Update on Aikido/Iaido training

Youth Aikido class -
Laura is still liking it... I think her favorite part is playing tag before class thought. :-) But after about 8 classes or so (really starting in Jan.) she is showing improvement. Her backwards roll is starting to come together. It's still a way off, but in a short time she is showing that she is getting elements of it down. Her bokken work in improving (my daughter likes swords, wonder where that came from) too. She is remembering basic etiquette and how to do a front strike.

In Feb we started Marian in the youth class also. She has only had two lessons so far, but she is also liking it. Also she seems to be grasping shite's part, and uke will come along in time.

As long as they are both having fun, we'll continue to take them (which I hope is for a long time.)

Beginners Aikido class (a.k.a. Paul remembers that he is old now) -
Slowly coming together... in my opinion they are doing more complex techniques for the equivalent level from when I practiced in the late 80s early 90s. More movement, more little details than I recall. Feels good and its slowly coming together. I miss that for kihon dosa they don't do shumatsu dosa (finishing exercise or after class exercise ). Now maybe it's done in the regular class or just to emphasize a technique being taught that day... dunno.

Rolls are o.k., just trying to get the body back into it.

Iaido -
Slowly coming along... I'm up to doing the first four forms of the shoden waza. The fact that I can do atarito (180 spin, draw, from kneeling) and not fall over makes me happy. Class is small so there's a lot of one on one with the instructors. This is still the most calming art of the two I do (and couple others I've tried.) At least for me...
Just have to make sure I don't cut my thumb. :-)