Noh Class 1

We had Masters Katayama and Tamoi for our first class. We learned the Noh stance (kamae). It's a whole new set of muscles. Yesterday's picture of me on the Noh stage is NOT a good example! Try this: 1) bend over from the waist. 2) Keeping your butt in the same position, straighten the rest of your back. 3) Tuck your chin back to lengthen your back but keep your tush in that same position it was when you bent over. 4) Make a circle with your arms at chest height - palms turned out. Don't bend your wrists. 5) Lower your arms to your sides keeping that circle and turn your palms in. 6) Sort of make fists, but cover your thumbs with the first joint of your forefinger. NOW you are in the kamae stance. Hold it forever. We practiced the suriashi (sliding walk) and also learned 2 ways of turning. Katayama-san said we were better than he expected. Whew! I haven't taken pictures because the class is formal and disciplined. I may ask one of the staff members to take one later.