Aikido Summer Camp Day 5

The first class in the morning was taught by Hayashi Sensei from California. She had us practice a modified randori (free-style) with foam tubes used by children for swimming. This removed some of the fear of getting hit it but did show where I was weak in responding to multiple attackers.

The second class was outdoors with Doran Sensei. We picked up from Tuesday's class with first weapons and then open-handed follow-up. We practiced the irminage from Tuesday class and then added a kotegoshi variation that flowed from the same entering movement from the irminiage.

The third class was Ushiro Sensei's class. The class was based on the Sanchin kata, the fundamental kata of Shindo-ryu Karate. The practice built upon the beginning movement of the kata to illustrate ki and how ki can overcome pure physical muscle.

The forth class was Saotome Sensei's indoor class. The focus was on ki verse muscle and Saotome Sensei showed how it is relates to irminage, kotegoshi, and kokyu-nage.

In the fifth class, Ikeda Sensei had us pair practice with the jo. Again, he demonstrated how ki is different from muscle and that we should also practice not if we were in a contest of strength or in a tournament, but in a way to help our partners and to be honest in our intent.

The sixth class was taught by Choate Sensei. His techniques and demostrations focused on pressure points or meridians connected through the underside of the lower and upper arm. I was confused as was most of my partners during the practice. I did find a good pressure point on the underside of the lower arm but that wasn't quite what Choate Sensei was demonstrating. After class I was thanking one of my partners and his partner was demonstrating other pressure points such as the shoulder and the soft spot on the neck. I was called a "fat bastard" because this guy couldn't find the pressure points in my neck and he said I need to learn ukemi because I didn't wilt under his pressure points. I have to laugh about all of this, as it is another instance of the "one true way" of believing one's one style is always correct. I experienced this in the past and hopefully one thing I have learned during this summer camp is that there are multiple ways of technique and budo. I do admit I am not in great ukemi shape but I know it is there if I practice more.