Naname

[Confound]

I'm having a really hard time with the naname aspect of jodo. Doing kendo and iai has boxed me into a straight line, and doing things on an angle is a bit hard. To be more specific, it's the act of moving forward on feet that are turned 45 degrees to the left that is proving problematic.

Any advice on how to go about tidying up jodo kamae and waza? Right now they're messy, and there's nothing I abhor more than messy waza.

confound

[Chusan]

Quit Jodo. That`s what I did :-)

[roar]

Just be patient, and do not quit. After some time, you will more easily switch your body/mind-set from one art to the other.

Mester Eckhart: "When God has left you, do excactly what you used to do when God was with you, and He will surely return."
Halleluja.:)

[mingshi]

Confound,

IMHO it is more important to know what art/weapon you are doing, than thinking "hmmm why are my feet not straight?"...

When you cross-train, it's bad to stay with a certain body posture. The main reason being that different weapons are used differently, and you are learning how to become more adaptable to them.

Not Jodo, but I had my hands on Naginata and there is Naname Buri (all the Kamae are Hanmi anyway)... When I get to do Kendo Kata with the same oval grip, I noticed that my waist is very much turned 90 degrees (especially in Kata #4). Very embarrassing indeed. :p

[Confound]

It's not 'why aren't my feet not straight' it's 'How the hell do you move forward while you're feet are pointed in a different direction?

c

[Kingu]

Easy: move one foot after the other. There are no casters under your feet, so their direction is not the problem. I guess that in kendo you've learn to move to the sides even if your feet are pointed in front of you. learn to change your support (fulcrum? can't find an English word for what I want to say)

I have the same problem coming from aikido to kendo. I'm still searching how to be well-balanced with the kendo feet position.
I guess your problem will be solved with a little time and practice.

I guess the easiest way to go forward is advancing the front foot first and then having the second one coming back near the first.
From what I know of aikido jo, there is also the way to avoid a front attack by putting the rear foot in front (left out) and turning your body by having the front foot back to get your usual kamae again, the position is opposite: if left was in front, now it is right (Feel like my explanation is not very clear, sorry)

[Confound]

Kingu,

Your explanation is just fine. I understand what you mean. It is hard to switch mindsets, and footwork; but, with practice it will begin to feel a bit less unbalanced, I hope.

c