's head, he in turn had the bokken and we were working on stepping and blocking the bo. This is a difficult task as you want to keep your arms outstretched and in full range of motion and block to the left and right as the bo comes in at you. Uke would meet the bo staff in the air as soon as it was infront of him.

The other technique we were working is when you are being hit in the leg and the same concept, left and right except you would have to bring your front leg up almost in a crane like position and rest it on your shin. This was difficult to do because you had to think of several things at once and if you are not used to it, it is not second nature.

I love when we work these weapons, I feel like I learn so much in one night. Our class ran 1/2 hour over.

We had a lot of fun last night too, sensei keeps the training hard core but light in attitude and it's a very different way to learn, for he does not care about quantity of students, but that he turns out quality students and that makes me real happy I found him. He may be younger than me but that is the one thing I ultimately cared about when I was looking for a place to train.

We were all connected last night like one continual line of energy. It is so great when it is like that. I'm telling you I was so tired before I went I was trying to think of a reason not to go, but like I promised myself, long ago, I will not engage in negative activity, and I knew if I didn't show up I would be breaking that promise to myself. I went and ten minutes into the class, I was volunteering to go first in things and I was really into what we were doing. I had a blast last night. As always I love it.. If you are in Lakehurst area, I highly recommend this man, because he really cares about his students and what he teaches and the way he teaches..

We have a guy that travels from Atlantic City to come here. I guess it depends what you are looking for. He is worth it..