Aikido for 11/3/2008

Last night Jake and I focused on foot-work. I started off the basic Central Illinois Aikikai exercises, we ended up doing the following different styles that varied only with the footwork from a katatori ikkyo omote technique.

• Basic step back with the forward foot and cut down with the forward hand
• Basic back foot step back while sliding the foward foot. This style was more difficult to do with the ikkyo omote technique, it is better suited to the ikkyo ura variation
• Forward foot slides to the side while back-foot steps forward
• Back foot slide and meets forward foot while doing an atemi to the face, the final movement is the stepping back on an angle with the former forward foot. This style is what is shown in the "Basic Aikido" book by Doshu, so I call it the hombu dojo style.

I am headed for Grand Junction after work. I am attending Gold Rush training tomorrow and I should be back for Wednesday's Aikido class.